Self-Hosted vs. Cloud-Hosted Trackers: Which to Use?

Trackers, as the name suggests, are software applications that collect data about user interactions, typically on the internet.

These applications are essential for tracking user behavior, traffic sources, and conversions, providing businesses with valuable insights for optimizing marketing strategies.

Businesses have two options when tracking user data and optimizing marketing strategies: cloud-based trackers or self-hosted trackers.

Both solutions have their features and advantages, making it crucial for businesses to understand their differences before deciding. In this blog post, we will dive into the world of cloud-based and self-hosted trackers, exploring their features, benefits, costs, security aspects, scalability, and maintenance considerations.

By the end of this article, you will be equipped with the knowledge needed to decide which tracker solution best suits your business needs.

Brief overview of trackers

Marketing trackers, in a nutshell, are software applications designed to track user activities, analyze data, and provide insights to improve marketing strategies.

They are instrumental in monitoring user behavior, tracking traffic sources, conversions and send them via Server To Server methods to optimize campaigns.

Businesses can optimize their advertising campaigns, improve targeting, and enhance user experience by utilizing trackers.

Whether it’s tracking browsing behavior, monitoring social media interactions, or analyzing affiliate marketing performance, top affiliate tracker platforms play a crucial role in understanding user engagement.

Self-Hosted vs. Cloud-Hosted trackers

As the name suggests, cloud-based trackers are hosted on remote servers, typically managed by a third-party vendor.

Users of cloud-based trackers do not have to worry about server space, maintenance, or software updates, as these responsibilities lie with the vendor.

On the other hand, self-hosted trackers require hosting on the user’s premises or dedicated server space, which means businesses have complete control over data security and storage capacity.

While cloud solutions offer convenience and scalability, self-hosted solutions provide greater control and security features. Understanding the differences between these two tracker solutions is essential for making an informed decision that aligns with your business requirements.

Deep dive into cloud-based trackers

Cloud-based trackers offer numerous advantages, including scalability, accessibility, and reduced maintenance costs. Let’s delve deeper into the benefits of these cloud-based tracking solutions and understand how they can benefit businesses of all sizes.

Advantages of Cloud-Based Trackers

• Scalability: Cloud-based trackers excel in scalability, allowing businesses to adjust storage capacity and tracking capabilities based on their needs. This flexibility is beneficial for companies experiencing fluctuating traffic volumes or expanding operations.
• Monthly Subscription: Cloud-based tracking is often subscription-based, offering businesses predictable monthly costs without significant upfront investments. This budget-friendly pricing model makes cloud trackers accessible to companies of all sizes.
• SaaS Vendor: With cloud-based trackers, the responsibility for software updates and maintenance lies with the vendor. This allows businesses to focus on their operations while the vendor handles updates, security patches, and server maintenance.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs: Cloud-based trackers eliminate the need for on-premises server maintenance, reducing costs associated with hardware, infrastructure, and IT personnel. Businesses can save both time and money with cloud-tracking solutions.
• Cloud-based trackers provide a user-friendly interface accessible from any location. They ensure data backup and minimize the risk of data loss, providing businesses with peace of mind. Additionally, these cloud solutions leverage the power of cloud servers, reducing downtime and ensuring continuous monitoring of traffic, conversions, and user behavior. Now, let’s explore some popular cloud-based trackers and their features.

Popular cloud-based trackers and their features

Cloud-hosted trackers, widely used by affiliate marketers, offer a range of features to track, analyze, and optimize marketing campaigns. These trackers come with user-friendly interfaces and integrate with various traffic sources, social media platforms, and affiliate networks. Let’s take a look at some of the popular cloud-based trackers and the features they offer:

CPV One

CPV One stands out as a leading cloud-based tracker tailored for the ambitious media buyer, offering unparalleled tracking sophistication. Designed with media buyers, affiliate marketers, marketing agencies, and e-commerce owners in mind, CPV One is synonymous with precision, power, and proficiency.

Why CPV One?

Unlike many trackers that only claim superiority, CPV One delivers with cutting-edge features and integrations, setting a new standard in campaign tracking and analysis.

Target Audience:

• Affiliate marketers seeking comprehensive tracking solutions.
• Media buyers looking for precision in performance analytics.
• Marketing agencies aiming to elevate their campaign management.
• E-commerce owners desiring to streamline their marketing efforts.

