OpenCost vs Datadog: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between OpenCost and Datadog 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:
OpenCost
Open-source cost monitoring and allocation for cloud-native Kubernetes environments.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Provides real-time, granular cost allocation for Kubernetes down to the container level.
- • Integrates with AWS, Azure, and GCP for dynamic pricing, and supports on-prem clusters.
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Cloud monitoring and security platform
- • Unified observability across infrastructure
| At a Glance |  OpenCost |  Datadog |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Monitoring |
Rating | —/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | OpenCost | Datadog |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Monitoring | MonitoringLog Management |
How OpenCost and Datadog Compare
OpenCost
Open-source cost monitoring and allocation for cloud-native Kubernetes environments.
Free
Datadog
Cloud monitoring platform
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
OpenCost is free. Datadog is freemium.
Go with: OpenCost
Want the highest-rated option?
Datadog scores 90/100. OpenCost is unrated.
Go with: Datadog
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Datadog
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
OpenCost is free. Datadog is freemium. Go with OpenCost if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are monitoring tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Datadog
- Higher score: 90/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
OpenCost
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Datadog (90/100) is our pick. That said, OpenCost is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenCost or Datadog better?
Datadog scores 90/100 in our evaluation. OpenCost is free and Datadog is freemium.
What are OpenCost and Datadog used for?
OpenCost: Open-source cost monitoring and allocation for cloud-native Kubernetes environments.. Datadog: Cloud monitoring platform.
What does OpenCost cost vs Datadog?
OpenCost is completely free. Datadog is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.