Logging · head to head
Dynatrace Logs vs Sematext
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Dynatrace Logs log ingest and processing is billed at $0.20 per GiB, separately from retention and from query; Sematext the $5 Basic plan caps ingestion at 500 MB a day and retains logs for 7 days
- They diverge on capability: Dynatrace Logs covers Log analysis, Sematext covers Log aggregation.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Dynatrace Logs and Sematext actually diverge.
| Attribute | Dynatrace Logs | Sematext |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | usage-based |
| Founded | 2005 | 2007 |
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 Dynatrace Logs
- Log analysis
- AI-powered insights
- Metrics integration
- Automated root cause
Only in Sematext
- Log aggregation
- APM
- Metrics monitoring
- Anomaly detection
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.
Dynatrace Logs
- Ingesting and processing application and infrastructure logsnot Sematext
- Querying logs alongside traces and metrics in one platformnot Sematext
- Log driven alerting within an existing Dynatrace deploymentnot Sematext
Sematext
- Centralised log management and search across servicesnot Dynatrace Logs
- Infrastructure and application monitoring alongside logsnot Dynatrace Logs
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Dynatrace Logs
- Log ingest and processing is billed at $0.20 per GiB, separately from retention and from query
- Querying logs is charged in addition to ingest, either pay per query or as bundled queries
- Log analytics requires the same annual platform commitment as the rest of the Dynatrace platform
Sematext
- The $5 Basic plan caps ingestion at 500 MB a day and retains logs for 7 days
- Ingestion and storage are billed on separate meters, at $0.10 per GB received and $0.15 per GB stored
- Retention is a plan property rather than a setting, so keeping logs longer means moving tier
- The published pricing page renders Standard and Pro figures from unresolved template placeholders, so only the Basic numbers are actually readable
Pricing, plan by plan
Dynatrace Logs
Free- FreeFree
- Log analysis
- AI-powered insights
- Metrics integration
Sematext
Free- FreeFree
- Log aggregation
- APM
- Metrics monitoring
Which should you pick?
Choose Dynatrace Logs if
- You need log analysis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want ai-powered insights.
Choose Sematext if
- You need log aggregation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want apm.
Questions people ask
- Is Dynatrace Logs or Sematext better?
- Neither clearly leads. Dynatrace Logs starts at Free and Sematext at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Dynatrace Logs or Sematext?
- Dynatrace Logs starts at Free and Sematext at Free.
- Does Dynatrace Logs or Sematext run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Dynatrace Logs for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Dynatrace Logs best used for?
- Dynatrace Logs is most often used for ingesting and processing application and infrastructure logs, querying logs alongside traces and metrics in one platform, log driven alerting within an existing dynatrace deployment. Of those, ingesting and processing application and infrastructure logs and querying logs alongside traces and metrics in one platform are not what Sematext is typically brought in for.
- What can Dynatrace Logs do that Sematext cannot?
- Dynatrace Logs covers Log analysis, AI-powered insights, Metrics integration, Automated root cause. Sematext covers Log aggregation, APM, Metrics monitoring, Anomaly detection. Both handle API, Webhooks, REST, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Sematext: How much does Sematext cost?
Sematext uses a transparent usage-based pricing model. Customers can set a Max Daily Volume for automatic rejection of excess data to prevent unexpected charges and keep costs predictable. Specific tier pricing is available through their cost calculator tool.
SourceSematext: How does Sematext's pricing compare to competitors?
Sematext is positioned as +3x cheaper than Datadog, with potential annual savings of $800,000 for customers logging more than 200TB/month and a reported 75% decrease in price per GB compared to alternatives.
SourceSematext: Does Sematext offer a free trial?
Yes, Sematext offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, allowing you to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.
SourceRelated pages
More on Dynatrace Logs
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