# AWS CloudTrail vs go-audit: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[AWS CloudTrail](https://cybersectools.com/tools/aws-cloudtrail) is a commercial [security information and event management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/security-information-and-event-management-siem) solution by [Amazon Web Services, Inc](https://cybersectools.com/companies/amazon-web-services-inc). [go-audit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/go-audit) is a free [security information and event management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/security-information-and-event-management-siem) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

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## Side-by-side comparison

| | AWS CloudTrail | go-audit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Security Information and Event Management | Security Information and Event Management |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 1,661 |
| Last commit | – | Dec 2025 |
| Company | Amazon Web Services, Inc. | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | AWS CloudTrail | go-audit |
|---|---|---|
| AWS | Yes | – |
| Log Management | Yes | – |
| Linux | – | Yes |

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [AWS CloudTrail](https://cybersectools.com/tools/aws-cloudtrail) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [go-audit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/go-audit) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## AWS CloudTrail vs go-audit FAQ

Common questions when comparing AWS CloudTrail vs go-audit for security information and event management.

### What is the difference between AWS CloudTrail and go-audit?

**AWS CloudTrail**: Track user activity and API usage on AWS and in hybrid and multicloud environments, built by Amazon Web Services, Inc.

**go-audit**: An alternative to the auditd daemon with goals of safety, speed, JSON output, and pluggable pipelines connecting to the Linux kernel via netlink.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes AWS CloudTrail and go-audit?

**AWS CloudTrail** is made by Amazon Web Services, Inc. **go-audit** is open-source with 1,661 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is AWS CloudTrail a good alternative to go-audit?

Often, yes. AWS CloudTrail and go-audit are both Security Information and Event Management products. Key differences: AWS CloudTrail is Commercial while go-audit is Free, go-audit is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [AWS CloudTrail vs Panther Unified Search](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aws-cloudtrail-vs-panther-unified-search)
- [AWS CloudTrail vs Hoplite Active Network Defense](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aws-cloudtrail-vs-hoplite-active-network-defense)
- [AWS CloudTrail vs AccelOps Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/compare/accelops-cloud-vs-aws-cloudtrail)
- [go-audit vs Panther Unified Search](https://cybersectools.com/compare/go-audit-vs-panther-unified-search)
- [go-audit vs Hoplite Active Network Defense](https://cybersectools.com/compare/go-audit-vs-hoplite-active-network-defense)
- [go-audit vs AccelOps Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/compare/accelops-cloud-vs-go-audit)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all AWS CloudTrail alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/aws-cloudtrail)
- [See all go-audit alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/go-audit)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/aws-cloudtrail-vs-go-audit

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/aws-cloudtrail.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on AWS CloudTrail and go-audit: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md