Datadog vs Checkmk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Datadog and Checkmk 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Cloud monitoring and security platform
- • Unified observability across infrastructure
Checkmk
Comprehensive IT monitoring platform for cloud, hybrid, and data center infrastructures.
Best for you if:
- • Monitors entire IT infrastructure: cloud, data center, servers, networks, containers, applications.
- • Highly automated with auto-discovery, auto-configuration, and 2,000+ vendor-maintained plug-ins.
| At a Glance |  Datadog |  Checkmk |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Monitoring |
Rating | 90/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Datadog | Checkmk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 90 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringLog Management | MonitoringLog Management |
How Datadog and Checkmk Compare
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Checkmk
Comprehensive IT monitoring platform for cloud, hybrid, and data center infrastructures.
Free tier available
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Datadog
Want the highest-rated option?
Datadog scores 90/100. Checkmk is unrated.
Go with: Datadog
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Datadog
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?
Both are monitoring tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Datadog
- Higher score: 90/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Checkmk
The Bottom Line
Datadog (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Datadog or Checkmk better?
Datadog scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Datadog and Checkmk used for?
Datadog: Cloud monitoring platform. Checkmk: Comprehensive IT monitoring platform for cloud, hybrid, and data center infrastructures..
What does Datadog cost vs Checkmk?
Datadog is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Checkmk is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.