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Logstash
What it is
Logstash is an open source server-side pipeline that ingests data from multiple sources, transforms it, and sends it to destinations. It can continuously collect logs, metrics, web application and data-store information, and data from AWS services. Filters parse events, identify fields, and transform them, with functions such as grok parsing, IP geolocation, and anonymizing or excluding sensitive fields. Data can go to multiple outputs, with Elasticsearch identified as a common destination.
Its plugin framework includes more than 200 input, filter, and output plugins; custom plugins can be built using its API and plugin generator. Persistent queues support at-least-once delivery for in-flight events if nodes fail, while a dead letter queue can hold events for inspection and replay. Monitoring features show pipeline performance and availability. Logstash supports log pipelines, structured parsing, live tailing, and archive export. It is self-hosted, with Linux packages and Docker containers listed as installation options. Its default distribution is listed as free under the Elastic License.
For and against
For
- Ingests logs, metrics, and other data continuously
- Offers more than 200 input, filter, and output plugins
- Persistent queues support at-least-once delivery
- Includes monitoring for pipeline performance and availability
Against
- Deployment is self-hosted
- The free distribution is governed by the Elastic License
- The listed trial applies to hosted Logstash on Elastic Cloud Serverless
The verdict
Logstash provides a configurable pipeline for collecting, transforming, and routing data, with queues and monitoring for pipeline operations. Its self-hosted deployment and plugin framework make it a fit for teams prepared to manage that setup.
Who it suits
Logstash suits teams that need to collect, transform, and route data through self-hosted pipelines. Its parsing and plugin tools may help teams handling varied sources and destinations.
Plans and prices
Logstash default distribution
Full set of free features · governed by the Elastic License
Read 9 Oct 2026 · elastic.co
On the record
- Archive export
- Yeselastic.co · read 20 Sep 2026
- Compliance
- Elastic's Trust Center lists certifications and standards including FedRAMP, PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- self-hostedelastic.co · read 20 Sep 2026
- Installation
- The download page lists Linux x86_64, apt and yum package managers, and Docker containers.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Elastic describes turn-key integrations for connecting data sources and ingesting logs, metrics, traces, files, web content, and security events.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Live log tailing
- Yeselastic.co · read 20 Sep 2026
- Log pipelines
- Yeselastic.co · read 20 Sep 2026
- Monitoring
- Monitoring and Pipeline Viewer features let users observe an active Logstash node or deployment, including pipeline performance and availability.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Outputs
- Logstash can route data to multiple outputs, with Elasticsearch identified as a common destination.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Parsing and transformation
- Filters parse events, identify fields, and transform data; features include grok parsing, IP geolocation, and anonymizing or excluding sensitive fields.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Its pluggable framework includes over 200 input, filter, and output plugins, and custom plugins can be built using its API and plugin generator.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- 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.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Release
- The download page lists version 9.5.5, released October 6, 2026.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- 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.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- The product page says ingest pipelines can be secured and describes built-in security features for Pipeline Management UI controls.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Streaming inputs
- It can continuously ingest logs, metrics, web application data, data store data, and data from various AWS services.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
- Structured log parsing
- Yeselastic.co · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support resources
- The product page directs users to Logstash documentation and a community forum for questions.elastic.co · read 9 Oct 2026
