---
title: Mixpanel vs OpenPanel
description: A comparison between Mixpanel and OpenPanel
date: 2024-11-13
updated: 2025-12-02
tag: Comparison
team: OpenPanel Team
cover: /content/cover-mixpanel.jpg
---
import { Figure } from "@/components/figure";

OpenPanel is based on the same principles as Mixpanel, but with a few key differences. We'll go through some of the features and see how they compare.

> See our detailed comparison: [OpenPanel vs Mixpanel](/compare/mixpanel-alternative)

## Web analytics

Mixpanel is a great product analytics tool but in our minds its lacking in this area. Web analytics should always be easy to get going and we think Mixpanel has to much focus on product analytics.

In OpenPanel you do not need to do anything to get your web analytics up and running. Just add the tracking snippet to your website or app and you're up and running.

<Figure
  src="/content/screenshot-web-analytics.png"
  alt="OpenPanel web analytics dashboard showing pageviews, sessions and other key metrics"
  caption="OpenPanel's web analytics dashboard provides key metrics at a glance"
/>

## Product analytics

Mixpanel's strength is in product analytics and it's hard to beat (to be honest). Nevertheless we aim to have the same great features in OpenPanel.

Probably the most used feature in Mixpanel is their report tool, where you can create all kinds of charts and see how different things are doing. We have tried to make a similar experiance where you can pick and choose different metrics and dimensions to create your own custom reports.

Some of the features we have added are:

- **Funnels**
- **Retention**
- **Line charts**
- **Bar charts**
- **Histogram charts**
- **Area charts**
- **Pie charts**
- **Map charts**
- **Events**
- **Profiles**

<Figure
  src="/content/screenshot-report-funnel.png"
  alt="OpenPanel report tool showing a funnel"
  caption="OpenPanel's report tool provides a wide range of charts and metrics"
/>

## Cookies vs Cookieless

Mixpanel is a cookie-based tool, which means that it relies on cookies to track users. This provides advantages like:
- More accurate user identification across sessions
- Better cross-domain tracking
- Easier integration with existing cookie-based systems

However, it also comes with challenges:
- Requires cookie consent banners in many jurisdictions
- Can be blocked by ad blockers and privacy-focused browsers
- May not work with upcoming cookie restrictions

OpenPanel uses a cookieless approach, relying instead on privacy-preserving techniques like fingerprinting and session-based tracking. This offers benefits such as:
- No cookie consent banners required
- Works even when cookies are blocked
- Future-proof against upcoming cookie restrictions

> Its up to you to decide what's best for your users and your business.

## Realtime

Both Mixpanel and OpenPanel have real-time analytics. Its just a matter of seconds before you can see what's happening in your product or website. 

But we have added a new feature in OpenPanel which we call `Realtime`. It's similar to Google Analytics' real-time view since we love looking at big screens with live data.

<Figure
  src="/content/screenshot-realtime.png"
  alt="OpenPanel real-time analytics dashboard showing active users and other key metrics"
  caption="See where all your users are at the moment in OpenPanel's realtime view"
/>

## Notifications

In OpenPanel you can create notifications for different events. This is a great way to stay on top of things and get notified when something is happening.

You can define advanced conditions when and what to notify you about. We have several integrations with other tools so you can easily connect your notifications to other tools you use.

As of now, we don't believe Mixpanel has this feature.

## Similarities

### Profiles

Both Mixpanel and OpenPanel allow you to see profiles of your users. This is a great way to understand your users and see how they are doing.

### Events

You get new events in realtime in both Mixpanel and OpenPanel, you can search and filter on any property. Mixpanel might be a bit faster but it's not a big difference.

## Conclusion

Mixpanel is a great product analytics tool but in our minds its lacking in this area. Web analytics should always be easy to get going and we think Mixpanel has to much focus on product analytics.

**OpenPanel is a great alternative to Mixpanel** if you want to get started with analytics quickly and easily.

Looking for more options? Check out our guide on [9 best open source web analytics tools](/articles/open-source-web-analytics) for a comprehensive comparison.