Stape.io is server-side tagging for Google Tag Manager. Platforms like ThoughtMetric, Elevar, and Littledata run the server-side tagging for you and add reporting on top of it. Self-hosting on Google Cloud gives you the same control Stape offers without the vendor in between.
ThoughtMetric is the option for brands that want server-side tagging and multi-touch attribution reporting in one place, starting at $99 per month with every feature included.
For reference, Stape lists a free plan for up to 10,000 requests, then Pro at $17 per month billed annually, Business at $83 per month, and Enterprise at $167 per month. Custom plans cover unlimited requests.
At a glance
- ThoughtMetric is an e-commerce attribution tool with server-side tracking for Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento. Starts at $99 per month.
- Elevar is a server-side tracking platform focused on Shopify. Starts at $225 per month.
- Littledata sends your Shopify order data straight to Meta, GA4, Google Ads, TikTok, and Klaviyo. Flex plan starts at $0.35 per order.
-
Server-side GTM on Google Cloud is the same tracking server Stape offers you, running on your own Google Cloud account. No fixed price, you pay Cloud Run usage.
1. ThoughtMetric
Best for: e-commerce brands that want attribution they can act on without an enterprise contract or an advanced data team.
Top features
- Five attribution models, including Multi-Touch, First Touch, Last Touch, Position-Based, and Linear Paid
- Configurable lookback windows of 7, 14, 30, 60, or 90 days
- Server-side tagging with Meta and Google CAPI integrations
- Post-purchase surveys (“How did you hear about us?”)
- Product attribution showing total sales by SKU and more
- Custom reports and custom metrics
- AI Connectors for Claude and ChatGPT
- Support for Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, and custom stores
Pricing
$99 per month for 50,000 pageviews. Every feature is included at every tier, and pricing scales on pageviews.
$99 per month for 50,000 pageviews. Every feature is included at every tier, and pricing scales on pageviews.
How does ThoughtMetric compare to Stape?
Stape gives you the server; however, you still need someone who knows Google Tag Manager to build the tags. You'll also need another tool to tell you which channel earned the sale. ThoughtMetric handles both the server-side tagging and the attribution.
2. Elevar
Best for: Shopify brands that want server-side tracking feeding their ad and analytics platforms.
Top features
- Sends data straight to each platform, with no GTM container to host
- Prebuilt Shopify data layer with identity resolution and session enrichment
- Conversion monitoring with alerts when events stop arriving
- 40-plus marketing and analytics destinations
Pricing
Core is $225 per month for up to 2,000 orders and 2 destinations. Advanced is $650 per month for up to 10,000 orders. Premium is $1,250 per month for up to 30,000 orders. Elite starts at $3,000 per month.
How does Elevar compare to Stape?
Stape works with any website and any tag you can build in Google Tag Manager. Elevar only works with Shopify, only sends to the platforms on its list, and gets more expensive as your orders and destinations go up.
3. Littledata
Best for: Shopify brands that want accurate GA4 and Meta data without touching Google Tag Manager.
Top features
- No-code setup with no GTM container required
- Direct connections to GA4, Meta, Google Ads, TikTok, Klaviyo, Attentive, and Recharge
- Persistent ID and session enrichment for returning shoppers
- Full support for Shopify Markets and headless storefronts
Pricing
Flex starts at $0.35 per tracked order. Scale starts at $159 per month with 1,500 orders included. Plus starts at $792 per month with 10,000 orders included.
How does Littledata compare to Stape?
With Stape, you build your own tags, while Littledata gives you ready-made connections. If your goal is clean Shopify data in GA4 and Meta, Littledata is a stronger choice. If you need custom tags or non-Shopify sources, choose Stape.
With Stape, you build your own tags, while Littledata gives you ready-made connections. If your goal is clean Shopify data in GA4 and Meta, Littledata is a stronger choice. If you need custom tags or non-Shopify sources, choose Stape.
4. Server-side GTM on Google Cloud
Best for: teams with engineering resources and specific requirements.
Top features
- Full control over infrastructure, regions, and log retention
- No third-party processor in the data path
- Direct BigQuery access from the tagging server
- Scales to any request volume
Pricing
Pricing is not listed as a plan. You pay Google Cloud usage costs for Cloud Run instances, networking, and logging, which vary with traffic and configuration.
Pricing is not listed as a plan. You pay Google Cloud usage costs for Cloud Run instances, networking, and logging, which vary with traffic and configuration.
How does this compare to Stape?
Self-hosting removes the vendor and adds operational work. You handle provisioning, scaling, SSL, monitoring, and upgrades. Most e-commerce teams pay a managed host precisely to avoid that, which is the problem Stape solves.
How to choose
Depending on your needs, you’re better off investing in a tool that covers several different aspects of tracking and attribution. ThoughtMetric combines server-side tagging and CAPI integrations with multi-touch attribution, post-purchase surveys, and product-level reporting across Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento.
Book a demo to learn more about ThoughtMetric.
