Skip the setup.
Start tracking now.
GA4 is powerful but overwhelming. Happenstance gives you product analytics that actually make sense—no certification required.
Happenstance
Zero-config
- 1 Add one script tag to your site
- 2 Done. Events are tracked automatically.
Google Analytics
Traditional setup
- 1 Create Google Analytics account
- 2 Set up GA4 property
- 3 Install gtag.js or Tag Manager
- 4 Configure data streams
- 5 Set up custom events with gtag()
- 6 Define conversions and audiences
- 7 Build custom reports
- 8 Learn GA4's new interface
Google Analytics 4 is free and ubiquitous, but the new interface has left many teams confused. Enhanced measurement helps, but custom events still require code. And the privacy implications mean you need cookie banners and consent flows. Happenstance tracks what matters without the complexity or privacy headaches.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Happenstance | Google Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-config setup | ||
| Automatic event discovery | Limited | |
| No code changes required | ||
| Real-time analytics | ||
| User journey tracking | ||
| Goal tracking | ||
| Privacy-friendly | ||
| No cookies required | ||
| Data ownership | ||
| Free tier | 10k events/mo | Unlimited* |
| GDPR compliant | Complex |
Why teams switch
Teams switch from GA4 when they get tired of the learning curve. Every update changes the interface. Reports that took seconds in UA now take minutes to build. Happenstance shows you what's happening in plain English—no certifications needed.
How to migrate from Google Analytics
- 1 Add the Happenstance script tag to your site — works alongside GA4.
- 2 Compare the automatically tracked events with your GA4 custom events.
- 3 No cookie banner changes needed — Happenstance doesn't use cookies.
- 4 Remove the gtag.js script and Google Tag Manager if only used for GA4.
- 5 Enjoy privacy-friendly analytics with full data ownership.
Who should use what
Choose Happenstance if...
You want privacy-friendly product analytics without cookie banners, consent flows, or complex configuration. Perfect if you've been frustrated by GA4's interface.
Choose Google Analytics if...
You need Google Ads integration, deep marketing attribution, or are already invested in the Google ecosystem with BigQuery exports.
Integration Code
Happenstance (complete setup)
<script src="https://happenstance.click/v1/track.js"></script>Google Analytics (just initialization)
// Google Tag Manager or gtag.js
gtag('event', 'button_click', {
'event_category': 'engagement',
'event_label': 'Add to Cart',
'value': 1
});
// Plus: consent mode, data streams,
// custom dimensions, audiences...GA4 is great for marketing teams who need deep Google Ads integration. Happenstance is for product teams who want to understand user behavior without becoming analytics experts.
Start tracking in 30 seconds
No signup. No configuration. Just add one script tag and see your analytics instantly.
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