Comparison

Pixel Tracker vs Northbeam: Multi-Touch Attribution vs Pixel Installation

Northbeam provides multi-touch attribution for Shopify stores, showing which ads across Meta, Google, TikTok, and other platforms actually drive conversions. It uses server-side tracking and first-party data to model customer journeys across channels.

Pixel Tracker installs the pixels that make attribution possible. Without correctly firing ad platform pixels, attribution tools have incomplete data to work with. They solve different problems at different layers of the tracking stack.

Quick comparison

 Pixel TrackerNorthbeam
Monthly cost$0-$29/mo$100-$200+/mo
Primary functionPixel installationMulti-touch attribution
Target audienceSolo merchantsDTC brands, mid-market stores
Ad platforms7 (installation)Meta, Google, TikTok, Snap + more (attribution)
Server-side trackingCAPI + TikTok Events APIServer-side attribution layer
Multi-touch modelingNoYes
Setup complexity5 minutesTechnical integration

Feature matrix

FeaturePixel TrackerNorthbeamNotes
Installs ad pixelsYesNo (reads existing data)
Multi-touch attributionNoYes
Cross-platform ROASNoYes
Customer journey mappingNoYes
Server-side pixel supportCAPI + TikTok Events APIServer-side attribution
Ad creative-level reportingNoYes
No-code setupYesNo
LTV predictionNoYes

Pricing breakdown

PlanPixel TrackerNorthbeam
Northbeam entryN/A$100-$200+/mo
Pixel Tracker Free$0/mo (1 pixel)N/A
Pixel Tracker Starter$7/mo (3 pixels)N/A
Pixel Tracker Growth$15/mo (10 pixels)N/A
Pixel Tracker Pro$29/mo (unlimited)N/A

Who should pick which

Choose Pixel Tracker if...

You need pixels installed across multiple platforms

Budget under $50/mo for tracking tools

You don't need cross-platform attribution yet

You want a no-code, 5-minute setup

Choose Northbeam if...

You need to know which ad drove which sale across platforms

You spend $5k+/mo on ads and need ROAS data

You want multi-touch attribution and LTV prediction

You already have pixels installed and need better reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Northbeam install pixels?
No. Northbeam reads data from existing pixel connections and ad platform APIs. It doesn't install or manage pixels. If your pixels aren't firing, Northbeam can't fix that , Pixel Tracker can.
Can I use both together?
Yes. Pixel Tracker ensures pixels fire correctly. Northbeam reads that data and provides multi-touch attribution. They're complementary tools at different layers of the stack.
Which should I set up first?
Pixels first. Attribution tools need clean pixel data to model correctly. If your Meta pixel isn't firing Purchase events, no attribution tool can tell you which ad drove the sale. Fix the pixel layer first with Pixel Tracker, then consider attribution if your ad spend justifies it.
Is Northbeam worth $100+/mo for a small store?
For stores spending under $5k/mo on ads, Northbeam's attribution insights usually don't justify the cost. At that spend level, the individual platform dashboards (Meta Ads Manager, Google Ads) provide sufficient reporting. Pixel Tracker at $7-$29/mo covers the pixel installation layer.
Is Pixel Tracker available on the Shopify App Store?
Not yet , it's currently in development. Join the waitlist at appnary.com for early access.

Related reading

Pixel Tracker is in development

Join the waitlist for early access. Available soon on the Shopify App Store.

Join the waitlistSee Pixel Tracker