5 HIPAA-Compliant Alternatives to Google Analytics

Navigating HIPAA-Compliant Analytics Solutions

With the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' guidance that IP addresses constitute PHI, many hospitals, systems, and practices have shut down Google Analytics out of an abundance of caution. Yet, you’re still performing business-as-usual tasks, which may feel like flying without a pilot.

Fortunately, the tech industry has responded quickly to the growing demand for privacy and security in analytics data. As with any specialized tech solution, there are numerous HIPAA-compliant analytics platforms, each with different features, pricing, and implementation requirements.

We conducted extensive research into available alternatives, narrowing the field to a shortlist of viable platforms. After testing each one, we identified five that we recommend to our clients.

Piwik Pro

Piwik Pro is a HIPAA-compliant, full-featured analytics platform designed to help organizations understand patient journeys, optimize marketing efforts, and improve engagement while ensuring data security. Its interface closely mirrors Google Analytics, offering familiar data metrics and reports.

Piwik Pro Key Features:

• Analytics – Comprehensive tracking for website performance

• Tag Manager – Enables streamlined tracking implementation

• Consent Manager – Ensures compliance with data privacy regulations

• Customer Data Platform – Centralized data for in-depth analysis

Setup & Integration

Implementation is straightforward, using Piwik’s Tag Manager, which functions similarly to Google Tag Manager. However, setting up custom dashboards and reports is necessary to match GA’s standard reports. Piwik also integrates with Looker Studio, Google Search Console, Google Ads, and other platforms. The full platform is HIPAA-compliant.

Heap

Heap is another HIPAA-compliant analytics platform that provides the same core functions as Piwik but with an additional data science layer to help marketers gain deeper insights into user behavior. It offers opportunities for continuous site improvement and journey mapping, visualizing actual user flows.

Heap Key Features:

• Autocapture – No-code event tracking

• Advanced segmentation & user journey analysis

• Funnel & retention analysis

• Dashboards & custom reporting

• Data privacy & security controls

• Integrations with CRM and CDP platforms

Setup & Integration

Heap requires a more complex setup and user training due to its extensive features. HIPAA compliance is only available at the enterprise level, and data collection must be configured to prevent PHI capture.

Mixpanel

Similar to Heap, Mixpanel is a product and behavioral analytics platform that tracks user interactions beyond traditional pageviews. It focuses on event-based tracking, allowing organizations to gain deeper insights into user behavior, engagement, and retention.

Mixpanel Key Features:

• Pageview and interaction tracking

• Advanced segmentation and funnel analysis

• User retention insights

• Custom dashboards and real-time reporting

• Data privacy and security controls

• Integrations with CRM and EHR systems

Setup & Integration

Mixpanel requires server-side SDK implementation, making setup more complex. A HIPAA-compliant plan is available, ensuring appropriate security measures for handling PHI.

Google Analytics + Freshpaint

For organizations not ready to fully transition away from Google Analytics, Freshpaint enables HIPAA-compliant use of GA4 by de-identifying PHI before it reaches Google Analytics.

How It Works:

• Freshpaint captures tracking data and de-identifies PHI using IP Masking and PHI Guard.

• The processed data is then sent securely to GA4.

• Event tracking is configured within Freshpaint, using your existing GTM account.

Pros & Considerations:

• Retains GA4 functionality while ensuring compliance.

• Integrates with advertising and social platforms, but third-party tool integration requires an additional fee.

• Implementation is complex, though Freshpaint provides support.

Google Analytics + Server-Side GTM

Another option for maintaining Google Analytics while ensuring compliance is server-side tagging. This method shifts data collection to a HIPAA-compliant server (such as Google Cloud) before sending it to GA4.

Benefits of Server-Side Tagging:

• Enhanced security – Data is processed before reaching GA4.

• Improved website performance – Reduces reliance on browser-based tracking.

• Greater control over data handling – Ensures PHI is properly managed.

Setup & Integration:

Server-side tagging requires additional infrastructure and technical expertise for configuration.

Making the Right Choice

Selecting a HIPAA-compliant analytics platform depends on several factors, including:

• Team size & expertise – Does your team need a plug-and-play solution, or can they manage technical setup?

• Reporting needs – Do you prefer standard Google Analytics-style reporting or more in-depth behavioral insights?

• Budget considerations – Are you looking for a full analytics suite or a cost-effective, hybrid solution?

Many other HIPAA-compliant platforms exist, each with different strengths. An experienced agency partner can help navigate the decision-making process to find the best solution for your organization. 

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