Whether you are running a few Docker containers, or a few thousand, keeping a close eye on the health of these containers is imperative to keeping your applications up and running. In this article, we’ll break down the best Docker monitoring tools to help ensure your apps are always accessible.
Here’s our list of the best Docker monitoring tools:
- SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (FREE TRIAL) This on-premises package supervises a range of systems, including virtualizations and containers, such as Docker, down to server resources. Runs on Windows Server. Access a 30-day free trial.
- AppOptics Docker Monitoring (FREE TRIAL) This cloud-based system provides application monitoring that draws up an application dependency map and drills through user-facing apps, through middleware, such as Docker, down to server resources. Get a 14-day free trial.
- Site24x7 Infrastructure (FREE TRIAL) This SaaS package provides monitoring for all of the systems that lie behind user-facing applications and that includes Docker, which is available as a plug-in. Start a 30-day free trial.
- ManageEngine Applications Manager (FREE TRIAL) This software package provides server and middleware monitoring in addition to the application tracking system. Runs on Windows Server, Linux, AWS, and Azure. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Paessler PRTG (FREE TRIAL) This package of monitoring tools includes a Docker status monitoring service that provides time-series graphs of activity that stretches over two days. Runs on Windows Server. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Prometheus This flexible data analysis tool is available with pre-written system monitoring for Docker containers and it is free to use. Runs on Windows, Linux, or macOS.
- cAdvisor This respectable free Docker monitoring system can run within Docker or on the Linux operating system and it can also monitor Kubernetes.
- Dynatrace This AI-based monitoring system is able to identify and track Docker containers and can also be used in development environments. This is a SaaS package.
- Sematext This SaaS platform offers an Infrastructure monitoring package that includes Docker and Kubernetes monitoring.
The Best Docker Monitoring Tools
1. SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (FREE TRIAL)
SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM) comes in at the top spot for Docker container monitoring due to its ease of use, scalability, and visual alerting features. No matter how many Docker containers you need to keep an eye on, Application Monitor can scale accordingly without much effort at all.
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds SAM secures its position as the top choice for Docker container monitoring, primarily due to its user-friendly interface, scalability, and robust visual alerting features. SAM stands out for its ability to effortlessly scale and monitor any number of Docker containers. The main dashboard offers a comprehensive visual representation of container health, allowing users to quickly assess the status of individual containers and their cumulative health. SAM’s customizable dashboard ensures that users can prioritize what matters most to them, providing an efficient and tailored monitoring experience. The reporting dashboard facilitates easy access to historical and real-time resource consumption data, simplifying anomaly detection and eliminating the need for manual log file analysis. The capacity planning feature, which forecasts future resource needs, and the SLA support further enhance SAM’s capabilities, making it a holistic and user-friendly solution for Docker environment monitoring.
On the main dashboard, you’ll be able to visualize the health of all of your Docker containers, as well as the cumulative health of all of them combined. With a quick glance, the health overview can immediately let you know what needs your attention, and what is in working order. You can sort the view by most used containers, application type, or alert status. While the default layout is great, the entire dashboard is customizable to what you find important.
Historical as well as real-time resource consumption is readily available through the reporting dashboard. This interface makes looking for anomalies an easy task and takes the pain out of having to dig through text-based log files.
If you’re growing quickly you’ll find the capacity planning feature incredibly helpful. Capacity planning uses historical resource usage data to forecast your future needs and gives an estimate when that container will reach its capacity. This can be broken down by resource estimating the memory, CPU, and storage needs individually.
If your business provides Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Application Monitor can assist with keeping your Docker containers online and accessible. Alerts can be configured based on thresholds you set in order to stay ahead of any bottlenecks your containers may face. SAM has plenty of built-in alert templates to get started, however customizing them to your liking is a simple process.
Who is it recommended for?
SolarWinds SAM is recommended for businesses and IT professionals seeking a comprehensive and scalable solution for Docker container monitoring. Its user-friendly interface makes it suitable for users of varying expertise levels, ensuring quick adoption and ease of use. Whether you are managing a small or large Docker environment, SAM’s scalability allows it to adapt effortlessly to your monitoring needs. The capacity planning feature becomes particularly valuable for rapidly growing businesses, providing insights into future resource requirements. For those dealing with Service Level Agreements (SLAs), SAM’s alerting and customization options make it an ideal choice to ensure containers meet uptime and accessibility requirements. Overall, SAM caters to a broad audience by offering a simple yet powerful solution for effective Docker container monitoring.
SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor provides a holistic and simple solution to monitoring your Docker environment. You can test out the full version of SAM completely free for 30 days.
2. AppOptics Docker Monitoring (FREE TRIAL)
AppOptics Docker Monitoring runs as a cloud-based monitoring system and uses agents to report back the health of Docker containers. While this agent can provide data for a number of environments, it will first need the Docket plugin enabled which is included.
Why do we recommend it?
AppOptics Docker Monitoring earns its recommendation as a robust cloud-based monitoring system with seamless Docker container integration. Leveraging agents and the Docker plugin, AppOptics provides real-time insights into container health, covering crucial metrics like CPU usage, network statistics, and memory consumption. The clean and user-friendly AppOptics dashboard prioritizes relevant information, presenting the total number of containers, their status, and utilization breakdown based on resources. The ability to drill down into container details, view service runtimes, pod metrics, and orchestrator insights enhances troubleshooting capabilities. AppOptics further stands out by integrating with SolarWinds Loggly for comprehensive data collection and review.
Once the agent is installed and the plugin is enabled, you’ll immediately start to receive CPU usage, network statistics, memory consumptions, and other health metrics into your AppOptics dashboard. The AppOptics dashboard is clean and easy to view, bringing the most relevant information to the forefront. This includes your total number of containers, their current status, and a breakdown of utilization based on resources.
If an issue should arise AppOptics allows you to drill down into the details to get a close look at what might be causing an alert. Select any container or group of containers to view service runtimes, pod metrics, or orchestrators. AppOptics integrates with SolarWinds Loggly to collect data in a more comprehensive fashion for further review.
Alerting is fairly simple to set up and can be configured by a container’s current state or a set threshold. You can choose to be alerted through a variety of different mediums including IM clients, email, Slack, or Webhook.
If you’re strictly looking to just monitor Docker containers, the AppOptic Infrastructure plan will be a good choice. However, if you’re looking to monitor other applications or servers AppOptics APM would be a better fit, as that encompasses Docker containers as well as a broader range of technologies.
Who is it recommended for?
AppOptics Docker Monitoring is recommended for users seeking a cloud-based solution dedicated to efficient Docker container monitoring. With a focus on simplicity and clarity, it caters to those specifically interested in monitoring Docker containers. The Infrastructure plan suits users exclusively focused on Docker container monitoring, offering a streamlined and effective solution. However, for users with broader monitoring needs, including other applications or servers, AppOptics APM provides a more comprehensive solution by encompassing a wider range of technologies alongside Docker containers. Whether you’re a Docker-centric environment or part of a larger ecosystem, AppOptics adapts to your monitoring requirements, making it a versatile choice for diverse users.
You can test out Docker Monitoring through AppOptics free through a 14-day day trial.
3. Site24x7 Infrastructure (FREE TRIAL)
Site24x7 Infrastructure is a cloud platform that provides packages of system monitoring modules and the Infrastructure plan includes Docker monitoring along with network, server, virtualization, and cloud platform monitoring tools.
Why do we recommend it?
Site24x7 Infrastructure secures its recommendation as a comprehensive cloud platform offering a diverse set of monitoring modules, including robust Docker monitoring capabilities. Part of the Infrastructure plan, Docker monitoring is seamlessly integrated with other monitoring tools, covering network, server, virtualization, and cloud platforms. The service excels in automatic Docker instance discovery, promptly identifying new instances and actively monitoring container activity and server resource utilization. The interpreted activity data is presented in live graphs and data tables within the Site24x7 console, allowing users to customize the Docker screen layout and display preferred metrics.
The Docker monitoring service is one of many plug-ins that are available to extend the core monitoring package. It offers a discovery service that constantly checks for new Docker instances and spots them as they are created. It then watches over the activity of the containers and the server resources that they access.
The monitoring service sends activity data to the console of Site24x7 where they are interpreted into live graphs and data tables. The Docker screen in the console can be customized, so you can reorganize the layout and decide which metrics to display.
The statistics that the Docker monitoring service can track include CPU usage, cache memory, bytes received and transmitted, and network interface activity for incoming and outgoing traffic. The service installs an agent on your server, which is able to run on Linux distros.
