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Best Datadog APM Alternatives — 6 Compared, With Free Tools (2026)

Explore 6 alternatives to Datadog APM — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

The 6 best free Datadog APM alternatives at a glance

Quick answer

Our pick of free application performance monitoring (apm) tools alternatives to Datadog APM: New Relic APM, eG Enterprise and Instana. New Relic APM leads the pack with a SpotScore of 9.8 and a 4.25★ rating. Compare all 6 on score, rating, and pricing below.

If the value just isn't there with Datadog APM anymore, these 6 application performance monitoring (apm) tools free alternatives are worth weighing. We rank by SpotScore (real-user satisfaction and market presence), star ratings, and pricing model, and our editors vet each pick. Scan the table for a quick view, then read the sections below for the why.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
New Relic APMMaximize Java app performance in real-time9.8★★★★☆ 4.25(155)FreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
eG EnterpriseReal-time APM for peak performance.9.1★★★★★ 5(4)FreeFree Trial · Freemium · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
InstanaReal-time visibility for seamless performance management.8.8★★★★★ 4.53(66)FreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
Germain APMStreamline performance monitoring and boost productivity.8.6★★★★★ 4.61(57)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
RetraceEfficiency at its source for seamless delivery.8.3★★★★☆ 4.36(58)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionsmall & mid-size businesses
Rakuten SixthSense ObservabilityGain swift insights for proactive optimization and decision-making.8★★★★★ 4.63(30)Freefrom $50.00 per monthteams of all sizes

9.8

SpotScore

New Relic APM - Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools

New Relic APM

Maximize Java app performance in real-time

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.3

155 verified reviews

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What is New Relic APM?

New Relic APM is an easy way to monitor, troubleshoot and analyze performance of Java application. Receive early alerts to performance problems as they happen with comprehensive transaction tracing. Analyze data and create custom reports to understand bottlenecks, errors and overall application ...

Read more about New Relic APM
Free TrialTry Free →·

New Relic APM offers custom pricing plan

9.1

SpotScore

eG Enterprise - Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools

eG Enterprise

Real-time APM for peak performance.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

5.0

4 verified reviews

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What is eG Enterprise?

eG Enterprise is an innovative enterprise application performance monitoring (APM) software solution for the web or SOA enterprise. eG Enterprise monitors Java™, .NET, and SAP applications from a single interface providing detailed transaction, operational and usage metrics in real time. eG ...

Read more about eG Enterprise
Free Trial·

eG Enterprise offers custom pricing plan

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8.8

SpotScore

Instana - Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools

Instana

Real-time visibility for seamless performance management.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.5

66 verified reviews

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What is Instana?

Instana is a cross-platform application performance management solution that enables users to monitor their containers and applications in production. Instana combines visibility into the performance of the entire stack, from a deployed container to the running application on it, with powerful ...

Read more about Instana
Free Trial·

Instana offers custom pricing plan

8.6

SpotScore

Germain APM - Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools

Germain APM

Streamline performance monitoring and boost productivity.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.6

57 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Germain APM?

Germain Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tools enable user to take control of application performance and availability from a single, easy-to-use interface. Generate detailed reports and alerts on application performance or availability. Visualize the scope of enterprise with ...

Read more about Germain APM
Free Trial

8.3

SpotScore

Retrace - Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools

Retrace

Efficiency at its source for seamless delivery.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

Start Free Trial

4.4

58 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Retrace?

Retrace is a suite of application performance monitoring tools that empower development teams to find, understand and fix inefficiencies at the source. It has deep hands-on experience with APM tools, and goal has been to design a product that removes as many obstacles as possible between user ...

Read more about Retrace
Free Trial

8.0

SpotScore

Rakuten SixthSense Observability

Rakuten SixthSense Observability

Gain swift insights for proactive optimization and decision-making.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.6

30 verified reviews

Add to compare

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What is Rakuten SixthSense Observability?

