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Deepnote vs Apache SkyWalking

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Deepnote and Apache SkyWalking — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Deepnote vs Apache SkyWalking: at a glance

FeatureDeepnoteApache SkyWalking
SectorAnalyticsAnalytics
Velocity score2.53.8
Sparks · 30d01
Top themesdata notebooks, agentic ai, mcp, workspace contextobservability, opentelemetry, apm, banyandb
Last editorial update7d ago3h ago
Website—Visit →

What is Deepnote?

Deepnote's agent now runs from first prompt to finished notebook without handoffs.

Deepnote's most recent entry, in October, makes Deepnote Agent a single agent that keeps context from the first instruction to the finished notebook, and lets private and shared projects sit in the same folder. It builds on June's native Codex connection to a workspace's notebooks, schedules and data, and July's MCP tools that let agents create and attach integrations. Spring releases added run snapshots, Git sync, Polars support, PDF export and AI usage metering.

Read the full Deepnote trajectory →

What is Apache SkyWalking?

SkyWalking 11.1 builds service maps from OpenTelemetry traces, no SkyWalking agent required.

Apache SkyWalking spent 2025 and 2026 rebuilding its foundations: BanyanDB replaced H2, the Groovy DSL runtime gave way to ANTLR4 and Javassist, and 11.0.0 split the UI out of the backend. Version 11.1.0, released November 6, stores OTLP traces as they arrive and adds a Trace Analysis Language that turns spans into service, instance and endpoint metrics, topology and dashboards for the databases, caches and queues those services call. Applications instrumented only with OpenTelemetry SDKs now get SkyWalking's dashboards without its agent.

Read the full Apache SkyWalking trajectory →

Deepnote vs Apache SkyWalking: editorial side-by-side

D
Deepnote
ANALYTICS
2.5

Deepnote's agent now runs from first prompt to finished notebook without handoffs.

◆ Current state

Deepnote's most recent entry, in October, makes Deepnote Agent a single agent that keeps context from the first instruction to the finished notebook, and lets private and shared projects sit in the same folder. It builds on June's native Codex connection to a workspace's notebooks, schedules and data, and July's MCP tools that let agents create and attach integrations. Spring releases added run snapshots, Git sync, Polars support, PDF export and AI usage metering.

◆ Where it's heading

The notebook is being repositioned as a workspace agents operate in, both Deepnote's own agent and external ones like Codex. Releases have slowed from monthly in spring to one entry each in July and October.

◆ Prediction

Further agent capabilities or more external agent connections are the likeliest next move; the slower cadence makes timing hard to read.

A3.8

SkyWalking 11.1 builds service maps from OpenTelemetry traces, no SkyWalking agent required.

◆ Current state

Apache SkyWalking spent 2025 and 2026 rebuilding its foundations: BanyanDB replaced H2, the Groovy DSL runtime gave way to ANTLR4 and Javassist, and 11.0.0 split the UI out of the backend. Version 11.1.0, released November 6, stores OTLP traces as they arrive and adds a Trace Analysis Language that turns spans into service, instance and endpoint metrics, topology and dashboards for the databases, caches and queues those services call. Applications instrumented only with OpenTelemetry SDKs now get SkyWalking's dashboards without its agent.

◆ Where it's heading

After taking storage and runtime in-house, SkyWalking is opening its front door to OpenTelemetry data. Its value is shifting from its own agents toward the analysis it runs on any trace source.

◆ Prediction

Expect more TAL coverage and OpenTelemetry quick starts, with SkyWalking's own agents positioned as optional rather than required.

Alternatives to Deepnote and Apache SkyWalking

Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Deepnote or Apache SkyWalking.

See all Deepnote alternatives → · See all Apache SkyWalking alternatives →

Recent activity from Deepnote and Apache SkyWalking

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 3d agoApache SkyWalking11.1.0 - Metrics and Topology from OTLP Traces ⚡
  2. 1mo agoDeepnotePrivate and shared projects can live in the same folder
  3. 2mo agoApache SkyWalking11.0.0 - Horizon Ready, Runtime Rule Hot-Update and Live DSL Debugger ⚡
  4. 4mo agoDeepnoteNew MCP tools for integrations
  5. 5mo agoDeepnoteYour workspace as the context for every exploration ⚡
  6. 6mo agoDeepnoteRun snapshots, Git sync, Polars support, PDF export, & a cleaner notebook
  7. 6mo agoDeepnoteRun snapshots, Git sync, & AI usage visibility
  8. 6mo agoDeepnoteRun snapshots, Git sync, Polars support, PDF export, & a cleaner notebook
  9. 7mo agoApache SkyWalking10.4.0 - GenAI Observability, Groovy-Free Runtime and Grafana Tempo Compatible ⚡
  10. 10mo agoApache SkyWalking10.3.0 - New Trace Model in BanyanDB
  11. 1y agoApache SkyWalking10.2.0 - No H2, More BanyanDB ⚡

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Deepnote and Apache SkyWalking?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Apache SkyWalking is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 3.8 vs 2.5), with 1 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Deepnote better than Apache SkyWalking?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Apache SkyWalking is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 3.8 vs 2.5), with 1 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Deepnote?

Top Deepnote alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Deepnote alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/deepnote for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Apache SkyWalking?

Top Apache SkyWalking alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Apache SkyWalking alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/skywalking for the full list with editorial commentary on each.