Features:

• Server side tracking: take advantage of the S2S Postback URL (Server to Server tracking) capabilities available in just a few clicks.
• Multiple redirection modes: Use the model that is better for you
  • 302 redirect
  • Meta Refresh
  • Double Meta Refresh
• Direct Tracking: for traffic sources that don’t allow redirects, like Facebook, Google, Bing (Microsoft ads)
• Offline Conversion Tracking: track offline conversions and import them in the tracker to optimize your campaigns
• Cookieless tracking: you can use first party cookies (and first party data) or you can go with the direct tracking. Advanced tracking modes to comply with browser policies.
• A/B testing: Easy split test landing pages, offers, traffic sources so you can get the winning combination and scale it.
• Seamless Campaign Import: Transition effortlessly between trackers with the ability to import campaigns from platforms like Voluum or Bemob.
• Advanced Bot and Proxy Detection: Ensure traffic quality with the bot and proxy filtering system + redirection rules for unrivaled precision.
• 6 Campaign types: There are 6 predefined campaign layouts ready to be used, depending on your funnel
  • Direct Link and Landing Page campaign
  • Landing Page Sequence
  • Lead Capture
  • Multiple Options (listicle)
  • Multiple paths
  • Email follow-up
• Optimization for Heavy Traffic: CPV One is engineered to handle voluminous traffic with ease, providing ultrafast redirects and customizable enhancements to keep your campaigns running smoothly, even under the heaviest loads​
• Unlimited Campaigns: enjoy the freedom of tracking unlimited campaigns, ensuring no marketing strategy is too big to be implemented​
• MV Lab – Integrated Multivariate Testing: Optimize your campaigns with MV Lab, the built-in tool for multivariate testing, allowing you to compare multiple variations of a landing page and pinpoint the most effective elements​.
• Seamless Integrations: CPV One integrates directly with over 200 affiliate networks and traffic sources.
• SSL for Custom Domains: Ensures secure tracking with free SSL for your custom tracking domains.
• Multi-Currency Support: Track spending and revenue in the currency you want.
• Support & Learning Resources: With access to an extensive array of tutorials, FAQs, and customer support channels, including a dedicated YouTube channel and private Facebook group, you’re never left in the dark​​.

Pros

• Wide range of tracking options and campaign types.
• Bot and proxy filtering for improved traffic quality.
• Integration with major networks simplifies campaign setup.
• Responsive design for ease of use across devices.

Cons

• Limited information on specific disadvantages, but as with any tracker, there may be a learning curve for new users.

Pricing

• Starter: $48/month (or $577/year) for 2 million events per month.
• Pro: $81/month (or $977/year) for 5 million monthly events.
• Team: $189/month (or $2277/year) for 10 million monthly events.
• Enterprise: $389/month (or $4677/year) for 30 million monthly events.

Each plan includes different features like data retention, campaign types, custom domains, and API integrations.

CPV One is an all-in-one tool for managing marketing campaigns, offering flexibility, comprehensive features, and competitive pricing. It is a strong alternative to other popular trackers with additional functionalities like multivariate testing, advanced tracking, and multi-channel tracking.

Furthermore, is one of the few affiliate marketing trackers that is certified by Google as a Click tracker.

Which means you can run your Google Ads campaigns by using the tracking template from Google and direct linking to your offer.

BeMob

BeMob is a comprehensive ad-tracking software designed for media buyers and affiliate marketers. It provides a one-stop solution for various online advertising challenges.

Target Audience:

• Beginners: Offering free plans, simple onboarding, multi-language support, and extensive educational resources.
• Professionals: Features include seamless redirects, no-redirect tracking, fraud detection, and advanced targeting.
• Agencies: Equipped with tools for team collaboration, instant reporting, and API integration.

Key Features:

• Tracking Without Redirects: BeMob Direct Pixel allows tracking for platforms like Facebook, Google Ads, and Bing without URL redirects.
• Multi-cost and Payout Tracking: Set cost models and payout methods to track profit-based metrics.
• SSL for Custom Domains: Ensures secure tracking with free SSL for links or domains. Available as an addon
• Cookieless Tracking: Advanced tracking modes to comply with browser policies.
• Advanced Rules & Targeting: Accurate traffic management to display relevant offers to audiences.
• Anti-Fraud System: Detect and block non-human traffic.
• Real-time Stats: Immediate data delivery on incoming traffic.
• Customizable Dashboard: Flexible customization options for tracking dashboards.

Pricing:

• Free: 100,000 events per month.
• Professional: $49/month for 1,000,000 events.
• Business: $249/month for 10,000,000 events.
• Enterprise: $499/month for 30,000,000 events.

