Ahoy
Ahoy: Open-source, self-hosted analytics for developers building across web and mobile. Ranked #67 of 139 in Web Analytics Tools by our editors (4.0/10); pricing: Open source; best for developers needing open-source multi-platform analytics.
At a glance
- Editor score4.0 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forDevelopers needing open-source multi-platform analytics
- Paid fromFree
- Event trackingYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Tracks visits, events, funnels, attribution, and ecommerce activity
- Supports Ruby, JavaScript, AMP, iOS, Android, and HTTP API tracking
- Offers self-hosting, IP masking, cookie controls, and event-stream integrations
Where it doesn't
- Designed primarily for Rails applications
- Requires self-hosted deployment and operational ownership
- Support is centered on documentation and community channels
Our verdict on Ahoy
Ahoy is an open-source, self-hosted analytics library built for Rails applications and development teams that want control over collection and storage. It tracks website visits with referrer, UTM, location, and technology data, while configurable events can carry names and properties. Tracking options cover Ruby, JavaScript, AMP, iOS, and Android, making it suitable for products that span websites and mobile apps. Developers can associate visits with users and orders, analyze funnels, and record activity through an HTTP API.
Its main strength is breadth within a developer-led analytics setup. Ahoy stores data in the application database by default, while customizable databases and external data stores support systems such as Kafka and Amazon Kinesis Firehose. Additional event-stream integrations include RabbitMQ, Fluentd, NATS, and NSQ. This gives teams room to connect analytics with existing application and data infrastructure rather than relying on a separate hosted dashboard. The trade-off is that deployment, storage, maintenance, and reporting workflows remain part of the team’s responsibility.
Privacy controls are a meaningful part of the product’s design. Ahoy documents IP masking, cookie disabling, configurable data retention, and cookie-free anonymity-set options, alongside GDPR support. These controls can suit teams that want first-party measurement with a defined approach to data handling. Ahoy is a strong choice for Rails developers, particularly when self-hosting and custom event pipelines matter. Teams seeking a hosted analytics service, a low-maintenance setup, or a product designed independently of Rails should consider another tool.
Questions about Ahoy
What does Ahoy run on? Web, iOS and Android. It runs self-hosted.
What does Ahoy integrate with? 6 integrations, including Kafka, RabbitMQ, Fluentd, NATS and NSQ.
Who is Ahoy built for? Solo users, small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises (our editorial estimate).
Your product? Our editors can test Ahoy in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Ahoy pricing
Ahoy fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Monthly visitor limit | Not verified |
| Event tracking | Yes |
| Conversion funnels | Yes |
| Session recordings | Not verified |
| Data retention | Not verified |
| Ecommerce tracking | Yes |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | GDPR |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Kafka, RabbitMQ, Fluentd, NATS, NSQ, Amazon Kinesis Firehose |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Ahoy integrations
Ahoy lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Kafka
- RabbitMQ
- Fluentd
- NATS
- NSQ
- Amazon Kinesis Firehose
Alternatives to Ahoy
- Google AnalyticsA broad, no-cost analytics platform covering web, app, marketing, and ecommerce measurement.9.4
- MatomoA broad, privacy-focused analytics platform with free self-hosting and paid expansion tiers.9.2
- Adobe AnalyticsA deep Adobe-centered analytics suite for teams that need behavioral, funnel, and attribution analysis.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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