Datadog Competitors: 8 Top Alternatives to Consider in 2024

Datadog is a cloud-based security and observability platform that provides visibility across a business’s entire IT infrastructure. It assists companies large and small with cloud migration, machine learning, DevOps, and many other use cases (see our What Is Datadog? guide for a more detailed breakdown of their services and cost structure).

However, Datadog is not the only platform in this space. The cloud monitoring and observability market is filled with great players that offer different types of value. In this guide, we will cover eight DataDog competitors to help you make the right choice. 

1. AWS Cloudwatch. 
2. LogicMonitor. 
3. IBM Instana.
4. New Relic.
5. Splunk.
6. Sumo Logic.
7. Dynatrace.
8. AppDynamics.

{{cta1}}

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloudwatch

AWS Cloudwatch is an application performance monitoring (APM) service that enables data collection from over 70 AWS resources. As such, it’s a good choice for companies that only use AWS.

Key features

• Access visualization tools for easier data analysis and performance issue resolution.
• Use Auto Scaling to optimize costs and automate other aspects of resource planning.
• Leverage generative AI to run log queries using natural language to accelerate analysis.

Who is AWS Cloudwatch for?

Most AWS Cloudwatch customers are enterprises, with mid-market and small businesses making up a smaller portion of their customer base.

AWS Cloudwatch pricing breakdown

Amazon CloudWatch pricing is usage-based and the company offers a calculator to help prospects estimate costs. A free plan is available for companies with limited monitoring needs.

Unique selling points & considerations

Some reviewers find that Datadog provides a better user experience than AWS Cloudwatch, making it easier to run data queries. However, AWS Cloudwatch is generally cheaper.

2. LogicMonitor

LogicMonitor is a hybrid observability platform that supports AIOps, APM, infrastructure, and cloud monitoring, as well as website and SaaS monitoring.

Key features

• Monitor your entire IT infrastructure, whether it is on-premises, hybrid, or in the cloud.
• Use over 2,000 integrations to connect every aspect of your business to the platform.
• Leverage the LM Co-Pilot to simplify and accelerate everyday administrative tasks.

Who is LogicMonitor for?

LogicMonitor primarily serves mid-market companies. 

LogicMonitor pricing breakdown

A free trial is available for users to experience the platform’s features on a short-term basis. Infrastructure monitoring and cloud IaaS monitoring both start at $22 per resource per month. Additional features (such as container monitoring) cost extra.

Unique selling points & considerations

User reviews suggest LogicMonitor has superior customer support and is easier to conduct business with. However, Datadog outperforms LogicMonitor in most aspects of ​​network performance monitoring.

3. IBM Instana

IBM Instana is a full-stack observability platform that monitors cloud environments (Google Cloud Platform, AWS, Microsoft Azure) and digital experiences (websites, apps). The platform also supports APM and cloud migration.

Key features

• Use IBM’s generative AI and machine learning functionalities to get recommendations for mitigating issues. 
• Access over 300 integrations to enhance automated application observability. 
• Simplify monitoring with an infrastructure map and color-coded notifications. 

Who is IBM Instana for?

The majority of Instana customers are enterprises or mid-market companies, but IBM also serves a segment of small organizations as well.

IBM Instana pricing breakdown

IBM Instana pricing is based on the number of monitored hosts. Pricing is not public.

Unique selling points & considerations

IBM Instana is easier to use and set up, according to customer reviews. But Datadog gets better scores on the platform’s ability to meet business requirements. 

4. New Relic

New Relic is an observability platform featuring APM, digital experience monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, log management, AIOps, and vulnerability management.

Key features

• Connect to all of your systems with over 750 integrations. 
• Access over 30 capabilities (including APM and infrastructure monitoring) to observe your entire tech stack. 
• Get unlimited containers per host. 

Who is New Relic for?

The majority of New Relic customers are mid-market companies.

New Relic pricing breakdown

A free plan is available for users who need less than 100GB of data ingested per month. The price of paid plans depends on the volume of ingested data and the number of users. Vendr data shows the median annual account value for businesses is $110,000.

Unique selling points & considerations

User reviews indicate New Relic outperforms Datadog when it comes to APM. Datadog, however, gets better marks on container monitoring.

