---
title: "Integrations compared to data sources | Grafana Labs"
description: "How an integration differs from a data source connection"
---

> For a curated documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt). For the complete documentation index, see [llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt).

# Integrations compared to data sources

The main difference between an integration and a data source is where your data lives:

- **Integration**: Data is collected and stored in Grafana Cloud. You get prebuilt dashboards and alerts built for that technology, ready to use.
- **Data source connection**: Your data stays where it already lives, and you query and visualize it through Grafana Cloud. You generally build your own dashboards and alert rules. You can still alert on a data source. Some services offer both an integration and a data source.

## When to use each

**Use a data source connection when:**

- You want to visualize data where it already lives.
- Cost or retention limits keep data out of Grafana Cloud.
- Compliance requires data to stay in its current location.

**Use an integration when:**

- You want to get started quickly.
- You want prebuilt dashboards and alerts.
- You want your data stored and managed in Grafana Cloud.