Softwr

Logging · head to head

Checkmk vs Humio

Checkmk logo

Checkmk

Logging

Comprehensive IT monitoring, open and flexible

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit CheckmkFull review
Humio logo

Humio

Logging

Real-Time Log Analytics and Search

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit HumioFull review

The short version

  • Humio is a streaming log analytics platform.
  • Humio is free; Checkmk starts at €190/mo.
  • Where Checkmk falls short: pricing calculated by service count, not hosts (approximately 30 services per host on average).
  • Where Humio falls short: Humio redirects to CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale product page, indicating product acquisition and rebranding without standalone pricing.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Checkmk and Humio actually diverge.

Attributes where Checkmk and Humio differ
AttributeCheckmkHumio
Pricing modelSubscriptionUsage-based
PlatformsWebWeb, API

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), category (Logging).

Not yet recorded: founded for Checkmk.

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 Checkmk

Nothing recorded that Humio does not also cover.

Only in Humio

  • Real-time log streaming
  • Full-text search
  • Behavioral analytics
  • Threat detection
  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Checkmk

  • Infrastructure monitoringnot Humio
  • System observabilitynot Humio
  • Enterprise compliance monitoringnot Humio

Humio

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

Where each one falls short

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

Checkmk

  • Pricing calculated by service count, not hosts (approximately 30 services per host on average)
  • Professional support limited to 8-10 hours per week on base plans
  • Synthetic monitoring is separate add-on with per-test pricing

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

Checkmk

Free
  • Community (Self-Hosted)Free
    • No cost, forever
    • Up to ~100 hosts
    • Basic infrastructure monitoring
  • Pro (Self-Hosted)€190/mo
    • Advanced analytics
    • Reporting
    • Distributed monitoring
  • Ultimate (Self-Hosted)€275/mo
    • Full-stack observability
    • Advanced security compliance
    • 10 hours x 5 days professional support (upgradable to 24/7)
  • CloudAI (SaaS)€240/mo
    • Fully managed cloud hosting
    • 99.5% uptime SLA
    • Supports up to 50000 services

Humio

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Checkmk if

  • You want to start without paying.
Checkmk 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 Checkmk or Humio better?
Neither clearly leads. Checkmk 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, Checkmk or Humio?
Checkmk starts at Free and Humio at Free.
Does Checkmk or Humio run on more platforms?
Checkmk runs on Web. Humio runs on Web, API.
Can I use Checkmk for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Checkmk best used for?
Checkmk is most often used for infrastructure monitoring, system observability, enterprise compliance monitoring. Of those, infrastructure monitoring and system observability are not what Humio is typically brought in for.
What can Checkmk do that Humio cannot?
Humio covers Real-time log streaming, Full-text search, Behavioral analytics, Threat detection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Checkmk: Is there a free version of Checkmk?

Yes, Checkmk Community edition is free forever and supports up to approximately 100 hosts for basic infrastructure monitoring with no cost.

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
Checkmk: How does Checkmk calculate pricing by host count?

Checkmk uses service-based pricing where each monitored aspect (file system, hardware sensor, switch port, metric) counts as one service. On average, there are approximately 30 services per host.

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
Checkmk: What is the difference between Checkmk Pro and Ultimate tiers?

Pro tier at 190 EUR/month includes advanced analytics and 8x5 support, while Ultimate at 275 EUR/month adds full-stack observability, advanced compliance features, and upgradable 24/7 support.

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
Checkmk: Does Checkmk offer a managed SaaS option?

Yes, Checkmk CloudAI is a fully managed SaaS tier at 240 EUR/month with 99.5% uptime SLA and support for up to 50000 services.

Source
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