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