Email analytics tools compared: Peasy vs alternatives

For small e-commerce stores, purpose-built email analytics tools like Peasy deliver better daily monitoring ROI than alternatives (Metorik, scheduled GA4 reports, platform notifications, or manual dashboard checking). Why? Peasy and similar tools are designed specifically for automated email delivery of e-commerce metrics—zero configuration, pre-selected relevant metrics, automatic comparisons. Alternatives either require dashboard logins (defeating the email purpose), manual setup (4-8 hours configuring GA4 scheduled reports), or lack critical e-commerce context (generic platform notifications). For stores under $500k revenue that need daily visibility without dashboard checking, dedicated email analytics tools win. Cost: $49-200/month. Time saved: 50-80 hours yearly.

This comparison examines how different tools deliver analytics via email or automated reporting, focusing on setup complexity, daily usability, and actual time savings for small store teams.

What “email analytics” actually means

There’s confusion here. Let’s clarify.

NOT email marketing analytics: We’re not comparing tools that analyze email campaigns (Mailchimp reports, Klaviyo analytics, Omnisend metrics). Those measure email performance—open rates, click rates, email-driven revenue.

YES e-commerce analytics delivered via email: We’re comparing tools that automatically send your store’s daily performance metrics (revenue, orders, traffic, conversion rate) to your inbox. No dashboard login required. Analytics comes to you instead of you going to dashboards.

This article compares three approaches to getting e-commerce analytics via email: dedicated tools (Peasy), dashboard tools with email features (Metorik), and scheduled reports from platforms (GA4, Shopify).

The three approaches compared

Approach 1: Dedicated email analytics tools

What it is: Purpose-built tools designed specifically to email daily e-commerce metrics. Peasy is the primary example—connects to Shopify, WooCommerce, or GA4, automatically emails essential metrics every morning.

Setup: 2 minutes. Connect data source, add team email addresses, done. No configuration of which metrics to track—pre-selected for e-commerce relevance.

Daily workflow: Open email. Scan 8-12 metrics (revenue, orders, AOV, conversion rate, sessions, top products, top channels, top pages). Comparisons calculated automatically (today vs yesterday, this week vs last week, this month vs last month, year-over-year). Takes 2-3 minutes.

Cost: Peasy starts at $49/month. Comparable tools range $49-200/month depending on data volume and features.

Best for: Teams that want zero-friction daily monitoring without dashboard logins. Stores focused on consistency over customization.

Approach 2: Dashboard tools with email reports

What it is: Analytics dashboards that offer optional email report features. Metorik is the main example for e-commerce—comprehensive dashboard with daily email summary capability.

Setup: 15-30 minutes. Connect data source, configure which metrics to include in email reports, set report schedule, customize layout. More flexible than dedicated tools but requires decisions about what to track.

Daily workflow: Receive email report with configured metrics. Format is usually PDF or HTML summary of dashboard data. Still accurate and automated but less optimized for email reading than dedicated tools. Takes 3-5 minutes to review. Dashboard login available for deeper investigation.

Cost: Check current pricing at metorik.com. Typically starts around $50-120/month depending on store size and features.

Best for: Stores that want both email convenience AND dashboard access for occasional deep dives. Those who value customization over simplicity.

Approach 3: Scheduled reports from platforms

What it is: Built-in reports from GA4, Shopify, WooCommerce. GA4 offers scheduled exports, Shopify sends summaries, WooCommerce offers basic notifications.

Setup: 30 minutes to 4 hours. GA4 requires building custom report first (2-4 hours). Shopify simpler (10-15 minutes) but less customizable.

Daily workflow: Receive scheduled email. GA4 sends PDFs (not mobile-friendly), Shopify sends summaries (limited metrics). Takes 5-10 minutes. Often requires dashboard login for context.

Cost: Free.

Best for: Tight budgets, willing to invest setup time, accept less-optimized format.

Feature comparison: What matters for email delivery

Email format and readability

Dedicated tools: Designed for email. Clean HTML optimized for mobile and desktop. Metrics with context (percentage changes, trend indicators). Scannable in 2 minutes. No attachments.

Dashboard tools: Email summaries mirroring dashboard layout. More data-dense. Takes 3-5 minutes to scan. Sometimes links back to dashboard for details.

