Server monitoring tools track server performance, health, and security. They monitor key metrics like CPU usage, disk space, and network traffic. These tools help detect issues such as system overloads or security breaches before they lead to downtime.
With proper monitoring, servers can succeed. Unmonitored servers can cause system overloads or breaches. This can lead to downtime, costing businesses an average of $5,600 per minute 1.
This guide reviews the best server monitoring tools of 2024. It will help you find the right tool to keep your servers healthy and secure.
Importance of Server Monitoring Tools
Server monitoring tools ensure that servers stay operational and secure. These tools alert admins to server overload, unauthorized access, and hardware failures. They help businesses prevent costly downtime.
With cybersecurity threats rising, data breaches affected nearly 294 million individuals. So, robust server monitoring is now essential. It can detect vulnerabilities early and maintain the security and performance of critical systems.
Top 5 Server Monitoring Tools for 2024
| Server Monitoring Tools | Description |
| Datadog | Cloud-based monitoring platform
Full visibility across cloud infrastructures, apps, and servers Real-time analytics and AI-driven alerts |
| Prometheus | Open-source tool
Ideal for cloud-native apps and Kubernetes Real-time data collection and analysis using PromQL |
| Zabbix | Enterprise-grade open-source solution
Supports large-scale, complex infrastructures Distributed monitoring with centralized management |
| SolarWinds SAM | Easy-to-use monitoring for servers and apps
Automated discovery of servers Root cause analysis to resolve performance issues quickly |
| New Relic | Comprehensive observability platform
Real-time insights across distributed systems Well-suited for large-scale applications |
Let’s discuss the top five server monitoring tools for 2024
1. Datadog
Datadog is a top cloud-based server monitoring platform. It offers full visibility of cloud infrastructures, applications, and servers. It integrates with different platforms. This lets businesses monitor their environment seamlessly.
Datadog’s real-time analytics and AI alerts help companies find issues early. This prevents problems from hurting performance or uptime.
For example, Mercado Libre used Datadog to monitor 15,000 VMs and 600 apps. This improved visibility and sped up troubleshooting.
Features
- Full-stack monitoring for cloud services, servers, and applications.
- AI-driven alerts for anomalies and performance issues.
- Integration with cloud providers, databases, and applications.
Pros and Cons of Datadog
The following table highlights the pros and cons of Datadog.
| Pros | Cons |
| Intuitive dashboards | It can be expensive for smaller teams |
| Real-time metrics and alerts | Costs increase with larger setups |
| Scalable for various infrastructures |
2. Prometheus
Prometheus is a top open-source monitoring tool. It’s great for cloud-native apps and Kubernetes. It has a powerful time-series database and a flexible query language (PromQL). This enables real-time data collection and analysis of server metrics. Research shows that 65% of organizations using Kubernetes rely on Prometheus. This shows its popularity.
For example, SoundCloud enhanced its infrastructure visibility by implementing Prometheus. This allowed it to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. This showcases the importance of building tailored solutions to meet complex monitoring requirements.
Features
- Time-series database for real-time data collection.
- Flexible query language (PromQL) for in-depth analysis.
- Auto-discovery of services in dynamic environments like Kubernetes.
Pros and Cons of Prometheus
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Prometheus.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent for microservices environments | Requires third-party tools like Grafana for visualization |
| Free and open-source | It can be complex to set up for beginners |
| Highly customizable |
3. Zabbix
Zabbix is an open-source, enterprise-grade monitor. It can handle large, complex infrastructures. It supports Linux, Windows, and macOS. It can monitor thousands of devices.
Zabbix is ideal for businesses with high monitoring needs. It has distributed monitoring with centralized management. Its customizable dashboards and strong alerts are also key features.
For instance, KDDI leveraged Zabbix to cut system setup time from three weeks to just 30 minutes, significantly boosting their operational efficiency and showcasing Zabbix’s power in high-demand environments.
Features
- Distributed monitoring with centralized management.
- Customizable dashboards and extensive alerting capabilities.
- Supports multiple platforms (Linux, Windows, macOS).
Pros and Cons of Zabbix
Here are the pros and cons of Zabbix.
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly scalable for large infrastructures | The steep learning curve for configuration |
| Strong community support | It can be overwhelming for small teams |
| Free and open-source |
4. SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM)
SolarWinds SAM is praised for its easy use and powerful server and app monitoring. With templates for 300 apps and support for 1,100 more, it simplifies monitoring from the start. Its automated discovery feature instantly identifies servers and applications, streamlining setup so IT teams can focus on proactive management.
