OpenCost vs Grafana: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between OpenCost and Grafana 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
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • 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.
Grafana
Observability and visualization platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need data visualization features specifically
- • Open-source visualization for metrics
- • Beautiful dashboards from any data source
| At a Glance |  OpenCost |  Grafana |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Data Visualization |
Rating | —/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | OpenCost | Grafana |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Data VisualizationMonitoring |
How OpenCost and Grafana Compare
OpenCost
Open-source cost monitoring and allocation for cloud-native Kubernetes environments.
Free
Grafana
Observability and visualization platform
Free tier available · 90/100 score
OpenCost is a monitoring tool. Grafana is in data visualization.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
OpenCost is free. Grafana is freemium.
Go with: OpenCost
Want the highest-rated option?
Grafana scores 90/100. OpenCost is unrated.
Go with: Grafana
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Grafana
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
OpenCost is free. Grafana is freemium. Go with OpenCost if free matters most.
What's your use case?
OpenCost is a monitoring tool. Grafana is in data visualization. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Grafana
- Higher score: 90/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
OpenCost
- Completely free
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
Grafana (90/100) is our pick. That said, OpenCost is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenCost or Grafana better?
Grafana scores 90/100 in our evaluation. OpenCost is free and Grafana is freemium.
What are OpenCost and Grafana used for?
OpenCost: Open-source cost monitoring and allocation for cloud-native Kubernetes environments.. Grafana: Observability and visualization platform.
What does OpenCost cost vs Grafana?
OpenCost is completely free. Grafana is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.