Slide 3 of 4

Integrations compared to data sources

The difference is where your data lives

The main difference between an integration and a data source is where your data lives:

  • Integration: Data is collected and stored in Grafana Cloud. You get prebuilt dashboards and alerts built for that technology, ready to use.
  • Data source connection: Your data stays where it already lives, and you query and visualize it through Grafana Cloud. Any dashboards and alerts are those you must build yourself.

When to use each

Use a data source connection when:

  • You want to visualize data where it already lives.
  • Cost or retention limits keep data out of Grafana Cloud.
  • Compliance requires data to stay in its current location.

Use an integration when:

  • You want to get started quickly.
  • You want prebuilt dashboards and alerts.
  • You want your data stored and managed in Grafana Cloud.

Script

With an integration, your data is collected and stored in Grafana Cloud. Because it lives there, you get prebuilt dashboards and alerts built for that technology, ready to use.

With a data source connection, the data stays where it already lives, and you query and visualize it through Grafana Cloud. You don’t get the prebuilt dashboards and alerts that come with an integration.

Both have a place. Data sources fit when you already have monitoring you don’t want to migrate. But when you want prebuilt dashboards and alerts with your data in Grafana Cloud, integrations are the path.

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