Quick Answer
Last verified:

Lightstep pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $0 per user/month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: No free tier available
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Last verified: January 2026 | Sources: 4 pricing pages and reviews
+40-60% above list price

Hidden Costs Breakdown

1

CRITICAL: Product end-of-life March 1, 2026 - no support after that date

2

Migration costs to move to alternative observability platform

3

Data export and transfer fees during migration

4

Potential contract termination fees if leaving before subscription end

5

Retraining costs for team on new platform

6

Re-instrumentation costs for new observability solution

7

Lost historical data if not properly migrated

8

Overlap costs running both platforms during migration

Example: True Cost for 25 Users

License (25 × $0 × 12) $0/yr
Implementation (one-time) +$15,000–$50,000
Premium Support (20%) +$0/yr
Training (25 × $500) +$12,500
Admin (part-time) +$15,000–$25,000/yr
Year 1 Total $25,000–$60,000
That's 1.8–2.5× the advertised license price.

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What hidden costs should I budget for with Lightstep?

Beyond the license fee, budget for implementation ($5K-$100K+), training ($500-$2K per user), premium support (15-20% of license), and admin costs. Most companies see 40-60% higher total cost than the listed price.

02 Does Lightstep charge for implementation?

Lightstep doesn't include implementation in the license cost. Implementation is typically done by partners and costs range from $5,000 for basic setup to $100,000+ for enterprise deployments with customization.

03 How much does Lightstep support cost?

Basic support is included, but premium support (faster response times, 24/7 availability) typically adds 15-20% to your annual contract. This can be thousands of dollars per year for larger deployments.

04 Are there storage costs with Lightstep?

Most Lightstep plans include limited storage. Once you exceed the included amount, you'll pay overage fees which can range from $50-$500+ per month depending on data volume.

05 What add-ons cost extra with Lightstep?

Many features marketed as part of Lightstep are actually add-ons: advanced reporting, API access, integrations, and specialized modules. Each can add $10-$100+ per user per month.

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