Side by side
groundcover vs SMLL Logs
Both stand on log management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb
groundcover combines eBPF-based telemetry collection with cloud and on-premises deployment options. Compare the retention, support, and per-host plan details with your monitoring needs.
Visit groundcover Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1
SMLL Logs brings collection, search, monitoring, and export into a cloud log workflow. Its no-card free tier provides a straightforward way to start, while usage beyond 1 GB is billed.
Visit SMLL LogsThe facts
| groundcover | SMLL Logs | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: $30 per host a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Maker | groundcover | SMLL Logs |
| Website | groundcover.com | smll.io |
| On log management software | #26 of 111 | #30 of 111 |
groundcover: what it does well
- Collects metrics, logs, and traces without instrumentation.
- Ingests data in real time without sampling.
- Offers Bring Your Own Cloud and Fully On-Prem.
- Includes a free plan with 12-hour retention.
- Supports listed integrations including Kubernetes and Prometheus.
What to know first
- Free plan has 12-hour data retention.
- Free plan support is via Slack Community.
- Pro costs $30 a month per host.
- Pricing is based on monitored hosts, not telemetry volume.
SMLL Logs: what it does well
- Automatic collection without agents or setup
- Sub-second live log tailing
- Search by service, severity, or time
- Thirty-day retention at no extra cost
- JSON archive export
What to know first
- Free tier allows only 1 GB ingestion
- Retention is limited to 30 days
- Paid ingestion beyond free tier costs £0.06 per GB
Alternatives to groundcover Alternatives to SMLL Logs The whole list