Dynatrace vs Datadog: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Dynatrace and Datadog 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:
Dynatrace
Full-stack observability and AIOps platform
Best for you if:
- • Dynatrace is an AI-powered observability platform for monitoring applications and infrastructure
- • It provides APM, infrastructure monitoring, and AIOps with automatic root cause analysis
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.6/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Cloud monitoring and security platform
- • Unified observability across infrastructure
| At a Glance |  Dynatrace |  Datadog |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Monitoring |
Rating | 86/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Dynatrace | Datadog |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringLog Management | MonitoringLog Management |
How Dynatrace and Datadog Compare
Dynatrace
Full-stack observability and AIOps platform
Paid · 86/100 score
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Datadog has a free tier. Dynatrace is paid only.
Go with: Datadog
Want the highest-rated option?
Dynatrace: 86/100. Datadog: 90/100.
Go with: Datadog
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Datadog
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Dynatrace is paid. Datadog is freemium. Datadog lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are monitoring tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Datadog scores higher: 90/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
Datadog
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 86
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Dynatrace
The Bottom Line
Datadog (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dynatrace or Datadog better?
Datadog scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Dynatrace is paid and Datadog is freemium.
What are Dynatrace and Datadog used for?
Dynatrace: Full-stack observability and AIOps platform. Datadog: Cloud monitoring platform.
What does Dynatrace cost vs Datadog?
Dynatrace is a paid tool. Datadog is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.