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Technology · head to head

Datadog vs DataGrip

Datadog logo

Datadog

Technology

Modern monitoring & security

From
$15/month
Rated
-
DataGrip logo

DataGrip

Databases

Cross-platform database IDE from JetBrains for SQL and NoSQL databases

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only DataGrip has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Datadog consumption-based pricing model makes costs hard to predict and can scale quickly; DataGrip commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.
  • They diverge on capability: Datadog covers Infrastructure monitoring, DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Datadog and DataGrip actually diverge.

Attributes where Datadog and DataGrip differ
AttributeDatadogDataGrip
Starting price$15/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOSwindows, mac, linux
CategoryTechnologyDatabases
Founded20102000

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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

  • Infrastructure monitoring
  • Application performance monitoring
  • Log management
  • Real user monitoring
  • Synthetic monitoring
  • Security monitoring
  • Network monitoring
  • Serverless monitoring

Only in DataGrip

  • Intelligent SQL Completion
  • Schema Navigation
  • Data Editor
  • Version Control for Scripts
  • Multi-database Support

What people use each for

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

Datadog

  • Infrastructure monitoringnot DataGrip
  • Application performancenot DataGrip
  • Security monitoringnot DataGrip
  • Log analysisnot DataGrip
  • Cloud monitoringnot DataGrip

DataGrip

  • Writing and running SQL queries across multiple database enginesnot Datadog
  • Browsing and editing schema and table data visuallynot Datadog
  • Version-controlling database migration scriptsnot Datadog
  • Standardizing database tooling across a JetBrains-based teamnot Datadog

Where each one falls short

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

Datadog

  • Consumption-based pricing model makes costs hard to predict and can scale quickly
  • Add-on modules significantly increase costs: custom metrics, indexed spans, extended retention
  • No free tier for production monitoring
  • High costs for organizations with large amounts of log data or high-cardinality metrics

DataGrip

  • Commercial use requires a paid subscription; the free tier is non-commercial only.
  • No built-in database administration features like backup scheduling found in dedicated DBA tools.
  • Heavier resource footprint than lightweight single-purpose SQL clients.
  • NoSQL support (e.g. MongoDB) is less mature than its relational database tooling.

Pricing, plan by plan

Datadog

$15/month
  • Infrastructure Monitoring$15/month
    • Host monitoring
    • Basic dashboards
  • APM$31/month
    • Application performance monitoring
    • Trace collection
  • Log Management$0.1/gb
    • Log indexing
    • Search and filter

DataGrip

Free
  • Free (non-commercial)Free
    • Personal, non-commercial use only
  • Individual - Year 1$99/year
    • Full DataGrip license
    • Free updates during subscription
  • Individual - Year 2+$79/year
    • Continuity discount from second year onward

Which should you pick?

Choose Datadog if

  • You need infrastructure monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want application performance monitoring.

Choose DataGrip if

  • You need intelligent sql completion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want schema navigation.

Questions people ask

Is Datadog or DataGrip better?
Neither clearly leads. Datadog starts at $15/month and DataGrip at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Datadog or DataGrip?
DataGrip has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $15/month for Datadog and Free for DataGrip.
Does Datadog or DataGrip run on more platforms?
Datadog runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS. DataGrip runs on windows, mac, linux.
Can I use DataGrip for free?
Yes. DataGrip has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Datadog starts at $15/month.
What is Datadog best used for?
Datadog is most often used for infrastructure monitoring, application performance, security monitoring, log analysis. Of those, infrastructure monitoring and application performance are not what DataGrip is typically brought in for.
What can Datadog do that DataGrip cannot?
Datadog covers Infrastructure monitoring, Application performance monitoring, Log management, Real user monitoring. DataGrip covers Intelligent SQL Completion, Schema Navigation, Data Editor, Version Control for Scripts.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Datadog: How is Datadog pricing structured?

Datadog uses consumption-based pricing tied to data volume ingested, hosts monitored, and products enabled. Infrastructure Monitoring starts at $15/host/month, APM at $31/host/month, and Log Management at $0.10/GB for indexed logs.

Source
DataGrip: Is DataGrip free for personal use?

JetBrains introduced a free non-commercial license for DataGrip in October 2025, allowing personal use, while commercial use still requires a paid annual or monthly subscription.

Source
Datadog: Does Datadog offer a free tier?

Datadog offers a free trial but not a permanent free tier for production monitoring. Pricing begins with paid plans only.

Source
DataGrip: Who qualifies for the free non-commercial license?

Only individuals are eligible, for uses like learning, open-source work, or content creation. Anyone paid by an employer, including at a non-profit, must use a commercial license instead.

Source
Datadog: What integrations does Datadog support?

Datadog offers 1000+ built-in integrations including AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Azure, GCP, and most major cloud platforms and services.

Source
DataGrip: How long does the free non-commercial license last?

It lasts one year and auto-renews if DataGrip was used at least once in the final six months; otherwise you can simply reapply for a new license.

Source
Datadog: Can Datadog monitor Kubernetes clusters?

Yes. The Datadog Agent runs as a DaemonSet to provide real-time visibility into pods, nodes, deployments, and control-plane health across major Kubernetes distributions including EKS, AKS, GKE, OpenShift, and others.

Source
DataGrip: Does the free license have fewer features than the paid version?

No, it is a full-featured IDE identical to the paid version, though it requires anonymized telemetry sharing that cannot be opted out of under the non-commercial agreement.

Source
Datadog: How can I reduce Datadog costs?

Datadog bills based on indexed logs, custom metrics, and high-cardinality tags. Costs can be unpredictable and may run 2-3x estimates. Prepaying annually can secure 5-15% discounts.

Source
DataGrip: Can I use DataGrip offline with the free license?

No, activation requires logging into a JetBrains Account; offline activation codes are not available for the free non-commercial license.

Source
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