AW Stats Vs Webalyzer?

[brandon206]

Not sure where to put this, but I have a general question about AW Stats and Webalyzer.

When I look at how many hits/downloads of a specific file I have, the difference between the two stat programs is enormous. AW stats records 1/3 the number that Webalyzer does.

For something posted in Feb 2009 to present (for example), Webalyzer reports 96,000 hits/downloads on selected files, whereas AW Stats only reports 18,000.

Why the discrepancy? Aren't they tracking the same data off the server? How do I know which to trust as accurate?

[GvilleRick]

If you run a Google search on 'Webalizer vs AWStats' there are several articles discussing this topic (and many include Google Analytics.) One difference is that AWStats differentiates between bots and "real" visitors where Webalizer does not.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by brandon206

Not sure where to put this, but I have a general question about AW Stats and Webalyzer.

And an interesting one, but perhaps you could ask for the thread to be moved to either the shared hosting or webhosting category.

[brandon206]

Originally Posted by GvilleRick

If you run a Google search on 'Webalizer vs AWStats' there are several articles discussing this topic (and many include Google Analytics.) One difference is that AWStats differentiates between bots and "real" visitors where Webalizer does not.

Yea, I went down the google search route and all I could find was more questions and suppositions. It seems that AW Stats is more effective in tracking something like downloads, based on what you've said.

[SlAiD]

AwStats is more realistic, because bot's do not "visit" your website, they index/view/archive.
As told before, AwStats does not count bots, however there is a section on AwStats to see how many bot's and from where they're come.

SL

[RBX0122]

I used to rely on AWStats but after installing PIWIK I have made the switch. The good thing about piwik for me is that one installation and I can monitor all of my sites so now the stats make a lot more sense.