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Head-to-head · Log Monitoring Tools

Google Cloud Logging vs Azure Monitor

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Google Cloud Logging #4 in Log Monitoring Tools 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Google Cloud
Azure Monitor #8 in Log Monitoring Tools 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Azure Monitor

Google Cloud Logging leads on 1 check, Azure Monitor on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Cloud Logging · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Google Cloud Logging
  • Most featuresGoogle Cloud Logging · 1 of 2

Google Cloud Logging scores higher on our rubric for log monitoring tools: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Google Cloud Logging offers free plan; Azure Monitor doesn't.

Google Cloud Logging is the better fit for google Cloud teams wanting native log analysis. Azure Monitor is the better fit for azure teams monitoring logs across hybrid VMs.

  • Google Cloud Logging fits best

    Google Cloud teams wanting native log analysis

  • Azure Monitor fits best

    Azure teams monitoring logs across hybrid VMs

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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Google Cloud Logging 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Azure Monitor 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #4 in Log Monitoring Tools #8 in Log Monitoring Tools
Best for Google Cloud teams wanting native log analysis Azure teams monitoring logs across hybrid VMs
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $0.01/GB/mo Not checked yet
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs, Community Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Cloud Logging 1/2 · Azure Monitor 0/2
Log alerting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Live tail ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Log retention 30 days Not checked yet
Ingestion limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment Cloud Not checked yet
Search language Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Collects logs from Google Cloud resources and accepts external log sources
  • Combines Logs Explorer, SQL analysis, live tailing and log-based alerts
  • Routes or exports logs to Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Pub/Sub and custom buckets
  • Collects Windows events, Syslog, custom text logs, and IIS logs
  • Kusto queries support analysis of metrics and log data
  • Hybrid monitoring covers Azure, other-cloud, and on-premises VMs
Cons
  • Usage charges apply after the first 50 GiB per project each month
  • The included storage period is up to 30 days
  • It is a managed cloud service, not an open-source product
  • No free plan is offered
  • Consumption-based billing varies with ingestion and selected functions
  • Log-management features are narrower than dedicated log platforms
Our verdict

Google Cloud Logging collects, stores, searches, analyzes and monitors log data for teams working across Google Cloud and other environments. It automatically collects logs from Google Cloud resources and also accepts logs from…

Read the review →

Azure Monitor is Microsoft’s cloud service for collecting, analyzing, and responding to monitoring data across Azure, other clouds, and on-premises environments. It is aimed at teams responsible for virtual machines, guest operating…

Read the review →
  1. Google Cloud LoggingLog Monitoring Tools 9.1Free plan
  2. Azure MonitorLog Monitoring Tools 8.7Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Cloud Logging — where it wins

    • Collects logs from Google Cloud resources and accepts external log sources
    • Combines Logs Explorer, SQL analysis, live tailing and log-based alerts
    • Routes or exports logs to Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Pub/Sub and custom buckets

    Where it doesn't

    • Usage charges apply after the first 50 GiB per project each month
    • The included storage period is up to 30 days
    • It is a managed cloud service, not an open-source product

  • Azure Monitor — where it wins

    • Collects Windows events, Syslog, custom text logs, and IIS logs
    • Kusto queries support analysis of metrics and log data
    • Hybrid monitoring covers Azure, other-cloud, and on-premises VMs

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is offered
    • Consumption-based billing varies with ingestion and selected functions
    • Log-management features are narrower than dedicated log platforms

More comparisons

All log monitoring tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update