comparison: google analytics and urchin 6 (beta)

[m0rph]

Hey there,

I'm thinking about using the new urchin 6 for my website. Despite the fact that google analytics is for free and the acquired data is used by google (and the 3000$ for urchin ;)) I'd like to know if anyone could give a short review about those two analytic tools with their strengths and weaknesses?

Thank you in advance

m0rph

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to place a link here (I guess I should know about the policy by now, but I'm forgetful when it comes to certain things!), but this might be useful for people trying to compare the benefits of web analytics tools:

http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2007/04/web-analytics-tools-comparison-a-recommendation.html

The poster of comment 13 links out to his blog post which seems to be about Urchin, maybe going there might be of interest to you, too.

[beu]

Despite the fact that google analytics is for free and the acquired data is used by google (and the 3000$ for urchin ;)) I'd like to know if anyone could give a short review about those two analytic tools with their strengths and weaknesses?

Urchin is based on your own server and according to Matt Cutts the Web Spam team at least doesn't use Google Analytics. If it's based on a server not under Google's control, I'm not sure how Google could use Urchin.:confused:

I've not used the new beta version but I've been using Urchin since 2000. I work with Omniture, Coremetrics, HBX and others daily but prefer Urchin. By the way, that price is a little over half Urchin's price tag back in 2005. Either way here is their client list prior to being purchased by Google:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050106092821/www.urchin.com/resource_center/client_list.html

As NewKidOnTheBlock pointed out, Avinash's (Google's Analytics Evangelist) Blog is another great source for information in addition to:
http://www.google.com/analytics/urchin_software.html

I wouldn't expect to see a comprehensive "comparison" until after the beta.

Hope that helps and best of luck to you! :)

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

I'm surprised to see that Urchin 5 is available in a language such as Swedish (especially as the Swedish are very good at English in general), but not in German!

[cellconversion]

It really depends on what type of data you want from these 2 metrics. For a more drilled down report I guess the more expensive urchin will be a good choice. The free google analytics is also formidable tool for tracking your fundamental KPIs.