24 Best System Monitoring Tools Reviewed in 2025
10 Best System Monitoring Tool Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 24 tools reviewed.
System monitoring tools help you track the health and performance of your infrastructure so you can catch and fix problems before they impact users.
Many teams turn to these tools when they’re struggling with unexpected outages, slow systems, or limited visibility into network activity. Without the right solution, it’s hard to know what’s going wrong or even where to look.
I’ve worked with SaaS and MSP teams to evaluate and implement monitoring platforms that reduce downtime and speed up response times. This guide shares what I’ve learned to help you find a tool that fits your system and your workflow.
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Best System Monitoring Tools Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top system monitoring tool selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for holistic system oversight | Free trial available | From $2,149/year | Website | |
| 2 | Best for distributed network monitoring | 30-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for AI-driven full-stack monitoring | 15-day free trial + demo available | From $0.0001 | Website | |
| 4 | Best for comprehensive IT infrastructure monitoring | 30-day free trial | From $20/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 5 | Best for real-time error tracking | Free plan + demo available | From $26/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for infrastructure health insights | Free plan + demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for application performance metrics | 14-day free trial available | From $15/user/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best for scalable monitoring solutions | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 9 | Best for reliable alerting and querying | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 10 | Best for visualizing metrics | Free plan available | From $19/month | Website |
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Best System Monitoring Tools Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best system monitoring tools 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.
PRTG is a comprehensive system monitoring tool designed to help you oversee your entire IT infrastructure. It provides real-time insights into your network's health, performance, and security, enabling you to detect and address issues promptly.
Why I Picked PRTG: One of the key features of PRTG is its customizable alerts and data visualization. You can set specific thresholds for various metrics, and PRTG will notify you immediately when these are breached. This proactive approach allows your team to respond swiftly to potential problems, minimizing downtime and maintaining system reliability.
I also like its holistic view of system health and performance. PRTG tool enables you to monitor all aspects of your IT infrastructure, from individual devices to entire networks. This comprehensive oversight helps in identifying issues that might not be apparent when examining components in isolation, facilitating more effective troubleshooting and maintenance.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Other features include real-time monitoring, customizable dashboards, historical data analysis, distributed monitoring, flexible alerting options, mobile access, remote probes, auto-discovery of devices, SNMP monitoring, WMI and Windows performance counters, SSH monitoring, and HTTP request monitoring.
Integrations include AWS, Cisco, Dell Technologies, HPE, VMware, ServiceNow, Check Point, Sonicwall, NetApp, Fujitsu, Lansweeper, and Martello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable to accommodate growing network demands
- Customizable dashboards and real-time alerts
- Supports multiple monitoring technologies
Cons:
- Licensing based on sensors can become expensive for larger networks
- Initial setup can be time-consuming
ManageEngine OpManager is a robust network monitoring solution designed to provide real-time insights into your entire IT infrastructure. It tracks the health, availability, and performance of network devices, servers, and applications, ensuring reliable operations across distributed networks.
Why I Picked ManageEngine OpManager: I chose ManageEngine OpManager for its strong focus on distributed network monitoring and its extensive integration capabilities. Its support for remote probes and centralized dashboards makes it especially effective for enterprises managing complex, multi-location environments. I found its combination of real-time alerts, detailed visualization tools, and hardware monitoring particularly useful for proactive issue resolution and capacity planning.
Standout Features & Integrations:
ManageEngine OpManager offers features like distributed network monitoring with remote probes, advanced network visualization tools (Layer2 maps, topology maps, and 3D rack views), and storage monitoring for effective capacity management. It includes network path analysis and AIOps-enabled features for intelligent anomaly detection and automated workflows.
