Best Dynatrace Alternatives in 2025 for APM and Infrastructure Monitoring

Introduction to Dynatrace and Its Alternatives in 2025

Dynatrace is known as a robust application performance monitoring and visibility solution. It helps businesses to get AI-driven insights into their IT infrastructure. It offers clear insights into how applications perform, cloud stacks, logs, and security problems, making it perfect for big operations. However, its cost, complexity, and functionality may not be right for every business.

If you are looking for alternatives to Dynatrace, we have put together a list of some of the top alternatives that offer strong monitoring, logging, and security features. Whether you are a small business, a mid-market firm, or a large enterprise, these alternatives offer different levels of features and pricing to fit various business needs.

Why Look for Alternatives to Dynatrace?

Pricing Concerns

Dynatrace is quite expensive even for enterprises, and this can be challenging for small businesses and startups with tight budgets to afford. Although it is feature-rich, some companies struggle to comprehend why it is so pricey when other options offer the same features at more affordable rates.

Complex Setup

Installing and deploying Dynatrace can be challenging at first. It takes technical planning and expertise. Companies with smaller IT resources can find it difficult to install, and the process can be lengthy and hard for teams that have not known the platform to learn.

Scalability Needs or Open-source Flexibility

For companies that value scalability or prefer open-source solutions, Dynatrace's proprietary status can be restrictive. Companies wanting a more tailored or cost-effective solution can consider open-source monitoring tools that provide more freedom to modify according to changing requirements.

Feature Overload

Dynatrace has numerous very advanced features but may overwhelm APM tool novices. It has so many features that teams may be confused as to where to start and what to use, and therefore fail to utilize the platform to its potential.

Alternatives in the Application Monitoring (APM) Market

There are many options that provide some level of monitoring and analytics. Some organizations might determine that other options more closely match their technical needs, budget, or integration requirements, and thus look for Dynatrace alternatives.

List of the best Dynatrace alternatives

The extensive nature of this list indicates a need for alternatives within the market. In the following paragraphs, we will evaluate Dynatrace vs other tools across 3 categories: pricing, G2 reviews, and features.

1. LiveSession

2. New Relic

3. Sumo Logic

4. DataDog

5. Grafana (open source)

6. Better Stack

7. SigNoz  (open source)

8. Splunk

1. LiveSession

Overview

LiveSession is an advanced session replay and product analytics platform, ideal for teams that want real-time insights into user behavior. Unlike traditional monitoring tools, it focuses on qualitative and quantitative UX and performance insights making it an excellent choice for product teams and UX researchers. It serves as a valuable tool for businesses aiming to understand user behavior. With its focus on debugging applications management, LiveSession stands out as the right Dynatrace alternative.

Key Features:

• Unlimited event tracking
• Detailed session replays
• Real-time user behavior insights with session replays
• Custom segments and filters for tracking specific users
• Console logs, network requests, and JS Errors linked to all session recordings
• Integrations: Integrate with Slack and live chat tools and solve customer issues faster
• Dashboards and Metrics: Quickly display top product KPIs and performance metrics

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Starts at $65 with free trial and free forever plan offered

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.6/5

On G2, LiveSession boasts an impressive score of 4.6/5, highly rated for its ease of use and actionable insights. Users appreciate how it balances quantitative and qualitative data, making it a reliable choice for businesses looking to optimize their monitoring solution. Positive reviews highlight its effectiveness in enhancing user experience and maximizing performance.

Comparison to Dynatrace
While Dynatrace focuses on deep system observability, LiveSession excels in what's really important from a customer experience perspective. With its session replays and product analytics, LiveSession serves as a good Dynatrace alternative for those seeking insights into user interactions rather than just infrastructure performance.  

2. New Relic

Overview
New Relic's developer-focused observability platform is known for its advanced Application Performance Management (APM) and performance monitoring capabilities. New Relic offers several key features, including APM with distributed tracing, infrastructure monitoring, error tracking, and log management, along with AIOps.

Key Features

These tools aim to provide comprehensive monitoring of both application and infrastructure performance. However, despite its strengths, users often find the platform's monitoring capabilities can be complicated to navigate, especially for new users unfamiliar with its interface.

• APM with distributed tracing
• Infrastructure monitoring
• Error tracking and digital experience monitoring
• Log management and AIOps capabilities

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Transparent but complex, pay-as-you-go pricing model. Free plan available with 100GB data ingestion

When it comes to pricing, New Relic employs a complex pay-as-you-go model, which many find difficult to understand. While there is a free plan available that allows for 100GB of data ingestion, the intricacies of pricing can be a barrier for new users.