The dashboards and alerts make tracking performance easy. They integrate with SolarWinds’ AppStack and PerfStack modules. This gives users full visibility into their application stack. SAM helps IT teams quickly find and fix performance issues. This ensures smooth operations and less downtime.
Features
- Easy-to-use interface with pre-built monitoring templates.
- Automated discovery of servers and applications.
- Root cause analysis for performance issues.
Pros and Cons of SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM)
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of SolarWinds server & application monitor.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to set up and use | Higher cost for larger installations |
| Strong vendor support | Primarily focused on Windows environments |
| Comprehensive monitoring solution |
Also, read How To Pick the Right Dedicated Server Specs [Ultimate Guide].
5. New Relic
New Relic is a powerful observability platform. It excels at APM and server monitoring. It provides full-stack visibility across distributed systems. It offers real-time performance insights and customizable dashboards. Particularly well-suited for large-scale applications and cloud environments, New Relic enables deep insights into server health and performance anomalies.
In 2023, users rated New Relic highly, with an overall score of 4.5 out of 5. Notably, 90% of users recommended the platform. It enhances system resilience and provides real-time observability.
This high user satisfaction underscores New Relic’s effectiveness in providing critical insights that help teams quickly detect and resolve issues, making it a top choice for businesses looking to minimize downtime and optimize performance.
Features
- Full-stack observability for applications, servers, and microservices.
- Real-time performance insights and anomaly detection.
- Customizable dashboards with real-time metrics.
Pros and Cons of New Relic
Here are the pros and cons of the new relic.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent for real-time performance tracking | Expensive for larger infrastructures |
| User-friendly interface | The steep learning curve for advanced features |
| Scalable for large setups |
How to Choose the Right Server Monitoring Tool
When selecting a server monitoring tool, focusing on features that align with your business needs is essential. Here are five critical factors to consider:
- Scalability: As your business grows, your server monitoring tool must scale to support a larger infrastructure without losing performance.
- Ease of Use: A simple, intuitive interface is vital for efficient monitoring. IT teams can set up and start monitoring without a steep learning curve.
- Customization: Every business has unique monitoring requirements, so customization is key.
- Real-time Monitoring: Real-time alerts are crucial to detect and address issues before they cause downtime.
- Integration Capabilities: A good server monitoring tool should integrate seamlessly with your existing DevOps tools and infrastructure.
Also, read Server Downtime: Causes, Effects, and How to Prevent It.
Conclusion
Choosing the right server monitoring tool is vital. It ensures peak performance, security, and uptime. Tools like Datadog, Prometheus, Zabbix, SolarWinds SAM, and New Relic offer features for various business needs, from cloud-native apps to large infrastructures.
When choosing a tool, consider its scalability, ease of use, and customization. Also, check for real-time monitoring and integration. These factors will ensure it fits your environment.
FAQs
- What is a server monitoring tool?
A server monitoring tool checks servers’ performance, health, and security. It tracks key metrics like CPU usage, memory, disk space, and network traffic. This ensures optimal functionality. - What is the best server monitoring tool?
The best server monitoring tool depends on your needs. Popular options are Datadog for cloud, Prometheus for Kubernetes, and Zabbix for large networks. - What is the best tool for monitoring?
The best monitoring tool varies by use case. Datadog excels at full-stack monitoring. Prometheus is great for open-source flexibility. New Relic offers complete observability. - How do I monitor server usage?
Monitor server usage with tools like SolarWinds SAM, Datadog, or Zabbix. They track real-time CPU, memory, and disk space usage. - How do I check server utilization?
You can check server utilization with monitoring tools. They provide real-time data on CPU, memory, and disk usage. You can set thresholds for performance alerts. - How can I monitor my server remotely?
You can monitor your server remotely using tools like Datadog, Zabbix, or SolarWinds. They provide dashboards and alerts you can access from anywhere with an internet connection. - What are M&E tools?
M&E tools (Monitoring & Evaluation tools) track systems or project performance. They measure specific indicators to assess outcomes. They are often used in project management or IT. - What is an API monitoring tool?
An API monitoring tool tracks APIs. It ensures they work well and are available. Examples include Postman, New Relic, and Pingdom. - How can I monitor my server for free?
You can use free tools like Zabbix or Prometheus to monitor your server. They are free, but their setup may require technical skills. - What is server uptime?
Server uptime refers to the time a server has been running without interruption. High uptime is crucial for maintaining the availability and reliability of services.
