Airbrake vs Errbit: What are the differences?

Introduction

When choosing between Airbrake and Errbit for error tracking in a web application, it's essential to understand the key differences between the two platforms to make an informed decision.

1. Integration Ease: Airbrake offers seamless integrations with various programming languages and frameworks, making it easy to set up and start tracking errors. On the other hand, Errbit may require more effort to configure and integrate with specific programming environments due to its open-source nature.

2. Hosting Options: Airbrake provides a cloud-hosted solution, allowing users to access error tracking tools without the need for self-hosting. In contrast, Errbit requires users to self-host the application, which might be preferred by some organizations for data privacy and security reasons.

3. Customization and Control: Errbit offers more customization and control over error tracking settings and functionality since it is an open-source platform. Users can tailor the application to meet their specific requirements and preferences. Airbrake, while providing robust error tracking capabilities, may have limitations in terms of customization due to its managed cloud-based structure.

4. Community Support: Errbit benefits from a vibrant open-source community that contributes to its development and provides support to users facing issues or seeking enhancements. Airbrake, being a commercial platform, offers dedicated customer support but may not have the same level of community-driven resources available for assistance.

5. Cost Structure: Airbrake typically operates on a subscription-based model, where users pay a recurring fee for access to error tracking services. In contrast, Errbit being open-source is free to use, saving costs for organizations that prefer a self-hosted solution with no subscription fees.

6. Advanced Features: Airbrake may offer more advanced features and integrations out of the box, such as real-time error monitoring, intelligent error grouping, and in-depth analytics. Errbit, while highly customizable, may require additional development effort to implement similar advanced features depending on the specific requirements of the project.

In Summary, choosing between Airbrake and Errbit for error tracking depends on factors like integration ease, hosting options, customization needs, community support, cost considerations, and the requirement for advanced features.