Librato vs Prometheus: What are the differences?

Librato vs Prometheus: Key Differences

Librato and Prometheus are both monitoring and metrics collection tools, but they have key differences that make them suitable for different use cases.

1. Data Models: Librato uses a time-based data model, where metrics are sent at regular intervals and aggregated over time. Prometheus, on the other hand, uses a pull model where metrics are scraped from configured targets on demand. This allows Prometheus to provide a more real-time view of the system.

2. Query Language: Librato uses a proprietary query language called LQL, which allows users to perform complex queries and calculations on their metrics. Prometheus, on the other hand, uses a powerful query language called PromQL, which is specifically designed for working with time series data. PromQL offers a wide range of functionalities and allows for advanced data aggregation and manipulation.

3. Data Storage: Librato uses a cloud-based storage system to store metric data, making it easy to scale and manage. Prometheus, on the other hand, uses a local on-disk storage system, which is optimized for high performance and supports long-term data retention. This makes Prometheus more suitable for environments where data security and privacy are concerns.

4. Alerting and Notification: Librato has built-in alerting and notification features, allowing users to set up custom alerts based on their metrics. Prometheus, on the other hand, uses an external alert manager to handle alerting and notification. This provides more flexibility and allows users to use their preferred notification channels and integrations.

5. Service Discovery: Librato requires users to manually configure the targets they want to monitor. Prometheus, on the other hand, has built-in service discovery mechanisms that allow it to automatically discover and monitor new services as they come online. This makes Prometheus more suitable for dynamic environments where new services are constantly being added or removed.

In summary, Librato and Prometheus differ in their data models, query languages, data storage, alerting/notification capabilities, and service discovery mechanisms. Librato offers a cloud-based solution with powerful query capabilities and built-in alerting, while Prometheus provides a real-time view of the system with high-performance local storage and extensive service discovery capabilities.