Papertrail vs Better Stack: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Papertrail and Better Stack 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:
Papertrail
Cloud-hosted log management
Best for you if:
- • You need real-time analytics features specifically
- • Simple log aggregation with fast search
- • Live tail for real-time log watching
Better Stack
Modern observability platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Unified observability platform for uptime and logs
- • Instant alerts when issues occur
| At a Glance |  Papertrail |  Better Stack |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Real-Time Analytics | Monitoring |
Rating | 80/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Papertrail | Better Stack |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 195 |
| Categories | Real-Time AnalyticsDebugging | MonitoringLog Management |
How Papertrail and Better Stack Compare
Papertrail
Cloud-hosted log management
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Better Stack
Modern observability platform
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Papertrail is a real-time analytics tool. Better Stack is in monitoring.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Papertrail
Want the highest-rated option?
Papertrail: 80/100. Better Stack: 85/100.
Go with: Better Stack
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Better Stack
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Papertrail is a real-time analytics tool. Better Stack is in monitoring. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Better Stack scores higher: 85/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Better Stack
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 80
- More community upvotes (195)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Papertrail
- Better fit for real-time analytics
The Bottom Line
Better Stack (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Papertrail or Better Stack better?
Better Stack scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Papertrail and Better Stack used for?
Papertrail: Cloud-hosted log management. Better Stack: Modern observability platform.
What does Papertrail cost vs Better Stack?
Papertrail is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Better Stack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.