Papertrail vs New Relic: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Papertrail and New Relic 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.
Bottom line: New Relic is our overall pick for DevOps workflows. Pick Papertrail if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Papertrail
Real-time log aggregation and analysis for DevOps
Best for you if:
- • Simple log aggregation with fast search
- • Live tail for real-time log watching
New Relic
Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities
Best for you if:
- • Full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure monitoring, and logs
- • Generous free tier: 100GB/month data ingest + 1 full-access user
| At a Glance |  Papertrail |  New Relic |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $7/monthPro | $10/moStandard |
Best For | DevOps | DevOps |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Papertrail or New Relic?
Choose Papertrail if
Real-time log aggregation and analysis for DevOps
- Very simple to use
- Fast search
- Affordable
- Budget matters ($7/month vs $10/mo)
Choose New Relic if
Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities
- Generous free tier
- Full-stack observability
- AI insights
| Feature | Papertrail | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 103 reviews | ★4.4/5 780 reviews |
| Categories | DevOpsLog Management | DevOpsAnalytics |
In-Depth Analysis
Papertrail
Real-time log aggregation and analysis for DevOps
Strengths
- +Very simple to use
- +Fast search
- +Affordable
Weaknesses
- -Limited analysis features
- -Search window limits
- -Not for advanced use cases
Key features
New Relic
Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities
Strengths
- +Generous free tier
- +Full-stack observability
- +AI insights
Weaknesses
- -Complex to set up
- -Data can be expensive
Key features
Pricing: Papertrail vs New Relic
| Plan | Papertrail | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $7 month Pro | $10 Standard |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $349 Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Papertrail pricing and New Relic pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Papertrail
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Papertrail
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: New Relic
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?
Both are devops tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
New Relic
- Larger review base (780 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Papertrail
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
The Bottom Line
New Relic is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Papertrail or New Relic better?
New Relic is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Papertrail and New Relic used for?
Papertrail: Real-time log aggregation and analysis for DevOps. New Relic: Full-stack observability with 50+ monitoring capabilities.
What does Papertrail cost vs New Relic?
Papertrail is freemium (free tier + paid plans). New Relic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.