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Azure Monitor vs Humio

Azure Monitor logo

Azure Monitor

Logging

Azure's Monitoring and Diagnostics Service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Humio logo

Humio

Logging

Real-Time Log Analytics and Search

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Azure Monitor billed per GB ingested across three separate log plans, Auxiliary, Basic and Analytics, so the plan chosen changes the rate as much as the volume does; Humio humio redirects to CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale product page, indicating product acquisition and rebranding without standalone pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Azure Monitor covers Log collection, Humio covers Real-time log streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Azure Monitor and Humio actually diverge.

Attributes where Azure Monitor and Humio differ
AttributeAzure MonitorHumio
Founded20102015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Logging).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Azure Monitor

  • Log collection
  • Metrics collection
  • Alerts and notifications
  • Custom dashboards

Only in Humio

  • Real-time log streaming
  • Full-text search
  • Behavioral analytics
  • Threat detection

Both cover

  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Azure Monitor

  • Collecting logs and metrics from Azure resourcesnot Humio
  • Alerting on metric thresholds and log queriesnot Humio
  • Application performance monitoring through Application Insightsnot Humio
  • Long-term log retention for compliancenot Humio
  • Querying operational data with KQLnot Humio

Humio

  • Log aggregation and analysis for IT operationsnot Azure Monitor
  • Security monitoring and threat detectionnot Azure Monitor
  • Real-time data search and investigationnot Azure Monitor

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Azure Monitor

  • Billed per GB ingested across three separate log plans, Auxiliary, Basic and Analytics, so the plan chosen changes the rate as much as the volume does
  • Only the first 5 GB a month of Analytics logs is free per billing account
  • Retention beyond the base period is charged per GB per month, up to 2 years interactive and 12 years long term
  • Log queries and search jobs are billed per GB scanned, so investigating an incident costs money
  • Alert rules are billed per time series for metrics and by execution frequency for logs
  • The pricing page shows placeholders rather than rates until a region and currency are chosen

Humio

  • Humio redirects to CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale product page, indicating product acquisition and rebranding without standalone pricing
  • No specific pricing amounts disclosed on CrowdStrike LogScale page; only billing model options mentioned without dollar figures
  • Flexible retention policies from 30 to 365+ days are available, requiring contact with sales for actual costs tied to retention selections

Pricing, plan by plan

Azure Monitor

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Log collection
    • Metrics collection
    • Alerts and notifications

Humio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Real-time log streaming
    • Full-text search
    • Behavioral analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Azure Monitor if

  • You need log collection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want metrics collection.
Azure Monitor review

Choose Humio if

  • You need real-time log streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want full-text search.
Humio review

Questions people ask

Is Azure Monitor or Humio better?
Neither clearly leads. Azure Monitor starts at Free and Humio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Azure Monitor or Humio?
Azure Monitor starts at Free and Humio at Free.
Does Azure Monitor or Humio run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Azure Monitor for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Azure Monitor best used for?
Azure Monitor is most often used for collecting logs and metrics from azure resources, alerting on metric thresholds and log queries, application performance monitoring through application insights, long-term log retention for compliance. Of those, collecting logs and metrics from azure resources and alerting on metric thresholds and log queries are not what Humio is typically brought in for.
What can Azure Monitor do that Humio cannot?
Azure Monitor covers Log collection, Metrics collection, Alerts and notifications, Custom dashboards. Humio covers Real-time log streaming, Full-text search, Behavioral analytics, Threat detection. Both handle API, Webhooks, REST, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Azure Monitor: How does Azure Monitor billing work?

Billing is based on data volume ingested into Azure Monitor. Additional charges apply separately for alerts, notifications, web tests, and data export. Activity log and platform metrics are automatically collected with an Azure subscription.

Source
Humio: What is Humio's pricing model?

Humio is now CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale with per endpoint per month or per endpoint per year billing options available, but specific pricing amounts are not published and require contact with sales.

Source
Azure Monitor: What savings are available with Azure Monitor?

Capacity reservations offer up to 36% savings compared to standard pay-as-you-go pricing when you commit to reserved capacity upfront.

Source
Humio: Does CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale (formerly Humio) offer a free trial?

A 15-day free trial is offered for CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale at https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/products/trials/try-falcon-next-gen-siem/, but specific trial terms require review.

Source
Azure Monitor: Is there a free tier for Azure Monitor?

No dedicated free tier exists. Activity log and platform metrics are automatically collected with an Azure subscription, but detailed monitoring requires additional configuration and associated costs.

Source
Humio: What data retention license options are available for CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale?

Flexible retention policies include licenses for 30, 60, 90, 180, and 365 days of retention, with additional retention options available upon request.

Source
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