GA Google Analytics – Connect Google Analytics to WordPress vs Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed (2026): PluginCheck
Quick Verdict
Pick GA Google Analytics if you only need a lightweight, no-frills way to add the GA tracking code and want a near-perfect user rating with zero bloat. Pick Site Kit by Google if you want Analytics plus Search Console, AdSense, and performance insights in one official plugin backed by Google.
Both plugins connect WordPress sites to Google Analytics, but they take very different approaches to the job. GA Google Analytics is a single-purpose tracker focused entirely on inserting the GA code with the right settings. Site Kit by Google is a broader dashboard that pulls in Analytics alongside Search Console, AdSense, and PageSpeed data. The choice comes down to whether you want a lean Analytics drop-in or a multi-tool Google integration.
GA Google Analytics – Connect Google Analytics to WordPress
Adds Google Analytics tracking code to your WordPress site. Supports many tracking features.
- Active installs 400k+
- Rating 4.9/5 (158)
- Last updated Apr 21, 2026
- Support resolved No threads
- Tested to WP 7.0
- Requires PHP 5.6.20
Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed
Site Kit is a one-stop solution for WordPress users to use everything Google has to offer to make them successful on the web.
- Active installs 5M+
- Rating 4.2/5 (1,006)
- Last updated Jul 13, 2026
- Support resolved 78%
- Tested to WP 7.0.1
- Requires PHP 7.4
Where GA Google Analytics – Connect Google Analytics to WordPress Wins
Higher user satisfaction
It scores 98/100 across 158 ratings, compared to Site Kit's 84/100 across 1006 reviews, suggesting users are more consistently happy with the focused experience.
Simpler scope
With a clear single-purpose design and 400,000 active installs, it delivers exactly one job without pulling in AdSense, Search Console, or other modules you may not need.
Smaller footprint
A single-concern plugin avoids the permissions, API connections, and dashboard widgets that Site Kit adds, which matters for sites that just want the tracking snippet and nothing else.
Where Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed Wins
Massive adoption
Site Kit has 5,000,000 active installs versus GA Google Analytics' 400,000, a 12.5x lead that reflects strong market trust.
Higher overall quality score
Site Kit scores 94.31/100 against GA Google Analytics' 87.29/100, driven by stronger popularity and support metrics.
Active support and recent updates
Site Kit resolves 78.0% of support threads and was updated in July 2026, while GA Google Analytics sits at 0.0% support resolution, leaving troubleshooting largely on you.
Score-by-Score Comparison
Site Kit dominates with a perfect 100/30 popularity score, reflecting 5 million active installs versus GA Google Analytics' 84/30 based on 400,000 installs.
Both plugins tie at a perfect 100/25 for maintenance, with recent 2026 updates on each side showing active upkeep.
GA Google Analytics leads with 98/15 thanks to its 98/100 average rating, beating Site Kit's 84/15 despite Site Kit having over six times more reviews.
Site Kit clearly wins support at 78/15 versus 50/15, since GA Google Analytics resolves 0.0% of support threads while Site Kit resolves 78.0%.
Both plugins tie at a perfect 100/15 for compatibility, indicating strong WordPress version coverage across current releases.
The Bottom Line
If you only need to install the Google Analytics snippet on a WordPress site, GA Google Analytics is a clean, highly rated option with zero reported support resolution to fall back on. For most site owners, however, Site Kit by Google is the stronger pick: a higher quality score (94.31 vs 87.29), 12.5x the install base, and 78% support resolution make it a safer long-term choice. Its lower average rating is largely a function of its wider scope and larger user base encountering edge cases. Go with Site Kit unless you have a specific reason to keep your plugin stack minimal.