SigNoz vs Elastic APM: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between SigNoz and Elastic APM 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:
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
Elastic APM
Application performance monitoring for Elastic Stack
Best for you if:
- • Elastic APM is application performance monitoring integrated with the Elastic Stack
- • It traces requests, identifies bottlenecks, and correlates errors with logs and metrics
| At a Glance |  SigNoz |  Elastic APM |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Data Visualization | Data Visualization |
Rating | 84/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | SigNoz | Elastic APM |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data VisualizationMonitoring | Data VisualizationMonitoring |
How SigNoz and Elastic APM Compare
SigNoz
Open-source APM and observability
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Elastic APM
Application performance monitoring for Elastic Stack
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: SigNoz
Want the highest-rated option?
SigNoz: 84/100. Elastic APM: 84/100.
Go with: SigNoz
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: SigNoz
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 data visualization tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both score 84/100.
Key Takeaways
SigNoz
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Elastic APM
The Bottom Line
SigNoz (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SigNoz or Elastic APM better?
SigNoz scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are SigNoz and Elastic APM used for?
SigNoz: Open-source APM and observability. Elastic APM: Application performance monitoring for Elastic Stack.
What does SigNoz cost vs Elastic APM?
SigNoz is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Elastic APM is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.