Timber vs Logstash: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Timber and Logstash 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:
Timber
Build ultra-fast, reliable observability pipelines to collect, transform, and route all your data.
Best for you if:
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Collect, transform, and route logs and metrics with a single tool.
- • Ultra-fast and reliable, built in Rust for high performance and memory efficiency.
Logstash
Data processing pipeline
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.1/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need big data analytics features specifically
- • Logstash is an open-source data processing pipeline for log ingestion
- • It collects, transforms, and sends logs to Elasticsearch and other destinations
| At a Glance |  Timber |  Logstash |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Monitoring | Big Data Analytics |
Rating | —/100 | 81/100 |
| Feature | Timber | Logstash |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 81 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringLog Management | Big Data AnalyticsReal-Time Analytics |
How Timber and Logstash Compare
Timber
Build ultra-fast, reliable observability pipelines to collect, transform, and route all your data.
Free
Logstash
Data processing pipeline
Free · 81/100 score
Timber is a monitoring tool. Logstash is in big data analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Timber
Want the highest-rated option?
Logstash scores 81/100. Timber is unrated.
Go with: Logstash
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Logstash
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Timber is a monitoring tool. Logstash is in big data analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Logstash
- Higher score: 81/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Timber
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
Logstash (81/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Timber or Logstash better?
Logstash scores 81/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Timber and Logstash used for?
Timber: Build ultra-fast, reliable observability pipelines to collect, transform, and route all your data.. Logstash: Data processing pipeline.
What does Timber cost vs Logstash?
Timber is completely free. Logstash is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.