Prometheus vs SigNoz: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Prometheus and SigNoz 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 8.4/10)
- • 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
SigNoz
Open-source APM and observability
Best for you if:
- • SigNoz is an open-source observability platform for metrics and traces
- • It provides APM, logs, and distributed tracing in one tool
| At a Glance |  Prometheus |  SigNoz |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Data Visualization |
Rating | 88/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Prometheus | SigNoz |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationMonitoring | Data VisualizationMonitoring |
How Prometheus and SigNoz Compare
Prometheus
Monitoring and alerting toolkit
Free · 88/100 score
SigNoz
Open-source APM and observability
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Prometheus is free. SigNoz is freemium.
Go with: Prometheus
Want the highest-rated option?
Prometheus: 88/100. SigNoz: 84/100.
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. SigNoz 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?
Prometheus scores higher: 88/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Prometheus
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 84
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
SigNoz
The Bottom Line
Prometheus (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prometheus or SigNoz better?
Prometheus scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Prometheus is free and SigNoz is freemium.
What are Prometheus and SigNoz used for?
Prometheus: Monitoring and alerting toolkit. SigNoz: Open-source APM and observability.
What does Prometheus cost vs SigNoz?
Prometheus is completely free. SigNoz is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.