Bugsnag vs Datadog: Error Tracking Compared

Introduction

Bugsnag and Datadog both catch application errors, but they come from different directions. Bugsnag is a stability monitoring platform focused on application stability scores and release health tracking. Datadog is a cloud monitoring platform covering infrastructure, APM, log management and error tracking, where error tracking is one product among many.

Feature Comparison

Bugsnag vs Datadog for error tracking

In a Bugsnag vs Datadog decision for error tracking, the question is scope. Bugsnag is built around the error itself: stability scores per release, a release-focused workflow, mobile crash reporting and breadcrumbs. Its APM features are limited, so it does not replace a tracing or infrastructure tool.

Datadog puts errors next to host metrics, traces and logs, which helps when an error is caused by infrastructure. The cost is complexity: Datadog prices APM per host and bills session replay and other features separately, so the error tracking bill depends on how much of the platform you adopt. Teams that only need errors usually find Bugsnag simpler; teams already paying for Datadog infrastructure monitoring often keep errors there too.

Bugsnag Overview

Bugsnag stands out for stability scores, release-focused workflow, mobile crash reporting and breadcrumbs. Pricing: Free tier (7,500 events/mo), Team at $59/mo, Business at $249/mo.

The main limitations include: limited APM features, pricier than some alternatives, fewer integrations.

Datadog Overview

Datadog is an enterprise-grade monitoring platform offering infrastructure monitoring, APM, log management and error tracking. Pricing is per host for APM (listed at $23/host/mo on our Datadog comparison page), with session replay billed per 1,000 sessions. Check Datadog's pricing page for current rates.

Trade-offs to consider: complex pricing with per-host and per-feature charges, and more setup than a dedicated error tracker.

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation

Choose Bugsnag if your primary need is release stability for mobile and web apps. Choose Datadog if you want error tracking inside a platform that already monitors your infrastructure and logs.

If you want focused error tracking with AI root-cause analysis on every plan and a flat price, Bugsly's Team plan is $19/mo with unlimited events and unlimited users. See how it compares in Bugsly vs Bugsnag.