GTM template with instructions video from Simo Ahava!

GTM template with instructions video from Simo Ahava!

Stape.io alternative

Tracklution vs. Stape.io for Server-Side Tracking

Stape.io hosts your tagging server. The tracking setup is up to you.
Tracklution is the best Stape alternative if…

  • You don’t code, and server-side GTM is too technical

  • You want to start right away, without hiring tech experts

  • You’re an agency that needs scalable server-side tracking

Not sure?

Request a demo

Free 14-day trial • No credit card required

SETUP WITH TRACKLUTION5–30 minStape.io + server GTM:from weeks to monthsPAID PLANS FROM€39/mFree plan availableNo-code setupAutomatic CAPI updatesSupport on all plans

Improving ROAS for 1,000+ forward-thinking companies

AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar
AureliusThe Platform GroupBHGWheel AwaySantanderVibaWPPLuxidDagmar

Comparison: Tracklution vs. Stape.io features & functionalities

Stape.io offers managed hosting for a tagging server with Google Tag Manager. Everything around the actual conversion tracking needs to be configured to fit your needs, so you most probably need to hire a technical tracking expert. In contrast, Tracklution provides full server-side tracking as a service.

tracklution
Server-side tracking as a service

Stape.io + sGTM

Hosting for server-side GTM
Setup time

5–30 minutes

From weeks to months

Technical expertise

Not needed: no-code setup

Required for setup

Server-side tracking & cloud hosting

Included

Included

Own domain or service provider’s domain

Both supported

Both supported

Support for CMP & Consent Mode v2

Yes

Yes

Data layer setup

Automatic or manual

Manual

Offline data

Seamless connection

Manual configuration

Logging & debugging tools

Included

Paid add-on

Duplicate data recognition & deduplication

Automatic

Manual configuration possible

Plug-and-play CAPI connections

Yes

No

Automatic CAPI updates

Yes

No

Support

Available on all plans

Not in the lowest tiers

Pricing

Free plan; paid from €39/m

From $20/m, hosting only

Pricing based on

Events, all-inclusive

Requests: 2–10x your events

tracklution
Server-side tracking as a service

Stape.io + sGTM

Hosting for server-side GTM
Setup time

5–30 minutes

From weeks to months

Technical expertise

Not needed: no-code setup

Required for setup

Server-side tracking & cloud hosting

Included

Included

Own domain or service provider’s domain

Both supported

Both supported

Support for CMP & Consent Mode v2

Yes

Yes

Data layer setup

Automatic or manual

Manual

Offline data

Seamless connection

Manual configuration

Logging & debugging tools

Included

Paid add-on

Duplicate data recognition & deduplication

Automatic

Manual configuration possible

Plug-and-play CAPI connections

Yes

No

Automatic CAPI updates

Yes

No

Support

Available on all plans

Not in the lowest tiers

Pricing

Free plan; paid from €39/m

From $20/m, hosting only

Pricing based on

Events, all-inclusive

Requests: 2–10x your events

Implement server-side tracking in a matter of minutes

14-day free trial – no credit card required.

Implement server-side tracking in a matter of minutes

14-day free trial – no credit card required.

Deep dive

Differences between Tracklution and Stape.io

Tracklution

An “all-in-one” conversion tracking solution

Tracklution provides server-side tracking as a service. You get everything in one simple tool, and all technical aspects of tracking are maintained by Tracklution: plug in your website and any other data sources, connect ads and analytics platforms with the ready-made connectors, and you’re ready to go. Think of Tracklution as your extended team of technical tracking experts!

Tracklution is suitable for:

  • Companies looking for a plug-and-play method they can install themselves in a matter of minutes

  • Organizations that prefer not to hire technical personnel or handle technical maintenance

  • Businesses that want a comprehensive, easy-to-use tracking solution with minimal ongoing effort

Stape.io

A hosting solution for server Google Tag Manager (sGTM)

You can set up a server container in a matter of minutes, and Stape manages the server infrastructure for you. This results in lower hosting costs compared to self-servicing in Google Cloud.

The responsibility for configuring the actual server-side tagging lies with you. Stape has several handy add-ons to make this easier, and various paid services offer support with sGTM setup, maintenance, development and troubleshooting. Read more in our full guide to Stape alternatives.

Stape.io is suitable for:

  • GTM & conversion tracking specialists who enjoy and have the expertise to configure tracking setups

  • Businesses with in-house technical resources or the ability to hire external help

  • Organizations with more customization needs that are willing to invest the time and effort required for setup and maintenance

One common question we get is…

“Why use Tracklution when Stape is cheaper?”

But is it, after all? The key difference is that Stape only provides server-side hosting – everything else is up to you. If you’re not technical, you’ll need to hire a developer to set up, configure and maintain the system.

Stape.io hosting

$20/m

Where hosting starts. Hosting only.

+ Implementation

€2,000+

A developer’s setup typically costs thousands or even tens of thousands upfront.

