Both Tag Manager and gtag.js perform similar functions:
- Tag Manager is a tag management system that allows you to quickly and easily update tags on your website or mobile app from a web interface.
- gtag.js is the JavaScript framework that is used to add Google tags directly to web pages.
Both solutions are built on the same core Google infrastructure, and are interoperable. You are free to choose the solution that best suits your needs.
Consider Tag Manager if you need:
- The ability to deploy and modify both Google and 3rd party tags
- The ability to deploy and modify tags for both web and mobile apps
- The ability to deploy and modify tags on the fly from a web interface
- Collaboration and versioning capabilities
Consider gtag.js if you are unable to use Google Tag Manager, or the following capabilities are important to you:
- The ability to install tags directly on your web page, without the ramp-up time of setting up a tag management system
- The ability to work with your tags directly in JavaScript without being required to work with a separate interface
https://support.google.com/tagmanager/answer/7582054?hl=en
Answer from Michele Pisani on Stack OverflowGoogle Support
support.google.com › tagmanager › answer › 7582054
Google Tag Manager vs. gtag.js - Tag Manager Help
If you already use Tag Manager, continue to do so. Tag Manager fully supports Google Ads and Google Marketing Platform tags, and there is no need to deploy additional code using gtag.js on your site if Tag Manager is already in use.
Analytics Mania
analyticsmania.com › post › gtag-vs-google-tag-manager
GTAG vs Google Tag Manager. What is the Difference? What to Choose?
April 14, 2025 - GTM is a central place where you can keep your tracking codes and manage them. When a page is loaded, Google Tag Manager will activate those codes based on your conditions (on page load, on purchase, on form submission, etc.). One of the things ...
Switching from GA4 tag to GTM tag
Good move! Some thoughts but really this only scratches the surface: You should remove Gtag from your site and replace with gtm container only, yes Are you only using ga4? No google ads connections? You should use the new google tag template and drop in your measurement id there (or create a variable for it, which is what I do ) . Also, with gtm preview mode and ga4 debugger make sure you test, test, test. It will help you ensure things are working as expected quickly as you. As you can see if the page_view and other events are firing correctly. Also make sure if a developer did any custom events they will need to switch those to data layer push. More on reddit.com
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October 5, 2023GTM vs GTAG.js
I imagine slowly but surely Google will invest more in the new Google tag , which tries to simplify GTAG.js across all the Google products, especially if you aren't using GTM. But GTM will remain superior, especially in a server side world. More on reddit.com
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July 15, 2022Gtag.js vs Google tag Manager
Google Tag Manager and the Google tag (gtag.js) are both fully supported methods for the deployment of tags for Google products, such as Google Ads and Google Marketing Platform. gtag.js is the JavaScript framework that is used to add Google tags directly to web pages. So I hope you understand the difference of both. More on reddit.com
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May 11, 2023What's the difference between GoogleTagManager and GTag ?
Welcome! This world uses lots of very similar acronyms so buckle up for asking lots of clarifying questions. And please do ask!* After doing some googling first ;) GTM = Google Tag Manager gtag is a script which can be used for Google Analytics tracking and Google Ads tracking GTM is a tag management system (aka TMS) which are tools which can simplify the methods of administering marketing tracking tools (like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel) on websites or mobile apps More on reddit.com
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February 13, 2021Videos
Reddit
reddit.com › r/googletagmanager › switching from ga4 tag to gtm tag
r/GoogleTagManager on Reddit: Switching from GA4 tag to GTM tag
October 5, 2023 -
I have a web design agency and on all my clients websites I have Google analytic property and GA4 via gtag.js script. I recently learned more about GTM and realizing it makes more sense to add the GTM tag and then add GA4 via GTM. How do I go about doing this?
I have setup a GTM account and working on 1st website right now and created an Account and container for that website and added container tag code to the website. I also added a 'Google Tag.' Should I now remove the gtag.js script from the site and add another tag via GTM for google analytics?
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Good move! Some thoughts but really this only scratches the surface: You should remove Gtag from your site and replace with gtm container only, yes Are you only using ga4? No google ads connections? You should use the new google tag template and drop in your measurement id there (or create a variable for it, which is what I do ) . Also, with gtm preview mode and ga4 debugger make sure you test, test, test. It will help you ensure things are working as expected quickly as you. As you can see if the page_view and other events are firing correctly. Also make sure if a developer did any custom events they will need to switch those to data layer push.
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Analytify
analytify.io › home › gtag vs google tag manager (detailed guide)
GTAG vs Google Tag Manager (Detailed Guide) - Analytify
April 21, 2025 - On the other hand, Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a tag management system that lets you add, update, and manage all tracking tags through a web interface without changing the website code.
Seer Interactive
seerinteractive.com › insights › what-is-google-tag-global-site-tag
Google Tag vs. GTM vs. Global Site Tag | Seer Interactive
February 22, 2023 - Is Google tag (gtag.js) actually a new tag? Is it the same as Global Site Tag? Should I use it or Google Tag Manager? Learn why and when to use Google Tag.
