Loguru vs Monolog
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A simple Python logging library that replaces print() debugging with ready-to-use logging.
Open source · MIT
A PHP logging library that writes logs to files, sockets, email, databases and web services.
The short answer
Choose Loguru if you need…
- Python developers who want logging without much setup
- Scripts that need quick, readable output to the terminal or a file
- Developers who want log files to rotate or be cleaned up automatically
- Projects that run code in threads or multiple processes and need logs that stay intact
Choose Monolog if you need…
- PHP developers who need structured logs from an application
- Teams using frameworks such as Symfony or Laravel, which the README says ship with Monolog
- Library authors who want to type-hint against the PSR-3 logger interface
- Projects that need to send the same logs to several destinations
Side-by-side
| Loguru | Monolog | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Library | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 24.2k | 21.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | Python | PHP |
| Last code update | 11 days ago | 5 days ago |
What each one is
Loguru
Loguru is a Python library for writing log messages from your code. It works out of the box with a single import, so you do not need to configure handlers or formatters first. It also adds features such as file rotation, retention, compression, colored output, and exception logging that the standard logging module makes more work to set up.
Monolog
Monolog is a logging library for PHP applications. It records messages and sends them to destinations such as files, network sockets, email inboxes, databases and various web services. It implements the PSR-3 logger interface, so other PHP libraries can write logs through a common API.
Best for
Loguru
- Python developers who want logging without much setup
- Scripts that need quick, readable output to the terminal or a file
- Developers who want log files to rotate or be cleaned up automatically
- Projects that run code in threads or multiple processes and need logs that stay intact
Monolog
- PHP developers who need structured logs from an application
- Teams using frameworks such as Symfony or Laravel, which the README says ship with Monolog
- Library authors who want to type-hint against the PSR-3 logger interface
- Projects that need to send the same logs to several destinations
Strengths
Loguru
- Works with one import: from loguru import logger
- Adds file rotation, retention, and compression through simple arguments to add()
- Has a large user base, with about 24,000 GitHub stars and an MIT license
Monolog
- Widely used, with a large star count and active recent pushes
- Implements the PSR-3 standard, improving interoperability with other libraries
- Offers many handlers and a documented extension model
Not ideal for
Loguru
- Projects that must stay on the standard library only, since Loguru is a third-party dependency
- Teams that need a logging setup with fine control over every standard handler, because Loguru deliberately hides that layer
- Non-Python projects, since the library is for Python code
Monolog
- Non-PHP projects, since the library is written for PHP (requires PHP 8.1+ for version 3.x)
- People on very old PHP versions, since version 1.x is described as not very maintained
- Non-developers looking for a finished log viewer; the README covers the library, not a dashboard
Trade-offs
Loguru
- Per the README, sinks are not multiprocess-safe by default; you must enable enqueue to get that behavior
- The README's benchmark claim about speed is struck through, so speed should not be assumed to be better than the built-in logging module
- Uses its own logger object, so projects that already rely heavily on standard logging need to think about how the two interact (the README says it is compatible, but details are in the docs)
Monolog
- Requires understanding of handlers, levels and channels before setup is straightforward
- Version 1.x support is limited and version 2.x and 3.x require different PHP versions
- The README is truncated here, so detailed handler configuration is in separate docs
Getting started
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Loguru and Monolog?
Loguru: A simple Python logging library that replaces print() debugging with ready-to-use logging. Monolog: A PHP logging library that writes logs to files, sockets, email, databases and web services. Loguru suits python developers who want logging without much setup, while Monolog suits php developers who need structured logs from an application.
Are Loguru and Monolog free?
Loguru: Free and open source. Monolog: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Loguru or Monolog?
Loguru is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Monolog is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Loguru or Monolog more popular?
Loguru has more GitHub stars (24.2k) than Monolog (21.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Loguru and Monolog?
Other options people compare them with include pino, PSR Log.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.