Best Server and Application Monitoring Services

As Magento developers, we understand the importance of performance in successful e-commerce. A slow page always makes your visitors dissatisfied. It leads to negative user experience, which is a core reason of low conversion rate. If your e-commerce store provides a low performance, your potential customers leave it even before they get to the checkout page.

Such platforms as Magento are associated with lots of recursive rendering and high number of database calls. The right server monitoring services and application performance monitoring tools provide you with the ability to reveal the bottlenecks which slows your store. It also shows how well your e-commerce website is performing according to industry standards. As a result, you can fix the misdoings before your potential customers are affected with a negative user experience. In addition, monitoring software can provide alerting. This feature is responsible for notifying you when something causes performance challenges.

The below list of application and server monitoring software is useful for everyone who manages servers or IT systems and develops apps or other related products. We’ve gathered all possible monitoring solutions here. In this post, you can find free server monitoring tools, as well as paid software.

New Relic

New Relic is one of the most popular monitoring tools. The company provides you with the ability to get important information about all problems and challenges, which occur on your e-commerce store, from the code base, through servers, down to the experience of end users. Server monitoring service is represented within New Relic Servers with cloud and datacenter monitoring. The solution is free. It supports installation on both Windows Server and Linux Server. New Relic alerts about capacity issues and different health issues, such as utilization of CPU, memory, disk I/O. There is also an ability to see the prioritization of processes by consumption of memory or CPU. The server monitoring service tracks data in cold, physical, or hybrid environments.

New Relic

EasyNetMonitor by Nicekit

If you are looking for free network monitoring software, EasyNetMonitor by Nicekit is for you. Despite this solution is very small – a 100Kb file – it still can be useful. NasyNetMonitor tests if an internet host is accessible across the network. This solution requires no installation and supports notifications. You can download NasyNetMonitor for free; PRO version costs $35.

EasyNetMonitor by Nicekit

Pandora FMS

Pandora FMS provide an open source application monitoring. Company’s portfolio consists of network monitoring software, MSP/SaaS monitoring solutions, and server monitoring tools. By choosing Pandora FMS, you will get all the necessary network equipment within the robust virtual infrastructure. Key features include full support for Windows, Solaris, BSD, HP-UX, and Linux; event-based approach to management; customizable interface. In addition to free open source software, there is also an enterprise solution.

Pandora FMS

Zabbix

Zabbix is another open source solution for application performance monitoring. It is designed to control different processes which occur at various network servers and other hardware. The solution provides enough resources for simultaneous real-time monitoring of thousands of them. Zabbix relies on overviews, maps, and graphs to visualise the received data. The server monitoring service supports thresholds for maximum levels of incoming data. It notifies admins when these limits are exceeded. Zabbix is highly scalable, provides convenient interface, secure authentication, and automated detection of devices. With this solution, you can get a free server monitoring, but there is also an enterprise software.

Zabbix

PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network Monitor is a complex monitoring solution, designed for testing WANs, LANs, websites, servers, and lots of other stuff. The software provides all possible monitoring tools within one installation. PRTG Network Monitor works on Windows machines, has a user-friendly interface, provides the ability to share data with the help of live graphics, and supports multiple protocols. As a result, you can collect data from anything in the network. There are both free and paid versions of this network monitoring software.

PRTG Network Monitor

Nagios

The portfolio of Nagios consists of different monitoring tools, but the most popular one is Nagios Core. It is a cloud and on-premise server monitoring software, designed to identify and prevent problems before they harm user experience. Nagios Core supports automatic restart for processes, apps, servers, and devices. It supports integration with third-party applications. Nagios provides a free server monitoring, but there are more robust paid solution.

Nagios

Icinga

Icinga offers user-focused monitoring solution for services, devices and their dependencies. It has intuitive interface and all the important features. In addition, it is Nagios compatible. You can download this application performance monitoring software for free.

Icinga

Observium

Observium can be useful, if you are looking for Linux server monitoring software. This monitoring app supports a wide variety of operating systems and platforms. It provides an easy-to-use interface with all features necessary for network monitoring, including server performance monitoring. Observium collects and displays all the necessary information automatically. It keeps network metrics for long terms, so you can always compare network performance from different periods. This network monitoring solution is open source and free, but you can also buy a professional subscription which costs £100 per year.

Observium

Ganglia

Ganglia is a more specialized server monitoring service, designed for cluster monitoring. The monitoring software provides a complete overview of cluster performance. Ganglia allows admins to work with several clusters within one data center. The solution relies on XML, XDR, and RRDtool for data representation and transport. Being BSD-licensed open-source project, Ganglia provides absolutely free server monitoring.

