In short
- Hosted server-side GTM containers set up in a few clicks
- Server zones in the US, EU, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, plus EU-only Stape Europe
- Power-Ups such as Custom Loader, Cookie Keeper, Click ID Restorer, and Bot Detection
- Best fit: marketing teams wanting server-side tagging without DevOps
What is Stape
Stape is a hosted server-side Google Tag Manager provider. Instead of running your own server-side GTM container on Google Cloud Run, App Engine, or AWS, you run it on Stape’s managed infrastructure, with one plan per container priced by monthly request volume. On top of Google’s standard server-side GTM, Stape adds Power-Ups such as Custom Loader (script paths that resist ad blockers and tracking prevention), Cookie Keeper (extends cookie lifetimes under Safari’s ITP), Click ID Restorer, GEO Headers, Bot Detection, and a built-in Data Store, plus request logs and monitoring alerts for troubleshooting.
Where Stape fits in 2026
Server-side tagging became standard practice as Safari’s ITP and Firefox’s tracking protection shortened cookie lifetimes and ad blockers cut browser pixels. Stape is a common pick for teams that need server-side GTM without staffing DevOps to maintain it. The pricing is predictable (a fixed monthly plan per container, tiered by incoming requests rather than by tag or destination), the EU server zones and the EU-only Stape Europe offering cover data residency requirements, and the Power-Ups fill gaps in Google’s server-side GTM image.
The trade-off is vendor lock-in on the Power-Ups. The container itself is portable (it’s standard server-side GTM), but Power-Ups like Cookie Keeper and Custom Loader are Stape platform features. Teams that lean heavily on them and later want to self-host face a real migration cost. Costs also climb with request volume, and features like multi-zone infrastructure and monitoring start on the Business plan at $100/month.
How Stape compares to alternatives
Versus Addingwell: Both offer hosted server-side GTM for EU-aware teams. Addingwell is a French provider that has been part of the consent-management company Didomi since 2025 and pairs its hosting with Didomi’s consent platform. Stape has the larger Power-Ups library and more server zones worldwide. Versus self-hosted server-side GTM: Self-hosting on Google Cloud Run gives full control. Google estimates about $45 per server per month and recommends at least two instances, so a minimal setup runs around $90/month before traffic scaling. Stape starts at $20/month and removes the DevOps work. Versus full CDPs (Segment, RudderStack): Different category. CDPs route events to dozens of destinations from a unified schema. Stape runs the server-side GTM container that your destinations may rely on. Often used together.
FAQ about Stape
How much does Stape cost?
Stape has a free plan for up to 10,000 requests per month. Paid plans are per container: Pro is $20/month for up to 500,000 requests, Business $100/month for up to 5 million, and Enterprise $200/month for up to 20 million, or $17, $83, and $167/month billed annually. Custom plans cover unlimited requests. Each website needs its own container and plan.
How does Stape compare to running server-side GTM on Google Cloud Run?
Google’s setup guide estimates about $45 per Cloud Run server per month and recommends running at least two instances, so a minimal setup costs around $90/month before traffic scaling. Stape starts at $20/month, and you skip the DevOps work of managing deployments, IAM, and scaling.
Is Stape GDPR-compliant and EU-hosted?
Stape offers European server zones (including Germany, Belgium, and Finland) on its global platform and a separate Stape Europe offering hosted on the European cloud provider Scaleway, with zones in France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy. Stape publishes a GDPR statement and a DPA, and custom DPAs are available on the Custom plan. Whether your setup is compliant still depends on your consent handling and on what your tags send.
Do I still need to know server-side GTM to use Stape?
Yes. Stape hosts the tagging server but does not configure it. You still build the server container in Google Tag Manager and connect it to Stape’s URL. Stape’s Power-Ups and open-source tag templates (for example for Meta’s Conversions API) help, but the GTM logic is on you.
How to use Stape?
Sign up at stape.io and create a server-side GTM container in a few clicks. You then point your existing GTM web container to the Stape endpoint and configure server tags.
Why choose Stape?
Stape gives you a predictable plan per container instead of variable Google Cloud bills, EU hosting options, and pre-built tag templates that save engineering time. It’s a common pick when you want sGTM without managing Cloud Run.
How does Stape work?
Stape hosts a server-side Google Tag Manager container on your own custom domain. Your website sends events to the Stape endpoint, which forwards them server-side to Meta, Google, TikTok, and other destinations.
How to learn Stape?
Stape maintains documentation in its helpdesk and guides on the Stape blog, along with a YouTube channel covering sGTM setups. Partner agencies offer paid sGTM implementation services.
What are Stape alternatives?
Common alternatives include self-hosting sGTM on Google Cloud Run, Addingwell, and Taggrs. Stape stands out for its Power-Ups library and the number of server zones it offers, and it reports more than 200,000 clients.
What are Stape reviews?
Stape is rated 4.3 on G2 with 11 reviews. See the reviews for detailed feedback.
Does Stape have an API?
Yes. The Stape API automates creating and managing accounts and containers with an API key from your Stape account. Documentation is in the Stape helpdesk.
Does Stape have a trial or a demo?
Stape’s free plan covers up to 10,000 requests per month with no credit card required, enough for testing. Paid plans start at $20/month per container.
Does Stape use AI?
Yes, in a supporting role. Stape has an AI Assistant inside the Stape account for ad hoc setup tasks, and three free, open-source MCP servers that let AI tools such as Claude work with Stape, Google Tag Manager, and GA4. The core product remains server-side GTM hosting, not AI-driven analytics.
Stape pricing
Stape pricing starts at $20/mo. Billing: Per container by monthly requests, billed monthly or annually. A free tier option is available. See the full Stape pricing page for current tiers and any add-ons.
