New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability: 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
New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability, in 15 seconds
Choose New Relic if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You need a genuinely free plan
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Choose SolarWinds Observability if…
- You want deeper AI and automation features
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How New Relic and SolarWinds Observability score
New Relic leads on 5 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
NewNo reviewsSolarWindsNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption
New0SolarWinds0 - New Relic
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
New$0/moSolarWindsCustom - New Relic
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
NewFree plan + trialSolarWindsFree trial - New Relic
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
New10SolarWinds5 - New Relic
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
New12SolarWinds8 - SolarWinds Observability
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
New,SolarWinds1 - New Relic
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
New5SolarWinds, - Even
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
New3SolarWinds3
Feature Comparison
New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
New Relic
SolarWinds ObservabilityPricing Comparison
New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
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
SolarWinds Observability
Custom to start- 30-day free trial
- Pricing per usage, see SolarWinds pricing FAQ
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
New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability: strengths and trade-offs
New Relic
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (10)
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
SolarWinds Observability
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Stronger AI / automation features
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
- No compliance certifications listed
Buyer Fit
Who should use New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability?
Startups
New Relic
New Relic keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
New Relic
New Relic 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
SolarWinds Observability
SolarWinds Observability is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (2)
Only in New Relic (8)
Only in SolarWinds Observability (3)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar app performance monitoring products buyers compare alongside New Relic and SolarWinds Observability.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs New Relic and SolarWinds Observability against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationNew Relic vs SolarWinds Observability, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between New Relic and SolarWinds Observability?
New Relic and SolarWinds Observability are both App Performance Monitoring solutions. New Relic is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while SolarWinds Observability is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, New Relic or SolarWinds Observability?
Based on user ratings, New Relic scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, New Relic or SolarWinds Observability?
New Relic is the more affordable option, starting at $0/month.
Does New Relic or SolarWinds Observability have a free plan?
New Relic offers a free plan. SolarWinds Observability does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from New Relic to SolarWinds Observability?
Switching between New Relic and SolarWinds Observability is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability?
New Relic is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. SolarWinds Observability works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on New Relic vs SolarWinds Observability
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
New Relic
New Relic has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
New Relic
New Relic leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
New Relic
New Relic delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
SolarWinds Observability
SolarWinds Observability ships more AI and automation.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.