Software · head to head
Datadog Logs vs Splunk Enterprise
Datadog Logs
Software
Log Management and Analytics
- From
- $0.1/per GB ingested per month
- Rated
- -
Splunk Enterprise
Software
Enterprise Search, Monitoring, and Analytics
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Datadog Logs complex, multi-tiered pricing model based on ingestion, indexing, and storage; can become expensive at scale; Splunk Enterprise splunk Platform and Enterprise Security offerings carry no published rate and require contacting sales for a quote
- They diverge on capability: Datadog Logs covers Log ingestion, Splunk Enterprise covers Log aggregation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Datadog Logs and Splunk Enterprise actually diverge.
| Attribute | Datadog Logs | Splunk Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0.1/per GB ingested per month | On request |
| Platforms | Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud) | Web, Api |
| Founded | 2010 | 2003 |
Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Datadog Logs
- Log ingestion
- Full-text search
- Custom dashboards
- Log-based metrics
Only in Splunk Enterprise
- Log aggregation
- Real-time monitoring
- Advanced analytics
- Compliance
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.
Datadog Logs
- Centralised log aggregation and analysisnot Splunk Enterprise
- Multi-source log correlation with metrics and tracesnot Splunk Enterprise
- Root cause analysis and troubleshootingnot Splunk Enterprise
- Security monitoring and threat detectionnot Splunk Enterprise
Splunk Enterprise
- Indexing and searching machine data and logs at enterprise scalenot Datadog Logs
- Security information and event management via Enterprise Securitynot Datadog Logs
- IT service intelligence and infrastructure observabilitynot Datadog Logs
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Datadog Logs
- Complex, multi-tiered pricing model based on ingestion, indexing, and storage; can become expensive at scale
- Ingestion pricing of $0.10/GB can accumulate rapidly for high-volume logging environments
Splunk Enterprise
- Splunk Platform and Enterprise Security offerings carry no published rate and require contacting sales for a quote
- Four different pricing models are offered (activity, ingest, workload and entity based) and the applicable one depends on the product purchased
- Published Observability Cloud rates start at $15 per host per month and are billed annually rather than monthly
- Volume discounts are not published and require direct consultation with sales
Pricing, plan by plan
Datadog Logs
$0.1/per GB ingested per monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Datadog Logs review.
Splunk Enterprise
On request- Starter$undefined/month
- Log aggregation
- Real-time monitoring
- Advanced analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose Datadog Logs if
- You need log ingestion.
- You work on Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud).
- You also want full-text search.
Choose Splunk Enterprise if
- You need log aggregation.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want real-time monitoring.
Questions people ask
- Is Datadog Logs or Splunk Enterprise better?
- Neither clearly leads. Datadog Logs starts at $0.1/per GB ingested per month and Splunk Enterprise at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Datadog Logs or Splunk Enterprise?
- Datadog Logs starts at $0.1/per GB ingested per month and Splunk Enterprise at On request.
- Does Datadog Logs or Splunk Enterprise run on more platforms?
- Datadog Logs runs on Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud). Splunk Enterprise runs on Web, Api.
- What is Datadog Logs best used for?
- Datadog Logs is most often used for centralised log aggregation and analysis, multi-source log correlation with metrics and traces, root cause analysis and troubleshooting, security monitoring and threat detection. Of those, centralised log aggregation and analysis and multi-source log correlation with metrics and traces are not what Splunk Enterprise is typically brought in for.
- What can Datadog Logs do that Splunk Enterprise cannot?
- Datadog Logs covers Log ingestion, Full-text search, Custom dashboards, Log-based metrics. Splunk Enterprise covers Log aggregation, Real-time monitoring, Advanced analytics, Compliance. Both handle API, Webhooks, REST, Web support.
Related pages
More on Datadog Logs
More on Splunk Enterprise
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