> Source: https://meetrix.io/store/grafana/
> Markdown copy of that page. Cite the URL above, not this file.

[Store](https://meetrix.io/store/)  Grafana

Open-source observability

# Self-hosted Grafana dashboards on AWS

Run Grafana, the open-source observability platform, from a pre-configured AMI in your own AWS account. Build real-time dashboards and alerts across metrics, logs and traces while keeping full control of your data.

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-z4xxfx2ldztyq)

-   Ready in 5-10 minutes
-   Dozens of data sources
-   Runs in your own account

![Grafana dashboards deployed on AWS by Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/assets/store/grafana/grafana.webp)

## What is Grafana?

Grafana is an AGPLv3 observability and analytics platform. It is a dashboard layer that is not tied to one backend: it connects to Prometheus, Loki, CloudWatch, InfluxDB, Elasticsearch and many more, so you can see everything in one place.

-   ### Real-time dashboards

    Visualise metrics, logs and traces side by side.

-   ### Many data sources

    Prometheus, CloudWatch, InfluxDB, Loki, PostgreSQL, MySQL and more.

-   ### Alerting

    Get notified when metrics cross your thresholds.

-   ### Plugins

    Extend Grafana with panels and data source plugins.

-   ### Teams and permissions

    Invite team members and control their access.

-   ### Business dashboards

    Show KPIs straight from your application databases.

## What's in the Meetrix Grafana AMI

The AMI ships Grafana ready to sign in, with HTTPS set up at launch.

-   Grafana with a forced password change on first login
-   Automatic SSL when your domain is hosted on Route 53
-   A certificate script for issuing SSL manually otherwise
-   A CloudFormation template for your own AWS account
-   Email support from Meetrix at aws@meetrix.io

## How to set up a self-hosted Grafana server

1.  ### Launch the stack

    Subscribe on AWS Marketplace and launch the CloudFormation stack with your domain and admin email.

2.  ### Point your domain at it

    After 5-10 minutes, create a DNS record with the PublicIp from the stack outputs.

3.  ### Sign in and secure it

    Open the DashboardUrl, log in with admin / admin and set a strong new password when prompted.

4.  ### Add data sources

    Connect Prometheus, CloudWatch or your databases and build your first dashboard.

## Deploy on AWS

### Grafana on AWS

An AMI on AWS Marketplace, launched into your own AWS account with a CloudFormation stack.

Deploys with

CloudFormation

Recommended size

t3.small

Ready in

5-10 minutes

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Launch, DNS, sign in, SSL](https://meetrix.io/blogs/grafana-developer-guide/)
-   [**Launch Grafana on AWS** Features and use cases](https://meetrix.io/blogs/launch-grafana-aws-meetrix/)

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-z4xxfx2ldztyq)

## Grafana vs Kibana

|  | Grafana | Kibana |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Licence | AGPLv3 | SSPL, Elastic License v2 or AGPLv3 |
| Data sources | Dozens, from one dashboard tool | Elasticsearch only |
| Best at | Cross-source dashboards and metrics | Full-text log search |
| Common open-source pairing | Prometheus and Loki | The Elastic Stack |

Already committed to Elasticsearch for logs? Kibana may fit better. [Read Grafana vs Kibana →](https://meetrix.io/blogs/grafana-vs-kibana/)

## Grafana FAQ

What are the default login credentials?

admin / admin. Grafana makes you set a new, strong password on the first login.

Can I connect Prometheus or CloudWatch?

Yes. Grafana supports Prometheus, CloudWatch, InfluxDB, Loki and many more, configured from Data Sources in the admin panel.

Is Grafana free?

Grafana is open source under AGPLv3. On AWS you pay for the instance and any Meetrix software fee shown on the listing.

Grafana or Kibana?

Grafana for dashboards across many data sources and for metrics. Kibana for full-text log search on Elasticsearch.

Does Grafana need Elasticsearch?

No. Elasticsearch is just one of many data sources Grafana can use.

Which instance size should I choose?

t3.small is the recommended starting point.

How do I upgrade?

Back up your server data, remove the old stack and launch the new version from AWS Marketplace.

## Grafana guides and articles

### [Grafana vs Kibana: Metrics vs Logs Monitoring](https://meetrix.io/blogs/grafana-vs-kibana/)

Data-source-agnostic dashboards against Elasticsearch's dedicated UI.

### [Launch Grafana on AWS with Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/blogs/launch-grafana-aws-meetrix/)

A pre-configured dashboard AMI and popular use cases.

### [Grafana: Developer Guide](https://meetrix.io/blogs/grafana-developer-guide/)

Launch the stack, secure the admin account and set up SSL.

## Need a hand with Grafana?

We build and run self-hosted monitoring stacks every day, from Prometheus to alerting. Tell us what you need.

[Contact us](https://meetrix.io/contact-us/)