Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Better Stack · ⏱️ uptime
Better Stack vs Gatus
A YAML file, a status board and enough protocol checks to annoy most outages. Here is how Gatus ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Better Stack ($34/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Better Stack vs Gatus Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-14
| Dimension | Better Stack (Paid) | Gatus (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $34 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $408 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $408) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $2,040 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $2,040) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $4,080 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $4,080) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 12k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Better Stack to Gatus
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It is compact and capable, but lacks the managed multi-region probe network, turnkey escalation, and zero-maintenance reliability of Better Stack or UptimeRobot.
How to deploy Gatus
Run one binary or Docker container and supply a YAML configuration; Helm is available
What it takes to run
The first hurdle is writing YAML for endpoints, conditions, alerts, and secrets; without configuring a database, history disappears on restart.
Where your data lives
Monitor definitions live in YAML; results are in memory by default or persist in SQLite or PostgreSQL when storage is configured.
Why fork Gatus instead of vibe-coding a Better Stack clone?
A cron loop, a fetch, an alert webhook, and a status page. The $30/mo is for the dashboard gloss.
Better Stack vs Gatus FAQ
Is Gatus a good free alternative to Better Stack?+
Yes. Gatus is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for Better Stack. A YAML file, a status board and enough protocol checks to annoy most outages.
What is the catch when switching from Better Stack to Gatus?+
It is compact and capable, but lacks the managed multi-region probe network, turnkey escalation, and zero-maintenance reliability of Better Stack or UptimeRobot.
How much do you save switching from Better Stack to Gatus?+
Better Stack costs $34/mo ($408/yr) per seat, whereas Gatus is $0/mo. Switching saves $408/yr for a solo user, $2,040/yr for a 5-person team, and $4,080/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Gatus instead of Better Stack?+
Install: Run one binary or Docker container and supply a YAML configuration; Helm is available. Setup: The first hurdle is writing YAML for endpoints, conditions, alerts, and secrets; without configuring a database, history disappears on restart.
