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Logging · head to head

Logstash vs Logz.io

Logstash logo

Logstash

Logging

Data Processing Pipeline for Ingestion

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Logz.io logo

Logz.io

Logging

AI-Powered Log Analytics and Monitoring Platform

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Logstash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Logstash logstash's source is dual licensed: code outside the x-pack directory is Apache License 2.0, but code inside x-pack (which carries several of Logstash's monitoring and management features) is licensed under the Elastic License, not a fully open source license; Logz.io saaS-only with no self-hosting option
  • They diverge on capability: Logstash covers Data ingestion, Logz.io covers Log aggregation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 2 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Logstash and Logz.io actually diverge.

Attributes where Logstash and Logz.io differ
AttributeLogstashLogz.io
Starting priceFree$99/month
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiCloud (SaaS), Web
Founded20112014

Identical on both: 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 Logstash

  • Data ingestion
  • Event parsing
  • Data transformation
  • Multiple input sources

Only in Logz.io

  • Log aggregation
  • AI-powered insights
  • Elasticsearch integration
  • Alert management
  • Security analytics

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.

Logstash

  • Log monitoring
  • Application performance
  • Security analytics
  • Troubleshooting

Logz.io

  • Log monitoring
  • Application performance
  • Security analytics
  • Troubleshooting

Both are used for log monitoring, application performance, security analytics, troubleshooting, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Logstash

  • Logstash's source is dual licensed: code outside the x-pack directory is Apache License 2.0, but code inside x-pack (which carries several of Logstash's monitoring and management features) is licensed under the Elastic License, not a fully open source license

Logz.io

  • SaaS-only with no self-hosting option
  • High pricing for long data retention periods, with steep cost increases for larger data volumes
  • UI can take up to 10 seconds to load
  • Geo-location data is old and inaccurate
  • Expensive for smaller companies with limited log volumes
  • Data retention limitations at 14 days may not meet compliance requirements

Pricing, plan by plan

Logstash

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Data ingestion
    • Event parsing
    • Data transformation

Logz.io

$99/month
  • Pro$99/month
    • Log management
    • Real-time search
    • Basic alerts
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • All Pro features
    • Advanced security
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Logstash if

  • You need data ingestion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want event parsing.
Logstash review

Choose Logz.io if

  • You need log aggregation.
  • You work on Cloud (SaaS), Web.
  • You also want ai-powered insights.
Logz.io review

Questions people ask

Is Logstash or Logz.io better?
Neither clearly leads. Logstash starts at Free and Logz.io at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Logstash or Logz.io?
Logstash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Logstash and $99/month for Logz.io.
Does Logstash or Logz.io run on more platforms?
Logstash runs on Web, Api. Logz.io runs on Cloud (SaaS), Web.
Can I use Logstash for free?
Yes. Logstash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Logz.io starts at $99/month.
What is Logstash best used for?
Logstash is most often used for log monitoring, application performance, security analytics, troubleshooting.
What can Logstash do that Logz.io cannot?
Logstash covers Data ingestion, Event parsing, Data transformation, Multiple input sources. Logz.io covers Log aggregation, AI-powered insights, Elasticsearch integration, Alert management. Both handle API, Webhooks, REST, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Logstash: How much does Logstash cost?

Logstash is free and open-source. The data processing pipeline is available to download at no charge and can be deployed without licensing costs or commercial restrictions.

Source
Logz.io: Does Logz.io support self-hosting?

No. Logz.io is a fully SaaS platform with no self-hosting option, limiting flexibility for organizations with on-premises requirements or specific data residency needs.

Source
Logz.io: Is Logz.io based on open-source ELK Stack?

Logz.io is built on the ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) but uses managed hosting. Note that Elasticsearch and Kibana switched to non-open-source licenses (SSPL) in February 2021, which may have legal implications.

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