Checkly vs Datadog
Considering a switch from Datadog to a European alternative? Checkly offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.
Quick Overview
Checkly
EU- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Datadog
USDatadog is a cloud monitoring and analytics platform that provides infrastructure monitoring, application performance management, and log management for DevOps teams.
The Case for Checkly
- Checkly stores all data exclusively in EU, under European jurisdiction. Unlike Datadog, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, Checkly cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- Checkly offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
- As an open-source solution, Checkly gives you full code transparency. You can verify that the software does what it claims, audit it for security vulnerabilities, and even self-host it for maximum control — something that is simply not possible with Datadog.
- You can try Checkly for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — Datadog, without any financial risk.
Why Switch to Checkly?
Concerns with Datadog
- US CLOUD Act jurisdiction
- Application logs containing PII stored on US servers
- Infrastructure metrics on US infrastructure
- Sensitive operational data accessible to US authorities
Checkly Compliance
GDPRDPA
- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Data Centers
- EU
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Checkly vs Datadog — FAQ
Is Datadog GDPR compliant?
Datadog may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. Checkly, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does Checkly compare to Datadog in features?
Checkly offers Synthetic monitoring, API checks, Browser checks (Playwright), Alerting, and 6 more features. While Datadog's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, Checkly covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (Datadog) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (Checkly).
Can I migrate from Datadog to Checkly?
Yes. Most European software providers, including Checkly, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning Datadog must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.