Ganglia

Multi Router Traffic Grapher

Multi Router Traffic Grapher is the oldest widely used network monitoring software, which exists since 1995. MRTG is designed for SNMP network devices. The software monitors them and draws graphs showing the quantity of traffic passed through all interfaces. Thanks to support of multiple platforms, MRTG provides Linux server monitoring. Licensed under the Gnu GPLFree, Multi Router Traffic Grapher is absolutely free.

Multi Router Traffic Grapher

Zenoss

Zenoss provides tools for comprehensive performance monitoring of entire IT infrastructure, which includes apps, servers, networks, storage, cloud, etc. It is able to deliver quick and precise insights into the work of your e-commerce store. With this information, your IT specialists will be able to fix most problems before your business is impacted. Zenoss provide both free and paid monitoring software.

Zenoss

Hyperic

Like most application performance monitoring tools, Hyperic provides performance management capabilities and works in physical, virtual, and cloud infrastructures. It is able to discover, monitor and manage both software and server resources automatically. Hyperic checks apps and processes on such platforms as Linux, Unix, Windows, etc. This application monitoring software is free.

Hyperic

Capsa Free

Capsa Free is a non-commercial solution. This network monitoring software suits best for students and their teachers. If you are going to get some practical experience in monitoring, you should start with Capsa Free. This tool has a user-friendly interface, supports customized analysis, and provides such features as alarms and reports. Capsa Free works with 300+ network protocols.

Capsa Free

NetXMS

NetXMS is an enterprise-class solution for a free server monitoring, which provides both management and monitoring features. The tool is based on a three-tier architecture, it is highly flexible and scalable solution for the IT infrastructure.

NetXMS

Cacti

Cacti is a network monitoring software which relies on RRDTool and enhanced graphing functionality. The tool includes poller and graph templating. It supports several data acquisition methods, as well as management features within user-friendly interface. Cacti is good for both LAN-sized installations and complex networks. This network monitoring tool is free.

Cacti

Monitor.Us

Monitor.Us is a part of TeamViewer ecosystem of apps. Being a cloud solution, it is designed to monitor all aspects of the entire IT system. Monitor.Us checks the availability of websites on the network and prevents the performance issues before they do harm. It provides native network monitoring tools for both Windows and Linux, which generate information on RAM, CPU, storage, bandwidth. You can use Monitor.Us for free.

Monitor.Us

BandwidthD

With this tool, you will be able to track usage of TCP/IP network subnets. To display utilization, BandwidthD relies on HTML files with graphs for 2, 8, 40, and 400 day periods. Different traffic is color coded. Thus, HTTP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, P2P VPN gets their own colours for easier server performance monitoring. The standalone application produces HTML and png output within 200 seconds. BandwidthD supports multiple platforms and can be used for free.

BandwidthD

MikroTik

The Dude is a network monitoring and management software by MikroTik. It automatically scans the network and discovers all types of devices. The Dude works with SNMP, DNS, ICMP, and TCP. Besides Windows, it runs on Linux Wine and MacOS Darwin. The Dude is a free monitoring software.

The Dude

Uptime Robot

Uptime Robot offers 50 server monitors to eliminate server downtime as much as possible. The solution check them for issues every 5 minutes, and if something goes wrong, the system sends the alert. If you are looking for a free server monitoring tool, check the Uptime Robot.

Uptime Robot

Opsview

Opsview is an SQL server monitor with easy-to-use and feature-rich interface. It provide different APIs for configuration, monitoring, and notification of your server. With the open source version of Opsview, you will get free server monitoring. There are also Pro and Enterprise pricing plans.

Opsview

nmon Linux

Linux server monitoring is available with nmon Linux. This solution provides relevant  performance information. It supports two forms of data output: on screen and in a comma-separated file. Keep in mind, that for every OS and platform there is a single binary. nmon Linux is absolutely free.

nmon Linux

Angry IP Scanner

Angry IP Scanner is an open-source network monitoring software with cross-platforming support. This fast and easy-to-use solution can simultaneously scan several IP addresses. Angry IP Scanner doesn’t require any Installation – you just have to copy and use it anywhere. It provides NetBIOS information, supports web server detection, and has a lot of customization options. You can download it for free.

Angry IP Scanner

NetworkMiner

NetworkMiner is a network monitoring tool for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, which can be used for sniffer/packet capturing (collects data about hosts). The software is able to detect different OSs, hostnames, sessions, open ports. And it doesn’t put any traffic on the network. In addition, NetworkMiner is able to parse PCAP files in offline, as well as  regenerate transmitted files and certificates. There are both free and paid versions of the software.

