Bugsnag vs New Relic: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Bugsnag and New Relic comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bugsnag
Error monitoring with diagnostic data for debugging
Best for you if:
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Bugsnag is an error monitoring platform for mobile and web applications
- • It captures errors with diagnostic data and integrates with development workflows
New Relic
Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities
Best for you if:
- • You need DevOps features specifically
- • Full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure monitoring, and logs
- • Generous free tier: 100GB/month data ingest + 1 full-access user
| At a Glance |  Bugsnag |  New Relic |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom/moSelect | $10/moStandard |
Best For | Monitoring | DevOps |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Bugsnag or New Relic?
Choose Bugsnag if
Error monitoring with diagnostic data for debugging
- Good error monitoring
- Stability scoring
- Release tracking
- Your work is monitoring-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
Choose New Relic if
Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities
- Generous free tier
- Full-stack observability
- AI insights
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not monitoring-shaped
| Feature | Bugsnag | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 50 reviews | ★4.4/5 780 reviews |
| Categories | MonitoringDebugging | DevOpsAnalytics |
In-Depth Analysis
Bugsnag
Error monitoring with diagnostic data for debugging
Strengths
- +Good error monitoring
- +Stability scoring
- +Release tracking
- +Many integrations
- +Good mobile support
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale
- -Event limits
- -UI could improve
- -Less features than Sentry
- -Pricing tiers limiting
Key features
New Relic
Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities
Strengths
- +Generous free tier
- +Full-stack observability
- +AI insights
Weaknesses
- -Complex to set up
- -Data can be expensive
Key features
Pricing: Bugsnag vs New Relic
| Plan | Bugsnag | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | Custom Select | $10 Standard |
| Tier 3 | Custom Preferred | $349 Pro |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Bugsnag pricing and New Relic pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Bugsnag
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Bugsnag
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: New Relic
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Bugsnag is a monitoring tool. New Relic is in DevOps. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
New Relic
- Larger review base (780 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Bugsnag
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
New Relic is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bugsnag or New Relic better?
New Relic is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Bugsnag and New Relic used for?
Bugsnag: Error monitoring with diagnostic data for debugging. New Relic: Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities.
What does Bugsnag cost vs New Relic?
Bugsnag is freemium (free tier + paid plans). New Relic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.