Google
developers.google.com › google analytics › tagging for google analytics
Tagging for Google Analytics | Google for Developers
The **Google tag** is a single tag for measuring organic and ad performance, configurable for various Google products. **Google Tag Manager** is recommended for managing tags without code editing, supporting Google, third-party, and custom tags. **gtag.js** is a JavaScript framework for adding Google tags, requiring coding skills, and is limited to Google services.
Vakulski-Group
vakulski-group.com › home › gtag vs gtm: what to choose?
GTAG vs GTM: What to choose? | Vakulski-Group
January 1, 2024 - It gives you complete control over the tags installed on your website. ... Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a powerful Tag management system from Google for deploying and managing tags (tracking codes) on websites, apps, or online products.
Rtfct
rtfct.com › blog-posts › google-tag-vs-google-tag-manager-which-one-should-i-use
Artifact | Google Tag vs. Google Tag Manager: Which One Should I Use?
January 15, 2025 - Direct Tracking: gtag.js sends data directly to services like Analytics and Ads. Customization: Events and parameters are configured manually in the code. Best for Simplicity: Ideal for small websites with straightforward tracking needs. Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a powerful tag management system that enables you to manage and deploy multiple tracking codes, or tags, from a single platform without modifying your website’s source code.
MeasureSchool
measureschool.com › home › google tag manager vs global site tag (gtag.js) – similarities and differences
Google Tag Manager vs Global Site Tag (gtag.js)
You can also test and debug your implementation using GTM’s Preview Mode to keep each version as clean as possible. Lastly, Google Tag Manager has a graphical user interface that is not available for the Global Site Tag. This means that with the gtag.js, you’ll need to do all your site’s ...
Published January 11, 2024
Analytics Mania
analyticsmania.com › post › google-tag-manager-vs-google-analytics
Google Tag Manager vs Google Analytics explained (2025)
October 16, 2025 - A detailed comparison of Google Tag Manager vs Google Analytics. Learn the differences between them to be more efficient.
e-CENS
e-cens.com › google tag manager vs global site tag (gtag.js): key differences
Google Tag Manager Vs Global Site Tag (gtag.js): Key Differences
October 28, 2024 - With GTM, all tags are configured and deployed from a single account. GTM provides a “command center” to manage tags across channels. gtag.js requires adding code directly to each site or app. There is no central management console.
Estiponagroup
estiponagroup.com › blog › magic-8-ball-should-i-use-gtagjs-or-google-tag-manager
Global Site Tag vs Google Tag Manager | Estipona Group
Google Tag Manager is a better fit with that goal in mind. This system gives us more freedom and doesn’t require a working knowledge of coding. We’re constantly adding new features to client websites and reevaluating client goals, so GTM gives us the flexibility to quickly test and track new events.
Loves Data
lovesdata.com › blog › google-analytics-vs-google-tag-manager
Google Analytics vs Google Tag Manager: Key Differences
April 30, 2025 - GTM includes features like built-in templates for popular tags (such as GA4, Google Ads, and Meta Pixel for Facebook), flexible trigger and variable options, version control, and Preview Mode to test changes before they go live.
WordPress
wordpress.org › support › topic › gt-vs-g
GT- Vs G- | WordPress.org
October 1, 2023 - <!-- Snippet Google Analytics aggiunto da Site Kit --> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=GT-P******' id='google_gtagjs-js' async></script> <script id="google_gtagjs-js-after" type="text/javascript"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('set', 'linker', {"domains":["studiolegaleasmahi.it"]} ); gtag("js", new Date()); gtag("set", "developer_id.dZTNiMT", true); gtag("config", "GT-P******"); </script> <!-- Termina lo snippet Google Analytics aggiunto da Site Kit -->
Yossi Fest
yossifest.com › blog-post › gtag-js-vs-google-tag-manager-which-should-i-go-with
gtag.js vs. Google Tag Manager: Which Should I Choose? | Yossi Fest
gtag.js is a direct line to Google. It’s for people who want to track the basics fast. No frills. GTM is a full-blown tag management system.
Google
developers.google.com › tag platform › gtag.js
Set up the Google tag with gtag.js | Tag Platform | Google for Developers
If you're unfamiliar with javascript, we recommend using Google Tag Manager instead of gtag.js.
MeasureMinds
measuremindsgroup.com › home › google tag manager › gtag within gtm - the what, why and how!
GTAG within GTM - The what, why and how!
November 17, 2023 - Another countermeasure is as part of GTAG, GA4 now automatically tries to collect email addresses spotted on the page. This is then sent as a hashed value, getting you around the issue of blocked cookies. Finally, we have GTM Serverside, which is less likely to be blocked by Apple.
Google Analytics 4
googleanalytics4.co › implementation › google-tag-manager-vs-google-tag-gtag-js
Google Tag Manager vs Google Tag (Gtag.js) - Google Analytics 4
March 8, 2023 - Unlike the tag manager, Gtag.js based implementation requires direct javascript code manipulation on the website.
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-difference-between-Google-Tag-Manager-and-gtag-js-and-which-one-should-I-use
What is the difference between Google Tag Manager and gtag.js, and which one should I use? - Quora
Answer: GTM is a like a CMS for tags, UI-centric and more setup but comes with powerful features (beyond GA, 3rd party tags, custom stuff, preview mode, version control etc) and it is one-time setup on websites.