New Relic vs Splunk: 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 Splunk, 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 Splunk if…
- You prefer Splunk's approach and ecosystem
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How New Relic and Splunk score
New Relic leads on 5 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
NewNo reviewsSplunkNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption
New0Splunk0 - New Relic
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
New$0/moSplunkCustom - New Relic
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
NewFree plan + trialSplunkFree trial - New Relic
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
New10Splunk6 - New Relic
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
New12Splunk0 - Even
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
New,Splunk, - New Relic
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
New5Splunk2 - Splunk
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
New3Splunk4
Feature Comparison
New Relic vs Splunk feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
New Relic
SplunkPricing Comparison
New Relic vs Splunk 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
Splunk
Custom to start- Analytics and reporting
- observability and APM
- Integrations
- Standard support
- Everything in Professional
- dashboards and alerting
- Dedicated support and onboarding
- security analytics (SIEM)
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 Splunk: 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
Splunk
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
Buyer Fit
Who should use New Relic vs Splunk?
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
New Relic
New Relic is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (3)
Only in New Relic (7)
Only in Splunk (3)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar app performance monitoring products buyers compare alongside New Relic and Splunk.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs New Relic and Splunk 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 Splunk, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between New Relic and Splunk?
New Relic and Splunk are both App Performance Monitoring solutions. New Relic is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Splunk is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, New Relic or Splunk?
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 Splunk?
New Relic is the more affordable option, starting at $0/month.
Does New Relic or Splunk have a free plan?
New Relic offers a free plan. Splunk does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from New Relic to Splunk?
Switching between New Relic and Splunk 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 Splunk?
New Relic is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Splunk works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on New Relic vs Splunk
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
Either
Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.