+ Maintenance

€500+/m

Ongoing maintenance and updates: just a few hours of a developer’s time.

Tracklution

€39/m

Where paid plans start. All-inclusive. Free plan available.

Setup with Tracklution

With Tracklution, setup is as easy as installing a tracking pixel. There’s no need for manual configurations, server management or ongoing maintenance. We handle everything for you, including infrastructure, updates and platform development.

Pricing model: hosting vs. fully managed tracking

Stape’s pricing is for hosting only and is based on the number of requests processed. A “request” includes incoming data from your website and outgoing data to various platforms.

To estimate the actual cost, multiply your monthly events by the number of data destinations plus 1 (your website). For example, if your site tracks events for Google Ads, GA4 and Meta: monthly events × 4 (website + 3 destinations).

With Tracklution, pricing is all-inclusive and based purely on the events you choose to track. A single event might generate multiple technical server requests, but you don’t need to worry about those. Everything is included in one simple plan.

Why pricing comparisons can be misleading

Tracklution’s “events” and Stape’s “requests” are not the same.

  • Events = the number of tracked actions on your website (Tracklution)
  • Requests = every individual data transmission, which can be 2–10x higher than the number of events (Stape/server-side GTM)

Bottom line

If you prefer a plug-and-play solution with no maintenance or hidden costs, Tracklution is the better choice. If you have technical resources and want full control, Stape may be an option, but it comes with added complexity and ongoing costs.

Comparing Tracklution and Stape.io from an agency perspective

In a nutshell: Tracklution is ideal for agencies looking for a scalable, easy-to-use and comprehensive conversion tracking solution without investing in technical expertise for implementation and maintenance.

Tracklution for agencies

Stape.io for agencies

Setup time

~5–15 minutes per client

>5 days per client

Technical knowledge

Not required

Setup requires technical expertise

Included connectors

GA4, Google Ads, Meta Conversion API, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Bing

GA4, Google Ads, Facebook Conversion API

Training and support

On-demand training and support

On-demand training and support

Business types

eCommerce, lead gen, B2B, SaaS, subscription business

eCommerce, lead gen, B2B, SaaS, subscription business

Billing

Flexible (client or agency card)

Flexible (client or agency card)

Accounts & login

Agency account incl. team access, with access rights for clients

Agency account and account sharing with your team

Agency partnerships

Revenue sharing, white-label options and tailored partner packages (features & pricing)

Revenue sharing and white-label options

Preferred by

Agencies focused on delivering top-notch conversion tracking without specializing in setups and maintenance of complex tracking infrastructures

Agencies with tech resources capable of configuring and supporting larger server-side tracking projects for enterprises with customization needs

In contrast, Stape.io is suited for agencies with technical teams capable of handling complex, customized server-side tracking projects for larger enterprises – some agencies have even built separate in-house tech teams for this.

Get better results for your customers and scale your agency

Use server-side tracking, first-party cookies and the Conversion APIs of multiple ad platforms in your client projects without any technical work. Tracklution can be installed on any website in a matter of minutes.

Get Tracklution now

Get better results for your customers and scale your agency

Use server-side tracking, first-party cookies and the Conversion APIs of multiple ad platforms in your client projects without any technical work. Tracklution can be installed on any website in a matter of minutes.

Get Tracklution now

Step by step guide: how to implement server-side tracking with Tracklution

Step 01

5–15 min

Install tracking to your website

Install Tracklution pixels just as you would install any tracking pixel. This enables collecting and processing data server-side and delivering it to ad platforms via their Conversion APIs.

Use the few-click Shopify App or WooCommerce Plugin, or your existing GTM. There’s no need for a server-side container: your existing tags, triggers, data layer and Tracklution’s GTM templates can be used.

Our users typically see their conversion reporting go from 40-70% to 100% accuracy.

Step 02

3 min

Enable custom domain

Enable first-party data collection and first-party cookies with a simple CNAME addition in your domain’s DNS settings.

This helps with attribution, recognizing returning users, and bypassing ad blockers and similar tracking prevention techniques. This step is optional, yet highly recommended.

Step 03

3 min

Connect ad platforms

In the Tracklution dashboard you can easily connect all the ad platforms you need and their Conversion APIs, code-free, via a simple UI.

Tracklution provides seamless connections to major platforms like Google Ads, Meta Conversion API (Facebook & Instagram), TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Bing and Google Analytics 4.

Voilà, you’re all done

Tracking data starts flowing via server to ad platforms!

Install server-side tracking in a few minutes

Watch the whole setup: no code and no server-side container needed.

Ready-made connectors for seamless conversion tracking

Server-side tracking, first-party cookies and Conversion APIs for any website, with easy installation. A simple yet powerful tracking tool for digital advertising: deliver better and more data to ad platforms with Tracklution.

