IT & Infrastructure·Standings

Log Analysis Software: Compare Tools

Log analysis software collects and helps you examine log records; the right choice depends on where it can run and how it handles your data.

Compare deployment options, log retention, query language, alerts, free ingestion limits and connections to your log sources. The board also shows a signal score out of 10, plus marks for a public API, open-source code and a free tier.

  • 24 platforms
  • 16 with a free tier
  • Checked 28 Sept 2026
  1. 1
    GL
    Grafana Lokigrafana.com

    Free, open-source log software supports parsing, pipelines, and live viewing on self-hosted systems.

    7.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $19/mo
  2. 2
    SN
    syslog-ngsyslog-ng.com

    syslog-ng is an enhanced log daemon that receives syslog, unstructured text, message queues, SQL and NoSQL data and routes or stores it.

    7.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · $2,800 one-time
  3. 3
    GC
    Google Cloud Loggingcloud.google.com

    Cloud log software offers pipelines, archive export, live viewing, and 30-day retention.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $0.01/mo
  4. 4
    GC
    Grafana Cloud Application Observabilitygrafana.com

    Application monitoring discovers service links and tracks service health metrics.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $0.03/mo
  5. 5
    SL
    Sumo Logicsumologic.com

    Log management software for web and API services, plus Linux, macOS and Windows systems.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
  6. 6
    OL
    Oracle Log Analyticsoracle.com

    Cloud log service can route, export, and parse structured logs.

    6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
  7. 7
    V
    VictoriaLogsvictoriametrics.com

    Free log software with pipelines, archive export and live viewing for web, API, Linux and self-hosting.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
  8. 8
    AC
    Amazon CloudWatch Logsaws.amazon.com

    Cloud log service lets you follow incoming logs and use an API or web interface.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · $0.03 usage-based
  9. 9
    BS
    Better Stackbetterstack.com

    Monitoring software combines incident response, telemetry, uptime checks, and AI incident investigation.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $29/mo
  10. 10
    O
    OpenSearchopensearch.org

    Open-source data suite combines search, visualization, and data collection tools.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  11. 11
    EO
    Elastic Observabilityelastic.co

    Observability software supports log pipelines in cloud or self-hosted environments.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
  12. 12
    AM
    Azure Monitorazure.microsoft.com

    Cloud monitoring software with a free plan and a 30-day trial.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
  13. 13
    ME
    ManageEngine EventLog Analyzermanageengine.com

    EventLog Analyzer collects, monitors, and analyzes logs to support log management, auditing, and IT compliance.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $795/yr
  14. 14
    M
    Mezmomezmo.com

    Log software provides pipelines for web, API, desktop, Linux, or self-hosted use.

    5.9 APIOpenFree —
  15. 15
    LI
    Logz.io Log Managementlogz.io

    Log management software retains logs for seven days and includes a 14-day trial.

    5.9 APIOpenFree From $0.92/mo
  16. 16
    O
    OpenObserveopenobserve.ai

    Log software parses, routes, tails, and exports logs in hosted or self-hosted setups.

    5.5 APIOpenFree Free tier
  17. 17
    SI
    Splunk Infrastructure Monitoringsplunk.com

    Infrastructure monitoring software for Linux, Windows and the web, with metrics retention.

    5.5 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $15/mo
  18. 18
    SE
    Splunk Enterprisesplunk.com

    Self-hosted log software can route, export, and parse structured logs.

    5.4 APIOpenFree —
  19. 19
    GE
    Graylog Enterprisegraylog.org

    Graylog Enterprise centralizes log management for IT teams, giving them visibility and operational control across their environments.

    5.3 APIOpenFree From $15,000/yr
  20. 20
    SL
    SolarWinds Logglysolarwinds.com

    Cloud log software includes alerts, a free plan, and a 30-day trial.

    4.8 APIOpenFree Free tier
  21. 21
    SL
    Sematext Logssematext.com
    4.6 APIOpenFree —
  22. 22
    DL
    Datadog Logsdatadoghq.com
    4.4 APIOpenFree From $0.05/mo
  23. 23
    CS
    Coralogix SIEMcoralogix.com
    4.3 APIOpenFree $0.42 usage-based
  24. 24
    DL
    4.0 APIOpenFree —

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Where does the software need to run?

Start with your hosting needs: the board compares web, API, Linux, Windows, macOS and self-hosted deployment. Check that the option you are considering supports the environment you plan to use.

How long do you need to keep logs?

Compare log retention against how long you need records available. The board includes retention as a comparison point, so check the specific terms before choosing.

How will you search and read logs?

Check the query language and make sure it suits the way you need to find information in logs. Query language is a comparison point on the board.

Do you need alerts for log events?

If you need notifications based on logs, compare the log-alert features. The board also compares free ingestion limits, which can affect how much log data is covered without a paid plan.

Which log sources does it need to connect to?

Compare log source integrations with the apps and services you already use. The board also marks public API availability, which is a separate point to check when considering connections.

How can I compare plans and costs?

Check whether a free plan or trial is offered and what the paid starting price covers. Pricing models differ, so compare plan details alongside deployment, retention and free ingestion limits.

Questions

What does log analysis software do?

It helps collect and examine log records. Compare deployment, retention, query language, alerts, ingestion limits and connections to your log sources.

What should I compare when choosing log analysis software?

Check where it runs, how long it retains logs, its query language and alerts, free ingestion limits, log source integrations, and plan terms.

Can I use log analysis software for free?

Some options offer a free plan or a free trial. Check the specific plan terms and free ingestion limit before relying on it.

What does the signal score mean on this board?

It is a score out of 10 based on published signals: usage, public API, documentation depth, open-source code and a free tier.

What does the API mark mean?

It indicates that a public API is listed as a signal for the software. Check the product details to see whether its API suits your needs.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure