Observability

Switching from Papertrail as an add-on (SolarWinds Observability SaaS UI) in Heroku to a standard SolarWinds Observability SaaS account

This article provides further information and steps on how to switch or move from an existing Papertrail as an add-on in Heroku to a standalone full stack SolarWinds Observability SaaS account.

First published date

5/6/2026 4:45 PM

Last published date

5/6/2026 5:00 PM

Overview

Heroku apps can log to SolarWinds Observability SaaS using either of two methods:

  • Papertrail as an add-on in Heroku: This one-step installation relies on the same payment method and app access (collaborators) as the app itself. Heroku handles everything. Recommended when all log-generating apps are hosted on Heroku or when the other aspects of Heroku add-ons are desirable. Although it's still referred to as Papertrail, it's user interface is using the SolarWinds Observability SaaS interface.
  • A standard SolarWinds Observability SaaS account can receive logs from Heroku app(s) as well as other sources. Recommended when you have lots of log generating services not hosted on Heroku. Set up a Heroku drain to send your logs from Heroku app(s).

You can also opt to switch or move from an existing Papertrail as an add-on in Heroku to a standard SolarWinds Observability SaaS account by purchasing a paid Logs subscription. Take note that historical data (archives) and existing data (such as searchable logs, saved searches, alert configurations, etc.) cannot be migrated from Papertrail add-on to a standard SolarWinds Observability SaaS account. 

Product section

SolarWinds Observability

Resolution

Below are the steps on how to switch from an existing Papertrail as an add-on in Heroku to a standard SolarWinds Observability SaaS account:

  1. Sign up for a SolarWinds Observability SaaS trial account here.
  2. Perform the steps here to send the logs from your Heroku app(s) to the SolarWinds Observability SaaS account created.
  3. Keep the existing Papertrail as an add-on in Heroku active for now. Let the two accounts (Papertrail add-on and SWO SaaS account) overlap for some time to populate historical data in both places.
  4. In the existing Papertrail as an add-on in Heroku, keep a copy of your archives by downloading it all as per documentation here and store it on your desired storage location. 
  5. In the SolarWinds Observability SaaS account, re-create the existing Saved Searches from your existing Papertrail add-on. Additionally, re-create the existing  alert configurations, whenever applicable.
  6. Once you've ensured that saved searches, alert configurations are successfully re-created in the standard SolarWinds Observability SaaS account, all archives from existing Papertrail add-on are downloaded, and data has populated and overlapped between the two accounts, proceed to destroy the Papertrail add-on. 
  7. A SolarWinds Observability SaaS trial account is good for 30 days only. To continue using this account, purchase for a paid Logs subscription by clicking "Choose a Plan" button, or contact swo-sales@solarwinds.com for further assistance.