10 Best IT Alerting Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best IT alerting software:
Staying on top of IT issues can be a challenge for any team. You need to know about problems the moment they arise to keep things running smoothly. That's where IT alerting software comes in—it helps you catch issues early, so your team can respond quickly and effectively.
In my experience, choosing the right software can make a big difference in your workflow. I've independently tested and reviewed various options to bring you my top picks. You can count on unbiased insights into their features and benefits.
As you read on, you'll find detailed analyses of each solution, helping you decide which fits your needs best. Your team's efficiency and peace of mind are just a few steps away.
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Best IT Alerting Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top IT alerting software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for advanced threshold profile monitoring | Free trial available | From $149/technician/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for flexible notification options | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for multi-channel emergency communication | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best for configuring intelligent alert rules | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for threat intelligence alerts | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best for code-level diagnostics | 30-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for on-call management and escalations | 14-day free trial | From $21/user/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best for customizable alert policies | Free plan + demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 9 | Best for real-time monitoring and analytics | 14-day free trial available | From $15/user/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best for centralized alert correlation | Free demo available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
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Best IT Alerting Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best IT alerting software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Atera is an all-in-one remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution designed to help IT professionals proactively monitor, detect, and resolve potential issues across their IT environments before they escalate into critical problems.
Why I Picked Atera:
It offers real-time monitoring capabilities that notify your team of potential IT issues through customizable alerts tailored to your unique infrastructure. By monitoring key performance metrics like CPU load, disk usage, and network activity, Atera ensures your team can proactively address concerns before end users are affected. Additionally, its ‘auto-healing’ scripts feature allows you to automate remediation tasks such as rebooting machines or restarting services when thresholds are exceeded, helping reduce manual workload and increase efficiency.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Other features include advanced threshold profile monitoring that tracks metrics like system resources, disk active time, Windows processes, SNMP-enabled devices, and user logins to provide a comprehensive view of your IT environment. The solution also supports monitoring for Active Directory, SQL Server, Exchange, VMware, Hyper-V, and DNS services. Some integrations include Microsoft Active Directory, Exchange, and VMware, ensuring compatibility with widely-used IT infrastructure components.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed reporting and client-facing dashboards
- Proactive issue detection and automation options
- Centralizes ticketing, RMM, PSA, and asset management
Cons:
- Some limitations in PSA and billing features
- Learning curve for new users due to breadth of features
Checkmk is a monitoring tool that provides in-depth perceptions of applications, networks, and systems. One of its standout attributes is its flexible notification system, enabling users to customize alerts based on specific parameters and requirements.
Why I Picked Checkmk: In my journey of selecting the most suitable monitoring tools, Checkmk caught my attention due to its distinct notification flexibility. My determination, based on comparisons and judgment, led me to appreciate how it allows for precise alerting, reducing noise, and focusing on vital notifications.
This ability to finely tailor alerts is why I've chosen it as the best tool for flexible notification options.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Checkmk excels in providing real-time monitoring, automated discovery of services, and its BI (Business Intelligence) module for complex environments. It integrates with platforms like Grafana, Jira, and Slack to ensure holistic monitoring and communication.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time monitoring capabilities
- Robust integrations with other platforms
- Granular alert customizations
Cons:
- Some advanced features are exclusive to the enterprise version
- Licensing model may be confusing for some users
- Might require a steep learning curve for beginners
Preparis is a comprehensive business continuity software designed to help organizations manage and prepare for emergencies. The platform offers a suite of tools including risk assessment, incident management, and emergency notification systems, all aimed at enhancing organizational resilience.
Why I Picked Preparis: I chose Preparis for its multi-channel communication capability, which ensures that alerts are delivered through various mediums such as SMS, email, and push notifications. This versatility makes sure that critical information reaches your stakeholders promptly, regardless of their preferred communication channel, improving the timeliness and effectiveness of your organization's response during IT emergencies. Furthermore, the software supports bi-directional messaging, allowing for real-time tracking and response.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Aside from its alerting system, Preparis also lets you create customizable IT disaster recovery plans and keep these documents stored in a centralized place. The platform also offers an incident manager that lets you track, assign, and resolve IT incidents. Integrations include systems like ADP and Okta.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable for organizations of all sizes
- Real-time multi-channel notification system
- Effective document management for incident reports, plans, and audits
Cons:
- Could offer more robust incident detection for IT issues specifically
- Limited integrations
ManageEngine OPM Plus is an IT operations management suite that helps you monitor, manage, and secure every layer of your IT infrastructure. It brings together network, server, application, and security monitoring into one unified platform, ensuring that alerts and performance data flow through a single, easy-to-manage console.
