Graylog vs Kibana: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Graylog and Kibana side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Graylog leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Graylog
Open-source log management platform
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Kibana
Visualize, explore, and manage your data stored in Elasticsearch with an open-source interface.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive data visualization and analysis capabilities
| At a Glance | Graylog | Kibana |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Not published |
Category | Log Management Security | Log Management Analytics |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.6 152 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.5 · TrustRadius 4.1 115 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Graylog or Kibana?
Choose Graylog if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want open source log management
- You want good search
Choose Kibana if
- You want comprehensive data visualization and analysis capabilities
- You want integrated AI and machine learning for advanced insights and automation
In-Depth Analysis
Graylog
Open-source log management platform
Graylog's pricing is very generous, offering a fully functional Open-source tier for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source log management
- Pro: Good search
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Alerting
- Pro: Active community
Weaknesses
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Setup complex
- Con: Enterprise features paid
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Documentation gaps
Key features
Kibana
Visualize, explore, and manage your data stored in Elasticsearch with an open-source interface.
Kibana's pricing is complex due to its resource-based, usage-based, and license-based models, making direct cost comparison difficult without specific usage data.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive data visualization and analysis capabilities
- Pro: Integrated AI and machine learning for advanced insights and automation
- Pro: Supports a wide range of use cases including observability, security, and search
- Pro: Flexible deployment options (serverless, hosted, self-managed)
- Pro: Open-source with a strong community and extensive features
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires Elasticsearch for data storage
- Con: Can have a learning curve for new users due to its extensive features
- Con: Serverless pricing is usage-based and can vary
Key features
Plans and prices: Graylog vs Kibana
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graylog |
| graylog.org/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Kibana |
| elastic.co/pricing read Oct 5, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Graylog pricing and Kibana pricing.
Key Takeaways
Graylog
- Has a free plan
Kibana
- Choose if you want visualize, explore, and manage your data stored in Elasticsearch with an open-source interface
What the data shows
On the data below, Graylog leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 152 reviews for Graylog, 4.4/5 from 115 reviews for Kibana).
- Only Graylog has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Graylog and Kibana compare in 2026?
On the data below, Graylog leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 152 reviews for Graylog, 4.4/5 from 115 reviews for Kibana). Only Graylog has a free plan.
What are Graylog and Kibana used for?
Graylog: Open-source log management platform. Kibana: Visualize, explore, and manage your data stored in Elasticsearch with an open-source interface.
What does Graylog cost vs Kibana?
Graylog has no public paid-plan price on file. Kibana has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Graylog and Kibana?
Graylog's main strength: open source log management. Kibana's main strength: comprehensive data visualization and analysis capabilities.