StillOnline vs Better Stack

Better Stack combines uptime, logs, traces, incidents, and AI SRE (pricing). StillOnline is intentionally narrow: HTTP checks + status page + API/MCP, from $0 / $9 / $29.

TL;DR

  • Choose Better Stack if you need logs, metrics, on-call, and incident platform in one vendor.
  • Choose StillOnline if you need external HTTP monitoring + status page without telemetry stack complexity.
  • Many teams use Better Stack internally and a lighter tool for public status + agent API.

Quick comparison

FeatureStillOnlineBetter Stack (pricing)
Primary focusUptime + status pageFull observability + incidents
Free tier1 project, 1 check, status page10 monitors, 1 status page, logs/traces limits
Entry paid$9/mo ProResponder ~$29/mo + usage modules
Extra status pageIncluded per project+$15/mo per additional public page
Logs / APMNoYes (Telemetry bundles from $25–30/mo)
API / MCPPro+ built-inREST, Terraform, MCP (broader platform)
SetupMinutes, no agentsAgents/integrations for full stack

What Better Stack does well

From Better Stack pricing:

  • Generous free tier: 10 monitors & heartbeats, 1 status page, Slack/email alerts, plus log/trace allotments.
  • Incident management, on-call, Slack-native workflows.
  • Status pages with subscribers (1000 included), but advanced branding/custom domain features are add-ons ($15–250/mo per feature).
  • AI SRE and deep integrations for mature teams.

Where StillOnline wins

No observability stack tax

If your question is only “Is my API up, and what do customers see?” — StillOnline avoids subscribing to log ingestion, metrics retention, and responder seats.

Simpler status page economics

StillOnline: status page ships with the project. Better Stack: one status page included; more pages and white-label are line-item fees on pricing.

MCP for monitors on Pro ($9)

StillOnline Pro includes API + MCP aimed at creating checks and reading status — not bundled into a $34+ responder + telemetry bill.

RU + EN for smaller teams

Localized UI for founders shipping in Russian and English markets.

When to choose Better Stack

  • You want logs, metrics, and traces in the same tool.
  • You need on-call rotations and Slack incident rooms.
  • Budget supports modular enterprise-style pricing.

When to choose StillOnline

  • You need only uptime + public status with predictable $9/$29.
  • You want AI agents to manage monitors via MCP without full Better Stack rollout.

FAQ

Is StillOnline a Better Stack replacement?

For narrow uptime + status, yes. For logs/APM/on-call, no — keep Better Stack or Datadog-class tools. ## Try StillOnline Start free →

What’s the short answer?

Choose Better Stack if you need logs, metrics, on-call, and incident platform in one vendor. Choose StillOnline if you need external HTTP monitoring + status page without telemetry stack complexity.

When should I choose StillOnline?

You need only uptime + public status with predictable $9/$29. You want AI agents to manage monitors via MCP without full Better Stack rollout.

When should I choose Better Stack?

You want logs, metrics, and traces in the same tool. You need on-call rotations and Slack incident rooms.

Is StillOnline a Better Stack alternative?

Choose Better Stack if you need logs, metrics, on-call, and incident platform in one vendor.