nilly

nilly is a simple, privacy-first web analytics tool made in Switzerland, offering a lightweight, cookie-free alternative to Google Analytics that ensures full GDPR and CCPA compliance without cookie banners.

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Key Features

Spot live visitors as they arrive. Dashboards update instantly, showing current traffic alongside historical trends. This helps site owners react quickly to spikes or issues, without delays common in heavier tools.

Break down behavior (top pages), acquisitions (referrers), geography (continents to cities), and technology (devices, browsers, OS). Custom events track specific actions like form submits or button clicks, with conversion rates. All data exports to CSV for further analysis.

The script is under 1kB—far smaller than competitors like Matomo (62kB)—avoiding site slowdowns and boosting SEO. No cookies, IPs, or fingerprinting means inherent compliance, eliminating cookie banners. Adblockers don't block it either, capturing full traffic.

nilly: Privacy-First Web Analytics from Switzerland

Website owners often face a dilemma: gaining visitor insights while respecting privacy laws. Tools like Google Analytics collect vast amounts of personal data, triggering cookie banners and compliance headaches. nilly changes that. Developed in Switzerland and hosted there, this tool provides clear metrics without tracking IPs, fingerprinting, or using cookies. Its script weighs under 1kB, ensuring no performance hit. Operated by Lyo GmbH in Zurich, nilly emphasizes data ownership and transparency as an independent Open Startup, publicly sharing revenue and roadmap details. With servers on Swiss soil, it aligns with Europe's strict data protection standards right out of the box.

What is nilly?

nilly is a web analytics platform built for those prioritizing privacy. Gianluca Pirrera created it solo in Switzerland, drawing from his 2011 stint at Wuala, a secure cloud storage service, and later roles in web agencies where Google Analytics dominated despite its data practices. Rejecting venture funding, Pirrera runs nilly through Lyo GmbH, a company he fully owns, based in Zurich. This setup avoids corporate data-selling incentives.

The service tracks pageviews without personal identifiers, delivering real-time data on visitors, top pages, referrers, locations from continents to cities, devices, browsers, and operating systems. Users can set custom events for conversions and export everything as CSV. No consent banners needed—it's compliant with GDPR, CCPA, PECR, ePR, and PIPL by design.

nilly holds Swiss Made Software certification and the Swiss Web label. It partners with Tree Nation (1% revenue to reforestation) and Stripe Climate (1% to carbon removal), using green energy hosting. As an Open Startup, it discloses metrics openly, building trust. The domain dates to late 2020, with full operations following soon after.

Who Uses nilly?

nilly suits website owners, small businesses, bloggers, and developers wary of data-heavy analytics. It powers personal sites, e-commerce stores, and blogs needing straightforward metrics without ethical trade-offs. Integrations simplify setup: WordPress plugin available, plus native support for Webflow, Shopify, and Squarespace via one script line. Any HTML site works too.

Privacy-focused creators favor it for avoiding consent friction, retaining more visitors. Small teams appreciate unlimited sites per plan and email reports. While specific clients aren't publicized, its appeal lies in serving indie operators to enterprises seeking EU-aligned tools without complexity.

European Advantage

Switzerland's data protection laws exceed EU standards, making nilly a strong choice for sovereignty. Servers stay in-country, preventing foreign access risks. Full GDPR compliance—no personal data collected—avoids fines and banners. Swiss Made Software certification verifies local development. Zurich headquarters ensure European oversight, with green hosting reinforcing sustainability. For EU firms, it sidesteps US-based tools' CLOUD Act concerns.

How nilly Compares

nilly positions against privacy peers like Plausible.io (Estonia), Fathom Analytics (Canada), and Simple Analytics (Netherlands). All ditch cookies, but nilly's script is lightest at <1kB, aiding performance. Pricing starts lower at $6/month for 5k pageviews (unlimited sites), versus higher entry points elsewhere. Swiss hosting offers top-tier sovereignty over Dutch or Estonian options. As a solo, founder-owned operation, it provides Open Startup transparency absent in venture-backed rivals. Real-time views and city-level geo match or exceed them, with easier exports.

Get Started with nilly

Ready to try nilly?

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Frequently Asked Questions

No permanent free tier exists, but a 7-day trial covers all features. Paid plans start at $6/month for 5,000 pageviews across unlimited sites, scaling to $99 for 500k. Annual billing saves up to 16%. Contact for custom needs.

Yes, by design. It collects no personal data—no IPs, cookies, or fingerprinting—ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, PECR, ePR, and PIPL. Swiss servers and certification add assurance.

- **Plausible.io**: Open-source, EU-hosted, but larger script and higher pricing. - **Fathom Analytics**: Simple interface, but Canada-based with pricier plans. - **Simple Analytics**: Dutch privacy focus, though less granular geo data.