Real-Time Observability in 60 Seconds, Not Months

Yes. Migrating to Netdata is straightforward because it does not require replacing your existing toolset immediately. You can install the Netdata Agent alongside StackState’s data collectors. The agent’s zero-configuration nature means it will automatically discover and start monitoring your systems and applications, providing immediate value and allowing you to transition at your own pace. Run both in parallel, compare results, then migrate gradually starting with new infrastructure.

No, you will not lose historical data. Netdata operates independently of your existing monitoring tools. You can run Netdata and StackState in parallel, ensuring a continuous monitoring stream. Netdata’s multi-tier storage provides years of retention in gigabytes, and you can configure retention policies to match your requirements. Historical StackState data remains accessible during and after migration.

Netdata and StackState take fundamentally different approaches. Netdata focuses on per-second metrics collection with 1-second visualization latency, enabling you to catch transient issues lasting 2-10 seconds that minute-based monitoring misses. StackState focuses on topology-first observability with dependency mapping and time-travel capabilities. Netdata detects problems 10-60× faster through real-time monitoring, then uses ML-powered Anomaly Advisor to correlate and surface root causes - without requiring months of topology configuration. For most organizations, detecting problems immediately matters more than visualizing topology maps.

StackState’s versioned graph database with time-travel topology is impressive for visualizing complex microservices dependencies. However, topology maps only help AFTER you’ve detected a problem. Netdata’s approach is different: detect problems instantly with per-second monitoring, then use ML-powered correlation (Anomaly Advisor) to surface root causes in the top 30-50 metrics. You get the ‘what’s wrong and why’ without waiting for topology synchronization. If visual topology maps are essential for your architecture, consider a hybrid approach: Netdata for real-time detection + integrate with topology tools for visualization. You’ll get better results at lower cost than StackState alone.

Yes, and more efficiently. Netdata’s distributed edge architecture scales linearly from 1 to 100,000+ nodes without architectural changes. Each Agent operates independently, so adding nodes doesn’t degrade existing performance. StackState’s documentation acknowledges performance degradation at scale and states it’s ‘overkill for <1,000 hosts.’ Netdata is proven at massive scale (4.5+ billion metrics/second globally) while maintaining per-second granularity. Independent validation from the University of Amsterdam confirms Netdata is the most energy-efficient monitoring solution with the lowest resource overhead.

Typically 90% cost reduction. Netdata’s transparent per-node pricing includes all features - ML, AI, alerting, dashboards, unlimited metrics, unlimited users. No tier jumps, no opaque enterprise quotes, no surprise bills. Plus, implementation costs are dramatically lower: 60 seconds versus months of custom development and vendor support contracts. Compare pricing models directly at netdata.cloud/pricing.

Netdata requires minimal specialized skills. Zero-configuration auto-discovery, algorithmic dashboards, and point-and-click NIDL framework mean junior engineers get senior-level insights immediately. No query languages (PromQL, SQL), no topology concepts, no training required. StackState requires advanced Kubernetes expertise, Python development for custom integrations, topology concepts, and mandatory training (60% of reviews cite documentation gaps forcing support dependency). Netdata democratizes observability - your entire team becomes productive in minutes, not weeks.

Not yet, but it’s coming. StackState has native distributed tracing with ClickHouse storage today. Netdata’s OpenTelemetry tracing support is planned for Q2 2026. Until then, Netdata excels at infrastructure monitoring (metrics, logs, ML anomaly detection) and can integrate with external tracing tools (Jaeger, Zipkin, Tempo) via dashboards. For most organizations, comprehensive infrastructure monitoring with per-second granularity and ML-powered root cause analysis provides more immediate value than distributed tracing. If you need tracing NOW, consider a hybrid approach: Netdata for infrastructure + APM tool for tracing.

