Server monitoring tools are a core component of modern IT infrastructure. You can gain key insights into your systems’ performance, health, and security using these tools.
They provide an overview, often in real-time, of the server’s resource use, hardware health, and system security.
These insights can help optimize operations and resolve any issues before they spiral out of control. Without them, you are at great risk of downtime, costing you as much as $100,000 per outage.
Our experts have compiled a list of the top 10 server monitoring tools heading into 2025. If you need a reliable server monitoring platform, consider these solutions to keep your servers healthy and secure.
Top 10 Server Monitoring Tools for 2025
Here are the top 10 server monitoring tools we recommend you try out in 2025:
1. Datadog
Datadog is a full-stack monitoring solution built for enterprise use. It provides real-time insights into servers, applications, and cloud services. It is particularly valuable for businesses with complex infrastructures that require seamless integration across tools and platforms.
Datadog has a very strong track record, supporting enormous IT setups seamlessly. One notable case is Mercado Libre, which uses Datadog to monitor 15,000 virtual machines and 600 applications.
Key Features of Datadog
- Full-stack monitoring for servers, applications, and cloud services.
- Real-time alerts and anomaly detection.
- Intuitive dashboards with customizable visualizations.
- Integration with 500+ tools and platforms.
- AI-powered insights for faster troubleshooting.
The Pros and Cons of Datadog
Pros | Cons |
Easy-to-use interface. | Higher cost for larger infrastructures. |
Comprehensive integrations and cross-platform compatibility. | A difficult learning curve for advanced features. |
Real-time metrics and alerts. | Limited offline monitoring capabilities. |
2. Paessler PRTG
The Paessler PRTG Network Monitor stands out for its simplicity and all-in-one approach. It is an ideal solution for small and mid-sized organizations. It provides a single platform to monitor servers, networks, and devices, with customizable alerts and an easy setup process.
Paessler is another highly trusted name in the server monitoring space. Their work on Bosch’s IT infrastructure is well-known, helping the energy industry giant implement centralized monitoring on a massive scale.
Key Features of Paessler PRTG
- All-in-one network and server monitoring.
- Customizable dashboards and reports.
- Automated alerts and notification system.
- Flexible licensing model based on sensor usage.
- Extensive device and platform compatibility.
The Pros and Cons of Paessler PRTG
Pros | Cons |
An extremely user-friendly setup. | It can be expensive for large networks. |
A highly customizable platform. | The interface may feel cluttered with many sensors. |
Detailed reporting capability. | It requires manual setup for complex environments. |
3. Dynatrace
Dynatrace is a premium tool for enterprises needing deep server and application performance insights. AI-powered analytics and automatic dependency mapping make it a standout choice for minimizing downtime and resolving complex issues quickly.
Dynatrace has garnered a dedicated fanbase and is used by leading brands worldwide. Their collaboration with Meliá Hotels International is a fantastic example of the platform’s power, reducing insight collection times from hours to minutes.
Key Features of Dynatrace
- AI-powered monitoring and analytics.
- Automatic dependency mapping for applications and servers.
- Real-time root-cause analysis.
- Cloud-native monitoring capabilities.
- End-to-end visibility into server and application performance.
The Pros and Cons of Dynatrace
Pros | Cons |
Advanced AI-driven insights. | Premium pricing can fall out of budget. |
Excellent cloud integration. | Complexity in initial setup. |
Automatic dependency mapping. | Requires ongoing configuration for large-scale environments. |
4. Zabbix
Zabbix is a free, open-source monitoring tool with extensive customization and scalability. It’s a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on features.
Key Features of Zabbix
- Open-source and free to use.
- Real-time server and network monitoring.
- Customizable dashboards and plugins.
- Scalable for small to large infrastructures.
- Active community support.
The Pros and Cons of Zabbix
Pros | Cons |
Free and open-source. | It requires technical expertise to configure. |
Highly customizable. | Offers limited out-of-the-box templates. |
Scalable and lightweight. | Community-driven support may be slow. |
5. Prometheus
Prometheus is a powerful open-source monitoring tool ideal for cloud-native environments. It excels in dynamic systems like Kubernetes and Docker, offering robust data querying with its custom query language (PromQL).
Key Features of Prometheus
- Open-source monitoring for dynamic environments.
- Time-series database for high-efficiency data storage.
- Flexible query language for analytics.
- Easy integration with Kubernetes and Docker.
- Alert manager for real-time alerts.
The Pros and Cons of Prometheus
Pros | Cons |
Free and open-source. | Limited built-in visualization tools. |
Excellent for cloud-native setups. | Steep learning curve for beginners. |
Powerful query capabilities. | Requires external tools for advanced dashboards. |
6. 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.
Key Features of SolarWinds
- Comprehensive server and application monitoring.
- Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop dashboards.
- Pre-configured templates for quick setup.
