specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Langtrace AI
providerId: langtrace
created: '2026-06-20'
modified: '2026-06-20'
reconciled: false
tags:
- AI
- LLM
- Observability
- OpenTelemetry
- Tracing
- Open Source
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Langtrace spend. Langtrace is dual-distributed: a free,
  self-hosted open-source build (AGPL-3.0) where the only cost is the
  operator's own infrastructure, and Langtrace Cloud, billed on a span-metered
  SaaS model with a Free tier, a per-seat Growth tier, and a sales-led
  Enterprise tier. The primary Cloud cost driver is ingested span volume; seat
  count drives Growth subscription cost.
notes: >-
  Cloud tiers, span allowances, and seat pricing are not reconciled; verify
  against the Langtrace pricing page during reconciliation. Self-hosted has no
  software license cost.
sources:
- https://www.langtrace.ai/pricing
- https://docs.langtrace.ai/introduction
- https://github.com/Scale3-Labs/langtrace
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Langtrace AI
serviceCategory: Observability and Monitoring
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Usage-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Usage
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Langtrace Cloud
  ServiceCategory: Observability and Monitoring
  ProviderName: Langtrace AI
  PublisherName: Scale3 Labs
  InvoiceIssuerName: Scale3 Labs
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Usage
  PricingCategory: Usage-Based
meters:
- name: spans_ingested
  description: OpenTelemetry spans ingested via /api/trace, metered against the plan span allowance.
  unit: spans
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - project
- name: seats
  description: Billable users on the Growth tier, charged per user per month.
  unit: seats
  aggregation: max
  dimensions:
  - account
- name: data_retention
  description: Retention window for stored traces; longer retention is an Enterprise negotiation, not a self-serve meter.
  unit: days
  aggregation: max
  dimensions:
  - account
- name: self_hosted_infrastructure
  description: Operator-borne compute and storage cost for self-hosted Langtrace; no Langtrace software fee.
  unit: infrastructure
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - deployment
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track span ingestion per project against the plan allowance; inspect Cloud usage in the Langtrace console.
- name: Allocation
  description: Tag traces by project and API key; map projects to internal cost centers and teams.
- name: Optimization
  description: Self-host on owned infrastructure to avoid SaaS fees; sample or filter low-value spans to stay within span allowances; right-size retention.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign owners per project/API key; review span burn and seat count monthly against budget.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com