ManageEngine OpManager integrates with a wide range of IT management and security tools, including ADManager Plus, ServiceDesk Plus, Endpoint Central, Patch Manager Plus, Mobile Device Manager Plus, Log360, EventLog Analyzer, Firewall Analyzer, Analytics Plus, and CloudSpend.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time, auto-updating network maps
- Supports multiple vendor environments
- Automated, scheduled network discovery
Cons:
- Initial setup can be complex
- Pricing may be high for small teams
Dynatrace provides a comprehensive monitoring solution that covers the full stack of a digital environment. With its AI-driven approach, Dynatrace pinpoints performance issues, anomalies, and other relevant metrics, making it pivotal for businesses that rely heavily on the performance of their digital assets.
Why I Picked Dynatrace: Of the myriad of monitoring solutions, I selected Dynatrace due to its robust AI capabilities that differentiate it from its competitors. After judging and comparing several tools, I have the opinion that Dynatrace excels in providing precise insights.
Given the increasing complexity of digital environments, I determined that an AI-driven tool like Dynatrace is best for businesses that require full-stack monitoring.
Standout Features & Integrations:
One of Dynatrace's core features is its Davis AI, which autonomously detects, prioritizes, and diagnoses issues in real-time. Furthermore, the platform offers cloud infrastructure monitoring and digital experience insights.
Dynatrace smoothly integrates with popular platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, ensuring that businesses can capture data across multiple environments.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive integrations with major cloud platforms
- Offers a holistic view of digital environments, from cloud to user experience
- Davis AI provides real-time autonomous problem detection and diagnosis
Cons:
- Some users might find the initial setup and configuration challenging
- Might be over-comprehensive for smaller businesses or simpler setups
- Absence of transparent pricing might deter potential users
Nagios has positioned itself as an industry leader when it comes to monitoring IT infrastructure. Known for its breadth and depth, Nagios ensures that systems, apps, services, and business processes within an organization function as expected.
Why I Picked Nagios: When it came to selecting a tool for comprehensive IT infrastructure monitoring, Nagiosfront-runner emerged as a front runner in my comparison. I found its flexibility in monitoring both large and small network environments particularly compelling.
In my judgment, for organizations that need a holistic overview of their entire IT landscape, Nagios sits at the pinnacle, hence earning its tag as "best for comprehensive IT infrastructure monitoring."
Standout Features & Integrations:
Nagios stands out for its capacity to monitor hosts across multiple platforms, pinpointing failures and anomalies. Its in-depth reporting provides administrators with detailed insights, allowing them to act proactively.
To augment its functionality, Nagios offers integrations with a range of plugins and add-ons, expanding its monitoring capabilities.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed reporting and alerting mechanisms
- Extensive plugin architecture allows custom monitoring solutions
- Broad monitoring capabilities across diverse IT environments
Cons:
- Commercial versions can be costly for smaller organizations
- Configuration may be complex for novices
- The user interface can feel outdated compared to some competitors
Sentry is an open-source platform that offers error-tracking capabilities across various applications, helping developers identify, triage, and resolve issues efficiently. Its prowess in delivering real-time insights into application errors and their root causes makes it particularly adept at the "best for real-time error tracking" title.
Why I Picked Sentry: In the process of selecting the most proficient tools for error tracking, Sentry consistently rose to prominence in my evaluations. What sets it apart is its capability to provide immediate visibility into errors, making debugging quicker and more efficient.
I determined that for developers who value real-time insights and rapid resolution of issues, Sentry stands out as the best choice for real-time error tracking.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Sentry shines with its stack trace details, helping pinpoint the exact line of code causing issues. Its release tracking feature provides a clear view of when new errors are introduced, enhancing the post-deployment monitoring process.
Furthermore, Sentry offers integrations with popular platforms and tools, including GitHub, Slack, and Jira, ensuring streamlined error management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrates with many popular development and communication tools
- Contextual data assists in replicating and resolving issues
- Detailed stack traces provide precise error locations
Cons:
- Some users have mentioned a desire for more flexible alerting options
- Larger teams might find the need to upgrade for more events
- Might be overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive features
New Relic is a performance management software that specializes in providing real-time analytics and insights into your system's infrastructure. It allows teams to understand the health, performance, and availability of their software stack, emphasizing infrastructure health insights that are crucial in today's digital age.
