What Backends Support OpenTelemetry (OTLP)? A Complete Guide

OpenTelemetry (OTLP) backends serve as the storage and analysis layer for telemetry data such as traces, metrics, and logs, collected via the OpenTelemetry Protocol. While OpenTelemetry standardizes the generation and shipment of this data, it does not store or visualize it, allowing users to select their backend independently of instrumentation. Backends are categorized into OTel-native, which preserve data fidelity and semantic conventions without translation, and OTel-compatible, which translate OTLP data into proprietary formats, potentially altering or losing data. The OpenTelemetry Collector plays a crucial role by enabling flexibility in backend choice, allowing data to flow to multiple backends simultaneously without changing application code. The guide discusses the trade-offs between different backends, such as cost differences in storage methods and the operational overhead of self-hosted versus managed services, emphasizing the importance of understanding each backend's handling of OTLP to ensure data integrity and operational efficiency.