1. Data Collection and Sources: Grafana allows users to connect to various data sources like databases, cloud services, and APIs to collect data for visualization. On the other hand, Splunk Cloud offers a proprietary data collection method and primarily focuses on monitoring, alerting, and analyzing machine-generated data, making it more suitable for IT operations and security use cases.

2. Cost Structure: Grafana is known for its open-source nature, which means it is freely available for users to download and use. Users can also opt for paid plans that offer additional features and support. In contrast, Splunk Cloud operates on a subscription-based pricing model, which can become costly depending on the amount of data ingested and the number of users accessing the platform.

3. Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning: Splunk Cloud provides users with advanced analytics features and machine learning capabilities out-of-the-box, allowing for in-depth data analysis and anomaly detection. Grafana, on the other hand, relies on plugins and integrations with tools like Prometheus and Graphite to achieve similar functionalities, making it more customizable but requiring more setup.

4. User Interface and Customization: Grafana offers a highly customizable and user-friendly interface that allows users to create and personalize dashboards with ease. In contrast, Splunk Cloud provides a more structured and predefined interface that may limit customization options but offers pre-built dashboards tailored for specific use cases, especially in IT operations and security.

5. Community Support and Ecosystem: Grafana has a large and active community of users and developers who contribute plugins, dashboards, and other resources, making it a versatile and extensible platform with a wide range of integrations. Splunk Cloud, while having its ecosystem and marketplace, may not offer the same level of community-driven support and flexibility in terms of integration options.

6. Scalability and Performance: Splunk Cloud is known for its ability to handle large volumes of data and high-performance requirements, making it suitable for enterprises with complex data needs. Grafana, while capable of scalability, may require additional configurations and optimizations to reach the same level of performance and scalability as Splunk Cloud in certain scenarios.

In Summary, Grafana and Splunk Cloud differ in terms of data collection sources, cost structure, analytics capabilities, user interface, community support, and scalability, catering to different use cases and preferences within the realm of data visualization and monitoring.