Why I Picked ManageEngine OPM Plus: I picked ManageEngine OPM Plus because it consolidates all your IT alerts into one place, helping you reduce alert noise and act on critical issues faster. You can configure intelligent alert rules, customize escalation paths, and integrate directly with collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams so the right people get notified immediately. I also like that it goes beyond alerting by including full-stack observability and automated patch management, helping you both detect and fix issues from within the same environment.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include advanced fault management with automated alert escalation, full-stack performance monitoring for networks, servers, and applications, and built-in SIEM capabilities to detect and respond to security threats in real time. You also get analytics and root cause analysis tools for faster incident resolution. Integrations include ServiceDesk Plus, ServiceNow, Jira, Slack, MS Teams, Ansible, SIEM platforms, Log360, Analytics Plus, Grafana, Zoho suite, and REST API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides real-time performance visibility
- Enables automated alert escalation workflows
- Supports extensive multi-vendor monitoring
Cons:
- Complex configuration for beginners
- Requires high system resources
ManageEngine Log360 is a unified security information and event management (SIEM) solution designed to help organizations detect, investigate, and respond to security threats across their IT infrastructure.
Why I Picked ManageEngine Log360: It offers a real-time correlation engine that enables your team to detect security threats accurately by correlating suspicious events across your network, ensuring that potential issues are identified and addressed promptly. Log360's machine learning-based user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) also help identify insider threats by analyzing deviations in user behavior, offering an extra layer of security. Additionally, by leveraging STIX/TAXII format threat intelligence feeds, the software can discover, alert, and block malicious IPs, domains, and URLs in real-time.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Other features include integrated DLP capabilities that monitor access to sensitive information and prevent data exfiltration, ensuring your critical data remains secure. The software also offers dark web monitoring to uncover potential threats and exposed data before they impact your business. Some integrations include Microsoft Exchange, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Azure, and Active Directory.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Incident management console
- Advanced threat intelligence feed
- Holistic security visibility across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid networks
Cons:
- Complex to set up and configure
- Logs can be hard to read and understand
ManageEngine Applications ManagerManageEngine Applications Manager is a comprehensive application performance monitoring (APM) and infrastructure monitoring solution that supports over 150 technologies across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It provides real-time diagnostics, AI-powered alerts, and in-depth visibility into application stacks, databases, cloud services, and user experiences.
Why I Picked ManageEngine Applications Manager: I selected Applications Manager for its holistic approach to monitoring, which unifies application and infrastructure visibility in one platform. It stands out by offering code-level diagnostics for app stacks like Java and .NET, along with deep infrastructure monitoring for virtual machines, databases, and containers. The inclusion of real user monitoring (RUM), synthetic transactions, and cloud observability tools further enhances its versatility in IT operations.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Applications Manager includes distributed transaction tracing, anomaly detection, synthetic monitoring via Selenium scripts, and real-time performance dashboards. It integrates with ManageEngine tools like OpManager and ServiceDesk Plus, and supports third-party services including Slack and Site24x7.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated, scheduled network discovery
- Supports multiple vendor environments
- Real-time, auto-updating network maps
Cons:
- Pricing may be high for small teams
- Initial setup can be complex
PagerDuty offers a centralized platform tailored for IT professionals, enabling them to efficiently manage on-call schedules and expedite escalations when incidents arise. With its focus on on-call management and escalations, it stands as a crucial tool for businesses wanting to minimize downtime and handle IT incidents promptly.
Why I Picked PagerDuty: In the process of selecting tools for this list, PagerDuty's reputation for handling on-call responsibilities with precision caught my attention. Comparing its features and user feedback with other platforms solidified my opinion of its capabilities. I determined that for any business needing rigorous on-call management and swift escalations, PagerDuty truly is the best.
Standout Features & Integrations:
PagerDuty excels with its real-time alerting system, ensuring that the right person gets notified instantly when an issue arises. Its scheduling capabilities are flexible, allowing teams to set rotations that best suit their workflow. In terms of integrations, PagerDuty connects effortlessly with monitoring tools like Datadog, Splunk, and New Relic, creating a cohesive ecosystem for IT operations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- A vast array of integrations with leading monitoring tools
- Flexible scheduling adapts to varied team needs
- Real-time alerting ensures swift issue acknowledgment
Cons:
- Some features are locked behind higher pricing tiers
- The interface can be challenging for beginners
- Might be overkill for smaller teams or startups
New Relic is a comprehensive observability platform that helps you monitor and manage your software's performance. It offers tools to track applications, infrastructure, and user experience, providing real-time insights into your systems.
