Runbook vs PagerDuty: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Runbook and PagerDuty 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:
Runbook
Automated incident response procedures
Best for you if:
- • You need documentation features specifically
- • Runbook is an operations platform for automating incident response
- • It creates playbooks for handling alerts and production issues
PagerDuty
Incident management platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Incident management for on-call teams
- • Smart routing gets the right person every time
| At a Glance |  Runbook |  PagerDuty |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Documentation | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 76/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Runbook | PagerDuty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 76 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DocumentationWorkflow Automation | Workflow AutomationMonitoring |
How Runbook and PagerDuty Compare
Runbook
Automated incident response procedures
Free tier available · 76/100 score
PagerDuty
Incident management platform
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Runbook is a documentation tool. PagerDuty is in workflow automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Runbook
Want the highest-rated option?
Runbook: 76/100. PagerDuty: 86/100.
Go with: PagerDuty
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: PagerDuty
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?
Runbook is a documentation tool. PagerDuty is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
PagerDuty scores higher: 86/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
PagerDuty
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 76
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Runbook
- Better fit for documentation
The Bottom Line
PagerDuty (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Runbook or PagerDuty better?
PagerDuty scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Runbook and PagerDuty used for?
Runbook: Automated incident response procedures. PagerDuty: Incident management platform.
What does Runbook cost vs PagerDuty?
Runbook is freemium (free tier + paid plans). PagerDuty is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.