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Head-to-head · Runtime Monitoring Software

Apache SkyWalking vs SolarWinds Observability

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Apache SkyWalking #4 in Runtime Monitoring Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit site
SolarWinds Observability #5 in Runtime Monitoring Software 9.0/10 From $8/mo (annual) · 30-day trial ✓ 3 of 6 features Visit SolarWinds

Apache SkyWalking leads on 1 check, SolarWinds Observability on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache SkyWalking · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Apache SkyWalking

Apache SkyWalking scores higher on our rubric for runtime monitoring software: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Apache SkyWalking offers free plan; SolarWinds Observability doesn't.

Apache SkyWalking is the better fit for teams comfortable self-hosting open-source monitoring. SolarWinds Observability is the better fit for teams needing modular APM and infrastructure monitoring.

  • Apache SkyWalking fits best

    Teams comfortable self-hosting open-source monitoring

  • SolarWinds Observability fits best

    Teams needing modular APM and infrastructure monitoring

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apache SkyWalking 9.1/10 Visit ↗ SolarWinds Observability 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #4 in Runtime Monitoring Software #5 in Runtime Monitoring Software
Best for Teams comfortable self-hosting open-source monitoring Teams needing modular APM and infrastructure monitoring
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published $8/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux Web, Windows, Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache SkyWalking 3/6 · SolarWinds Observability 3/6
Distributed tracing ✓ ✓
Error tracking Not published Not published
Continuous profiling Not published Not published
Service maps Not published Not published
Real user monitoring ✓ ✓
Log correlation ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Combines tracing, topology, metrics, logs, alerts, and profiling.
  • Supports browser performance monitoring and error collection.
  • Ingests telemetry through agents, OpenTelemetry, and Zipkin.
  • Connects distributed traces with application logs and service context.
  • Adds live code profiling, exception tracking, and service topology maps.
  • Offers cloud and self-hosted deployment across application and infrastructure monitoring.
Cons
  • Requires teams to deploy and operate backend, storage, and UI components.
  • Self-hosted deployment puts infrastructure upkeep on the team.
  • Support channels center on community resources and documentation.
  • Application, log, database, and digital-experience modules have separate pricing.
  • The $8-per-node monthly entry price is for Self-Hosted and billed annually.
  • No free plan; trials last 30 days.
Our verdict

Apache SkyWalking is an open-source observability platform for collecting and exploring telemetry from services and cloud-native infrastructure. Its web UI brings together distributed tracing, service and infrastructure topology, metrics,…

Read the review →

SolarWinds Observability brings application performance monitoring together with infrastructure, network, database, log, and digital-experience monitoring. It is aimed at IT operations and DevOps teams that need to investigate application…

Read the review →
  1. Apache SkyWalkingRuntime Monitoring Software 9.1Free plan
  2. SolarWinds ObservabilityRuntime Monitoring Software 9.0From $8/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache SkyWalking — where it wins

    • Combines tracing, topology, metrics, logs, alerts, and profiling.
    • Supports browser performance monitoring and error collection.
    • Ingests telemetry through agents, OpenTelemetry, and Zipkin.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires teams to deploy and operate backend, storage, and UI components.
    • Self-hosted deployment puts infrastructure upkeep on the team.
    • Support channels center on community resources and documentation.

  • SolarWinds Observability — where it wins

    • Connects distributed traces with application logs and service context.
    • Adds live code profiling, exception tracking, and service topology maps.
    • Offers cloud and self-hosted deployment across application and infrastructure monitoring.

    Where it doesn't

    • Application, log, database, and digital-experience modules have separate pricing.
    • The $8-per-node monthly entry price is for Self-Hosted and billed annually.
    • No free plan; trials last 30 days.
  • Apache SkyWalking9.1/10 · Free plan

    A broad self-hosted monitoring stack for teams that can operate its backend and storage.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • SolarWinds Observability9.0/10 · From $8/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

    Modular monitoring for application services and the infrastructure they depend on.

    Visit SolarWindsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All runtime monitoring software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update