Why I Picked New Relic: One reason I like New Relic is its customizable alert policies. You can define specific conditions to monitor, set thresholds that, when exceeded, trigger alerts, and decide who gets notified and how. This flexibility ensures your team stays informed about critical issues promptly. Another valuable feature is the ability to create alert conditions directly from New Relic charts. This approach simplifies the process, allowing you to set up alerts based on visual data representations.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Some other features include the use of NRQL (New Relic Query Language) to create and customize alert conditions, enabling you to focus on specific data points that matter most to your operations. Additionally, New Relic offers incident rollups, which help minimize alert fatigue by grouping related incidents together, reducing noise, and aiding in efficient incident management. New Relic integrates with various systems, like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, Slack, Atlassian Jira, and AWS EventBridge.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good for scaling operations
- Effective alerting functionality promptly notifies users of issues
- Real-time monitoring provides immediate insights into system performance
Cons:
- Dashboards may require customization for specific use cases
- The user interface can be overwhelming for new users
Datadog is a comprehensive cloud monitoring platform that offers insight into application performance, infrastructure health, and log management. With its robust suite of analytics tools, it equips businesses with the capacity to make informed decisions based on real-time data, justifying its position as best for real-time monitoring and analytics.
Why I Picked Datadog: In the midst of determining tools for this roster, Datadog consistently emerged as a leader in its domain. I judged its capability based on both its wide adoption in the industry and its array of monitoring and analytics features.
In my opinion, when it comes to real-time monitoring coupled with powerful analytics, Datadog holds a unique position in the market.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Datadog's platform is particularly strong with its application performance monitoring, which provides deep insight into application issues and user experiences. Additionally, its log management capability facilitates efficient troubleshooting. Integration-wise, Datadog syncs with over 400 popular technologies, including AWS, Docker, and Slack, making it a versatile tool in diverse tech environments.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- A broad range of integrations suits various tech stacks
- Efficient log management aids in quicker issue resolution
- Comprehensive application performance insights
Cons:
- Custom metrics can affect costs
- Initial setup might require a learning curve
- Pricing can become steep for large teams
BigPanda is designed to be a nucleus in the sprawling world of IT alerts, drawing in notifications from diverse sources and offering them in an accessible, streamlined fashion. Its prowess lies in its ability to take a jumbled cacophony of alerts and turn them into an orchestrated symphony, making it a standout in centralized alert correlation.
Why I Picked BigPanda: When I was selecting tools for this list, BigPanda caught my attention for its unique approach to alert management. After comparing it with numerous other solutions, judging its features, and weighing opinions from various sources, I was convinced of its standout capabilities. Its mastery of centralized alert correlation ensures that IT professionals have a holistic and organized view of their infrastructure's health, justifying its top position for this specific use case.
Standout Features & Integrations:
At its core, BigPanda offers robust algorithms designed for efficient alert correlation and noise suppression. This ensures IT teams can zero in on critical issues without being drowned in false alarms. Furthermore, BigPanda offers integrations with a vast range of monitoring, change, and topology tools, cementing its place as a comprehensive solution for alert management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive integration options with leading IT tools
- Efficient noise suppression for cleaner alert streams
- Superior alert correlation capabilities
Cons:
- Pricing transparency could be improved
- More suitable for larger infrastructures than small setups
- This may pose a learning curve for beginners
Other IT Alerting Software
Here are some additional IT alerting software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- xMatters
For automated incident response
- Altera
For remote IT management
- HipLink
For comprehensive alert management solutions
- Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
For scalable cloud-based messaging
- FireEye Helix
For advanced threat intelligence alerting
- Freshservice
For IT service desk integration
- Dynatrace
Good for AI-driven root cause analysis
- AlertOps
Good for major incident management and collaboration
- Blue Matador
Good for predictive failure alerts
- Sysdig
Good for container and cloud-native monitoring
IT Alerting Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best IT alerting software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like timely notifications and ease of integration with existing systems. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Send real-time alerts
- Integrate with existing IT systems
- Provide on-call scheduling
- Offer incident tracking
- Support multiple communication channels
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Advanced machine learning analytics
- Customizable escalation policies
- Multi-language support
- Mobile app availability
- Role-based access controls
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface design
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Clear and concise documentation
- Responsive design for mobile devices
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Access to interactive product tours
- Comprehensive onboarding templates
- Webinars for new users
- Supportive chatbots for guidance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Live chat support
- Comprehensive knowledge base
- Quick response time
- Dedicated account managers
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Transparent pricing structure
- Availability of free trials
- Flexible subscription plans
- Discounts for long-term contracts
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly reported issues
- Praise for specific features
- Feedback on customer support
- Frequency of updates and improvements
How to Choose IT Alerting Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Will the software grow with your team? Consider future needs and whether the tool can handle increased alerts and users without a hitch. |
| Integrations | Does it work with your existing tools? Check if it connects with your current IT systems to save time and avoid manual workarounds. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to your needs? Look for options that let you adjust alerts and workflows to fit your team's specific processes. |
| Ease of use | Is it user-friendly? A simple interface reduces training time and errors. Test the demo to see if your team can navigate it easily. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get started? Assess the resources needed for setup and whether the vendor provides training materials to ease the transition. |
| Cost | Does it fit your budget? Compare pricing plans, and watch out for hidden fees. Look for free trials to test before you buy. |
| Security safeguards | Are your alerts secure? Ensure the software has strong encryption and data protection measures to keep your information safe. |
| Support availability | Is help available when you need it? Check if the vendor offers 24/7 support, live chat, or a dedicated account manager for assistance. |
What Is IT Alerting Software?
