xMatters vs PagerDuty: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between xMatters 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:
xMatters
Incident management and alerting
Best for you if:
- • You need internal comms features specifically
- • xMatters is an incident management platform for IT operations
- • It provides alerting, on-call management, and incident resolution
PagerDuty
Incident management platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • Incident management for on-call teams
- • Smart routing gets the right person every time
| At a Glance |  xMatters |  PagerDuty |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Internal Comms | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 78/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | xMatters | PagerDuty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Internal CommsWorkflow Automation | Workflow AutomationMonitoring |
How xMatters and PagerDuty Compare
xMatters
Incident management and alerting
Paid · 78/100 score
PagerDuty
Incident management platform
Free tier available · 86/100 score
xMatters is a internal comms tool. PagerDuty is in workflow automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
PagerDuty has a free tier. xMatters is paid only.
Go with: PagerDuty
Want the highest-rated option?
xMatters: 78/100. 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?
xMatters is paid. PagerDuty is freemium. PagerDuty lets you start free.
What's your use case?
xMatters is a internal comms tool. PagerDuty is in workflow automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
PagerDuty scores higher: 86/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
PagerDuty
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 78
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
xMatters
- Better fit for internal comms
The Bottom Line
PagerDuty (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is xMatters or PagerDuty better?
PagerDuty scores 86/100 in our evaluation. xMatters is paid and PagerDuty is freemium.
What are xMatters and PagerDuty used for?
xMatters: Incident management and alerting. PagerDuty: Incident management platform.
What does xMatters cost vs PagerDuty?
xMatters is a paid tool. PagerDuty is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.