Zipkin vs Honeycomb: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Zipkin and Honeycomb 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:
Zipkin
Distributed tracing system
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Zipkin is an open-source distributed tracing system
- • It collects timing data for troubleshooting microservices
Honeycomb
Observability for distributed systems
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • Honeycomb is an observability platform for debugging production systems fast
- • It provides high-cardinality event analysis for understanding complex distributed systems
| At a Glance |  Zipkin | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | 82/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Zipkin | Honeycomb |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsDebugging | API ToolsDebugging |
How Zipkin and Honeycomb Compare
Zipkin
Distributed tracing system
Free · 82/100 score
Honeycomb
Observability for distributed systems
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Zipkin is free. Honeycomb is freemium.
Go with: Zipkin
Want the highest-rated option?
Zipkin: 82/100. Honeycomb: 86/100.
Go with: Honeycomb
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Honeycomb
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Zipkin is free. Honeycomb is freemium. Go with Zipkin if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Honeycomb scores higher: 86/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Honeycomb
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Zipkin
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Honeycomb (86/100) is our pick. That said, Zipkin is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zipkin or Honeycomb better?
Honeycomb scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Zipkin is free and Honeycomb is freemium.
What are Zipkin and Honeycomb used for?
Zipkin: Distributed tracing system. Honeycomb: Observability for distributed systems.
What does Zipkin cost vs Honeycomb?
Zipkin is completely free. Honeycomb is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.