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Google Optimize vs. Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Google Optimize

    Score6.7 out of 10
    N/AGoogle offers the Optimize A/B testing tool for testing website content and versions.N/A

    Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)

    Score7.6 out of 10
    N/AGoogle Universal Analytics was an enterprise-level analytics solution that was sunset in July of 2024.

    $150,000

    Up to 1 Billion hits/month

    Pricing
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Editions & Modules
    Google Optimize
    Free
    Google Analytics Premium
    $150,000
    Up to 1 Billion hits/month
    Google Analytics
    Free
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Considered Both Products
    Google
    Chose Google Optimize
    Google Optimize 360 is expensive but definitely more accurate and reliable than the other simple tools out there.
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Optimize
    Adobe Target is extremely powerful and provides features Google Optimize does not, but Adobe Target is also more expensive and harder to use. Google Optimize could benefit by offering basic built-in reporting so it doesn't require Google Analytics events.
    Incentivized
    Discontinued Products
    Chose Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    It's only got a couple more features so for most businesses it's really hard to justify the price increase.
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    • Easier to use.
    • Better data accuracy.
    • Data connections with other google tools.
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Google Analytics and Adobe Analytics are both great products and solutions. Each has advantages and disadvantages that need to be evaluated based on your business needs and the people you have to leverage them. Google Analytics is a lower overall investment than Adobe Analytics …
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Google Analytics Premium is more simple and focused on marketers' needs with a clear advantage for driving improvements to advertising, especially with the Google tech stack. Adobe Analytics is very complex and great for enterprises, especially those that want to measure …
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Google Analytics and Adobe Analytics are very similar. I wasn't involved in the decision making process at my organization, as we had GA well before I began in my position. However, GA has a suite of other tools that complement Web Analytics that makes it extremely easy to …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    6 Answers
    97%
    Would buy again
    34 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    6 Answers
    90%
    Delivers good value for the price
    26 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    6 Answers
    91%
    Happy with the feature set
    32 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    6 Answers
    96%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    27 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    6 Answers
    89%
    Implementation went as expected
    24 Answers
    Features
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Testing and Experimentation
    Comparison of Testing and Experimentation features of Google Optimize and Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Optimize
    4.9
    8 Ratings
    53% below category average
    Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    a/b experiment testing4.08 Ratings00 Ratings
    Split URL testing2.08 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multivariate testing4.08 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multi-page/funnel testing1.06 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cross-browser testing6.44 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile app testing2.72 Ratings00 Ratings
    Test significance1.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Visual / WYSIWYG editor3.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Advanced code editor2.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Page surveys5.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Visitor recordings10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Preview mode3.06 Ratings00 Ratings
    Test duration calculator9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Experiment scheduler7.05 Ratings00 Ratings
    Experiment workflow and approval8.93 Ratings00 Ratings
    Dynamic experiment activation6.92 Ratings00 Ratings
    Client-side tests7.04 Ratings00 Ratings
    Server-side tests2.62 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mutually exclusive tests8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Audience Segmentation & Targeting
    Comparison of Audience Segmentation & Targeting features of Google Optimize and Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Optimize
    7.0
    8 Ratings
    22% below category average
    Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Standard visitor segmentation6.08 Ratings00 Ratings
    Behavioral visitor segmentation7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
    Traffic allocation control8.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Website personalization7.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Results and Analysis
    Comparison of Results and Analysis features of Google Optimize and Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Optimize
    8.2
    8 Ratings
    5% below category average
    Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Heatmap tool2.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Click analytics9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Scroll maps9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Form fill analysis8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Conversion tracking9.06 Ratings00 Ratings
    Goal tracking8.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Test reporting7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
    Results segmentation10.04 Ratings00 Ratings
    CSV export9.93 Ratings00 Ratings
    Experiments results dashboard9.97 Ratings00 Ratings
    Web Analytics
    Comparison of Web Analytics features of Google Optimize and Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Optimize
    -
    Ratings
    Google Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    6.9
    1 Ratings
    16% below category average
    Lead Conversion Tracking00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Device and Browser Reporting00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
    Pageview Tracking00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Event Tracking00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Reporting in real-time00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Referral Source Tracking00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Customizable Dashboards00 Ratings5.01 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Small Businesses
    Google Content Experiments (discontinued)
    Score7.3 out of 10
    Matomo Analytics
    Score9 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    AB Tasty
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Lead Forensics
    Score8.9 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Google Content Experiments (discontinued)
    Score7.3 out of 10
    Chartbeat
    Score9.2 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    5.0
    (10 ratings)
