Lightstep vs New Relic: Which App Performance Monitoring 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
Lightstep vs New Relic, in 15 seconds
Choose Lightstep if…
- You prefer Lightstep's approach and ecosystem
Choose New Relic if…
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You have strict security & compliance needs
- You need the broader feature set
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Lightstep and New Relic score
New Relic leads on 3 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
LightstepNo reviewsNewNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
Lightstep0New0 - Even
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
LightstepFreeNew$0/mo - Even
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
LightstepFree plan + trialNewFree plan + trial - New Relic
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Lightstep6New10 - New Relic
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Lightstep0New12 - Even
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Lightstep—New— - New Relic
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Lightstep3New5 - Lightstep
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Lightstep4New3
Feature Comparison
Lightstep vs New Relic feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Lightstep
New RelicPricing Comparison
Lightstep vs New Relic pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Lightstep
Free to start- OpenTelemetry ingest
- Limited data
- Community support
- Dashboards
- More data retention
- API access
- Full-fidelity tracing
- Integrations
New Relic
$0/mo to start- 100 GB data ingest/month
- 1 full-platform user
- Unlimited basic users
- All 50+ capabilities
- Up to 5 full-platform users
- Core users $49 each
- APM and infrastructure
- Standard support
- Unlimited full-platform users
- Advanced alerting and AIOps
- Higher data volumes
- SSO
- Advanced security and governance
- FedRAMP option
- Data residency
- Dedicated support
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
Lightstep vs New Relic: strengths and trade-offs
Lightstep
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001
- Public API available
Cons
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
New Relic
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (10)
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
Buyer Fit
Who should use Lightstep vs New Relic?
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
New Relic
New Relic connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
New Relic
New Relic leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
New Relic
New Relic integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
New Relic
New Relic is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (4)
Only in Lightstep (2)
Only in New Relic (6)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar app performance monitoring products buyers compare alongside Lightstep and New Relic.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Lightstep and New Relic against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs — then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationLightstep vs New Relic — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Lightstep and New Relic?
Lightstep and New Relic are both App Performance Monitoring solutions. Lightstep is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while New Relic is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Lightstep or New Relic?
Based on user ratings, Lightstep scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Lightstep or New Relic?
Lightstep is the more affordable option with a free plan available.
Does Lightstep or New Relic have a free plan?
Lightstep offers a free plan. does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from Lightstep to New Relic?
Switching between Lightstep and New Relic is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Lightstep vs New Relic?
Lightstep is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. New Relic works well for teams looking to start free and scale.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Lightstep vs New Relic
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
New Relic
New Relic 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.