Pros:

• Free plan available for beginners.
• Versatile tracking options catering to different user levels.
• Advanced traffic distribution and anti-fraud features.

Cons:

• Limited data retention in lower-tier plans.
• You need to pay for many additional addons as you scale, because the basic plans are very basic.
• May require a learning curve for complex feat

PeerClick

PeerClick is a performance marketing tracking platform designed for media buyers. It stands out for its comprehensive insights and user-friendly features, making it a preferred choice for affiliates and media buyers.

Target Audience:

• Affiliate marketers and media buyers are looking for an all-in-one tracking solution.
• Teams and agencies require collaboration tools and extensive reporting capabilities.

Key Features

Pricing

• Basic+ Plan: Priced at $99/month (discounted to $70/month), offering 3,000,000 events, 5 custom domains with SSL, and 6 months of data retention.
• Advanced Plan: Costs $249/month (discounted to $175/month), including 10,000,000 events, 10 custom domains with SSL, and 12 months of data retention.
• Exclusive Plan: Priced at $649/month (discounted to $455/month), offering 30,000,000 events, 20 custom domains with SSL, and 24 months of data retention.

Pros

• Range of Tracking Options: Versatile tracking features suitable for various user levels.
•  Advanced AI and Automation Tools: Save time and enhance ROI with automated traffic distribution and optimization.
•  Comprehensive Anti-Fraud Measures: Protects campaigns from suspicious traffic.
•  Real-Time Reporting: Fast and accurate reporting for timely insights and decisions.

Cons

• Potential Learning Curve: Some advanced features may require a learning curve for new users.
•  Limited Data Retention in Lower Plans: The data retention period varies with the plan, which might be limiting for some users in lower-tier plans.

Voluum

Voluum: Voluum excels in handling large traffic volumes and offers detailed, real-time data analytics.

Target Audience:

• Affiliate marketers, media buyers, and digital marketers who require in-depth tracking and analysis of online advertising campaigns.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Reporting: Instant generation of reports for real-time insights.
• A/B Split Testing: Test multiple offers, landers, and path combinations.
• Traffic Distribution AI: Optimizes campaign performance using AI tools.
• Anti-Fraud Kit: Detects and blocks suspicious traffic.
• API Access: Manage entities and generate reports using the REST API.
• Automizer: Integrates with traffic sources for automated campaign control.
• Additional Users: Allows team collaboration with custom permissions.
• Mobile App: Monitor campaign performance on the go for iOS and Android.
• Multi-Currency Support: Track spending and revenue in multiple currencies.
• Error Log and Trend Analysis Tools: Detect errors and analyze campaign trends over time.

Pricing

Voluum offers several pricing plans, each tailored to different levels of campaign management needs:

• Profit Plan: Ideal for optimizing results with AI & automation, priced at $199/month. It includes 20 active campaigns and up to 1,000,000 events.
• Scale Plan: Designed for expanding ad operations and fighting bot traffic, costing $349/month. It offers 60 active campaigns and up to 5,000,000 events.
• Start-up Plan: For growing businesses with protection from ad fraud, priced at $599/month. This plan includes 100 active campaigns and up to 10,000,000 events.
• Agency Plan: Aimed at scaling faster with direct integrations and VIP support, costing $999/month. It allows for 200 active campaigns and up to 25,000,000 events.
• Enterprise Plan: Best for large-scale operations, priced at $1999/month. It includes 400 active campaigns and up to 60,000,000 events.
• Corporate Plan: For high-level feature access and setup assistance, priced at $4999/month. This plan includes 500 million events.
• Executive Plan: Offering limitless functionality and overarching support, with pricing available upon contact. It allows for 1.2 billion events.

Each plan comes with its own set of features, including a number of active campaigns, a data retention period, the number of events included, and support levels.

Pros

• Comprehensive Tracking Options: Offers a range of tracking modes suitable for different campaign requirements.
• Advanced Optimization Tools: Features like Traffic Distribution AI and A/B testing aid in campaign performance.
• Real-Time Analytics: Provides immediate insights with fast reporting and data analysis.
• Collaboration and Integration Capabilities: Facilitates teamwork and integrates with various platforms for streamlined campaign management.

Cons

• Complexity for New Users: Advanced features may require a learning curve.
• Pricing Transparency: Specific pricing details are not readily available, which might make initial cost assessment difficult.
• Expensive for medium size media buying teams

Overview of AdsBridge

AdsBridge is a cloud-based tracker and TDS. It’s known for its fast reporting and efficient click redirecting.

