VS
New Relic vs Sentry — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of New Relic and Sentry to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
TLDR
Quick Verdict
Sentry takes the lead with a 4.5 rating and is best for development teams tracking production errors. New Relic (4.1) is the better pick if you need teams wanting full-stack observability with generous free tier.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | New Relic | Sentry |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.1(178) | ★★★★★ 4.5(234) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starter Price | $0.35/GB ingested | $26/mo (Team) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Self-hosted agents | Web, Self-hosted |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Teams wanting full-stack observability with generous free tier | Development teams tracking production errors |
| Verdict | Best Free Observability | Best Error Tracking |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | New Relic | Sentry |
|---|---|---|
| APM | — | |
| Infrastructure Monitoring | — | |
| Log Management | — | |
| Distributed Tracing | — | |
| Alerts | — | |
| Error Tracking | — | |
| Performance Monitoring | — | |
| Session Replay | — | |
| Profiling | — | |
| Cron Monitoring | — |
New Relic
Pros
- ✓Incredibly generous free tier
- ✓Full-stack observability
- ✓Good NRQL query language
Cons
- ✕Pricing spikes with data volume
- ✕UI can feel overwhelming
- ✕Per-user pricing is expensive
Sentry
Pros
- ✓Excellent error context and stack traces
- ✓Great SDK support across languages
- ✓Session Replay is powerful
Cons
- ✕Can get expensive at scale
- ✕Alert fatigue without tuning
- ✕Self-hosted version lacks some features
The Bottom Line
Both New Relic and Sentry are solid tools in the Developer Tools space. Sentry edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and is the better choice for development teams tracking production errors. However, if you prioritize teams wanting full-stack observability with generous free tier, New Relic is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Relic better than Sentry?▼
Sentry scores higher overall with a 4.5 rating vs 4.1. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs. New Relic is best for Teams wanting full-stack observability with generous free tier, while Sentry is best for Development teams tracking production errors.
Can I switch from New Relic to Sentry?▼
Yes, most users can migrate between the two. Sentry offers a free tier to test before committing.
Which is more affordable, New Relic or Sentry?▼
New Relic starts at $0.35/GB ingested, while Sentry starts at $26/mo (Team). New Relic offers a free tier. Sentry offers a free tier.