New Relic vs Checkly
New Relic is full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure, logs, and browser monitoring, while Checkly is API and browser monitoring with Playwright tests, deployed via code. New Relic is built for engineering teams wanting all-in-one observability, whereas Checkly targets devops teams wanting monitoring as code.
| Feature | New Relic | Checkly |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| API Checks | — | ✓ |
| APM | ✓ | — |
| Alerts | — | ✓ |
| Browser | ✓ | — |
| Infrastructure | ✓ | — |
| Logs | ✓ | — |
| Monitoring as Code | — | ✓ |
| Playwright | — | ✓ |
| Synthetics | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Both tools offer free tiers, so you can test each before committing. New Relic's free plan: Free 100 GB/mo. Checkly's free plan: Free for 5 checks.
Feature gaps: New Relic offers APM, Browser and Infrastructure that Checkly lacks. Checkly brings API Checks, Alerts and Monitoring as Code that New Relic does not have.
Team fit: New Relic is geared toward enterprise teams, while Checkly is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Where each tool shines: New Relic's biggest strengths are: includes apm as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows. includes infrastructure as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows. Checkly's biggest strengths are: includes monitoring as code as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows. includes playwright as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows.
Watch out for: With New Relic, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Checkly, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose New Relic if
- You need a tool built for engineering teams wanting all-in-one observability
- You specifically need APM and Browser
- You care about includes infrastructure as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows
- Your team size fits the enterprise profile New Relic is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free 100 gb/mo
choose Checkly if
- You need a tool built for devops teams wanting monitoring as code
- You specifically need API Checks and Alerts
- You care about includes playwright as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Checkly is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free for 5 checks
frequently asked
What is the difference between New Relic and Checkly?
New Relic is full-stack observability platform with APM, infrastructure, logs, and browser monitoring, while Checkly is API and browser monitoring with Playwright tests, deployed via code. New Relic is built for engineering teams wanting all-in-one observability, whereas Checkly targets devops teams wanting monitoring as code.
Should I use New Relic or Checkly?
New Relic is built for engineering teams wanting all-in-one observability. Checkly is built for devops teams wanting monitoring as code. Pick the one that fits.
When should I choose New Relic over Checkly?
Choose New Relic if You need a tool built for engineering teams wanting all-in-one observability; You specifically need APM and Browser; You care about includes infrastructure as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows; Your team size fits the enterprise profile New Relic is designed for; The free tier works for you: free 100 gb/mo.
When should I choose Checkly over New Relic?
Choose Checkly if You need a tool built for devops teams wanting monitoring as code; You specifically need API Checks and Alerts; You care about includes playwright as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows; Your team size fits the small teams profile Checkly is designed for; The free tier works for you: free for 5 checks.
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