Target Audience:

• Affiliate marketers, media buyers, and advertising agencies.

Key Features:

• Multi-User Access: Allows multiple team members to access the platform with individual permissions.
• Traffic Distribution System (TDS): Routes traffic to relevant offers using various filters.
• Real-Time Stats: Generates real-time, customizable reports.
• Fraud Detection: Features a high-precision tracking mechanism to detect and eliminate fraudulent traffic.
• Landing Page Builder: Offers an in-built landing page editor with customizable templates.
• Conversion and PPC Tracking: Enables tracking of conversions and the performance of pay-per-click campaigns.
• Automatic Campaign Optimization: Utilizes machine learning for optimizing campaigns.

Pricing:

• Trial: Free with a limit of 50,000 visits/month.
• Starter: $29/month with a limit of 100,000 visits/month.
• Professional: $89/month with a limit of 3,000,000 visits/month.
• Advanced: $199/month with a limit of 7,000,000 visits/month.
• Business: $379/month with a limit of 14,000,000 visits/month.
• Agency: $499/month with a limit of 19,000,000 visits/month.
• Enterprise: $799/month with a limit of 31,000,000 visits/month.
• Exclusive: Custom pricing for over 50,000,000 visits/month.

RedTrack

RedTrack: As a cloud-based solution, RedTrack offers comprehensive tracking features and is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive reporting capabilities.

Target Audience:

• Affiliate marketers, ad agencies, and media buyers.

Key Features

• Cookieless Tracking: Offers tracking solutions that comply with the latest browser privacy policies.
•  S2S (Server-to-Server) Tracking: Ensures accurate and reliable tracking by communicating data directly between servers.
•  Facebook Tracking After iOS 14.5: Adapts to the latest privacy updates, ensuring effective tracking for Facebook campaigns.
•  Auto-Optimization: Uses AI to automatically adjust campaigns for optimal performance.
•  Real-Time Reporting: Offers instant data analysis and reporting features.
•  Conversion Path Analysis: Tracks the journey of a user from the first click to conversion.
•  Automation Features: Automates various aspects of campaign management, including cost updates and performance adjustments.

Pros

• Advanced Tracking Capabilities: RedTrack’s focus on cookieless and S2S tracking makes it a future-proof solution.
• Adaptability to Privacy Changes: Stays compliant with changes in digital advertising, like iOS updates and browser privacy policies.
• AI-Powered Optimization: Enhances campaign performance through automated optimizations.

Cons

• Complexity for New Users: Advanced features might require a learning curve for those new to affiliate tracking.
•  Specific Pricing Unavailable: Without direct access to the pricing page, it’s challenging to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the platform

Pricing:

RedTrack’s pricing plans offer a range of options for different types of users, from solo entrepreneurs to large enterprises. The plans are designed to accommodate varying needs in terms of tracking events, user count, and advanced features. Additional costs for specific functionalities in the Enterprise plan and various add-ons provide further customization to meet the specific requirements of larger operations.

RedTrack offers a variety of pricing plans, each designed to cater to the specific needs of different scales of campaign management:

1. Solo Plan

• Ideal For: Individual users and small-scale campaigns.
• Price: $149/month for 3M tracking events/month.

2. Team Plan

• Ideal For: Small to medium-sized teams.
• Price: $249/month for 10M tracking events/month.

3. Enterprise Plan

• Ideal For: Large teams and enterprise operations.
• Price: $749/month for 50M tracking events/month.

When to choose a cloud-based tracker

Cloud-based trackers are ideal for businesses seeking rapid scalability, subscription-based tracking, and convenient setups. Here are some scenarios where choosing a cloud-based tracker would be the best option:

• Business Operations: Cloud trackers are suitable for businesses of all sizes, enabling seamless tracking and optimization of marketing campaigns. They offer scalability and storage capacity, making it easy to accommodate fluctuations in traffic and data volumes.
• Additional Storage: Cloud solutions often provide additional storage capacity, allowing businesses to track large volumes of data without worrying about storage limitations. Scaling up tracking operations becomes easier with cloud-based trackers.
• Traffic Sources: If your business uses various traffic sources, such as social media, search engines, and affiliate networks, cloud-based trackers can efficiently integrate with these sources, providing a holistic view of user behavior and campaign performance.
• Cloud Version Advantages: Cloud versions of tracking software typically offer additional features, user-friendly interfaces, and ongoing updates, ensuring businesses have access to the latest tracking capabilities without any technical hassles.