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.3/5

G2 reviewers rate New Relic at 4.3 out of 5, but many highlight the complicated pricing structure as a significant drawback.

Comparison to Dynatrace
In comparison to Dynatrace, New Relic provides similar APM features at potentially lower costs. However, like Dynatrace, the pricing complexity remains a challenge. Users looking for top Dynatrace alternatives might consider platforms like LiveSession or even open-source tools. Choosing the right Dynatrace alternative requires careful consideration, as many alternatives offer simpler solutions for monitoring application performance. In conclusion, while New Relic holds promise as an APM solution, its pricing and usability issues warrant a critical look, especially for those seeking effective monitoring capabilities.

3. Sumo Logic

Overview of Sumo Logic
Sumo Logic is an analytics platform designed for DevOps and security teams, particularly in regulated industries. The platform focuses on security and log analytics, making it a vital tool for teams that handle sensitive data. However, it may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those looking for a user-friendly interface.

Key Features

Sumo Logic provides several key features. These functionalities are crucial for teams needing to manage large volumes of data ingested from various sources. However, the complexity of these features can often lead to a steep learning curve, which can frustrate users who are not familiar with such tools.

• SIEM/SOAR security capabilities
• Log analytics with real-time insights
• Infrastructure and Kubernetes monitoring

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Free tier available (1GB/day logs), pay-as-you-go structure

Sumo Logic has a free tier that allows for up to 1GB of logs per day, making it accessible for small teams. Its pay-as-you-go structure can be attractive, but costs can escalate quickly as data volume increases. Users might find themselves seeking alternatives if pricing becomes prohibitive.

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.3/5

With a rating of 4.3/5 on G2, users appreciate Sumo Logic's security capabilities, yet many cite the steep learning curve as a major drawback. This combined feedback suggests that while the platform is powerful, it requires significant investment in time and training.

Comparison to Dynatrace

When comparing Sumo Logic to Dynatrace, it is evident that Sumo Logic is better for security analytics. Conversely, Dynatrace shines in AI-driven application performance monitoring solutions. For teams focused on application stack monitoring, considering Dynatrace or alternatives like LiveSession or Datadog may lead to better results.

4. Datadog

Overview of Datadog
Datadog is a cloud monitoring platform with security, APM, and log management features, widely used by IT operations and DevOps teams.

Key Features

Datadog offers full-stack observability, enabling users to monitor APM, logs, security, and metrics in one place. Additionally, Datadog tracks the performance impact. Despite these features, some users find the platform overwhelming and difficult to navigate.

• Full-stack observability (APM, logs, security, metrics)
• Synthetics and real user monitoring (RUM)
• Kubernetes and cloud service integrations

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Tiered pricing; usage-based costs can become unpredictable.

The platform has a usage-based pricing model, which can lead to unpredictable costs, particularly for growing organizations. Many users express frustration over the lack of transparency in billing, which can make budgeting challenging.

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.3/5

On G2, Datadog holds a rating of 4.3/5. Users commend its monitoring depth and versatility but often highlight the unpredictable pricing as a significant drawback. This has led to calls for clearer pricing structures.

Comparison to Dynatrace:
While Datadog is a popular Dynatrace competitor, it adopts a modular approach that can result in escalating costs. Dynatrace is also offering a similar approach to pricing making it less affordable to smaller teams. Users may find themselves seeking open-source alternatives or other solutions like Splunk observability. In comparing Dynatrace and Datadog, many conclude that the latter’s pricing model requires careful consideration before commitment.

5. Grafana

Overview
Grafana is an open-source observability platform that helps teams manage hybrid cloud environments and visualize data effectively. It allows users to monitor multiple data sources in one place, making it a popular choice for organizations of various sizes. However, its complexity can be a barrier for new users, leading to a steep learning curve that may require additional training.

Key Features

• Custom dashboards for logs, metrics, and traces
• Synthetic & performance testing
• Kubernetes observability

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Free or Pro plan starts at $19+/month.

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.5/5

Grafana holds a rating of 4.5/5 on G2. Users appreciate its flexibility and customization options but often criticize its complex query interface. This feedback highlights the need for better user support and documentation to enhance the overall experience.

Comparison to Dynatrace
When comparing Grafana to Dynatrace, Grafana is better suited for teams that prioritize customizable dashboards. In contrast, Dynatrace provides more depth in application monitoring and overall observability. Organizations may need to explore top alternatives to Dynatrace, like Splunk or Datadog, for a more user-friendly experience.