Privacy & security you can rely on

Tracklution is fully GDPR-compliant and certified under both ISO27001 and SOC2. Your data remains 100% yours — we never claim any rights to it. You have full control over what is tracked and what is sent to ad platforms. We’re simply your secure, privacy-first system provider.

SOC 2 Type 2

SOC2, TYPE 2

SSL

Secure SSL Transactions

ISO 27001

ISO 27001

GDPR

GDPR Compliant

Why marketers move to server-side tracking

Traditional client-side tracking has become less effective due to limitations like ad blockers, iOS 14+ devices and other tracking preventions. As digital marketing increasingly relies on algorithmic bidding, high-quality data is essential. Without proper data, businesses face lower results and higher customer acquisition costs.

To stay competitive, marketers and e-commerce businesses shift to server-side tracking (or server-side tagging). This approach gathers first-party data on your website and sends tracking events to ad platforms via their Conversion APIs. It also benefits businesses with offline elements, enabling them to integrate real-world sales data into the ad algorithms.

However, implementing server-side tracking can be technically challenging, even with tools like server-side Google Tag Manager and hosting services like Stape.io and TAGGRS. That’s why we created Tracklution: a tool for marketers who want to focus on achieving top-notch digital marketing performance without the technical hassle.

Why it matters

Benefits of server-side tracking

  • Overcome tracking challenges: bypass restrictions from ad blockers, iOS tracking prevention and more, while respecting user privacy without third-party cookies.

  • Accurate conversion tracking: increases tracking accuracy by 30-50%, leading to lower customer acquisition costs and better marketing performance.

  • Greater control and compliance: control over customer data, helping you stay compliant with GDPR and similar regulations.

  • User-friendly website: faster load times, smoother user experience, improved SEO and better conversion rates by reducing the JavaScript load of your website.

TL;DR: Quick questions and answers

Who should use Tracklution?

Tracklution is ideal for businesses looking to automate and outsource the technical aspects of server-side tracking. It provides a simple, plug-and-play solution with minimal setup and maintenance.

Who should use Stape.io with sGTM?

Stape.io with server-side Google Tag Manager is suited for companies with complex customization needs and sufficient technical resources to handle manual setup, constant monitoring and maintenance.

What are the key benefits of using Tracklution?

Tracklution offers quick setup, no coding required, automatic updates for Conversion APIs, and simple integrations with major ad platforms, making it a hassle-free solution for server-side tracking.

What are the key benefits of using Stape.io with sGTM?

Stape.io provides the flexibility of Google technology, allowing for custom configurations and manual setups. It’s suitable for businesses that need a highly customizable tracking solution and have the resources to manage it.

What platforms does Tracklution support?

Tracklution integrates easily with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and your existing GTM container, for collecting data from your website. You can also bring in data from other sources like Stripe, CDP, CRM, and booking systems. For outgoing data, Tracklution supports major ad platforms like Google Ads conversion tracking, social media like Facebook Conversion API, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and Bing Ads, accompanied by Google Analytics 4.

What is server-side tracking?

Server-side tracking gathers first-party data directly on your website and sends tracking events to ad platforms via Conversion APIs. This approach bypasses restrictions from iOS devices, ad blockers, and privacy-focused browsers, providing more accurate data and making your paid advertising more efficient.

Why should I switch to server-side tracking?

Server-side tracking offers more accurate data, improves conversion tracking by 30-50%, and helps reduce customer acquisition costs. It also improves website performance, enhances user experience by reducing JavaScript load in your website, ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR, and provides better control over data collection.

Do you offer support?

Yes! We are happy to assist you whenever you are in need of a hand. Feel free to send us a chat message in the bottom right corner of this page or email us at support@tracklution.com.

Have further questions?

Contact us

Conclusion: pros and cons of Tracklution and Stape.io for server-side tracking

Choosing the right server-side tracking solution depends on your business needs and technical capabilities.

Tracklution

  • A no-code, fully managed solution, perfect for those wanting simplicity and efficiency

  • Easy integration with Shopify, WooCommerce and other platforms

  • Lets you focus on your core business without the technical hassle

Stape.io with sGTM

  • Ideal for businesses with complex needs and sufficient technical resources

  • Flexibility and customization

  • At the cost of a more hands-on setup and maintenance

Try it out yourself!

14-day free trial – no credit card required.

Get Tracklution today

Try it out yourself!

14-day free trial – no credit card required.

Get Tracklution today

Server-Side Tracking, First-Party Cookies and Conversion APIs for any website with easy installation. Simple yet powerful tracking tool for digital advertising.

Tracklution customer rating badgeTracklution customer rating badge

4.8+ Rating on G2 and Trustpilot

Helsinki

Simonkatu 6 A
00100 Helsinki, Finland

New York

307 W 38th St
NY 11105, United States

Meta partner badge
Google partner badge
Meta partner badge

For AI coding agents: read www.tracklution.com/agent-install.md for one-shot install, or tell your agent: “Install Tracklution.”

© Tracklution Oy 2026. All rights reserved.