How to self-host Matomo or Plausible analytics

Why self-host

• Data stays on infrastructure you control, which some public-sector, health and EU organisations require.
• No per-pageview pricing: the cost is the server.
• Freedom to customise, under open-source licences (Matomo GPL, Plausible CE AGPLv3).

Self-hosting does not remove consent obligations by itself: whether you need a banner depends on what the tool stores on the visitor's device and on local law. Not legal advice.

Matomo or Plausible

Choose Matomo when you need GA-style depth on your own server. Choose Plausible CE when you want simple, fast, cookieless traffic stats and are comfortable with Docker.

Matomo sizing, from Matomo's own guidance

Where to host it

• A VPS with root access suits both. Plausible CE needs Docker, so pick a VPS rather than shared hosting. Hostinger sells Docker-ready VPS plans.
• A managed cloud server suits Matomo if you want the server patched and backed up for you: Cloudways runs PHP apps on DigitalOcean and other clouds with managed security and backups.
• Shared hosting can run a small Matomo but usually not its scheduled archiving (a cron job that pre-processes reports), which you want for anything beyond a few thousand visits a day.
• No server at all: both makers sell hosted versions (Matomo Cloud, Plausible), often the cheaper choice once you count your own time.

Running it safely

1. Put it on its own subdomain (stats.example.com) with HTTPS.
2. Automate daily database backups to storage off the server, and test a restore once.
3. Apply security updates promptly; subscribe to the project's release notes.
4. Set up Matomo's archiving cron job, or Plausible CE's documented upgrade process, before traffic grows.
5. Exclude your own IPs, as you would in any tool.

Still deciding between hosted tools? Read GA4 alternatives and GA4 vs Plausible vs Matomo.