Prometheus vs New Relic: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Prometheus 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated May 6, 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:
- 0
- • You need something completely free
- • Prometheus is an open-source monitoring system with a time-series database
- • It collects metrics, provides alerting, and powers Grafana dashboards
New Relic
Observability made simple
Best for you if:
- 0
- • Full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure monitoring, and logs
- • Generous free tier: 100GB/month data ingest + 1 full-access user
| At a Glance |  Prometheus |  New Relic |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Data Visualization |
Rating | — | — |
| Feature | Prometheus | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationMonitoring | Data VisualizationMonitoring |
How Prometheus and New Relic Compare
Prometheus
Monitoring and alerting toolkit
Free
New Relic
Observability made simple
Free tier available
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Prometheus is free. New Relic is freemium.
Go with: Prometheus
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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. New Relic is freemium. Go with Prometheus if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are data visualization tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Prometheus
- 0
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
New Relic
The Bottom Line
Prometheus is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prometheus or New Relic better?
Prometheus is rated high in our evaluation. Prometheus is free and New Relic is freemium.
What are Prometheus and New Relic used for?
Prometheus: Monitoring and alerting toolkit. New Relic: Observability made simple.
What does Prometheus cost vs New Relic?
Prometheus is completely free. New Relic is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.