5. Splunk

The Splunk platform combines security and observability. On the observability front, Splunk covers APM, AIOps, infrastructure monitoring, and synthetic and real user monitoring.

Key features

• Deploy Splunk in the cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments.
• Use AI to guide you when analyzing and fixing issues.
• Turn data into engaging visualizations for easier sharing. 

Who is Splunk for?

Splunk is best suited for mid-market and enterprise companies.

Splunk pricing breakdown

A free trial is available. Annual paid plans for the Splunk Observability Cloud start at $15 per host per month. According to Vendr data, Splunk’s median annual account value is $106,000.

Unique selling points & considerations

Datadog comes with pre-built visualizations and data dashboards, while Splunk requires you to create them from scratch. 

However, Splunk features more robust search and querying functionalities, such as commands for data transformations.

6. Sumo Logic

The Sumo Logic platform supports real-time infrastructure observability and security. It collects log data from cloud and on-premises environments to streamline troubleshooting.

Key features

• Access unlimited data ingestion on paid plans. 
• Increase efficiency by automatically discovering newly deployed tools and infrastructure. 
• Use outlier detection to find and predict irregularities. 

Who is Sumo Logic for?

The majority of Sumo Logic customers are mid-market and enterprise companies.

Sumo Logic pricing breakdown

A free trial is available. Prospects must contact sales to get a quote for paid plans. According to Vendr data, Sumo Logic’s median annual contract value is $112,000.

Unique selling points & considerations

Datadog gets better marks than Sumo Logic regarding ease of use and setup. However, Sumo Logic is more customizable.

7. Dynatrace

Dynatrace is a platform containing multiple modules: infrastructure observability, application observability, digital experience, business analytics, workflow automation, and security protection and analytics. 

Key features

• Use the platform’s AI copilot to analyze issues, explore data, create customizable dashboards, and automate workflows. 
• Improve application performance management with real-time insights. 
• Access over 650 integrations with third-party systems. 

Who is Dynatrace for?

The vast majority of Dynatrace customers are enterprises.

Dynatrace pricing breakdown

A free trial is available. Full-stack monitoring (including APM, AIOps, application observability, and infrastructure monitoring) starts at $0.08 per hour for each host.

Unique selling points & considerations

Users find that Datadog’s database monitoring tools perform better than Dynatrace. But Dynatrace scores better when it comes to log and cloud infrastructure monitoring.

8. AppDynamics

AppDynamics is a Datadog alternative that offers a full-stack observability platform. The company’s products cover APM, user experience monitoring, infrastructure monitoring (hybrid, cloud, on-premises), application security monitoring, and SaaS and network monitoring.

Key features

• Estimate the impact of infrastructure events on business outcomes. 
• Detect application anomalies with machine learning in real time.
• Improve the user experience by monitoring metrics across devices, browsers, and other channels.

Who is AppDynamics for?

The majority of the AppDynamics customer base consists of enterprises.

AppDynamics pricing breakdown

A free trial is available. For full pricing details, prospects must contact AppDynamics for a quote.

Unique selling points & considerations

AppDynamics scores better in APM than Datadog. However, users find that Datadog is easier to set up and provides better customer support.

How Vendr simplifies procuring cloud monitoring platforms

When evaluating different Datadog competitors, use Vendr’s procurement platform to streamline pricing negotiations and get a better deal.

With a free account, you can access expert insights and guidance into discount levers and other negotiation strategies to ensure you never overpay for software. In fact, Vendr users who purchased Datadog have saved an average of $11,500.

Datadog Competitors FAQs

What types of companies use Datadog?

Datadog has over 1,000 customers in many different industries. They include tech giants (Samsung, Siemens, Sony) and film studios (DreamWorks, 21st Century Fox.) The company primarily works with businesses in financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, technology, and manufacturing.

What are the key features of Datadog?

Datadog’s platform allows companies to monitor their entire IT infrastructure. Key features include infrastructure and network performance monitoring, log management, application performance monitoring, application security management, and real user monitoring.

How does Datadog pricing compare to main competitors?

According to user reviews, some customers find that Datadog is on the higher end compared to the competitors mentioned above. 

{{cta1}}