If you're running a privacy-conscious site or blog and need straightforward analytics, choose Plausible Analytics. Its minimalistic approach with no cookies or personal data collection makes it ideal for maintaining user privacy. However, if your focus is on in-depth analysis or you require a free tier for an extended period, it's better to steer clear of this tool.
On the other hand, if you're looking to grow a newsletter and want powerful built-in tools for referrals and monetization, go with beehiiv. It offers a freemium model, allowing you to start for free and scale as you grow. Just be aware that it's tailored for media-type newsletters rather than lifecycle email campaigns; if you need automation for ongoing engagement, beehiiv might not be the best fit.