Grafana k6
grafana.com
What it is
Grafana k6 is a Linux load-testing tool for load, stress, browser-based, distributed, and API testing. It also lists application tracing and network visibility, with OpenTelemetry support, service maps, and tail-based sampling. Logging features include pipelines, structured parsing, live tailing, and archive export; log retention is 30 days. Profiling covers CPU, memory, and threads, with both profiling modes available, while kernel profiling is not supported. The listed languages are C/C++, Go, Rust, Zig, Java,.NET, Python, Ruby, PHP, Node.js, and Perl. Deployment options include both models, and self-hosting is listed. The Free plan costs nothing and is limited to 500 virtual user hours per month. Pro costs $19 a month as a platform fee, then pay as you go; it lists 500 virtual user hours per month and 8×5 email support. Pro usage offers automatic volume discounts. Enterprise lists one million concurrent virtual users and a $25,000 minimum annual commit. A 14-day trial is listed.
Spec sheet
- Free plan
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · grafana.com
- Headquarters
- New York, New York, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · grafana.com
- Founded
- 2022Read 28 Sep 2026 · grafana.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports load, stress, browser-based, distributed, and API testing.
- Includes OpenTelemetry, service maps, and tail-based sampling.
- Logs support pipelines, structured parsing, tailing, and export.
- Profiles CPU, memory, and threads.
- Lists 11 supported programming languages.
Limits
- Supported operating system is Linux.
- Free plan is limited to 500 virtual user hours monthly.
- Kernel profiling is not supported.
- Pro adds a $19.00 USD monthly platform fee, then usage charges.
Who it suits
It suits teams running load, stress, browser-based, distributed, or API tests on Linux, especially those needing the listed tracing, logging, or profiling features. The plan details may help teams compare the free allowance with Pro's platform fee and usage pricing.
Verdict
Grafana k6 combines several forms of testing with tracing, logging, and CPU, memory, and thread profiling. Review the 500-hour free limit and Pro's platform-fee-plus-usage structure against your planned use.
Where Specifiction places it
- Metrics Monitoring Tools#28 of 377.2
- Performance Testing Software#30 of 387.3
- Software Testing Tools#28 of 337.3
- Data Visualization Software#96 of 986.7