Prometheus vs Dynatrace: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Prometheus and Dynatrace 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:
Prometheus
Monitoring and alerting toolkit
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.6/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need data visualization features specifically
- • Prometheus is an open-source monitoring system with a time-series database
- • It collects metrics, provides alerting, and powers Grafana dashboards
Dynatrace
Full-stack observability and AIOps platform
Best for you if:
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Dynatrace is an AI-powered observability platform for monitoring applications and infrastructure
- • It provides APM, infrastructure monitoring, and AIOps with automatic root cause analysis
| At a Glance |  Prometheus |  Dynatrace |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Monitoring |
Rating | 88/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Prometheus | Dynatrace |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationMonitoring | MonitoringLog Management |
How Prometheus and Dynatrace Compare
Prometheus
Monitoring and alerting toolkit
Free · 88/100 score
Dynatrace
Full-stack observability and AIOps platform
Paid · 86/100 score
Prometheus is a data visualization tool. Dynatrace is in monitoring.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Prometheus is free. Dynatrace is paid.
Go with: Prometheus
Want the highest-rated option?
Prometheus: 88/100. Dynatrace: 86/100.
Go with: Prometheus
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Prometheus
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Prometheus is free. Dynatrace is paid. Go with Prometheus if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Prometheus is a data visualization tool. Dynatrace is in monitoring. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Prometheus scores higher: 88/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
Prometheus
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 86
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Dynatrace
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
Prometheus (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prometheus or Dynatrace better?
Prometheus scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Prometheus is free and Dynatrace is paid.
What are Prometheus and Dynatrace used for?
Prometheus: Monitoring and alerting toolkit. Dynatrace: Full-stack observability and AIOps platform.
What does Prometheus cost vs Dynatrace?
Prometheus is completely free. Dynatrace is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.