Grafana vs New Relic: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Grafana 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.
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 8.7/10)
- • Open-source visualization for metrics
- • Beautiful dashboards from any data source
New Relic
Observability made simple
Best for you if:
- • Full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure monitoring, and logs
- • Generous free tier: 100GB/month data ingest + 1 full-access user
| At a Glance |  Grafana |  New Relic |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Data Visualization |
Rating | 90/100 | 87/100 |
| Feature | Grafana | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 87 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationMonitoring | Data VisualizationMonitoring |
How Grafana and New Relic Compare
Grafana
Observability and visualization platform
Free tier available · 90/100 score
New Relic
Observability made simple
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Grafana
Want the highest-rated option?
Grafana: 90/100. New Relic: 87/100.
Go with: Grafana
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Grafana
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are data visualization tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Grafana scores higher: 90/100 vs 87/100.
Key Takeaways
Grafana
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 87
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
New Relic
The Bottom Line
Grafana (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grafana or New Relic better?
Grafana scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Grafana and New Relic used for?
Grafana: Observability and visualization platform. New Relic: Observability made simple.
What does Grafana cost vs New Relic?
Grafana is freemium (free tier + paid plans). New Relic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.