Introducing Rakuten SixthSense Observability, a state-of-the-art solution that revolutionizes the world of monitoring and analysis, offering swift insights that drive action. In today's era of rapid digital advancements, understanding system performance is paramount. Rakuten SixthSense ...

Read more about Rakuten SixthSense Observability
Free TrialTry Free →·

Rakuten SixthSense Observability offers custom pricing plan

Who competes with Datadog APM?

Across Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools, 6 products compete directly with Datadog APM. The strongest overlap is with New Relic APM, eG Enterprise and Instana. Each is compared against Datadog APM on rating, pricing and feature coverage below.

What else works like Datadog APM?

Searches for "sites like Datadog APM" and "apps like Datadog APM" land on the same shortlist as "Datadog APM alternatives" — the 6 options below cover both, whether you want a like-for-like replacement or something lighter.

What sets each pick apart

New Relic APM9.8Best for teams of all sizes

The platform supports a wide range of technologies, particularly Java, making it versatile for different development environments and projects.

Watch for: As your usage scales up, the cost of New Relic APM can increase, making it less cost-effective for smaller teams or startups.

eG Enterprise9.1Best for teams of all sizes

The single interface for monitoring various applications simplifies management and improves user experience, reducing the learning curve and making it accessible for teams.

Watch for: For smaller companies, the pricing structure of eG Enterprise could be a barrier due to its enterprise-focused features, making it less affordable for startups or smaller IT teams.

Instana8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Detects and analyzes performance issues or errors within minutes, reducing resolution time.

Watch for: For smaller or less complex environments, Instana's feature set may offer more than needed.

Germain APM8.6Best for teams of all sizes

Germain's interface ensures that users, regardless of their technical expertise, can navigate the platform and access critical data with ease.

Watch for: The cost of the platform may be high for smaller businesses or those with limited budgets, especially when scaling up to monitor more applications.

Retrace8.3Best for small & mid-size businesses

Retrace reduces time spent on troubleshooting and optimization, helping development teams deliver applications faster.

Watch for: Retrace's specialized focus on application performance monitoring may not provide the breadth of features needed for broader IT operations management or monitoring.

Rakuten SixthSense Observability8Best for teams of all sizes

Software intelligence for application performance and database monitoring.

Watch for: Lack of customization features may limit advanced functionalities for some users.

Why teams look for a Datadog APM alternative

What sends teams searching for a Datadog APM alternative usually boils down to these:

  • While the platform provides detailed insights, the sheer volume of data generated can be overwhelming for teams without the proper filtering and configuration, making it difficult to focus on critical issues.
  • Datadog's pricing structure can be expensive, especially for smaller businesses, as costs can scale quickly depending on the number of monitored hosts and the level of usage.
  • Due to the wide range of features and customizable settings, new users may face a steep learning curve, particularly when first implementing the tool.

Choosing a Datadog APM alternative

A look at the 6 application performance monitoring (apm) tools free alternatives by the figures: 6 offer a free tier; paid plans run $50, with Rakuten SixthSense Observability the cheapest entry point; and eG Enterprise is the highest rated at 5★ across 4 reviews.

Our methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The top-rated alternatives to Datadog APM are eG Enterprise (5.0★), Rakuten SixthSense Observability (4.6★), Germain APM (4.6★). Compare all 6 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to Datadog APM, prioritize: Dashboard, SLA Monitoring, Event-based Notification, Web Defacement Monitoring, Event Logs, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Datadog APM starts from $31 /Host/Month. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Datadog APM is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend narrowing to 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

How to pick the best Datadog APM alternative

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — New Relic APM, eG Enterprise and Instana let you evaluate without paying upfront.
  • If real-user ratings matter most: eG Enterprise has the strongest star rating (5★) among the options with verified reviews.
  • Want the safest pick: New Relic APM has the highest Spotsaas Score (9.8) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

How to migrate from Datadog APM

To switch off Datadog APM without disruption, handle your data first: export it and test that the new tool imports it cleanly. Verify your key workflows still function, pilot the move on a free plan or trial, and keep Datadog APM active until the cutover is complete.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].