NetworkMiner

WirelessNetView

WirelessNetView by NirSoft is another server monitoring solution. This small utility runs in the background, collects data on wireless networks, and displays such information as SSID, RSSI, Last Signal Quality, Channel Number, Authentication Algorithm, etc. WirelessNetView checks wireless networks for updates every 10 seconds. the solution is free, but it has a lot of requirements.

WirelessNetView

PATROL KM by BMC

With Patrol KM, you will be able to detect performance degradations within seconds. This application performance monitoring software helps increase productivity and resolve problems quickly. In addition, Patrol KM provides automated recovery. With this tool, you will always know, that your apps are available and working.

PATROL KM by BMC

WhatsUpGold

WhatsUpGold is a server and network monitoring software, which relies on a combination of passive and active technologies. It is able to monitor such parameters as health, availability, and status. Besides network, WhatsUpGold provides information on system and application infrastructures. Other useful features are notification system and robust reports. WhatsUpGold is free for 30 days. Pricing plans start from $1,595.

WhatsUpGold

Splunk

Splunk provides several monitoring solutions. Splunk Enterprise, Cloud and Light are able to monitor different environments. In addition, there are Hunk for analyzing and visualizing data in Hadoop and NoSQL; Splunk Mobile App designed to provide you with all the necessary data and alerts on your smartphone; and Splunk Universal Forwarder for remote server monitoring. Splunk works on Windows, OS X, Linux, Solaris, etc.

Splunk

GroundWork

GroundWork is able to monitor entire data center. The gathered information is collected in one place within convenient interface. This application monitoring software relies on special hub to unify data from Clouds and VMs. Moreover, you can integrate GroundWork with other monitoring tools. There are 3 different pricing plans to choose from.

GroundWork

CopperEgg

CopperEgg offers a server monitoring solution for cloud infrastructure with lots of security, data, and alert features. It provides real-time monitoring, visualization of data and its correlation, smart alerts, custom metrics, and enhanced security. You can use CopperEgg for free during 2 weeks. Then you should choose a pricing plan.

CopperEgg

ntopng

ntopng offers a free monitoring software for high-speed web-based traffic analysis and HTML5/AJAX network traffic statistics. It sorts traffic and displays usage of IP protocols according to their different types. ntopng runs on all Unix platform, such as Mac OS X and Win32, and provides you with a free server monitoring.

ntopng

GFI Max RemoteManagement

With GFI you will get an RMM tool for remote server monitoring. It suits for any business model and simplifies server monitoring as much as possible, thanks to comprehensive monitoring and management features. And it requires no additional hardware for maintenance. There is a free 30 day trial. After this period payments are based on pay-as-you-use principle.

GFI Max RemoteManagement

ScienceLogic EM7

ScienceLogic EM7 is a comprehensive all-in-one server monitoring service that minimizes service disruptions and optimizes application performance. The tool offers automated monitoring of memory, CPU, software inventory, file systems, etc. Besides monitoring, it also provides managing features. Moreover, EM7 supports visualised monitoring for Citrix XenServer, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V.

ScienceLogic EM7

ManageEngine OpManager

With OpManager by ManageEngine, you will be able to save time and money. This server monitoring solution provides a single management console for both physical and virtual servers. It monitors all servers, apps, processes, and services. OpManager is designed to resolve performance problems within short periods of time. Besides application performance monitoring, it also works with Exchange server, VMware ESX Servers, etc. You can try OpManager for free within 30 days. Pricing plans start from $2,000.

ManageEngine OpManager

ELM Enterprise Manager

ELM Enterprise Manager provides a central console for health and status monitoring of distributed Windows systems in the IT environment. With this solution, you get less problematic server monitoring, because it relies on Microsoft SQL Server database. ELM Enterprise Manager generates reports automatically, provides advanced system of notifications, and offers custom reports. You can test it for free to choose the right pricing plan.

ELM Enterprise Manager

OpenNMS

OpenNMS is an open source network management platform designed to monitor unlimited number of devices. Being highly customizable, it provides an enterprise level scalability and flexibility. Server monitoring service provided by OpenNMS includes such features as automated discovery, event management, advanced notifications, performance measurement, etc. You can download OpenNMS for free.

OpenNMS

Xymon

Xymon is a tool for network and server monitoring designed for both small and large networks. The solution works in real time, provides user-friendly web interface, and generates availability reports, performance graphs, and historical data. Xymon monitors hosts and network services to build a set of web pages with information on network status. This network monitoring software is absolutely free.

