Grafana vs Uptime Kuma: Which Monitoring & Observability Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction — side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
Grafana vs Uptime Kuma, in 15 seconds
Choose Grafana if…
- You want to trial before paying
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Choose Uptime Kuma if…
- You prefer Uptime Kuma's approach and ecosystem
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Grafana and Uptime Kuma score
Grafana leads on 3 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
GrafanaNo reviewsUptimeNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
Grafana0Uptime0 - Even
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
Grafana$0/moUptime$0/mo - Grafana
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
GrafanaFree plan + trialUptimeFree plan - Even
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Grafana6Uptime6 - Even
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Grafana6Uptime6 - Even
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Grafana—Uptime— - Grafana
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Grafana5Uptime1 - Grafana
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Grafana6Uptime5
Feature Comparison
Grafana vs Uptime Kuma feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Grafana
Uptime KumaPricing Comparison
Grafana vs Uptime Kuma pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Grafana
$0/mo to start- 10k metrics & 50 GB logs
- 14-day retention
- 3 active users
- Community support
- Usage-based metrics & logs
- 13-month retention
- Unlimited dashboards
- Standard support
- Enterprise data source plugins
- SSO & RBAC
- Premium support & SLA
- Self-hosted option
Uptime Kuma
$0/mo to start- Unlimited monitors
- Status pages
- 90+ notification channels
- Self-host via Docker
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
Grafana vs Uptime Kuma: strengths and trade-offs
Grafana
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, ISO 27001
- Public API available
Cons
Uptime Kuma
Pros
- Free plan available
- Compliance: GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
Buyer Fit
Who should use Grafana vs Uptime Kuma?
Startups
Either
Either keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
Either
Either offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
Either
Either connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Grafana
Grafana leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Either
Either integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
Either
Either is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (1)
Only in Grafana (5)
Only in Uptime Kuma (5)
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Grafana and Uptime Kuma against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs — then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationGrafana vs Uptime Kuma — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Grafana and Uptime Kuma?
Grafana and Uptime Kuma are both Monitoring & Observability solutions. Grafana is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Uptime Kuma is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Grafana or Uptime Kuma?
Based on user ratings, Grafana scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Grafana or Uptime Kuma?
Grafana is the more affordable option, starting at $0/month.
Does Grafana or Uptime Kuma have a free plan?
Grafana offers a free plan. does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from Grafana to Uptime Kuma?
Switching between Grafana and Uptime Kuma is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Grafana vs Uptime Kuma?
Grafana is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Uptime Kuma works well for teams looking to start free and scale.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Grafana vs Uptime Kuma
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
Either
It's a tie has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
Grafana
Grafana leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
Either
It's a tie delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Either
Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.