Mirage Analytics vs Google Analytics
The debate is no longer "should we leave Google Analytics?" but "why haven't you yet?". An honest comparison, with numbers.
Contents
The 30-second verdict
Google Analytics 4
Free and feature-rich (attribution, Google Ads integration), but your data flows through Google's US servers, a consent banner is mandatory — with 30–50% refusal rates in France — and the CNIL has announced intensified audits for the first half of 2026.
Mirage Analytics
Cookieless, consent-exempt by design, hosted in France (Scaleway). Session replay, heatmaps and A/B testing built in. You measure 100% of your traffic, with no banner. From €19/month (excl. VAT).
Detailed comparison
| Mirage Analytics | Google Analytics 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Consent banner exemption (CNIL) | Yes, by design | No — banner required |
| Data hosting | France (Scaleway) | United States (Google Cloud) |
| Third-party cookies | ✕ | ✓ |
| 100% of traffic measured | ✓ | 50–70% after banner refusals |
| Session replay included | ✓ | ✕ |
| Heatmaps included | ✓ | ✕ |
| A/B testing included | ✓ | Removed (Google Optimize shut down) |
| Google Ads integration | ✕ | ✓ |
| Usable without training | ✓ | ✕ |
| Price | From €19/month (excl. VAT) | Free (paid in data) |
GDPR: the fault line
The facts, in order. February 2022: the CNIL issued formal notices to French website operators — Google Analytics in its standard setup breaches the GDPR, because data is transferred to the US without adequate safeguards. July 2023: the European Commission adopted the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, restoring a legal basis for transfers — but the EDPB noted its similarity to Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield, both struck down by the Schrems I and II rulings. 2025: three French companies sanctioned, and the CNIL announced intensified audits for the first half of 2026.
Even with Consent Mode v2, mandatory since March 2024, data still transits through Google's servers, subject to US extraterritorial law (FISA, Cloud Act). And GA4 requires a banner: in France, 30–50% of visitors refuse it depending on the sector. You steer your business on a fraction of your real audience.
Mirage removes the problem at the root: no personal data collected, no cookies set, data hosted in France. Measurement meets the CNIL's exemption criteria — there is nothing to consent to. Our full guide: the CNIL consent exemption for analytics tools.
The real price of "free"
GA4 is free because your traffic data feeds Google's advertising ecosystem. Then come the hidden costs: a consent banner (a paid CMP for many), losing 30–50% of your data, training hours, and for serious needs, third-party replay and heatmap tools (often €40–100/month extra).
Mirage starts at €19/month (excl. VAT), everything included. The maths is quick once you add up what "free" GA4 actually makes you spend.
Which one for you?
Stay on GA4 if…
- Your acquisition relies heavily on Google Ads and its audiences
- You have a data team working in BigQuery
- Your DPO accepts data transfers to the United States
Switch to Mirage if…
- You want to measure 100% of your traffic, without a banner
- GDPR/CNIL compliance must be structural, not defensive
- You want to understand journeys (replay, heatmaps) without stacking tools
- The whole team should read the numbers, not just the analyst
Migrate in 5 minutes
- Create your trial account (30 days, no card).
- Paste the Mirage script on your site — like GA, only shorter.
- Run it alongside GA4 for 2–4 weeks to compare.
- Export your historical GA4 reports, then switch GA4 off — and the analytics banner with it.
FAQ
Is Google Analytics illegal in France in 2026?
Not as such. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework (July 2023) provides a legal basis for transfers to the United States. But the CNIL issued formal notices to website operators as early as February 2022, sanctioned three companies in 2025, and announced intensified audits for the first half of 2026. A "Schrems III" ruling could strike down the DPF, as Schrems I and II struck down Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield.
Can I remove my cookie banner by switching to Mirage?
For the analytics part, yes: Mirage works without third-party cookies or persistent identifiers and meets the CNIL's consent-exemption criteria. If your site uses other trackers (advertising, social media), consent is still required for those.
Do I lose my Google Analytics history when migrating?
GA4 history cannot be transferred, whatever the destination tool. Recommended practice: export your key reports, then run Mirage alongside GA4 for 2–4 weeks to validate consistency before switching off.
How does Mirage's cookieless measurement compare to GA4?
In practice it is more complete: GA4 only measures visitors who accept the banner (50–70% in France), while Mirage measures 100% of traffic anonymously. You get back exactly the audience share GA4 makes you lose.