- Integrates with other SolarWinds products.
- Real-time performance tracking and alerting.
The Pros and Cons of SolarWinds
Pros | Cons |
Intuitive interface. | Higher licensing costs. |
Pre-configured templates. | Limited customization for advanced users. |
Good customer support. | Resource-heavy for smaller setups. |
7. New Relic
New Relic is designed for businesses that need detailed observability across their tech stack. Its advanced analytics and user experience insights make it a strong option for large enterprises with complex infrastructure.
In 2023, users rated New Relic highly, with an overall score of 4.5 out of 5. Notably, 90% of users recommended the platform. This high user satisfaction underscores New Relic’s effectiveness in providing critical insights that help teams quickly detect and resolve issues.
Key Features of New Relic
- Full-stack observability for servers and applications.
- Detailed insights into end-user experience.
- Advanced analytics and visualization tools.
- AI-driven anomaly detection.
- Seamless integration with cloud platforms.
The Pros and Cons of New Relic
Pros | Cons |
Excellent observability features. | It can be costly for large-scale use. |
Detailed performance insights. | A difficult learning curve for new users. |
Great cloud platform support. | Overwhelming number of features for small teams. |
8. Nagios
Nagios is a reliable, long-established tool for monitoring networks and servers. Its plugin-based approach and community-driven ecosystem make it highly adaptable for various use cases. Nagios has critical acclaim, with notable corporations leveraging the tool across their enterprise.
Here’s what Alexander Smith from Versium Analytics Inc. had to say about Nagios’ contributions to their systems:
“Before monitoring, we couldn’t even spend the bulk of our time fighting fires; we were spending time finding them. Now, our system is nearly self-healing. Nagios is super easy to install and configure, runs on standard bash scripts, and allows us to automate anything.”
Key Features of Nagios
- Proven server and network monitoring capabilities.
- Large library of plugins and add-ons.
- Customizable alerting and notification system.
- Active community and enterprise support options.
- Easy scalability for growing infrastructures.
The Pros and Cons of Nagios
Pros | Cons |
Highly customizable. | Basic UI compared to newer tools. |
Strong community support. | Can require significant configuration. |
Cost-effective. | Limited built-in visualization tools. |
9. AppDynamics
AppDynamics is tailored for organizations that want to link server performance with business outcomes. Its business-centric insights and AI-driven root cause analysis make it ideal for application-heavy infrastructures.
Key Features of AppDynamics
- Server and application performance monitoring.
- Business transaction tracking.
- AI-driven root cause analysis.
- Detailed dashboards with business-centric insights.
- Integration with major cloud platforms.
The Pros and Cons of AppDynamics
Pros | Cons |
Business-oriented insights. | Expensive for small organizations. |
AI-powered troubleshooting. | Requires expertise in setup and management. |
Comprehensive performance data. | Complex pricing structure. |
10. LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor is a cloud-native solution that excels in hybrid environments. It combines scalability with AI-powered proactive monitoring, making it a strong choice for growing businesses.
Key Features of LogicMonitor
- Cloud-based server monitoring.
- AI-powered predictive alerts.
- Scalable for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
- Customizable dashboards and reports.
- Automated setup and configuration.
The Pros and Cons of LogicMonitor
Pros | Cons |
Cloud-native and scalable. | Requires consistent internet connectivity. |
Proactive monitoring. | Premium pricing for advanced features. |
Easy to deploy. | Limited offline capabilities. |
Choosing the Right Server Monitoring Tool
When selecting a server monitoring tool, you should focus on finding the solution that fits your needs. This list offers a starting point for conducting your research.
Here are some useful tips for finding the right server monitoring tool for your company:
- Define your needs, like real-time monitoring or multi-cloud support, to match the tool to your requirements.
- Choose a tool that scales with your infrastructure as your business grows.
- Look for easy-to-use dashboards and templates to save setup time.
- Ensure it integrates smoothly with your current systems and apps.
- Balance cost with features; open-source tools are cheaper, while premium ones offer advanced options.
- Pick a tool with strong alerts to catch issues early and avoid downtime.
- Check for reliable support, whether from a community or the provider.
- Test free trials to see if the tool fits your needs before committing.
- Make sure it has solid security features like encryption and access controls.
- Select a tool that meets current needs and supports long-term growth.
Conclusion
A robust server monitoring tool is vital for success in 2025. Things are more competitive than ever, and you cannot afford any problems or downtime. Prevention is better than cure, and server monitoring is the best way to prevent an IT disaster. Strengthen your IT infrastructure with these tools and stay ahead of the competition.
Don’t forget to level up your servers as well! Strong monitoring tools are useless without a solid server foundation. RedSwitches’ dedicated server hosting ensures your server monitoring tools operate at peak performance. Explore RedSwitches Dedicated Servers today to keep your infrastructure running smoothly.
FAQs
Q. 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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.