Why I Picked New Relic: I chose New Relic after carefully selecting and comparing it with other tools in the industry. What made me determine its position on this list is its sharp focus on infrastructure insights. In my judgment, New Relic's unique ability to dive deep into infrastructure health sets it apart, ensuring that businesses have a clear picture of the vitality of their software stack.
Standout Features & Integrations:
New Relic's Infrastructure monitoring offers a live state event feed, allowing users to visualize changes as they occur. Coupled with its intuitive dashboards, users can spot and resolve issues rapidly. Integration-wise, New Relic smoothly connects with popular cloud platforms, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as orchestration tools like Kubernetes, ensuring comprehensive insights across various environments.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive set of integrations with major cloud platforms and orchestration tools
- Comprehensive dashboard offers a unified view of the entire software stack.
- Real-time infrastructure monitoring provides immediate insights.
Cons:
- Some users might prefer specialized tools for specific infrastructure components
- The platform's broad range of tools might be overwhelming for new users.
- The lack of transparent pricing could deter some users.
Datadog is a cloud-based monitoring and analytics platform that provides deep insights into the performance of applications. It consolidates metrics, traces, and logs into a unified platform, making it especially potent for application performance monitoring, aligning with its strength in gauging metrics.
Why I Picked Datadog: When determining the best tools for monitoring, Datadog emerged prominently in my analysis. I judged its ability to offer granular, real-time insights into applications as a primary differentiator. Based on the depth and breadth of its capabilities, I found it best suited for application performance metrics.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Datadog is renowned for its APM (Application Performance Monitoring) which offers detailed performance insights and root cause analysis. Its distributed tracing and real-time analytics equip teams to understand bottlenecks in the application workflow. Complementing its core functionality, Datadog integrates with a plethora of services, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and offers a rich set of API integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable dashboards tailored to unique monitoring needs
- Broad range of integrations with cloud providers and other services
- Robust APM with insightful data visualization
Cons:
- Some users report occasional delays in metric updates
- Steeper learning curve for full utilization of its features
- Might be pricey for smaller teams or projects
Zabbix is a mature open-source monitoring solution designed to monitor and track the status of various network services, server monitors, and other network hardware. Given its capability to scale, it caters to businesses of all sizes, offering both detailed and broad insights making it a leading choice for scalable monitoring solutions.
Why I Picked Zabbix: I selected Zabbix for this list after thoroughly comparing it with its contemporaries. In my opinion, its strength lies in its ability to handle vast networks while maintaining detailed analytics. This distinguishing feature aligns perfectly with organizations that require scalability in their monitoring efforts.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Zabbix offers real-time monitoring, ensuring systems are always up and running. Its advanced problem-detection feature allows for swift troubleshooting. As for integrations, Zabbix supports a broad spectrum of platforms including Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OS X, and Windows, proving its versatility in different environments.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced problem detection assists in rapid troubleshooting
- Offers support for a wide variety of operating systems.
- Open-source platform, making it cost-effective for businesses.
Cons:
- Official technical support can be pricey for smaller enterprises
- Initial setup can be complex for those unfamiliar with open-source platforms.
- The interface might seem a bit outdated to some users.
Prometheus, a product of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, is tailored for reliable system monitoring and alerting. Given its multi-dimensional data model, Prometheus excels in running queries on time-series data and offers a consistent framework for alerting when system anomalies occur.
Why I Picked Prometheus: Among the myriad monitoring tools I evaluated, Prometheus caught my attention due to its robust and straightforward querying capabilities. The tool not only allows efficient data querying but also provides a fail-safe alerting mechanism.
In my assessment, Prometheus stands out as the prime choice for those who place a high emphasis on dependable alerting and sophisticated data querying.
