The Best Server Monitoring Tools List
Here’s a shortlist of the best server monitoring tools:
This article will provide a quick and easy comparison of the best server monitoring tools and software.
We all use servers every day, whether we realize it or not. And, every server that we use seamlessly, is all thanks to QA analysts and testers making sure it’s bug-free. Server monitoring software exists to help analyze your server and ensure that it’s working as intended.
“How do I choose the right tool?” you may be asking.
In this article, we’ll give you our top 10 best server monitoring tools that QA professionals use to make sure servers are operating properly.
Related Read: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR SERVER PERFORMANCE
Comparison Criteria
Here’s what I look for in a web server monitoring tool.
- UI: I look for clean and easy to navigate dashboards and operating systems focused on pleasant user experience.
- Usability: I look for platforms that provide more than just server monitoring that are supported by robust customer service teams and extensive documentation.
- Integrations: I look for integrations with alert systems such as messaging services.
- Value for cost: I look for the most features available for your money.
Web Server Monitoring Tools: Key Features
Here are some of the key features I am looking for in the best server monitoring software:
- Server availability metrics: Comprehensive data and actionable insights surrounding server uptime vs server downtime.
- Integration with messaging services: Tools that integrate with messaging services such as Slack so alerts come through to your device or desktop as they happen.
- Response time measurements: Ie. How long does it take the server to respond to commands and actions?
- Server load testing: Alerts if the server is underperforming due to overloading issues.
- Dependency tracking: Information around how everything connects so the impact of outages can be fully understood.
Overviews Of The Server Monitoring Tools
Here’s a brief description of each of the server monitoring tools that are featured on this top 10 list.
ManageEngine OpManager
Best for real time network monitoring and management
ManageEngine OpManager is a tool for unified and efficient network monitoring and management. OpManager gives IT admins end-to-end visibility and analytics of network infrastructure including local devices, wireless network, WAN links, non-computing devices like printers and even access points. OpManager is used by over 1 million IT admins worldwide.
ManageEngine OpManager empowers network/IT admins to perform multiple operations such as network performance monitoring, server and VM monitoring, switch monitoring, router monitoring, WLC monitoring, hardware monitoring, reporting, violation alerting, troubleshooting automation, and more, all from a single console.
OpManager comes with easy-to-use dashboards, heat maps, business views, network device grouping, for better network overview. Intelligent device discovery and monitoring using 10000+ device templates is one of OpManager’s most useful features.
Threshold violation alerts in real-time via push notifications, SMS, e-mail, Slack, gateway SMSes, and mobile app alerts can all be set up on OpManager.
ManageEngine OpManager costs from $245/month for 10 devices. They also offer a free Edition for 3 devices and 2 users with basic monitoring functionality. They offer a 30-day free trial and online or live demo.
Site24x7
Best for in-depth visibility into your entire server environment
Site24x7’s server monitoring tool helps you to keep track of the health and performance of your servers, identify performance degradation issues, and stay on top of outages.
Site24x7 lets you monitor the entire server infrastructure and get in-depth visibility into the pivotal performance indicators with the help of easy-to-understand reports and dashboards.
This comprehensive server monitoring solution enables you to monitor your Windows servers, Linux servers, Microsoft applications, Virtual Machines, Containers, Network, and Cloud Platforms like Azure, AWS, and GCP, with over 100+ customizable plugin integrations.
With the key performance metrics, you can analyze the CPU, memory, and bandwidth utilization, and the input, and output network traffic. Monitor any resource on your server, including the event logs, and syslogs of your servers, URLs, Files, Directories, Ports, and much more using our Resource Check Profile and also discover the service or process causing the server spike.
Site24x7’s IT Automation enables you to automate corrective actions when there is a breach, thus proactively avoiding downtime, bottlenecks, and outages. Auto-resolve critical performance issues and get notified of unauthorized access with the full-stack server monitoring solution.
Site24x7 also supports a wide range of third-party integrations for a better user experience. Integrate with third-party applications like ServiceNow, Jira, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus(SDP), Zapier, Slack, and many other applications and build powerful workflows on the go.
Site24x7 costs from $9/10 servers/month and offers a 30-day free trial.
LogicMonitor
Best server monitoring platform for hybrid environments
LogicMonitor helps businesses monitor the health and performance of their on-premises and virtual server infrastructure. Set-up is simple, with users only needing to enter an IP address for their server. Afterward, LogicMonitor will automatically detect, monitor, and alert on various metrics, including CPU and memory usage.LogicMonitor’s hybrid solution for server monitoring enables tool consolidation. The platform allows organizations to optimize their resource utilization by eliminating the need for disparate server monitoring and analytics tools. Pricing is available upon request.
