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Grafana vs Grafana Tempo

Side-by-side comparison of Grafana and Grafana Tempo. Data-driven analysis for CTOs and engineering leaders.

Technical Profile

Grafana

Scalability
high
Performance
high
Learning Curve
moderate
Maturity
mature
Languages: Go, TypeScript

Grafana Tempo

Scalability
very high
Performance
very high
Learning Curve
moderate
Maturity
stable
Languages: Go

When to Use

Grafana

  • +Need flexible visualizations
  • +Using Prometheus
  • +Want open-source
  • +Cost-conscious

Avoid Grafana when

  • -Want all-in-one SaaS
  • -No ops resources
  • -Need out-of-box solution

Grafana Tempo

  • +Grafana stack
  • +Cost-conscious
  • +High volume traces

Avoid Grafana Tempo when

  • -Need standalone solution

Compliance & Security

Grafana

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Grafana Tempo

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Operations

Grafana

Maintenance
medium
Monitoring
medium
Backup/Recovery
moderate
Hosting: self-hosted, cloud

Grafana Tempo

Maintenance
medium
Monitoring
medium
Backup/Recovery
moderate
Hosting: self-hosted, cloud

Frequently Asked Questions

How does scalability compare between Grafana and Grafana Tempo?

Grafana offers high scalability, while Grafana Tempo offers very-high scalability. Consider your expected traffic and data volume when choosing.

Which has the easier learning curve: Grafana or Grafana Tempo?

Grafana has a moderate learning curve, while Grafana Tempo has a moderate learning curve. Factor in your team's existing skills and onboarding timeline.

What are the pricing differences between Grafana and Grafana Tempo?

Grafana uses a freemium pricing model starting at Free self-hosted, Cloud starts at $8/month with a free tier. Grafana Tempo uses a freemium pricing model starting at $0 with a free tier. Evaluate total cost of ownership including operational overhead.

Which option is better for compliance: Grafana or Grafana Tempo?

Grafana supports SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS. Grafana Tempo supports SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS. Always verify current certifications directly with the vendor.

Need help deciding between Grafana vs Grafana Tempo?

Use our interactive decision tool for a personalized recommendation.