Standout Features & Integrations:
At its core, Prometheus is built with a powerful query language called PromQL which facilitates detailed insights into time-series data. Additionally, the tool's self-hosted alert manager ensures timely alerts and supports silencing, inhibition, and aggregation.
For a holistic monitoring environment, Prometheus can be integrated with a variety of solutions such as Grafana for visualization, Kubernetes for container orchestration, and many service discovery options.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Broad support for integrations
- Efficient and reliable alerting mechanism
- Flexible and robust PromQL for queries
Cons:
- Requires manual configuration for some integrations
- Lacks native long-term storage solutions
- Might have a steep learning curve for beginners
Grafana Labs is the powerhouse behind Grafana, a leading platform for monitoring and observability. With its ability to turn scattered data into meaningful, eye-catching dashboards, Grafana Labs facilitates in-depth insights, especially for those who prioritize visual data representation.
Why I Picked Grafana Labs: In the realm of monitoring tools, the ability to visualize data in an intuitive manner is paramount. After evaluating and comparing several tools, I determined that Grafana Labs truly stands apart when it comes to visualization capabilities. I believe Grafana is the best choice for users who require clear, concise, and interactive metrics visualization.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Grafana Labs shines with features like customizable dashboards, alerts, and annotations which enable users to make sense of data with clarity. It also supports Ad-hoc filters, letting users dynamically create new key/value filters on the fly.
Grafana Labs integrates with most data sources, including but not limited to Graphite, Elasticsearch, Cloudwatch, Prometheus, and InfluxDB, creating a flexible environment for diverse metrics sources.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Broad support for various data sources
- Ad-hoc filters for dynamic data filtering
- Highly customizable visualization dashboards
Cons:
- Some advanced features might be available only in the paid version
- Requires external data source as it doesn’t store data
- Might be overwhelming for beginners due to the rich feature set
Other System Monitoring Tools
Here are some additional system monitoring tools options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Icinga
Open-source solution
- AppDynamics
Good for in-depth application performance monitoring
- Checkmk
Good for comprehensive IT infrastructure management
- Cacti
Good for visualizing network performance metrics
- Ntop
Good for network traffic analysis and visualization
- Sysdig
Good for container and microservices monitoring
- OpenNMS
Good for scalable enterprise-grade network management
- GKrellM
Good for real-time performance data visualization
- ZingChart
Good for interactive machine monitoring dashboards
- Munin
Good for tracking system resources over time
System Monitoring Tool Selection Criteria
When selecting the best system monitoring tools to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like real-time performance tracking and integration capabilities. 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:
- Monitor system performance
- Alert on system issues
- Track resource usage
- Provide real-time data
- Generate performance reports
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Predictive analytics
- Customizable dashboards
- AI-driven insights
- Multi-cloud support
- Automated incident response
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy navigation
- Customization options
- Learning curve
- Accessibility features
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Supportive chatbots
- Live webinars
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Response time
- Support channels
- Knowledge base access
- Personalized assistance
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Feature-to-price ratio
- Licensing options
- Free trial availability
- Discounts or offers
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- User satisfaction ratings
- Feedback on performance
- Ease of use comments
- Support experience
- Value perception
How to Choose a System Monitoring Tool
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 | Can the tool grow with your business? Look for solutions that handle increased data and users without degrading performance. Consider potential future needs. |
| Integrations | Does it work with your current tech stack? Check compatibility with existing software to ensure smooth data flow and avoid isolated systems. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to your workflow? Evaluate if the tool allows modifications to fit your processes, avoiding rigid solutions that force you to adapt. |
| Ease of use | Is the interface intuitive for your team? A complex tool can hinder efficiency. Consider tools that offer a user-friendly design to minimize training time. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How long will it take to get up and running? Assess the time and resources needed for deployment, including training and support during the transition. |
| Cost | Is the pricing transparent and within budget? Factor in both initial costs and ongoing fees. Be wary of hidden charges that can inflate total expenses. |
| Security safeguards | Does it protect your data? Ensure the tool complies with security standards and offers features like encryption and access controls to safeguard sensitive information. |
What Are System Monitoring Tools?