Super Monitoring
Best for monitoring websites
Super Monitoring is an online monitoring platform for websites and web applications. The tool constantly runs checks on your websites and apps for glitches, lags and system outages. The tool is easy to install and integrates with content management systems such as WordPress, Drupul and Prestashop.
Super Monitoring provides a simple interface featuring an array of tools including powerful reporting tools and API access. The tool also provides content monitoring, form testing and page load monitoring which allows you to not only monitor the performance of your website and check for outages, but also to improve your website content.
The cost of Super Monitoring starts at $5.99/month for the Super package. The tool also offers a free trial.
Logz.io
Best log analytics software with a cost-effective data storage solution
Logz.io is an enterprise cloud observability and security data analytics platform. It offers four products: Log Management, Infrastructure Monitoring, Cloud SIEM, and Distributed Tracing. Users can integrate with a range of cloud environments, such as Amazon Web Services, Google, and Docker Cloud.Logz.io is a great tool for optimizing cost savings. The platform’s Data Optimizer, which aggregates and saves critical logs, is a useful tool for ensuring you only pay for retaining the data you need. Users can automate data aggregation by setting rules that specify what data to aggregate and where it should be stored. Pricing varies depending on your choice of product, usage, and data retention needs.
Monitis
Best for email monitoring
Monitis is an all-in-one monitoring system for servers, websites and applications. The tool provides agent-based and agentless monitoring for network devices such as Linux and Microsoft Windows servers, and phone systems. It is a simple solution for monitoring both uptime and server details.
Monitis provides a Mail Server monitoring feature which allows for uptime, round-trip and end-to-end monitoring so you can test mail server responsiveness and identify any performance issues. This eliminates email delays and also allows you to complete ERP, SMTP and IMAP monitoring. Monitis also allows you to execute transaction monitoring and cloud monitoring so you are able to improve web performance and application performance as well as email and server performance.
The cost of Monitis for enterprise services starts at $12/month and comes with a 15 day free trial.
Mist Technology
Best for simple and accessible use
MIST is a lightweight server performance monitoring tool that has CPU, memory, bandwidth and selected disk monitoring capabilities. The clean dashboard is easy to navigate and you are alerted within seconds to any performance issues or outages.
With being a lightweight tool, MIST provides a clear infrastructure with a sharp design and simple monitoring features that allows you to monitor and analyze servers without the need for broad technical knowledge. MIST has a robust support team which assists with more advanced queries and issues, removing any of the advanced technical obligations of your team, ideal for training and maintenance.
MIST Technology offers pay as you go rates starting at $2/month per vCPU.
SiteDownAlert
Best for instant alerts and notifications
SiteDownAlert is a website and server monitoring service that offers SaaS solutions. The tool provides you with the ability to run availability tests, FTP and mail server monitoring, and review event logs and performance metrics. SiteDownAlert also offers extensive documentation and online support for training and assistance purposes.
SiteDownAlert’s user interface provides a trusted and quality alert system whereby you will receive notifications of your website or servers being down in good time, allowing you time to triage the issue before client’s notice. You can receive alerts through SMS, email and push notifications whenever a service goes down. SiteDownAlert also allows you to monitor full page load time on your websites, allowing you to track the time it takes to load all components of the page including CS, images and Javascript.
The cost of SiteDownAlert starts at $7/month for the Personal package. SiteDownAlert also offers a free trial.
Hyperspin
Best false alarms flags
Hyperspin is an automated server performance monitoring service that allows you to monitor your websites as well as your other internet-based services such as Ping, SMTP and HTTP. Hyperspin detects performance issues and instantaneously alerts you to the problem, allowing you to minimize downtime.
Hyperspin’s false alarm elimination feature derives from advanced verification technology and reduces the amount of false alarm and false positive notifications you receive, which saves you time and resources. Hyperspin also allows you to increase or decrease the sensitivity of your monitoring features by providing you the ability to specify factors such as timeout and locations.
The cost of Hyperspin is $2/month for a 15 minute monitoring frequency level.
Thundra
Best for ease of use
Thundra APM is a monitoring tool which specializes in application observability for cloud-native microservices. It allows you to execute serverless monitoring and debugging, as well as various comprehensive features such as Lambda debugging, security and compliance, and local and end-to-end distributed tracing.