By considering business operations, storage capacity, traffic sources, and the advantages of cloud tracking, businesses can make an informed decision about whether a cloud-based tracker is the right solution for their tracking needs. Now, let’s shift our focus to self-hosted trackers and explore their benefits in detail.

Self-Hosted trackers

Self-hosted trackers provide businesses with complete control over their tracking infrastructure, data security, and customization options. Let’s explore the advantages of self-hosted tracking and understand why it might be the preferred solution for certain business needs.

Benefits of self-hosted trackers

• Storage Capacity: Self-hosted trackers offer businesses the flexibility to configure storage capacity according to their requirements. This allows companies to scale tracking operations without any additional costs.
• IT knwoledge: Unlike cloud-based tracking, self-hosted tracking requires a basic knowledge about servers and domains in order to set up, maintain, and manage the tracking software on the company premises or dedicated server space. This gives businesses full control over security, updates, and data management.
• Server Ownership: With self-hosted tracking, businesses have complete ownership of servers, ensuring data security, backup, and access controls align with their specific requirements.

These benefits make self-hosted tracking a viable option for companies seeking greater control and customization options. Let’s explore some top self-hosted tracking solutions and what they have to offer.

Top Self-Hosted Trackers and What They Offer

Self-hosted tracking software comes in various forms, each offering unique features and capabilities. Here are some of the leading self-hosted tracking solutions and what they offer:

CPV Lab Pro

CPV Lab Pro is a powerful, self-hosted, web-based ad tracking solution meticulously crafted for affiliate marketers, media buyers, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and blossoming small businesses. CPV Lab transcends traditional tracking, offering an unrivaled, full-spectrum view for testing, tracking, and optimizing your marketing campaigns across multifarious channels.

Who Benefits from using CPV Lab Pro?

• Affiliate Marketers & Media Buyers: Seeking granular data analysis to refine their buying strategies.
• E-Commerce Owners & Small Businesses: Desiring comprehensive insights to streamline their sales funnel.
• Industry Professionals Demanding: A secure, adaptable, and fully-controllable tracking environment for their diverse marketing activities.

Some of CPV Lab’s features:

• Unlimited Tracking: Track limitless campaigns, traffic sources, and clicks without restrictions.
• Direct Ad Links: Create direct links for Facebook, Google, and Bing to keep campaigns precisely targeted.
• Facebook CAPI Integration: Achieve unmatched accuracy in Facebook campaign tracking post-iOS 14.5.
• Multivariate Testing: Test and optimize multiple landing pages easily with MV Lab.
• Mobile Insights: Detailed data on device type, OS, carrier, and language for mobile users.
• Network Compatibility: Automatically integrates with major traffic sources and affiliate networks for easy setup.
• 30+ Click Metrics Tracking: Includes city, connection type, and proxy, with high accuracy in device and carrier identification.
• Landing Page Metrics and LP Pixel: Tracks detailed metrics on landing pages without unnecessary redirects.
• Real-Time Analytics: Access immediate insights into your campaign’s performance.
• Privacy-First Tracking: Use innovative techniques for tracking that respect browser privacy.
• API & Postback Simplicity: Easily manage data flows with advanced API features.
• High Traffic Optimization: Designed for high volume, ensuring fast redirects and smooth campaign operation under any load.
•  Reports and Data Analytics: Features interactive dashboards, multicurrency support, and exportable reports.
• Multi-Currency: Keep tabs on spending and earnings in various currencies.
• Support Resources: Extensive tutorials, FAQs, and customer support, including a YouTube channel and a private Facebook group, ensure you’re always supported.

Pros

• Comprehensive Tracking Capabilities: CPV Lab Pro’s focus on unlimited tracking and integration with various networks makes it a versatile solution.
• Advanced Reporting and Testing Tools: Offers detailed analytics and multivariate testing for campaign optimization.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, suitable for both beginners and experienced marketers.

Cons

• Self-Hosted Requirements: Requires a suitable server setup, which might not be ideal for users without technical knowledge.
• Learning Curve: The extensive features and options may require a learning curve for new users.

CPVLab Pro Pricing Plans: Empowering Growth at Every Stage

• Starter: At $47/month or $477/year for unfettered access to fundamental tracking mechanisms.
• Pro: At $77/month or $777/year, designed for professionals craving advanced insights and increased event limits.
• Expert: At $107/month or $1077/year for elite marketers seeking the pinnacle of tracking perfection.

