Loki vs Loggly: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Loki and Loggly 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Loki
Log aggregation by Grafana Labs
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Loki is an open-source log aggregation system designed for Grafana
- • It indexes metadata instead of full text for cost-effective log storage
Loggly
Cloud-based log management service
Best for you if:
- • Loggly is a cloud-based log management service for DevOps teams
- • It aggregates, searches, and analyzes log data across systems
| At a Glance |  Loki |  Loggly |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | $79/monthStandard |
Best For | Log Management | Log Management |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Loki or Loggly?
Choose Loki if
Log aggregation by Grafana Labs
- Grafana-native logging
- Cost-effective at scale
- Label-based indexing
- You want a fully free tool (Loggly requires payment)
Choose Loggly if
Cloud-based log management service
- Good log management
- Easy setup
- Good search
| Feature | Loki | Loggly |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.0/5 49 reviews | ★4.4/5 13 reviews |
| Categories | Log ManagementMonitoring | Log ManagementMonitoring |
In-Depth Analysis
Loki
Log aggregation by Grafana Labs
Strengths
- +Grafana-native logging
- +Cost-effective at scale
- +Label-based indexing
- +Good for Kubernetes
- +Simple architecture
Weaknesses
- -Less features than Elasticsearch
- -Query language different
- -Full-text search limited
- -Learning curve
- -Some scale limitations
Key features
Loggly
Cloud-based log management service
Strengths
- +Good log management
- +Easy setup
- +Good search
- +SolarWinds backed
- +Good integrations
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale
- -UI dated
- -Limited retention
- -Better alternatives exist
- -Query learning curve
Key features
Pricing: Loki vs Loggly
| Plan | Loki | Loggly |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Lite |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $79 month Standard |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $159 month Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Loki pricing and Loggly pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Loki is free. Loggly is paid.
Go with: Loki
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Loki
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Loki
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Loki is free. Loggly is paid. Go with Loki if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are log management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Loki
- Larger review base (49 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Loggly
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.0/5
The Bottom Line
Loki is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Loki or Loggly better?
Loki is rated in our evaluation. Loki is free and Loggly is paid.
What are Loki and Loggly used for?
Loki: Log aggregation by Grafana Labs. Loggly: Cloud-based log management service.
What does Loki cost vs Loggly?
Loki is completely free. Loggly is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.