Platform reports: GA4 sends PDF attachments (friction on mobile). Shopify sends text summaries (limited formatting). Neither optimized for email reading.

Winner: Dedicated tools. Purpose-built for email.

Automatic comparisons and context

Dedicated tools: Comparisons calculated automatically—today vs yesterday, week vs week, year-over-year. Context provided (trend arrows, percentage changes). No mental math.

Dashboard tools: Include comparisons in email reports. Metorik does this well. Requires initial setup to specify which comparisons matter.

Platform reports: GA4 shows numbers but comparisons require dashboard login. Shopify includes basic comparisons but limited year-over-year. Requires mental calculation.

Winner: Dedicated tools and dashboard tools (tied).

Team distribution

Dedicated tools: Add unlimited team email addresses. Everyone gets same report simultaneously. No coordination needed.

Dashboard tools: Email reports support multiple recipients. Dashboard access may require separate user accounts.

Platform reports: GA4 schedules can email multiple people. Shopify sends to account email only (requires forwarding). WooCommerce goes to admin email.

Winner: Dedicated tools. Built for team reporting from day one.

Pricing comparison

Dedicated tools: Peasy starts at $49/month. Automated emails, unlimited team members, pre-configured metrics.

Dashboard tools: Metorik ranges $50-200/month. Check current pricing at metorik.com. Includes dashboard plus email reports.

Platform reports: Free with GA4, Shopify, WooCommerce. Hidden cost: 2-4 hours setup, ongoing maintenance, less optimized format.

Total cost with time: Dedicated tools ($588/year + 5 hours = ~$750). Dashboard tools ($600-2,400/year + 10 hours = ~$900-2,700). Platform reports ($0 + 35 hours yearly = $1,050 at $30/hour).

Winner: Dedicated tools for most small stores.

Which approach should you choose?

Choose dedicated email analytics tools (Peasy) if:

• You want daily metrics without dashboard logins (email-only workflow)

• Your team needs synchronized visibility (everyone sees same data)

• You value time over money ($49/month is cheaper than 60 hours yearly manual work)

• You prefer pre-configured simplicity over customization (standard e-commerce metrics are sufficient)

• Your store is under $500k revenue (essential metrics matter more than deep analysis)

Choose dashboard tools with email features (Metorik) if:

• You want both email convenience AND dashboard depth for occasional analysis

• You need customization (specific metrics, custom date ranges, unique comparisons)

• You have budget for comprehensive tools ($100-200/month range)

• Your team includes analytical people who will use dashboard features regularly

Choose platform scheduled reports (GA4, Shopify) if:

• Budget is extremely tight (bootstrapping phase)

• You’re willing to spend 4-8 hours on setup

• You can accept less-optimized email format

• You already check dashboards daily (email is supplement)

Frequently asked questions

Can I use multiple approaches together?

Yes, and many stores do. Common combination: Dedicated tool (Peasy) for daily team emails + GA4 for occasional deep analysis when investigating issues. This gives consistent daily monitoring (email) plus analytical depth when needed (dashboard). Cost is minimal—just the dedicated tool subscription ($49/month) since GA4 is free.

What if I need more than daily emails—can these tools do hourly or real-time alerts?

Most email analytics tools focus on daily summary emails, not real-time alerts. Why? E-commerce metrics need context—hourly revenue fluctuates wildly and doesn’t mean much. Daily totals with comparisons (today vs yesterday) are more actionable. If you need real-time alerts for specific issues (payment processor down, traffic crash, conversion rate crash), use monitoring tools designed for that purpose—they alert on anomalies, not routine reporting. Email analytics tools solve routine daily monitoring, not emergency alerting.

Do email analytics tools replace dashboards entirely?

For daily monitoring, yes—email reports can replace routine dashboard checking for 90% of small store needs. For deep analysis, no—you’ll occasionally want dashboard access to investigate specific questions (“Which product drove the traffic spike?” or “Why did conversion rate drop on mobile?”). Best practice: Use email tools for consistent daily monitoring (habit formation is easier when analytics arrives in inbox). Keep dashboard access available (GA4, Shopify Analytics, WooCommerce Reports) for monthly deep dives or troubleshooting. This gives routine visibility without dashboard login friction plus analytical depth when needed.

Peasy automatically sends your key analytics to your team every morning—eliminate daily dashboard checks. Starting at $49/month. Try free for 14 days.