Harness the power of CPV Lab Pro to not just track but truly understand and enhance your marketing campaigns, setting a new standard in affiliate marketing prowess.

Keitaro

Keitaro is a self-hosted, multifunctional tracking tool primarily used by affiliate marketers, media buyers, and digital agencies. It offers a range of features for tracking, analyzing, and optimizing digital marketing campaigns.

Target Audience

• Affiliate marketers, media buyers, and digital agencies.
• Users need a self-hosted solution with extensive customization and control.

Key Features

• Flexible Traffic Handling: Tracks clicks from URLs and organic traffic, including parameters like keywords or search engines.
•  Local Landing Pages with Built-in Editor: Edit and manage local landings directly within the tracker.
•  Split Testing: Conduct A/B testing of streams, landings, and offers.
•  Traffic Simulation: Test funnels and check flows and filters functionality.
•  Accurate Traffic Filtering: Utilize over 30 internal filters or create custom ones for targeted click acceptance.
•  Capping Offers: Automatically switch traffic to other offers when conversion limits are reached.
•  Reports and Data Analytics: Features interactive dashboards, multicurrency support, and exportable reports.
•  Automation: Automatic cost uploading from major ad platforms, GEO profiles, built-in templates for easy integration.
•  Protection: Includes spam bots databases, GDPR mode, server protection, and IPV6 support.
•  API Access and Teamwork: Offers multi-user access and audit logs for team collaboration.
•  Integrations: Built-in APIs with advertising networks and services like Cloudflare and Namecheap.

Pros

• Comprehensive Tracking and Analytics: Offers a wide range of tools for detailed campaign tracking and analysis.
• Flexibility and Control: Being self-hosted, it provides greater control over data and customization.
• Advanced Automation and Integration Features: Automates key tasks and integrates seamlessly with various platforms.

Cons

• Requirement for Self-Hosting: Might not be ideal for users looking for cloud-based solutions.
• Learning Curve: Extensive features may require a learning curve, especially for new users.

Keitaro Pricing Plans

Keitaro offers a variety of pricing plans, each designed to cater to the specific needs of different scales of campaign management:

1. Starter Plan

• Ideal For: Starting out with ad campaigns using basic features.
• Price: $54/month.

2. Advanced Plan

• Ideal For: Testing new approaches with integration scripts.
• Price: $97/month.

3. Expert Plan

• Ideal For: Maximizing profit with extensive features.
• Price: $141/month.

4. Team Plan

• Ideal For: Collaborative team management and workflow optimization.
• Price: $273/month.

5. Enterprise Plan

• Ideal For: Organizations needing enterprise-grade features and personal support.
• Price: $547/month.

Each plan comes with its own set of features, including the number of users, domains, integrations, and support levels, making Keitaro a versatile choice for a wide range of campaign management needs, from individual users to large enterprises.

Binom

Binom is a self-hosted, high-performance marketing tracker designed for professional affiliate marketers, media buyers, and agencies. It is renowned for its rapid click-processing and report-building speeds, aiming to save valuable time for its users.

Target Audience

• Affiliate marketers, media buyers, and agencies.
• Professionals handling high-volume traffic and requiring a robust, self-hosted tracking solution.

Key Features

• Advanced Analytical Reports: Provides over 20 analytical reports with detailed data points including service provider, connection type, device, and more.
• Group Reports: Allows cross-campaign analysis and statistics for specific campaigns or groups.
• Statistics on Paths, Rules, Rotations: Offers precise insights on how traffic is distributed.
• Marking Rows and Report on Uniqueness and Bots: Facilitates working with teams and helps in obtaining better traffic.
• Bid Grouping: Provides bidding statistics for optimizing campaign costs.
• Filters Saving and Multilevel Filters: Saves time with quick access to reports and smart filters for accurate white- and black-lists.
• 20+ Click Metrics Tracking: Includes city, connection type, and proxy, with high accuracy in device and carrier identification.
• Landing Page Metrics and LP Pixel: Tracks detailed metrics on landing pages without unnecessary redirects.
• Unlimited Domains and Event System: Use as many domains as needed for campaigns and track detailed metrics on landing pages.
• User Permissions and Unlimited Users: Tailors access rights for team members, allowing for collaborative work.

Pros

• High-Speed Processing: Ensures rapid click processing and report generation.
• Comprehensive Analytics: Offers deep insights with a wide range of metrics and reports.
• Optimized for Team Use: Features like user permissions and unlimited users make it ideal for team environments.
• Flexible Tracking: Adapts to various campaign requirements with extensive metric tracking and landing page insights.

