Decisions
Observability
Choosing APM, logging, metrics, tracing and error-monitoring platforms: what each covers, how it ingests OpenTelemetry, where it can run and how it bills.
Start with the matrix
By category
Best APM tools: choose by stack, hosting model and OpenTelemetry approach
APM tools compared on instrumentation, OpenTelemetry, hosting, data regions and billing model, with a shortlist by situation rather than one winner.
Log management tools compared: ingestion, retention and billing models
Log management compared across Datadog, Grafana Cloud, Elastic, New Relic, Better Stack, SigNoz and Dynatrace: OTel, hosting and log billing.
Vendor against vendor
Datadog vs Grafana Cloud: integrated platform or OpenTelemetry-first stack
Datadog and Grafana Cloud compared on signals, instrumentation, OpenTelemetry, open-source options, data regions and how each bills, with when to choose which.
Datadog vs New Relic: per-host products or ingest-and-user pricing
Datadog and New Relic compared on coverage, OpenTelemetry, data regions, free tiers and how each bills, with when to choose which platform.
Sentry vs Datadog: developer error monitoring or full observability platform
Sentry and Datadog compared for error tracking, tracing, replay and logs: scope, OpenTelemetry, regions and billing models, and when each fits.