Google Analytics is a powerful tool—but it isn’t HIPAA compliant. Because Google won’t sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for Analytics, medical organizations face compliance risks even if disclaimers are in place. The good news? There are alternatives.
Why This Matters
Even something as simple as a patient typing their name into a website inquiry form or search bar could be considered Protected Health Information (PHI). If that data flows into Google Analytics, your practice may be in violation of HIPAA—even unintentionally. If you’re still using GA, see why it’s a risk in Is Google Analytics HIPAA Compliant?
Comparison Table: Analytics Alternatives for Healthcare Organizations
Several analytics platforms offer HIPAA-friendly setups:
| Platform | BAA? | Strengths | Limitations | Best For |
| Piwik PRO | ✅ Yes | All-in-one analytics suite with consent management, hosting options, and built-in compliance tools. | More expensive than GA; requires learning curve. | Practices wanting a turnkey HIPAA-compliant replacement for GA. |
| Freshpaint | ✅ Yes | Acts as a privacy layer, filtering PHI before passing data downstream. Lets you keep existing analytics tools. | Added complexity; requires strict setup and monitoring. | Practices that want to keep GA-like tools but need a HIPAA buffer. |
| Matomo (self-hosted) | ⚠️ Possible (if you fully control hosting) | Open-source, customizable, full control of data. | No BAA by default; your IT team is responsible for hosting securely. | Larger practices or hospital systems with IT staff who want control. |
| Mixpanel (enterprise) | ✅ Yes | Deep event-based tracking (user journeys, funnels, retention). | Requires careful event design to avoid PHI; not “plug-and-play.” | Practices or networks tracking patient engagement across digital touchpoints. |
| PostHog (self-hosted/enterprise) | ✅ Yes | Open-source; customizable; strong developer flexibility. | Requires hosting and engineering effort. | Practices with dev team and desire for customization. |
| BigQuery (Google Cloud) | ✅ Yes | Enterprise-scale storage/analysis; integrates with Looker for dashboards. | Not a direct GA replacement; requires custom data pipeline. | Practices needing scalable analytics with full HIPAA compliance. |
👉 Next Step: Audit your current analytics setup. If you’re using Google Analytics, consider a transition plan to a HIPAA-compliant solution.
These alternatives help avoid the common mistakes outlined in Hidden HIPAA Landmines on Digital Platforms
Note: The information in this comparison is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, compliance, or financial advice. HIPAA compliance depends on how each platform is implemented, configured, and maintained within your organization. Mention of third-party tools is for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement. Always consult with qualified legal, compliance, or IT professionals before making decisions regarding HIPAA compliance or technology adoption.