Thundra APM is an intuitive and easy to use platform which allows you to identify your problem and reach your solution in a matter of minutes. Thundra also has a support team to work with, allowing you to collaborate with them to customize the tool and it’s features to meet your business needs. It is easy to set up and clearly shows the interaction between microservices on it’s clean dashboard, giving you a pleasant user experience.
The cost of Thundra APM starts at $49/month for the Lite package, and also offers a free version for basic server implementations.
Need expert help selecting the right Network Monitoring Software?
We’ve joined up with Crozdesk.com to give all our readers (yes, you!) access to Crozdesk’s software advisors. Just use the form below to share your needs, and they will contact you at no cost or commitment. You will then be matched and connected to a shortlist of vendors that best fit your company, and you can access exclusive software discounts!
10 Best Web Server Monitoring Tools Summary
| Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ManageEngine OpManager Best for real time network monitoring and management | 30 Days Free Trial | $245/month for 10 devices | Visit Website |
| 2 | Site24x7 Best for in-depth visibility into your entire server environment | 30 Days Free Trial | $9/10 servers/month | Visit Website |
| 3 | LogicMonitor Best server monitoring platform for hybrid environments | Not available | Pricing is available upon request. | Visit Website |
| 4 | Super Monitoring Best for monitoring websites | Free Trial | $5.99/month for the Super package | Visit Website |
| 5 |  Logz.io Best log analytics software with a cost-effective data storage solution | Not available | Visit Website | |
| 6 |  Monitis Best for email monitoring | 15 Days Free Trial | $12/month | Visit Website |
| 7 |  Mist Technology Best for simple and accessible use | Not available | $2/month per vCPU | Visit Website |
| 8 |  SiteDownAlert Best for instant alerts and notifications | Free Trial | $7/month for the Personal package | Visit Website |
| 9 |  Hyperspin Best false alarms flags | Not available | $2/month for a 15 minute monitoring frequency level | Visit Website |
| 10 |  Thundra Best for ease of use | Not available | $49/month for the Lite package | Visit Website |
Other SM Tools Options
Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list. If you need additional suggestions for handy server monitoring tools, check these out.
- LogicMonitor - Proactively monitors and manages client environments with less of a need for administrative overhead.
- Logz.io - Provides a variety of ways to ship your logs including SDKs, log shipping daemons, and Cloud integrations with the likes of AWS.
- Paessler - Monitors and records every interface, disk usage, memory usage, CPU usage, bandwidth, exchange queue, providing a wide variation of data or service monitoring.
- Navicat - Provides a very easy to use user interface and is best for database monitoring as it monitors several databases from one application
- SysKit - Automatically analyzes your governance, access review and lifecycle for which the end-user receives detailed reports and emails.
- Zabbix - A highly customizable and flexible server and device monitoring platform with a clean and detailed visual, making the use of graphs and network maps simple.
- Pulseway - Provides extensive features and modules including task automation, auto-remediation and real-time actionable information on active servers and devices.
- Datadog - Monitoring, security and analytics platform that provides a real-time overview of the entire technical stack of your firm.
- Netreo - An easy to implement monitoring platform which has both a web and mobile application, allowing remote access to server and website monitoring from anywhere.
- Solar winds - A stable and extensive monitoring platform which provides robust API integration and plugin options and ability to monitor multiple storage vendor platforms.
- ManageEngine - Provides comprehensive support for server and device monitoring at a reasonable cost.
- PagerDuty - An organized and clean user interface for enterprises which allows you to easily navigate and pull up outage tickets and calls, as well as easy access for call back.
- Uptrends - A cloud-based web monitoring application with highly customized monitoring capabilities and integration with incident management software.
- Power Admin - Provides an instantaneous alert system which alerts the end-user if files are changed, removed or created, and if an unauthorized file type has been created on a monitored system.
- Site24x7 - Monitors site availability, server CPU and disk space on a simple user friendly platform for extensive and efficient network management.
SM Tools & Software FAQ
What is server monitoring?
Why is server monitoring important?
Not Looking for Server Monitoring?
We have other tool recommendation articles, as well. Try:
- Test Management Tools
- Defect Tracking Tools
- Android Emulators For PCs
- Cross-Browser Testing Tools
- Load Testing Tools
What Do You Think About These Server Monitoring Tools?
Have you tried out any server monitoring tools listed above? If you have a go-to favorite that we forgot to mention, let us know in the comments! Keep up with new and upcoming content by subscribing to The QA Lead newsletter.