Datadog vs Lacework: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Datadog and Lacework 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 7.7/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Cloud monitoring and security platform
- • Unified observability across infrastructure
Lacework
Data-driven cloud security
Best for you if:
- • You need infrastructure as code features specifically
- • Cloud security platform for AWS, Azure, GCP
- • Detects threats and vulnerabilities in real-time
| At a Glance |  Datadog |  Lacework |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | 90/100 | 77/100 |
| Feature | Datadog | Lacework |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 77 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringLog Management | Infrastructure as CodeMonitoring |
How Datadog and Lacework Compare
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Lacework
Data-driven cloud security
Paid · 77/100 score
Datadog is a monitoring tool. Lacework is in infrastructure as code.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Datadog has a free tier. Lacework is paid only.
Go with: Datadog
Want the highest-rated option?
Datadog: 90/100. Lacework: 77/100.
Go with: Datadog
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Datadog
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Datadog is freemium. Lacework is paid. Datadog lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Datadog is a monitoring tool. Lacework is in infrastructure as code. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Datadog scores higher: 90/100 vs 77/100.
Key Takeaways
Datadog
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 77
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Lacework
- Better fit for infrastructure as code
The Bottom Line
Datadog (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Datadog or Lacework better?
Datadog scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Datadog is freemium and Lacework is paid.
What are Datadog and Lacework used for?
Datadog: Cloud monitoring platform. Lacework: Data-driven cloud security.
What does Datadog cost vs Lacework?
Datadog is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Lacework is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.