Xymon

Total Network Monitor

With Total Network Monitor you get a free network monitoring software for local networks, individual computers, and services. TNM send alerts beforehand, generates detailed reports, and simplifies server monitoring. To avoid problems, Total Network Monitor relies on a predefined action set for every parameter that deviates a normal state. Monitor log includes the full history of all actions, performed by TNM.

Total Network Monitor

Monit

Monit is another free tool designed for server monitoring and error recovery. It can restart apps and send alerts; monitor daemon processes as well as similar programs from a localhost; check filesystems and directories. Monit is also able to work with remote hosts, while monitoring network connections to servers. The solution provides data on CPU and memory usage. Last but not least is the price – Monit is free.

Monit

Collectd

Collectd offers a specific server monitoring software that collects data on system performance and provides different storage mechanisms. The tool is written in C, as a result it doesn’t require scripted language or cron daemon to run on a system. Collectd includes 90+ plugins, designed for all possible cases. You can download it for free.

Collectd

Argus

With this network monitoring tool, you will be able to control all aspects of your IT environment. Argus provides a user-friendly color-coded interface. Thus, server and network monitoring is simplified as much as possible. The solution is highly scalable, so it suits best for both small businesses and large enterprises. Moreover, everyone can use it for free.

Argus

iftop

iftop is a command-line system monitoring solution designed for creating a list of network connections. All the connections are ordered by their usage of bandwidth. The solution is free.

iftop

Fiddler

Fiddler is a web debugging proxy for server monitoring. It is able to record, examine, and debug traffic from any system, platform or browser. Fiddler checks if proper cookies, headers, and cache directives are used for transfer between servers and clients. It can also test the performance and show the total weight of a page. Another feature is a traffic recording for HTTP/HTTPS. In addition, you get security testing and customization features. We should also mention, that Fiddler is a free server monitoring software.

Fiddler

Advanced HostMonitor

This network monitoring software is designed for both small and big companies. HostMonitor check servers’ ability and performance 24/7 and send alerts in a case on any problems. 77 test methods are used for server performance monitoring. In addition, you get a built-in report manager and the ability to check remote networks with Remote Monitoring Agents. HostMonitor provides several pricing plans and a free trial.

Advanced HostMonitor

PagerDuty

PagerDuty offers monitoring software which supports integration with different systems and tools, provides instant notifications, and helps quickly resolve the problems. It works with websites, servers, apps, etc. PagerDuty always notifys you if your server monitoring service detects a problem. Before choosing a pricing plan, you can try PagerDuty for free.

PagerDuty

Solarwinds Server & Application Monitor

Solarwinds is another source of application and server monitoring software, which runs on Windows, UNIX, AIX, Solaris, Linux. It explores servers, virtual layer, and 150+ apps. Another useful feature of Solarwinds is customization. You can change alerts, reports and dashboard to meet your requirements. Before purchasing this monitoring software, you can check it for free.

Solarwinds Server & Application Monitor

MxToolBox

With MxWatch Monitoring, you will be able to blacklist issues before they affect your business. This server monitoring software solution checks 100+ blacklists and provides daily SMTP checks. In addition, you will get alerts about all problems. Thus, you will know about all undelivered emails. You can start the exploration of MxWatch Monitoring from a free plan.

MxToolBox

AlertFox

AlertFox enables you to find and resolve performance issues before your users face with them. This web application performance monitoring tool works remotely. It checks both simple and complex web transactions, provides alerting, troubleshooting, and in-dept reporting. You can use AlertFox for free during first 30 days.

AlertFox

AppDynamics

With AppDynamics, you will get a universal tool for application performance management and server monitoring. It is designed to simplifies the maintenance of complex business apps. AppDynamics is used by such companies as AMICA Insurance, StubHub, Hotels.com, Staples, Cornell University, etc. After 2 weeks of trial, you should choose a pricing plane. The cheapest one costs $230 per month.

AppDynamics

Anturis

Anturis provides a complex cloud-based solution for both external and internal monitoring. With this platform you will be able to track the performance of web services, servers, and apps. Anturis provides application and server monitoring software, used by global IT companies worldwide. You can check this solution for free. The cheapest pricing plan starts from $9.50 per month.

Anturis

Boundary

Boundary provides application performance monitoring solution, which is agnostic across all languages, infrastructures, and VMs. Boundary collects massive amounts of data on performance of servers and apps. It can also work with data from other sources. As a result, you get a real-time app map, which is very convenient for monitoring. Boundary provides 3 pricing plans and a 14 day trial.