Netdata’s ML is more mature and requires zero configuration. 18 unsupervised k-means models per metric train automatically in 15 minutes, achieving 99% false positive reduction in anomaly detection through consensus (theoretical rate: 10^-36). StackState uses AutoML with multi-algorithm selection, but reviews consistently cite the need for manual tuning to reduce false alarms. Netdata’s Anomaly Advisor surfaces root cause in the top 30-50 metrics during investigations - no topology expertise required. Both systems detect anomalies, but Netdata’s approach is simpler, faster, and more accurate out-of-box.

Your monitoring continues working. Netdata’s open-source agent (GPLv3+) operates independently and never stops functioning. You lose access to Netdata Cloud features (unified dashboards, team collaboration, centralized alerts, AI Insights), but local agent dashboards, data collection, ML anomaly detection, and alerting continue uninterrupted. This is fundamentally different from StackState, where reviews explicitly state ’licenses need to be renewed every year or the StackState server cannot be used.’ Netdata eliminates operational risk - no hostage situations, no forced renewals.

Yes, for infrastructure monitoring. Netdata consolidates metrics, logs, ML anomaly detection, alerting, and dashboards into one platform - replacing Prometheus + Grafana + Alertmanager + log aggregators. You get 800+ integrations out-of-box versus StackState’s 40+ StackPacks. However, Netdata doesn’t yet have distributed tracing (Q2 2026), so if you need APM today, you might run Netdata for infrastructure + an APM tool for tracing. StackState aims to be all-in-one including topology and tracing, but at higher cost with months-long implementation. Most organizations find Netdata’s focused approach more practical and cost-effective.

Netdata’s logs approach is fundamentally different and more cost-efficient. Instead of requiring Elasticsearch infrastructure (StackState’s approach with 7-day default retention), Netdata queries systemd-journal and Windows Event Logs directly where they live - zero pipeline, zero ingestion, zero separate infrastructure. This delivers 90% cost reduction versus traditional log platforms while providing 200× more accurate queries (analyzes 1M entries before sampling vs 5K). Logs correlate instantly with metrics (same source), and you control retention via native OS policies. StackState’s Elasticsearch approach adds infrastructure overhead and complexity.

Perfect timing for parallel evaluation. Install Netdata alongside StackState with zero risk - no data loss, no disruption, no commitment. Compare real-time detection speed, ease of use, and cost over the remaining contract period. Many customers transition gradually, starting with new infrastructure while maintaining StackState for existing systems. When your contract ends, you’ll have months or years of evidence that Netdata delivers better results at lower cost. Plus, Netdata’s open-source agent means you’re never locked in - you can always self-host if needed.

Yes, with some considerations. Netdata excels at real-time infrastructure monitoring for microservices - per-second metrics, container monitoring, Kubernetes native support, ML anomaly detection, and logs correlation. What Netdata doesn’t yet have is visual topology mapping (StackState’s strength) and distributed tracing (coming Q2 2026). For most microservices deployments, Netdata’s real-time detection and ML-powered correlation provide sufficient visibility. If visual dependency maps are essential, consider hybrid: Netdata for detection + topology tool for visualization. You’ll get faster problem detection at lower cost than StackState alone.

The June 2024 SUSE acquisition creates both opportunity and risk for StackState customers. Integration into Rancher Prime provides broader ecosystem access, but product roadmap is now controlled by corporate priorities rather than customer needs. Existing customers are being migrated to SUSE Observability branding. If you value independence, open-source transparency, and community-driven innovation, Netdata’s 76,300+ GitHub stars and GPLv3+ license provide protection from acquisition risk. No corporate owner can change Netdata’s core - the community ensures continuity. Plus, Netdata works perfectly in SUSE/Rancher environments with better real-time performance at lower cost.

Comprehensive migration support is available. Netdata provides detailed documentation, migration guides, and enterprise support for smooth transitions. The parallel deployment approach (run both systems simultaneously) eliminates risk and allows gradual migration. For Business and Enterprise customers, we offer dedicated migration assistance, architecture design, and training. Our support team has experience helping organizations transition from complex monitoring platforms. Plus, Netdata’s zero-configuration nature means most of the ‘migration’ is simply installing agents - they auto-discover infrastructure and start monitoring immediately.