Top 6 Alternatives to Sejil for .NET Core Logging and Analysis.

For .NET Core developers, Sejil is a widely-accessed web-based tool that allows for the viewing of structured log data. It is an open-source tool that provides an intuitive platform for searching, analyzing, and monitoring logging data in .NET Core applications. Sejil saves developers time by providing a fast and straightforward way to view application logs. However, Sejil does not provide all the features that developers may need. Therefore, in this article, we will introduce the top six alternatives to Sejil for .NET Core Logging and Analysis.

Video Tutorial:

What is Sejil?

Sejil is a web-based tool that helps developers view structured log data, generated by .NET Core applications. It is open-source software with a responsive layout that makes it accessible on desktop and mobile devices. Sejil is hosted within the application, making it easier to protect access to your logs. It provides searching, filtering, and analysis on the log data and is customizable to fit a wide range of log outputs. It also includes interactive charts to display log data. When compared to other software, Sejil prioritizes intuitive functionality over customization options.

Top Alternatives to Sejil for .NET Core Logging and Analysis

1. Serilog

Serilog is an open-source diagnostic logging framework for .NET and .NET Core applications. It allows you to create customized outputs, and you can structure the logs in various ways to help diagnose issues with your application. It has a high level of configurability, making it possible to adapt to different applications. Serilog also enables integration log messages with different network protocols and exporting data to Kibana, Elasticsearch, and Azure monitor.

Pros:

• It is highly customizable
• It has an extensive range of integration options
• Produces a rich domain-specific type system which improves your productivity

Cons:

• Learning the framework can be challenging for new developers
• You will need to spend more time configuring the framework to take advantage of all its features
• It requires more expensive hardware infrastructure than some of the other alternatives

2. ASP.NET Core Logging

ASP.NET Core Logging is available by default in .NET Core. It is a built-in solution that provides log levels, log message formatting, and log providers. It allows developers to create custom loggers to support various logging frameworks. The log data can be written to several targets, including the console, EventLog, and files.

Pros:

• Provides structured logging out of the box
• Extensible to different logging frameworks
• It is free and requires minimal configuration

Cons:

• It lacks some advanced logging features available in other alternative software
• Its log display capabilities are limited

3. Elmah.Io

Elmah.Io is a cloud-based error and exception logging platform that provides a user interface for logging, diagnostic reporting, traceback, and exception notification. It also provides various ways to store, search, analyze, and export application logs. Elmah is easy to set up and offers several integrations, such as Azure App Insights and Google Stackdriver.

Pros:

• It is easy to install and set up
• It provides a centralized location for error and exception logging
• It provides several integrations

Cons:

• It lacks core features present in other software such as JSON logging and out-of-the-box log analysis
• It can be expensive for larger applications

4. Seq

Seq is a self-hosted logging solution that allows developers to aggregate logs and provides a graphical user interface for searching and filtering. Seq supports structured data and is highly customizable, allowing developers to structure log data to meet their needs. Seq offers various integration options with popular platforms like Azure App Insights and ElasticSearch.

Pros:

• It provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for viewing logs
• It supports extensive customization options and data structure
• It offers various integration options with popular platforms

Cons:

• It requires a higher hardware infrastructure to support its advanced features
• The pricing can be expensive for larger applications

5. Retrace

Retrace is a web-based application monitoring solution that offers error, application performance, and log management. It helps developers identify and solve application issues, provides real-time monitoring, and integrates with popular Cloud Management tools like Amazon Web Service (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. It offers real-time analytics and a user-friendly interface with features like intelligent grouping and filtering.

Pros:

• Provides automated exception tracking and error monitoring
• Provides real-time performance monitoring and alerts
• Extensive integration with leading Cloud Management tools like Amazon Web Service (AWS) and Microsoft Azure

Cons:

• Its pricing can be relatively high compared to other software
• The interface can become crowded when dealing with large amounts of data

6. Loupe

Loupe is a .NET logging framework that provides detailed logging and application monitoring. It provides structured logging and includes web-based user interfaces for log exploration. Loupe supports multiple logging providers and provides logs that can be viewed in your application, a web interface, or exported to other applications. Its web-based user interface makes log searching and filtering easy, with support for data visualizations like timelines and charts.

Pros:

• It provides an intuitive user interface for log exploration
• It supports multiple logging providers
• Provides visualizations like timelines and charts to help analyze log data

Cons:

• It can be costly compared to other software
• Loupe requires skilled personnel to configure and use its advanced features

Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software

To compare the above software comprehensively, we will use some fundamental aspects such as Free Trial, Price, Ease of Use, and Value for Money. The following table will compare the features of each software.

Our Thoughts on Sejil

Sejil is an incredible and easy-to-use tool that is perfect for small projects or those looking for a platform offering intuitive basic features. However, if you are an enterprise developer or are working on a large project, Sejil may not meet your needs. Developers working on extensive projects with high data output will need a more scalable solution that can handle a higher volume of data while still being customizable and adaptable.

FAQ

Q. What services does Elmah.Io offer?

A. Elmah.Io provides a centralized location for error and exception logging, diagnostic reporting, traceback, and exception notification.

Q. What is Retrace used for?

A. Retrace is a web-based application monitoring solution that offers error, application performance, and log management.

Q. Does Loupe support data visualization?

A. Yes, Loupe supports data visualization like timelines and charts to help analyze log data.

Q. Is there a free trial for Seq?

A. Yes, there is a free 14-day trial for Seq.

Q. Is ASP.NET Core Logging configurable?

A. Yes, ASP.NET Core Logging is highly configurable to support different logging frameworks.

In Conclusion

Sejil is an excellent tool for developers looking for an easy-to-use platform for logging and analysis. However, if you are an enterprise developer or are working on a large project, Sejil may not meet your needs. In such cases, a more scalable, customizable, and adaptable solution like Serilog, Elmah.Io, Retrace, Seq, or Loupe will be more appropriate. Each of the alternative software mentioned in this article offers unique features that will suit different developers’ needs. It’s upon the developers to assess their requirements before choosing which log solution to adopt.