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Datadog vs Uptime Kuma
Datadog vs Uptime Kuma
A side-by-side look at Datadog (the paid SaaS) and Uptime Kuma (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Datadog | Uptime Kuma | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Infrastructure and application monitoring. | Self-hosted uptime monitor — Pingdom alternative. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MIT |
| Pricing | From $15/host/month (Infrastructure). | Free to self-host |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 1/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | No |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Simple uptime and availability checks without a full APM.
Uptime Kuma strengths
- Single container, minimal resources.
- Clean UI with status pages.
- Many notification integrations.
Uptime Kuma weaknesses
- Not a full APM — simple uptime checks.
- Multi-node setup is harder.
- Data resides where you host it (single point).
What's the catch with Datadog?
- Notoriously expensive once volume grows.
- Bills can spike unexpectedly.
- Vendor lock-in with proprietary agents.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Datadog: see Datadog alternatives, or learn more about Uptime Kuma on its project page.
Recommended reading
When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
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Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
Bus factor, maintainer burnout, funding models, and the signals that separate OSS projects that survive from those that quietly decay.
From SaaS to self-hosted: a 30-day migration playbook
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