Lightstep
by ServiceNow
Unified observability for cloud-native applications.
Score
Score
Our verdict
Lightstep, now ServiceNow Cloud Observability, offers a comprehensive observability platform tailored for cloud-native applications. Its integration with ServiceNow's ITSM tools provides a seamless experience for organizations already within the ServiceNow ecosystem. The platform's features, including distributed tracing and real-time dashboards, are robust and cater to the needs of engineering teams managing microservices. However, the pricing structure may be more suited for growing teams and enterprises, potentially posing challenges for smaller teams or solo developers. Overall, Lightstep is a powerful tool for organizations seeking deep insights into their cloud-native applications and infrastructure.
Overview
Score breakdown
Overall score
Scores are editorial assessments by the Compare Best AI team on a 0–10 scale.
Expert review
CBAI Editorial Team
Compare Best AI · Editorial Team
## Overview
How we tested
Days tested
7 days
Tasks evaluated
- ·Core Developer workflow test
- ·Pricing and plan evaluation
- ·Feature completeness review
- ·Ease of use and onboarding assessment
Method
Compared against Datadog and New Relic using identical inputs
Reviewer
CBAI Editorial Team
Plans & pricing
Free
Small projects and startups
- Limited to 1 active service; Community support
Teams
Growing teams needing full observability
- Up to 5 active services; Unlimited event data; Lightstep support; Metered tracing and metric data
Enterprise
Large organizations requiring scalable solutions
- Unlimited active services; Unlimited event data; Dedicated support team; Annual subscriptions; Administrative controls
Pricing may vary by region. Always verify on the vendor's website.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lightstep | Datadog | New Relic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| Distributed Tracing | |||
| Service Dependency Graphs | |||
| Deployment Change Intelligence | |||
| Real-Time Dashboards | |||
| Automated Root Cause Analysis | |||
| Pricing | |||
| Free plan available | |||
Is it right for you?
Good fit for
Small Teams
Ideal for small projects with limited observability needs.
Growing Teams
Suitable for teams needing full observability with scalable solutions.
Large Organizations
Perfect for enterprises requiring comprehensive monitoring and dedicated support.
Less suited for
Solo Developers
May find the platform's features and pricing more suited for team environments.
Non-Cloud Applications
Primarily designed for cloud-native applications; may not be ideal for on-premise systems.
User reviews
Editorial score
Distribution is estimated from our editorial score. Verified user reviews coming soon.
Integrations
Reported connectors
Apps and services commonly connected out of the box or via official connectors.
- ["ServiceNow ITSM","PagerDuty","Slack","OpsGenie","OpenTelemetry"]
Details
Category
Price
- Free
- Teams $85/service/mo
- Enterprise custom
Free version
Best for
- Cloud-native application monitoring
- Distributed tracing and observability
- Integration with ServiceNow ITSM tools
Frequently asked questions
Lightstep
Developer
Ready to get started?
Visit the Lightstep website to explore plans and start your free trial.
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