OpenLLMetry is a free, open-source OpenTelemetry-based SDK for LLM app observability from Traceloop. See features, pricing, and top alternatives for 2026.
Researched and fact-checked by Bartu Cavusoglu · Updated July 19, 2026
OpenLLMetry is an open-source SDK that brings observability to LLM applications by extending OpenTelemetry, letting developers trace model calls, agent behavior, and vector database queries with minimal code changes.
It was built by Traceloop, a Tel Aviv startup founded in 2022 and acquired by ServiceNow in March 2026, though OpenLLMetry itself remains open source and independently usable.
A single line of instrumentation code automatically traces calls to LLM providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic, along with vector database and agent framework activity.
Because it is built on OpenTelemetry, trace data exports to more than 25 observability backends, avoiding vendor lock-in, while the optional Traceloop platform adds monitoring dashboards, evaluation tooling, and prompt management.
The OpenLLMetry SDK itself is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license, with no cost to instrument and export traces to a compatible backend.
Traceloop's optional hosted platform offers a free tier for up to 50,000 spans per month and 5 seats, with an Enterprise plan for larger teams priced on request.
Yes, the OpenLLMetry SDK is open source under the Apache 2.0 license and free to use; only Traceloop's optional hosted platform has paid tiers beyond its free plan.
OpenLLMetry is the open-source SDK for instrumenting LLM applications, while Traceloop is the company that built it and offers an optional hosted platform for visualizing and managing that trace data.
OpenLLMetry automatically traces calls to major LLM providers such as OpenAI and Anthropic, along with vector databases and agent frameworks.
Yes, OpenLLMetry extends OpenTelemetry, the industry-standard observability framework, so its trace data works with more than 25 existing observability backends.
ServiceNow acquired Traceloop in March 2026 to power its AI Control Tower governance platform, while committing to keep OpenLLMetry open source.
Yes, since OpenLLMetry exports standard OpenTelemetry data, you can route it to any self-hosted or third-party observability backend rather than using Traceloop's hosted platform.
It is built for AI engineering and ML platform teams that need visibility into the cost, latency, and reliability of LLM-powered applications.