Lightstep vs New Relic: Observability & APM Comparison (2026)
New Relic offers a free tier with significant data ingest and user allowances, while Lightstep emphasizes custom solutions and predictable pricing based on units. Lightstep requires direct contact for pricing and customization, whereas New Relic provides a self-service model with pay-as-you-go options after the free tier.
AI Citation Scorecard
How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask observability & apm questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.
Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.
Pricing
Key Features
- ✓Custom quotes available
- ✓Predictable pricing based on units
- ✓Scalability for growth
- ✓Evaluation of needs included
- ✓50+ capabilities in one platform
- ✓Unlimited free basic users
- ✓100 GB of free data ingest/month
- ✓Data retention of at least 8 days
When to choose Lightstep
Lightstep is suitable for organizations that require custom observability solutions and prefer a pricing model based on units, with direct engagement for quotes and customization.
When to choose New Relic
New Relic is a strong choice for businesses looking for a comprehensive observability platform with a generous free tier to start, offering over 50 capabilities and scalable pay-as-you-go pricing for increased usage.