OpenCensus vs OpenTelemetry: What are the differences?

Introduction

OpenCensus and OpenTelemetry are two open source observability frameworks that are used to collect and export telemetry data from applications and services. While they have similar goals, there are key differences between the two frameworks.

1. Architecture:

OpenCensus and OpenTelemetry have different architecture designs. OpenCensus follows a more monolithic approach where all the core components are bundled together in a single library. On the other hand, OpenTelemetry follows a more modular approach, with each core component being developed as a separate module. This modular design allows for more flexibility and better integration with different programming languages and frameworks.

2. Language Support:

OpenCensus initially focused on supporting multiple programming languages including Java, Python, and Go. However, with the introduction of OpenTelemetry, the focus has shifted towards supporting a wider range of languages. OpenTelemetry provides SDKs and instrumentations for multiple languages including Java, Python, Go, JavaScript, .NET, and more. This broader language support makes it easier for developers to seamlessly integrate telemetry collection into their applications, regardless of the programming language they are using.

3. Standardization:

OpenCensus and OpenTelemetry have different levels of standardization. OpenCensus provides a standard set of APIs and semantic conventions for collecting and exporting telemetry data. However, OpenTelemetry takes standardization to a higher level by participating in the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and collaborating with other observability projects. OpenTelemetry aims to create a vendor-neutral and community-driven standard for observability in cloud-native environments.

4. Integration with other Observability Tools:

OpenCensus and OpenTelemetry have different levels of integration with other observability tools. OpenCensus provides built-in integrations with popular observability tools and platforms such as Prometheus, Stackdriver, and Jaeger. OpenTelemetry, being a more modular framework, allows for easier integration with a wider range of observability tools, including both open source and commercial offerings. This flexibility allows developers to choose and switch between different tools without much effort.

5. Adoption and Community Support:

OpenCensus has been around for a longer time and has a well-established user base and community support. However, with the introduction of OpenTelemetry, the community focus has shifted towards OpenTelemetry. OpenTelemetry has gained significant traction and has a growing community of contributors and users. This increased adoption and community support ensure that the framework remains actively developed and continuously improved.

6. Cloud-Native Focus:

OpenTelemetry has a strong focus on cloud-native environments and microservices architecture. It provides specific features and integrations that are tailored for these environments, such as support for distributed tracing and context propagation across service boundaries. OpenCensus, while it can be used in cloud-native environments, does not have the same level of native support and features for these environments.

In summary, OpenCensus and OpenTelemetry have key differences in architecture, language support, standardization, integration with other observability tools, adoption and community support, and cloud-native focus.