Softwr

Log Management · head to head

CloudWatch vs DynamoDB

CloudWatch logo

CloudWatch

Log Management

AWS Monitoring and Observability

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Database & Data Management

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CloudWatch has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CloudWatch the free tier covers 5 GB of log ingestion and 10 custom metrics a month, after which log ingestion is $0.50 per GB from 5 to 30 GB; DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • They diverge on capability: CloudWatch covers Metrics collection, DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CloudWatch and DynamoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where CloudWatch and DynamoDB differ
AttributeCloudWatchDynamoDB
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiAWS
CategoryLog ManagementDatabase & Data Management

Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2006).

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 CloudWatch

  • Metrics collection
  • Log aggregation
  • Dashboards
  • Alarms and notifications
  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Api support

Only in DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

CloudWatch

  • Metrics and log collection for AWS workloadsnot DynamoDB
  • Alarming on thresholds across AWS servicesnot DynamoDB
  • Querying logs with Logs Insightsnot DynamoDB
  • Live tailing logs during an incidentnot DynamoDB
  • Distributed tracing alongside X-Raynot DynamoDB

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot CloudWatch
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot CloudWatch
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot CloudWatch
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot CloudWatch

Where each one falls short

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

CloudWatch

  • The free tier covers 5 GB of log ingestion and 10 custom metrics a month, after which log ingestion is $0.50 per GB from 5 to 30 GB
  • Custom metrics are $0.30 each for the first 10,000, so instrumenting broadly gets expensive before volume discounts apply
  • Each custom dashboard beyond the free three is $3 a month
  • Alarms are billed at $0.10 per alarm metric a month, with high-resolution alarms costing more
  • Log storage beyond the free 5 GB is $0.03 per GB per month on top of the ingestion charge

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

Pricing, plan by plan

CloudWatch

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Metrics collection
    • Log aggregation
    • Dashboards

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose CloudWatch if

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

Choose DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB review

Questions people ask

Is CloudWatch or DynamoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. CloudWatch starts at Free and DynamoDB at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CloudWatch or DynamoDB?
CloudWatch has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CloudWatch and On request for DynamoDB.
Does CloudWatch or DynamoDB run on more platforms?
CloudWatch runs on Web, Api. DynamoDB runs on AWS.
Can I use CloudWatch for free?
Yes. CloudWatch has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is CloudWatch best used for?
CloudWatch is most often used for metrics and log collection for aws workloads, alarming on thresholds across aws services, querying logs with logs insights, live tailing logs during an incident. Of those, metrics and log collection for aws workloads and alarming on thresholds across aws services are not what DynamoDB is typically brought in for.
What can CloudWatch do that DynamoDB cannot?
CloudWatch covers Metrics collection, Log aggregation, Dashboards, Alarms and notifications. DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on CloudWatch

More on DynamoDB

Keep looking

Other head to heads