Cons

• Self-Hosted Requirements: Needs a server setup, which may not be ideal for all users.
• Learning Curve: The extensive range of features and options might require a learning curve, especially for new users.

Pricing Plans

• Version 1:
  • Monthly Payment: $99/month.
  • Yearly Payment: $831 ($69/month).
• Version 2:
  • Monthly Payment: $149/month.
  • Yearly Payment: $1251 ($104/month).

Each version offers different features, with Version 2 providing enhanced capabilities like faster report generation, increased maximum clicks per day, and improved design and API.

TrackingDesk

TrackingDesk is a conversion tracking and attribution platform tailored for performance marketers. It offers a comprehensive solution for tracking, testing, and optimizing marketing campaigns across various channels.

Target Audience

• Affiliate marketers, media buyers, e-commerce owners, and other small businesses.
• Users seeking a flexible and secure multi-channel tracking platform.

Key Features

• Custom Tracking Parameters: Allows setting up to 30 pre-built campaign parameters for detailed tracking.
• Google Analytics Integration: Enables sending affiliate conversions directly to Google Analytics.
• Deeplinking Campaigns: Provides advanced URL redirect options for targeted product promotions.
• Traffic Fallback: Offers multiple fallback options for traffic outside the targeting criteria.
• Zapier Integration: Facilitates data flow between various business applications.
• Multiple Conversion Goals: Supports postback URL setup with various conversion objectives.
• Ad and Affiliate Networks Integration: Easily connects with top ad networks and affiliate networks.
• Affiliate Software Compatibility: Integrates with networks powered by leading affiliate management software.
• Data API: Allows exporting marketing data for advanced integrations and analysis.

Pros

• Data-Driven Marketing Tools: Empowers users with actionable insights and customizable tracking options.
• Integration Flexibility: Extensive integrations with major ad networks, affiliate networks, and business applications.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed for ease of use, catering to both beginners and experienced marketers.

Cons

• Complexity for New Users: Extensive features and integration options may require a learning curve.
• Self-Hosted Requirements: As a self-hosted platform, it necessitates appropriate server setup.

Pricing

• AdWords Integration: $50/month for syncing conversions with Google Ads accounts.
• Custom Integration: Ranges from $50 to $200/month for non-standard integrations.
• Zapier Integration: $30/month for automating data integration with over 1000 connected apps.
• One-time Setup Fee: $200 for campaign setup assistance.
• Free Trial: 14 days with a 100,000 tracked events threshold.

The platform also offers customization and managed services for specific business needs, with the option to pause subscriptions for a minimal monthly fee.

Ideal Scenarios for a Self-Hosted Tracker

A self-hosted tracker is suitable for businesses prioritizing data security, customization, and control over third-party hosting services. Here are some scenarios where a self-hosted tracker would be an ideal choice:

• Smaller Company: Smaller companies with limited tracking needs can benefit from self-hosted tracking, as it provides complete control without additional costs associated with cloud-based solutions.
• Lot of People: Self-hosted tracking is beneficial when multiple people within an organization need access to tracking data, allowing for centralized management and security.
• Hidden Costs: While cloud-based tracking solutions often have monthly subscription fees, self-hosted tracking eliminates these costs, resulting in long-term savings, especially for companies with significant tracking operations.
• Affiliate Network: For businesses operating an affiliate network, self-hosted tracking provides the security, control, and customization needed to manage tracking, conversions, and affiliate payouts efficiently.

Considering the organization’s size, tracking requirements, hidden costs, and the need for data security, businesses can determine whether a self-hosted tracker is the right solution. Moving forward, let’s analyze the cost factors of both cloud-based and self-hosted tracking solutions.

Comparing cost factors: Self-Hosted vs. Cloud-Hosted Trackers

Cost is an essential aspect of any business decision, including the choice of tracker solution. Let’s compare the cost implications of cloud-based and self-hosted tracking to understand the financial factors businesses should consider.

Pricing structures of cloud trackers

Cloud-based tracking solutions typically follow a monthly subscription fee structure, making it easier for businesses to budget their tracking costs.

The monthly subscription fee often depends on storage capacity, user interface features, and additional tracking capabilities. Some cloud-based tracking solutions offer scalability options, allowing businesses to adjust subscription costs based on their tracking needs.

While cloud tracking solutions provide cost advantages, businesses need to consider the potential costs of data loss, subscription management, and usage optimization when evaluating cloud-based tracking software. Now, let’s explore the cost implications of self-hosted tracking solutions.

