Knock vs New Relic: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Knock positions itself as "notification infrastructure for developers" while New Relic goes after "all-in-one observability with generous free tier" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — Knock uses a freemium approach and New Relic a usage-based-based model, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. New Relic (founded 2008) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while Knock (2021) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Knock | New Relic | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 80/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Notification infrastructure for developers | All-in-one observability with generous free tier |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Knock | New Relic |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-channel notifications | Yes | No |
| Workflow builder | Yes | No |
| User preferences | Yes | No |
| In-app feed | Yes | No |
| Template management | Yes | No |
| Infrastructure monitoring | No | Yes |
| APM/tracing | No | Yes |
| Log management | No | Yes |
| Synthetic monitoring | No | Yes |
| Dashboards | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Knock means going without Infrastructure monitoring, APM/tracing, Log management (which New Relic offers). Choosing New Relic means losing Multi-channel notifications, Workflow builder, User preferences. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Knock (1-10 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. New Relic (1,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Knock if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose New Relic if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is Knock or New Relic better?
Knock scores 84/100 compared to New Relic's 80/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Knock excels at ease of use (9/10) while New Relic scores 8/10.
How much does Knock cost compared to New Relic?
Knock starts at free (free tier available). New Relic starts at free (free tier available). Knock is the more affordable option.
Does Knock or New Relic have a free plan?
Yes, both Knock and New Relic offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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