System monitoring tools are software solutions that track and manage the performance and health of IT systems. IT administrators, network engineers, and system analysts typically use these tools to ensure systems run smoothly and efficiently. Real-time monitoring, alerting, and reporting capabilities help with identifying issues, optimizing resources, and maintaining uptime. These tools provide essential insights that keep systems reliable and secure, especially when using dedicated hardware monitoring software.
Features
When selecting system monitoring tools, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Real-time monitoring: Continuously tracks system performance to quickly identify and address issues as they arise.
- Alerting: Sends notifications to users when specific thresholds are breached, enabling prompt responses to potential problems.
- Reporting: Generates detailed performance reports that help in analyzing trends and making informed decisions.
- Integration capabilities: Connects with existing software and systems to ensure seamless data flow and comprehensive monitoring.
- Customizable dashboards: Allow users to tailor the interface to display the most relevant data for their specific needs.
- Predictive analytics: Uses historical data to forecast potential future issues, helping prevent downtime before it occurs.
- Security safeguards: Offers features like encryption and access controls to protect sensitive system data.
- Scalability: Adapts to growing data and user demands without compromising performance.
- User-friendly interface: Ensures ease of use, reducing the learning curve and minimizing the need for extensive training.
- Automated incident response: Provides tools to automatically address common issues, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Benefits
Implementing system monitoring tools provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved uptime: Real-time monitoring and alerting help you quickly address issues, reducing downtime and keeping systems running smoothly.
- Enhanced security: Security safeguards like encryption and access controls protect sensitive data, minimizing the risk of breaches.
- Informed decision-making: Detailed reporting and predictive analytics offer insights that guide resource allocation and future planning.
- Increased efficiency: Automated incident response reduces manual workload, allowing your team to focus on more strategic tasks.
- Better resource management: Tracking resource usage helps in optimizing system performance and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
- Scalability support: The ability to handle growing demands ensures your systems can grow alongside your business without performance loss.
- User satisfaction: A user-friendly interface makes it easier for your team to adopt and effectively use the tool, minimizing frustration.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting system monitoring tools 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 system monitoring tools solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for System Monitoring Tools
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic monitoring, limited alerts, and community support. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$15/user/month | Real-time monitoring, basic reporting, and email notifications. |
| Business Plan | $20-$50/user/month | Advanced reporting, integrations, and customizable dashboards. |
| Enterprise Plan | $60-$100/user/month | Full analytics suite, predictive analytics, and dedicated customer support. |
System Monitoring Tools FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about system monitoring tools:
Can system monitoring tools integrate with ticketing systems?
Yes, many tools connect with ticketing platforms like Jira or ServiceNow. This means alerts can create tickets automatically, so your team doesn’t miss anything. It helps your workflows stay organized and keeps issue resolution on track. Setup usually involves using webhooks or native plugins.
What types of alerts can you set in system monitoring tools?
You can set alerts for thresholds, anomalies, or specific events like service outages. Some tools support custom alerts for log messages or failed checks. You decide how alerts are triggered—by value, time range, or trends. Delivery can be through email, SMS, Slack, or other channels.
Can system monitoring tools track both servers and applications?
Yes, many tools track hardware metrics and also monitor application-level performance. This includes uptime, response time, and user behavior for apps. You can get visibility into how server health affects app performance. Some tools offer separate modules for infrastructure and application monitoring.
How do system monitoring tools support multi-cloud environments?
Most tools let you connect to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud through APIs or agents. They collect data across these platforms and present it in a single dashboard. This gives your team one view of performance, even if systems run in different clouds. It reduces the need to juggle multiple vendor tools.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching system monitoring tools, 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.