Cost implications of self-hosted trackers

Self-hosted tracking solutions may require additional costs for maintenance, software updates, and server security features.

While there might be initial setup costs and hardware investments, self-hosted tracking eliminates the monthly subscription expenses associated with cloud-based tracking solutions.

However, it is crucial to factor in maintenance costs, server hosting, and software application updates for self-hosted tracking software. Businesses must evaluate the total cost of ownership, considering long-term maintenance, support, and scalability requirements when choosing a self-hosted tracking solution.

Security aspects: a comparative analysis of self-hosted vs. cloud-hosted trackers

Security is of utmost importance, particularly when dealing with user data and tracking analytics. Let’s compare the security features of cloud-based trackers and self-hosted trackers to understand how they protect sensitive information.

Security in cloud-based trackers

Cloud-based trackers ensure security by leveraging encryption technologies, monitoring vulnerabilities, and working closely with SaaS vendors to protect user data.

The data stored on cloud servers is encrypted, minimizing the risk of data breaches.

However, cloud-based tracking solutions may face outages, internet vulnerabilities, and third-party dependencies, which businesses need to consider while evaluating security options. Ensuring data backup, monitoring downtime, and encryption features are essential aspects of cloud tracker security.

Ensuring security with self-hosted trackers

Self-hosted tracking solutions provide businesses with control over server space, security features, and backup strategies, ensuring data security, access controls, and disaster recovery planning align with business requirements.

By hosting tracking software on self-owned servers, companies can implement additional security measures, encryption standards, and backend security controls. However, self-hosted tracking solutions require IT professionals to manage server security, perform regular updates, and ensure data backup and protection. Businesses must evaluate data loss prevention, server vulnerabilities, and security features while considering self-hosted tracking options.

Analyzing tracker scalability and maintenance between self-hosted vs. cloud-hosted trackers

Beyond costs and security, it is crucial to consider the scalability and maintenance aspects of tracker solutions. Let’s analyze how cloud-based trackers and self-hosted trackers fare in these areas.

Scaling and maintenance of cloud trackers

Cloud-based trackers offer scalability, allowing businesses to adjust storage capacity, tracking capabilities, and costs based on their needs.

Businesses can rely on the SaaS vendor to handle maintenance, updates, and server management, freeing up valuable time for business operations. This scalability and reduced maintenance make cloud tracking cost-effective in the long run, particularly for companies with significant tracking operations, affiliate marketing, or remote server requirements.

Considerations for scaling and maintenance of self-hosted trackers

Self-hosted tracking solutions require businesses to have server infrastructure, IT teams, and maintenance capabilities. While it provides complete control over server space, data security, and software updates, it also requires additional costs for maintenance, software updates, and server management.

Businesses must evaluate the level of scalability, server maintenance costs, software updates, and maintenance requirements when opting for self-hosted tracking software.

Making the right choice: which tracker suits your needs?

Now that we have explored the features, advantages, costs, security, scalability, and maintenance of both cloud-based and self-hosted trackers, it’s time to assess which tracker solution is most suitable for your business needs.

Are you ready to choose the best tracker for your business?

Making an informed decision about the tracker solution that best suits your business operations requires considering various factors.

Cloud-based ad trackers offer scalability, user-friendly interfaces, and subscription-based tracking, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes, especially those seeking convenience, immediate setup, and cost predictability.

On the other hand, self-hosted ad trackers provide complete control over data, security, and customization options, making them ideal for businesses with specific security requirements, project management needs, and data ownership concerns.

Ultimately, choosing cloud and self-hosted tracking solutions should align with your business operations, security preferences, scalability needs, and budget considerations. By assessing these factors, you can find the tracker to drive your business towards success.

Regardless of your business’s hosting needs, we at CPV One (cloud-hosted tracker) and CPV Lab (self-hosted tracker) are equipped to help you achieve your goals with the best tracking solutions available.

Are you ready to elevate your business with the most suitable tracker?

We have what you need, whether they are user-friendly and scalable cloud-based trackers or secure, customizable self-hosted trackers. Each option is designed to cater to businesses of varying sizes and needs, ensuring that your needs are met, whether you prioritize convenience, immediate setup, data control, or specific security requirements.

Make an informed choice that aligns with your operational needs, security preferences, scalability requirements, and budget.

Choose CPV One and CPV Lab today and steer your business toward unprecedented success with the best tracking solutions.