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SPECIFICTION
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Logstash

elastic.co

Free plan LinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit elastic.co
Spec score 8.5 #25 of 111 in Log Management Software

What it is

Logstash is an open-source, server-side pipeline that collects data from many sources, transforms events, and sends results to destinations. It can continuously ingest logs, metrics, web application data, data-store information, and AWS service data. Filters parse events, identify fields, and transform content with features such as grok parsing, IP geolocation, and anonymizing or excluding sensitive fields. Data can go to multiple outputs, including Elasticsearch. Its plugin framework includes more than 200 input, filter, and output plugins, and custom plugins can be built with an API and generator. Persistent queues provide at-least-once delivery for in-flight events after node failures; dead letter queues retain events for inspection and replay. Monitoring tools show pipeline performance and availability. Logstash supports log pipelines, archive export, live tailing, and structured parsing. It is self-hosted, with Linux packages and Docker listed. The free plan is free under the Elastic License.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Logstash is an open source server-side data processing pipeline that ingests data from multiple sources, transforms it, and sends it to a destination.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Deployment options
self-hostedRead 20 Sep 2026 · elastic.co
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · elastic.co
Trial
The download page offers a 14-day free trial for deploying Logstash hosted on Elastic Cloud Serverless, with no credit card required.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Integrations
Elastic describes turn-key integrations for connecting data sources and ingesting logs, metrics, traces, files, web content, and security events.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Security
The product page says ingest pipelines can be secured and describes built-in security features for Pipeline Management UI controls.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Compliance
Elastic's Trust Center lists certifications and standards including FedRAMP, PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Archive export
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · elastic.co
Installation
The download page lists Linux x86_64, apt and yum package managers, and Docker containers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Live log tailing
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · elastic.co
Log pipelines
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · elastic.co
Monitoring
Monitoring and Pipeline Viewer features let users observe an active Logstash node or deployment, including pipeline performance and availability.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Outputs
Logstash can route data to multiple outputs, with Elasticsearch identified as a common destination.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Parsing and transformation
Filters parse events, identify fields, and transform data; features include grok parsing, IP geolocation, and anonymizing or excluding sensitive fields.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Plugins
Its pluggable framework includes over 200 input, filter, and output plugins, and custom plugins can be built using its API and plugin generator.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Release
The download page lists version 9.5.5, released October 6, 2026.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Reliability
Persistent queues provide at-least-once delivery for in-flight events if nodes fail, and a dead letter queue can hold events for inspection and replay.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Streaming inputs
It can continuously ingest logs, metrics, web application data, data store data, and data from various AWS services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
Structured log parsing
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · elastic.co
Support resources
The product page directs users to Logstash documentation and a community forum for questions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co

Plans and prices

Logstash default distribution Free Full set of free features · governed by the Elastic License Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co

Every Logstash plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Ingests logs, metrics, and AWS service data
  • More than 200 input, filter, and output plugins
  • Persistent queues support at-least-once delivery
  • Dead letter queues enable inspection and replay
  • Free plan at free

Limits

  • Deployment option is self-hosted
  • Hosted Elastic Cloud trial lasts 14 days
  • Requires Linux packages or Docker for listed installation
  • Plugin framework may require custom development

Who it suits

It suits teams that need self-hosted processing for logs, metrics, application data, or AWS inputs. It also fits users needing parsing, live tailing, archive export, plugin extensibility, and pipeline monitoring.

Verdict

Logstash combines broad ingestion, transformation, routing, and monitoring in a self-hosted pipeline. Its free plan and plugin ecosystem are clear strengths, while deployment and installation requirements matter for buyers seeking a hosted or non-Linux option.

Where Specifiction places it

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