IT alerting software is a tool that notifies teams about IT issues in real-time. IT professionals like system administrators and network engineers use these tools to quickly address problems and minimize downtime. Features like real-time alerts, integration capabilities, and customizable workflows help with timely notifications and efficient incident management. Overall, these tools enhance operational efficiency by keeping teams informed and ready to act.
Features
When selecting IT alerting software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Real-time alerts: Instantly notify your team of issues as they arise, allowing for quicker response times and reducing potential downtime.
- Integration capabilities: Connect seamlessly with existing IT systems and tools to streamline workflows and avoid manual data entry.
- Customizable workflows: Tailor alert processes to fit your team's specific needs and improve efficiency in incident management.
- On-call scheduling: Manage and automate on-call rotations to ensure that the right team members are available when issues occur.
- Multi-channel notifications: Deliver alerts through various channels like email, SMS, and mobile apps to ensure no critical alert is missed.
- Incident tracking: Keep a detailed record of incidents to analyze trends and improve future response strategies.
- Mobile app support: Access alerts and manage incidents on-the-go, ensuring your team can respond promptly from anywhere.
- Role-based access: Control who sees what information to maintain security and ensure team members have access to relevant data.
- Advanced analytics: Use data insights to understand incident patterns and improve overall IT operations.
- Security safeguards: Protect sensitive information with strong encryption and data protection measures.
Benefits
Implementing IT alerting software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Faster response times: Real-time alerts ensure your team can act quickly, reducing downtime and minimizing impact on operations.
- Improved team coordination: Customizable workflows and on-call scheduling help your team work together more efficiently during incidents.
- Enhanced decision-making: Advanced analytics provide insights into incident patterns, aiding in better planning and response strategies.
- Increased accessibility: Multi-channel notifications and mobile app support ensure your team can respond to alerts no matter where they are.
- Better resource management: Integration capabilities allow for seamless connection with existing tools, saving time and reducing manual work.
- Stronger security: Role-based access and security safeguards protect sensitive data and ensure only authorized personnel handle incidents.
- Proactive problem-solving: Incident tracking helps identify recurring issues, allowing your team to address root causes and prevent future incidents.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting IT alerting software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in IT alerting software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for IT Alerting Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic alerts, limited integrations, and essential reporting. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Real-time alerts, mobile app support, and basic analytics. |
| Business Plan | $30-$50/user/month | Advanced integrations, customizable workflows, and on-call scheduling. |
| Enterprise Plan | $60-$100/user/month | Full analytics suite, dedicated support, and enhanced security features. |
IT Alerting Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about IT alerting software:
How do escalation policies work in IT alerting software?
Escalation policies determine how alerts are handled when the primary responder doesn’t acknowledge them. Set time-based rules to escalate alerts to other team members or managers. Customize policies to fit your team’s structure and ensure timely responses to critical issues.
Can IT alerting software track mean time to acknowledge (MTTA) or resolve (MTTR)?
Yes, most IT alerting tools offer built-in reporting for metrics like MTTA, MTTR, and acknowledgment rates. These metrics help you understand how your IT team responds under pressure. You can review past alerts, see who responded, and identify delays in your escalation paths. This makes it easier to spot weak points in your incident response process.
Do IT alerting systems support on-call rotation for sysadmins or SREs?
Most IT alerting software includes on-call scheduling tools tailored for IT operations. You can create rotations, assign backup responders, and escalate alerts automatically if there’s no response. Some tools integrate with Google Calendar or Slack, so your team always knows who’s on call. This setup helps keep your coverage reliable around the clock.
What communication channels do IT alerting tools typically support?
IT alerting software usually supports SMS, phone calls, push notifications, email, and integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or PagerDuty. You can set rules to send alerts over specific channels based on the time, team, or severity. This flexibility helps your IT team respond quickly using their preferred method.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching IT alerting software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
