Skip to main content

New Relic vs Grafana Tempo

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

Technical Profile

New Relic

Scalability
very high
Performance
very high
Learning Curve
moderate
Maturity
mature
Languages: Any via agents

Grafana Tempo

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

When to Use

New Relic

  • +Full-stack observability
  • +Complex applications
  • +Cloud-native architecture
  • +Need unified platform

Avoid New Relic when

  • -Simple monitoring needs
  • -Very cost-sensitive
  • -On-premise only

Grafana Tempo

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

Avoid Grafana Tempo when

  • -Need standalone solution

Compliance & Security

New Relic

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Grafana Tempo

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Operations

New Relic

Maintenance
low
Monitoring
low
Backup/Recovery
simple
Hosting: cloud

Grafana Tempo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does scalability compare between New Relic and Grafana Tempo?

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

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

New Relic 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 New Relic and Grafana Tempo?

New Relic uses a usage-based pricing model starting at Free tier, then $99/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: New Relic or Grafana Tempo?

New Relic 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 New Relic vs Grafana Tempo?

Use our interactive decision tool for a personalized recommendation.

New Relic vs Grafana Tempo — CTO Technology Comparison | The Art of CTO