Amplitude vs Snowplow: What are the differences?

Introduction

Amplitude and Snowplow are both analytics tools used to track and analyze user behavior on websites or mobile applications. While they have some similarities, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Data Collection: Amplitude is a third-party tool that collects data using JavaScript libraries and sends it to their servers for analysis. On the other hand, Snowplow is a self-hosted analytics platform that requires you to set up your own tracking infrastructure and server. This allows for more control and flexibility in data collection and storage.

2. Data Ownership and Privacy: With Amplitude, the data you collect is stored on their servers and is subject to their privacy policies. In contrast, Snowplow allows you to have full ownership and control over your data. You can choose where your data is stored and define your own privacy policies.

3. Data Schema and Flexibility: Amplitude has a pre-defined data schema and you need to define events and properties within that schema. This makes it easier to set up and use, especially for non-technical users. Snowplow, on the other hand, allows for a completely custom data schema. You can capture any type of event or property without any limitations. This flexibility requires more technical knowledge but allows for more advanced analytics.

4. Real-time vs Batch Processing: Amplitude provides real-time event tracking and analysis, allowing you to see user behavior immediately. Snowplow, on the other hand, uses batch processing, where data is collected and stored for later analysis. This means that insights may not be available immediately and you may need to wait for the data to be processed.

5. Cost and Pricing Model: Amplitude has a pricing structure based on the number of users or events tracked, with different tiers based on the level of usage. Snowplow, being a self-hosted solution, is open source and free to use. However, you will need to invest in server infrastructure and maintenance, which may incur additional costs.

6. Integration and Accessibility: Amplitude provides pre-built integrations with popular analytics and marketing tools, making it easier to connect and analyze data from different sources. Snowplow, being a self-hosted platform, requires more manual integration and configuration with other tools. It provides more control and flexibility but may require additional technical expertise.

In summary, Amplitude is a third-party analytics tool that offers easy setup, real-time tracking, and pre-built integrations, but you need to consider data ownership and privacy policies. Snowplow, on the other hand, is a self-hosted platform that requires more technical knowledge but offers full data ownership, flexibility, and cost savings.