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Logging · head to head

Humio vs Loki

Humio logo

Humio

Logging

Real-Time Log Analytics and Search

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Loki logo

Loki

Logging

Like Prometheus but for Logs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Humio humio redirects to CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale product page, indicating product acquisition and rebranding without standalone pricing; Loki the Grafana Cloud free tier caps log ingestion at 50 GB a month with 14 day retention
  • They diverge on capability: Humio covers Full-text search, Loki covers Log aggregation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Humio and Loki actually diverge.

Attributes where Humio and Loki differ
AttributeHumioLoki
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
Founded20152014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Logging).

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 Humio

  • Full-text search
  • Behavioral analytics
  • Threat detection

Only in Loki

  • Log aggregation
  • Label-based indexing
  • LogQL query language

Both cover

  • Real-time log streaming
  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

Humio

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

Loki

  • Aggregating application and infrastructure logs with label based indexingnot Humio
  • Querying logs alongside metrics in Grafananot Humio

Where each one falls short

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

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

Loki

  • The Grafana Cloud free tier caps log ingestion at 50 GB a month with 14 day retention
  • Paid log pricing is split across three separate meters, at $0.050 per GB processed, $0.400 per GB written and $0.100 per GB retained
  • Retaining logs is billed separately from ingesting them, so keeping data costs on an ongoing basis rather than once
  • The Pro plan carries a $19 a month platform fee before any usage charges

Pricing, plan by plan

Humio

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

Loki

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Log aggregation
    • Label-based indexing
    • Real-time log streaming

Which should you pick?

Choose Humio if

  • You need full-text search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want behavioral analytics.
Humio review

Choose Loki if

  • You need log aggregation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want label-based indexing.
Loki review

Questions people ask

Is Humio or Loki better?
Neither clearly leads. Humio starts at Free and Loki at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Humio or Loki?
Humio starts at Free and Loki at Free.
Does Humio or Loki run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Humio for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Humio best used for?
Humio is most often used for log aggregation and analysis for it operations, security monitoring and threat detection, real-time data search and investigation. Of those, log aggregation and analysis for it operations and security monitoring and threat detection are not what Loki is typically brought in for.
What can Humio do that Loki cannot?
Humio covers Full-text search, Behavioral analytics, Threat detection. Loki covers Log aggregation, Label-based indexing, LogQL query language. Both handle Real-time log streaming, API, Webhooks, REST.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Loki: What does it cost to use Grafana Loki?

Loki is open source and free under the AGPLv3 license for self-hosted deployments. Grafana's managed Cloud Logs service includes a free tier up to 50GB of logs at no cost.

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
Loki: Are there paid options for Loki beyond the free tier?

Yes. Grafana Cloud Logs offers paid tiers for teams and enterprises, and Enterprise Logs provides self-managed options with expert support for organizations with data localization or privacy requirements.

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
Loki: What license does open source Loki use?

Loki is released under the AGPLv3 license, which requires you to share modifications and publish your source code if you deploy modifications publicly.

Source
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