New Relic vs Splunk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between New Relic and Splunk 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:
New Relic
Observability made simple
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure monitoring, and logs
- • Generous free tier: 100GB/month data ingest + 1 full-access user
Splunk
Data platform for security and observability
Best for you if:
- • Log management and analysis platform
- • Search terabytes of logs in seconds
| At a Glance |  New Relic |  Splunk |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Data Visualization |
Rating | 87/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | New Relic | Splunk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationMonitoring | Data VisualizationLog Management |
How New Relic and Splunk Compare
New Relic
Observability made simple
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Splunk
Data platform for security and observability
Paid · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
New Relic has a free tier. Splunk is paid only.
Go with: New Relic
Want the highest-rated option?
New Relic: 87/100. Splunk: 84/100.
Go with: New Relic
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: New Relic
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
New Relic is freemium. Splunk is paid. New Relic lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are data visualization tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
New Relic scores higher: 87/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
New Relic
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Splunk
The Bottom Line
New Relic (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Relic or Splunk better?
New Relic scores 87/100 in our evaluation. New Relic is freemium and Splunk is paid.
What are New Relic and Splunk used for?
New Relic: Observability made simple. Splunk: Data platform for security and observability.
What does New Relic cost vs Splunk?
New Relic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Splunk is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.