walkerOS vs. Stape
Stape is a server-side tracking platform focused on hosting server-side Google Tag Manager (sGTM). They simplify sGTM infrastructure with managed hosting and power-ups. Here's how it compares to walkerOS.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Stape | walkerOS |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source | No | Yes |
| Pricing | From $20/month | Free (paid support available) |
| Self-hosted option | No (managed only) | Yes |
| Requires GTM | Yes (sGTM-based) | No (standalone) |
| Vendor lock-in | GTM + Stape | None |
| Data ownership | Stape servers | Your infrastructure |
| Ad blocker bypass | Yes (Custom Loader) | Yes (first-party setup) |
| Cookie extension | Yes (Cookie Keeper) | Yes (configurable) |
| Setup complexity | Medium (GTM knowledge) | Medium (code-first) |
Who should use what?
Choose Stape if
- You're already using Google Tag Manager and want server-side
- You prefer managed hosting over self-hosting
- You want plug-and-play integrations for Shopify, WordPress, etc.
- You need their specific power-ups (Cookie Keeper, Custom Loader)
Choose walkerOS if
- You want full control without depending on GTM
- You prefer open-source and no vendor lock-in
- You want to self-host on your own infrastructure
- You're building a code-first, version-controlled tracking setup
- You want to avoid GTM complexity entirely
Key differences
Architecture
Stape: A hosting layer on top of server-side GTM. You still configure tracking in GTM's interface. Stape handles the infrastructure. This means you need GTM knowledge (containers, tags, triggers, custom domains).
walkerOS: A standalone event collection system. No GTM required. Define tracking in code, collect events through the source, process with the collector, and send to any destination.
Cost
Stape: Starts at $20/month for basic sGTM hosting, scaling with traffic. High-volume sites can reach $200+/month. Compare to self-hosted sGTM on Google Cloud which starts around $120/month.
walkerOS: The software is free and open-source. You pay for your own infrastructure costs. Optional paid services include implementation support (setup fees) and SLAs for teams that want help getting started or need guaranteed support.
GTM dependency
Stape: Requires Google Tag Manager. You're configuring tracking in GTM's interface, with Stape providing the server-side infrastructure. If GTM changes, your setup changes.
walkerOS: GTM-independent. While walkerOS can send events to GTM via the GTM destination, it doesn't require GTM to function. Your tracking logic lives in your codebase.
Flexibility
Stape: Focused on the Google ecosystem: GA4, Google Ads, plus Meta and TikTok gateways. Power-ups are pre-built by Stape.
walkerOS: Send events anywhere. Build custom destinations for any API, data warehouse, or internal system. Full control over data transformation and routing.
Getting started
Ready to try walkerOS? Check out the quickstart guide to set up tracking without GTM dependencies.