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Fluent Bit
What it is
Fluent Bit is a free, open-source agent for collecting and processing logs, metrics, and traces across constrained systems and cloud infrastructure. It can run as an edge agent or as a central collector, and is designed for high throughput with low resource consumption. Built-in parsers cover JSON, Regex, LTSV, and Logfmt; metrics compatibility includes Prometheus and OpenTelemetry. More than 100 built-in plugins handle inputs, filters, analytics, and outputs, with destinations including Splunk, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, and Kafka. Buffering can use memory or the file system, and the agent provides backpressure handling. Network input and output plugins include TLS and SSL support. Stream processing supports SQL queries, aggregation windows, forecasting, and data analysis. Users can write plugins in C, Lua, Golang, or WebAssembly. Fluent Bit is distributed under the Apache License 2.0, with official packages and installation guidance for Linux, macOS, Windows, containers, and selected BSD and IBM Z Linux environments. Not all plugins and filters are supported on BSD or every other platform.
For and against
For
- Processes logs, metrics, and traces.
- Includes more than 100 built-in plugins.
- Supports memory and file-system buffering.
- Offers TLS and SSL for network plugins.
- Apache License 2.0.
Against
- Some plugins and filters lack support on BSD.
- Not all plugins and filters work on every platform.
The verdict
Fluent Bit combines collection, processing, buffering, and a broad plugin set in a free, open-source agent. Check plugin and filter support for the target platform before selecting it.
Who it suits
Fluent Bit suits teams collecting logs, metrics, and traces at the edge or in centralized infrastructure. It may fit users seeking built-in output plugins or options to extend processing with their own plugins.
Plans and prices
Open-source Fluent Bit
Apache License 2.0 · self-hosted deployment
Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.fluentbit.io
On the record
- Data types
- Fluent Bit processes logs, metrics, and traces.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- It can run as an edge agent or as a central aggregator or collector.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Users can write plugins in C, Lua, Golang, or WebAssembly.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Output destinations include Splunk, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Kafka, and other services.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- Fluent Bit, its core, plugins, and tools are distributed under the Apache License 2.0.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Metrics
- Fluent Bit is compatible with Prometheus and OpenTelemetry metrics.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Official packages and installation guidance cover Linux, macOS, Windows, containers, and selected BSD and IBM Z Linux environments.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Parsing
- Built-in parsers support JSON, Regex, LTSV, and Logfmt.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The project is designed for high throughput with low resource consumption.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- The project provides more than 100 built-in input, filter, analytics, and output plugins.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Fluent Bit is an open-source telemetry agent for collecting and processing telemetry across constrained systems and cloud infrastructures.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Reliability
- It provides backpressure handling and buffering in memory and on the file system.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- Fluent Bit has integrated TLS and SSL support for network input and output plugins.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Stream processing
- Fluent Bit supports stream processing with SQL queries, aggregation windows, forecasting, and data analysis.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Support limitation
- Not all plugins and filters are supported on BSD systems or every other platform.docs.fluentbit.io · read 1 Oct 2026