6. Better Stack

Overview of Better Stack
Better Stack is an observability platform that provides uptime monitoring, log management, and real-time analytics. While it aims to assist developers and teams in maintaining system reliability, it struggles to compete with more established players in the market. Its focus on uptime monitoring is commendable but may leave users wanting more comprehensive solutions.

Key Features:

• Incident monitoring with real-time alerts integrated with Slack
• Log management and anomaly detection
• Performance tracking and root cause analysis

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Free plan available, pay-as-you-go starts at $34/month.

Better Stack offers a free plan, but the pay-as-you-go model starts at $34/month. While this pricing can be attractive, users may find that they need to spend more to unlock essential features. When comparing pricing to alternatives like Splunk or AppDynamics, Better Stack gets close to the best value for money in the long run.

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.8/5

On G2, Better Stack holds a rating of 4.8/5. Users appreciate its simplicity and functionality, but many express a desire for more mobile features. This feedback highlights a significant gap in mobile accessibility, which is increasingly crucial.

Comparison to Dynatrace:
When comparing Better Stack to Dynatrace, it is clear that Better Stack is more lightweight and focused on uptime monitoring. In contrast, Dynatrace offers broader observability and more specialized features. Users considering alternatives may find that choosing Dynatrace or even Datadog provides a more comprehensive solution for their observability needs at a cost of user-friendliness.

7. SigNoz

Overview of SigNoz
SigNoz is an open-source observability platform designed primarily for mid-market companies seeking cost-effective monitoring solutions. It offers a range of features that aim to enhance visibility across applications and infrastructure. However, it faces tough competition from more established players in the industry like Datadog and Dynatrace, which may provide more robust functionalities and support.

Key Features:

• APM & distributed tracing
• Kubernetes monitoring
• Alert management & SSO support

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Starts at $199+/month, usage-based pricing.

SigNoz starts at $199 per month, with a usage-based pricing model. While this pricing may seem appealing, it's essential to consider the potential hidden costs associated with implementation and maintenance. For teams on a budget, SigNoz may seem like a viable option, but you can test with their free trial period if you want to explore alternatives before committing.

📣 G2 Reviews

• No G2 presence.

SigNoz lacks a presence on G2. This absence of user feedback is concerning and makes it difficult to assess real-world performance. When compared to established players like Dynatrace, SigNoz appears to be a budget option for mid-sized teams.

Comparison to Dynatrace:
Compared to Dynatrace, SigNoz is a cost-effective alternative for mid-sized teams and Dynatrace caters to enterprises with AI-driven automation features that SigNoz lacks. If you look for flexibility you might want to explore open-source alternatives like SigNoz.

8. Splunk

Overview of Splunk
Splunk is a cloud-based platform that emphasizes AI-driven threat detection and operational monitoring. It aims to provide enterprises with insights into their data for better decision-making.

Key Features

While these features can be powerful, they can also overwhelm new users. Additionally, many users report that the learning curve is steep, requiring significant time and effort to fully utilize the platform. Comparatively, competitors like Datadog and New Relic may provide more user-friendly options for monitoring performance.

• AI-powered security and log analysis
• Advanced search and analytics
• Machine learning capabilities

🏷️ Pricing Information

• Not publicly available; contact sales for estimates

Splunk's pricing is not publicly available; prospective users must contact sales for estimates. This lack of transparency can deter potential customers and lead to frustration. Many users have noted that the overall cost of Splunk can be prohibitive, especially for smaller organizations. In contrast, AppDynamics offers custom pricing based on specific needs, which may be more appealing for some.

📣 G2 Reviews

• Score 4.3/5

On G2, Splunk receives a rating of 4.3/5. Users appreciate its AI features but often criticize its high pricing. This sentiment is echoed by many who feel that Splunk does not deliver enough value for the cost. In reviews, users frequently mention that alternatives like Dynatrace or open-source solutions may better meet their needs.

Comparison to Dynatrace:
When comparing Splunk vs Dynatrace it excels in security analytics. However, Dynatrace is rated higher for its broader AI-driven observability capabilities. Many users find that using Dynatrace offers a more comprehensive view of their systems. Overall, while Splunk is an enterprise-ready solution, it may not be the best choice for everyone.

Conclusion

While Dynatrace is a powerful APM and observability platform, its pricing and complexity might not be ideal for all teams. The alternatives listed here provide diverse options catering to different use cases, from user behavior tracking (LiveSession) to open-source solutions (SigNoz) and security-focused platforms (Splunk). Choosing the right alternative depends on your organization's monitoring needs, budget, and technical preferences.

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