    8.0
    (55 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (11 ratings)
    Usability
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.0
    (5 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    8.7
    (4 ratings)
    10.0
    (23 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Google OptimizeGoogle Universal Analytics (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Google
    It is a little too limited for a full stack experimentation programme. Many times we required development support or tech advise but we were simply unable to get this due to it being google. This was a big problem for us. However it is quite good if you were looking to get started in experimentation and didn’t have the budgets for a wider tool
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    As I have discussed previously their insights were very useful. The second thing is since it is a Google product you will connect the data very easily from other platforms like Bigquery, Google Drive, etc. and even you can connect Google marketing platform. through this tool, you can track your live campaign how they were performing, and how it will be engaging your customer as well.
    Read full review
    Pros
    Google
    • Easy to follow set up procedures. Once I walk a client through the process, it's effortless for them to emulate on subsequent tests.
    • Lots of geo and user attribute customization features to be able to drill down into specific targeted audiences — all based on the power of Google's immense data system.
    • Google Optimize is the logical choice for many people to start with since most are already familiar with and using GA.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • It is an excellent cloud analytics platform that is easy to install and configure and easy to deploy and use, allowing us to measure web traffic and other tools.
    • It is an entirely online tool; it does not take up hard disk space like other desktop tools.
    • Since this tool is draggable, Google is constantly adding more features.
    • Even beginners who do not have a custom dashboard can get information. If there is a problem somewhere on the site that needs to be investigated, Google Analytics 360 will notify you.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Google
    • Only works for browsers, not for the apps testing.
    • Missing possibility to test complicated features.
    • Audience division in groups is not always accurate.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Generally I think there is a lot you can do within the tool, but as it is a Google product it means there is limited support - something which I think lets all of the platform stacks down
    • There could be more visual signifiers to identify if a feature is a normal or 360 feature. This would mean you can really get to grips with what the extra more advanced elements are
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Google
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    Google Analytics 360 is an upgraded version of the most widely used web/app analytics tracking tools in the market. The price is stable and predictable making it a long-term product of choice. It's easy to use and pairs so well with other Google Marketing Platform products.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Google
    Google has always been known to make easy-to-use products. The Google Optimize interface is intuitive and easy to follow for anyone.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    The UI is very easy to navigate and use. The features are well designed and intuitive. As long as the user has a good understanding of basic digital analytics definitions and capabilities, this tool should be quite easy to use. I consider Google Analytics Premium to be the easiest of all of the enterprise solutions out there to use.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Google
    Google has well-documented resources and unlimited use cases that can be found online. Plus, their support is always helpful and available.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    If you purchase Premium through a reseller like LunaMetrics, you are going to be taken care of. The additional amount of support and services that a reseller provides to make sure you have the best experience with the product is the reason why the reseller program exists to begin with. Support doesn't have to be just reactive, it can be proactive as well.
    Read full review
    Online Training
    Google
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    There is a ton of information online about Google Analytics, but Google Analytics Premium users will have dedicated support and training from Google or an Authorized Reseller.
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Google
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    If you already have the basic version of GA installed, "getting" GA Premium happens immediately through a virtual flipping of the switch - no need to re-implement. You'll want to expand your use of custom dimensions and metrics (you get 10x the amount with Premium). Ideally, you'll be using a tag management solution to talk with GA Premium, in concert with implementing a dataLayer (to note, Google's Tag Manager platform is covered under the same GA Premium SLA, and it's free). There are some welcomed "configurations" with GA Premium, such as integrating with DoubleClick products, activating data driven attribution models, and building roll-up executive reports - but all of these are easy point and click solutions. In comparison with any other enterprise analytics solution, implementing GA and GA Premium is traditionally easier and more flexible. And if you have any trouble or need an extra set of hands for implementation, GA Certified Partners like LunaMetrics can help
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Google
    Google Optimize being part of the Google stack makes it great in reporting and analysis. Wish Google would add more features like dynamic tests, multi funnel tests, conversion calculator based on the total number of traffic of the page being tested instead of using the websites total traffic. Should integrate form analysis, heatmap, and page analytics.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Unless you have very complex and edge case analytics needs, Google Analytics [360 (formerly Google Analytics Premium)] is likely going to be the best choice. From both a cost and usability stand point, Google wins. Adobe has the edge case when you need to create really custom reports, dimensions, metrics, etc. In my experience, this is rarely the case and you end up biting off more than you can chew. Stick with Google unless you are or plan on hiring an Adobe Analytics expert.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Google
    • We were able to increase our main KPI for conversions by almost 50% by testing button copy.
    • We were able to increase secondary KPIs for conversions by almost 30% by testing form design.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • It helps me understand which social media platforms are most successful for me - which I should focus on and which I might want to focus less on.
    • I can also see which blog posts people are reading - so I know which topics resonate most. I can write more of those, hopefully gaining more visitors.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
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