Boundary

BigPanda

If you are looking for SaaS troubleshooting solution, then BigPanda can satisfy your needs. It is designed to help with the flood of Ops data and alerts. Moreover, BigPanda visualizes the complex dependencies, and if something goes wrong, you can quickly react to a problem. This application monitoring software provides you with the ability to identify root causes and take actions timely. Pricing starts from $149 per month.

BigPanda

AppNeta

AppNeta offers an advanced solution for application performance monitoring. It provides end-user monitoring, all the necessary data on application performance, and all possible information about network. Thus, your users get the exceptional experience and you get uninterrupted performance of your business apps. You can use a free plan or pay $79 per month for more robust solution.

AppNeta

Datadog

Datadog is a complex monitoring solution, which collects data from servers, apps, databases, and services. With this tool, you get a unified view of the complete infrastructure of your IT environment. Datadog relies on a SaaS-based data analytics to provide your developers with the information necessary for avoiding downtimes, resolving problems with performance, and ensuring that projects will be finished on time. Datadog provides 3 pricing plans. If you have up to 5 host, you can choose a free one.

Datadog

Gear5

With Gear5, you get a monitoring software and alerting system for better website performance. It provides tools for measuring load times and speed experienced by your visitors. The data is gathered from users’ browsers. As a result, you get enough information to enhance the performance of your site. Gear5 provides a free plan.

Gear5

Dynatrace

DynaTrace offers an application performance monitoring and management solution, which relies on a proactive approach. Such approach provides the ability to reduce time required for resolving issues, and eliminate resources currently used for fixing problems. DynaTrace provides a 30 day trial.

Dynatrace

LogicMonitor

LogicMonitor is a SaaS-based solution for monitoring of servers, apps, networks, storage, and cloud. With this tool, you will be able to check the performance of your IT infrastructure. In addition you will get historical trending, reports and alerts on potential issues. You can try LogicMonitor for free.

LogicMonitor

Munin

Munin provides network monitoring software and tools for system and infrustructure monitoring. This complex solution is designed to analyze resource trends and resolve performance problems. Munin offers an open source application monitoring, so you can use it for free.

Munin

Instrumental

Instrumental provides a real-time application performance monitoring software, which can handle 500,000+ metrics per second. You can check it for free within 30 days. The pricing plan starts from $150 per month.

Instrumental

Ruxit

Ruxit is designed for web application monitoring. It learns the environment, finds anomalies, and analyses them. In a case of issues,  you always receive an alert and a possible solution of the problem. You can check Ruxit for free within 1000 hours.

Ruxit

Sematext

Sematext provides tools for performance monitoring and anomaly detection. In addition, it also include alerting system. All application monitoring software is available in a cloud, but there are tools that you can get on premise. Sematext offers several pricing plans, you can check a free one.

Sematext

Stackify

Stackify is a cloud based platform for software developers and support managers. It provides the ability to monitor cloud based apps in order to fix the occurring problems. With this application performance monitoring solution you will easily detect and resolve different problems before they affect customers experience. Stackify provides a free trial.

Stackify

Scoutapp

Scoutapp offers software for hosted server monitoring. The solution offers flexible charts, alert system, and more than 60 monitoring plugins. You can deploy Scoutapp in less then five minute via appropriate web UI – you don’t have to deal with configuration syntax. The cheapest pricing plan starts at $49, but you can also check a free 30 day trial.

Scoutapp

Count.ly

Count.ly is a mobile analytics platform. It provide a real-time information on mobile applications. Count.ly relies on mobile phones to collect data required to visualize the usage of mobile apps and behavior of users. Pricing plan starts from $125 per month.

Count.ly

BlueStripe

If you are looking for transaction performance management tool, then you should pay your attention to BlueStripe. FactFinder by BlueStripe is the the appropriate management tool designed for transactions and applications monitoring. With this solution, you will always know, if transaction gets stuck, where it gets stuck, and why.

BlueStripe

Sealion

Sealion is designed for Linux server monitoring. With this software solution, you will be able to diagnose all server problems with ease.  Sealion provides free plans.

Sealion

Site24x7

Site24x7 is an external website monitoring solution. It helps you check whether your customers are able to transact on your site regardless of the place of their connection. In addition, Site24x7 provides URL monitoring over WIFI and 3G/4G networks.

Site24x7

CA Technologies

CA Technologies offers a wide range of monitoring tools for all possible platforms and operating systems. They focus on such areas as infrastructure, project, security, service, and application performance management; data center automation; and data virtualization.

CA Technologies

Riverbed

Riverbed is another IT performance company with a robust portfolio of monitoring solutions. Check the above link for the additional information.

Riverbed