Elastic APM vs Retrace
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading log management solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Elastic APM if you need Performance monitoring and prefer a free starting option. Choose Retrace if you prioritize Log management and want a free tier to start. Retrace has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
Elastic APM vs Retrace: At a Glance
| Criteria | Elastic APM | Retrace |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Pricing Model | open-source | per-application |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Api |
| Category | Log Management | Log Management |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
Feature Comparison: Elastic APM vs Retrace
| Feature | Elastic APM | Retrace |
|---|---|---|
| Performance monitoring | ||
| Error tracking | ||
| Transaction tracing | ||
| Custom metrics | ||
| API | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| REST | ||
| Web support | ||
| Api support | ||
| Log management | ||
| Application performance tracking | ||
| Error detection | ||
| Code profiling | ||
| Performance baselines |
Elastic APM vs Retrace: Pricing Breakdown
Elastic APM Pricing
Model: open-source
- Performance monitoring
- Error tracking
- Transaction tracing
Retrace Pricing
Model: per-application
- Log management
- Application performance tracking
- Error detection
Pros and Cons
Elastic APM
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong Performance monitoring functionality
- Strong Error tracking functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Retrace
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 10+ capabilities
- Strong Log management functionality
- Strong Application performance tracking functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Elastic APM vs Retrace?
Choose Elastic APM if you:
- Need Performance monitoring
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Api
- Value Error tracking
Choose Retrace if you:
- Need Log management
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Api
- Value Application performance tracking
Frequently Asked Questions: Elastic APM vs Retrace
Is Elastic APM better than Retrace?
It depends on your needs. Elastic APM has a 4.3/5 user rating while Retrace has 4.4/5. Elastic APM excels in Performance monitoring and Error tracking, while Retrace stands out with Log management and Application performance tracking. Consider your budget (Free vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Elastic APM or Retrace?
Elastic APM offers a free plan and starts at Free. Retrace offers a free plan and starts at Free. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Elastic APM and Retrace together?
While both are log management tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core log management needs.
What are the main differences between Elastic APM and Retrace?
The key differences include: pricing model (open-source vs per-application), platform support (Web, Api vs Web, Api), and feature focus. Elastic APM emphasizes Performance monitoring, Error tracking, Transaction tracing while Retrace focuses on Log management, Application performance tracking, Error detection. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Elastic APM and Retrace.