Activating the Docker monitoring plug-in doesn’t shut down the other monitoring capabilities of the Site24x7 Infrastructure system. So, you simultaneously get detailed network device and traffic monitoring and also server monitoring. This combination of systems is great for supporting Docker activity.
Who is it recommended for?
Site24x7 Infrastructure is recommended for users seeking an integrated cloud platform with robust Docker monitoring capabilities, combined with a broad spectrum of monitoring tools. Ideal for those requiring comprehensive monitoring across various domains, including network, server, virtualization, and cloud platforms, Site24x7 Infrastructure stands out for its ability to seamlessly incorporate Docker monitoring into its holistic approach. This recommendation extends to users managing Docker-centric environments where active monitoring of container instances, resource utilization, and server interactions is crucial. Whether you prioritize Docker monitoring or seek an all-encompassing monitoring solution, Site24x7 Infrastructure adapts to your needs, making it suitable for diverse users with varied monitoring requirements.
The Docker console in the Site24x7 system also provides some control systems. For example, it is possible to start and stop the Docker system from within Site24x7. You can start with a 30-day free trial.
4. ManageEngine Applications Manager (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine Applications Manager is a popular application manager that has a number of features dedicated to helping monitor Docker containers. Application Manager comes with out-of-the-box pre-configured rule templates that allow for fast and simple monitoring.
Why do we recommend it?
ManageEngine Applications Manager earns its recommendation as a robust application manager with dedicated features for efficient Docker container monitoring. With pre-configured rule templates and customizable alerts, Applications Manager ensures fast and straightforward monitoring setup. The flexibility of alert configurations, including SMS, email, or webhook notifications, allows users to tailor alerts to specific thresholds or leverage anomaly detection for proactive issue resolution. The platform excels in tracking essential metrics like disk usage, CPU, health, and availability, presenting the data through an intuitive dashboard with options for live views and historical performance analysis.
Whether you create a rule yourself or use a template, all alerts have the option to be sent via SMS, email, or webhook. While some monitoring tools suffer from constant false positives Application Managers alerting is highly configurable. You can set specific thresholds, or choose to be alerted based on anomaly detection to get ahead of any larger problems before they cause downtime.
Metrics such as disk usage, CPU, health, and overall availability are easily tracked and displayed via the dashboard. You can toggle between live view, or historical data via the Performance History tab. This makes manually identifying outlier behavior easier than going over text logs.
ManageEngine leverages root cause analysis to help stay proactive in detecting problems on the application or Docker container level. This method of monitoring can be paired with an automated resolution that can be set to trigger certain actions based on condition. There are a number of preset actions that you can choose, or you can set the action to run a custom script.
While tools like Prometheus might be better for smaller organizations, ManageEngine has the capacity to scale with your environment to support up to 50,000 applications at once.
Configuring SLA management for all or some of your containers is a straightforward process that can be configured by thresholds or how long a Docker container or application was online. Reports can be generated from the data gathered over time and are built to help you visualize your capacity planning needs.
Who is it recommended for?
ManageEngine Applications Manager is recommended for users seeking a comprehensive application manager with robust Docker container monitoring capabilities. Ideal for organizations of varying sizes, Applications Manager offers scalability to support up to 50,000 applications concurrently. This recommendation extends to users who prioritize customizable alerting, root cause analysis, and automated resolution actions for effective Docker container monitoring. Whether you are a small to mid-sized organization or a larger enterprise, ManageEngine Applications Manager adapts to your monitoring needs, making it suitable for diverse users aiming for efficient and scalable Docker container monitoring.
ManageEngine Applications Manager can be downloaded for a fully-featured 30-day free trial. After 30 days, the software will revert back to its free version which is limited in features and capacity.
5. Paessler PRTG Docker Monitoring (FREE TRIAL)
Paessler PRTG is a bundle of IT infrastructure monitoring tools. Among the hundreds of monitors in the package are specialized monitors for containerization, including some for Docker monitoring.
Why do we recommend it?
Paessler PRTG stands out as a comprehensive IT infrastructure monitoring solution that encompasses specialized monitors for Docker containerization. With an extensive set of monitors, including the Sensor Docker Container Status, PRTG offers a holistic approach to monitoring Docker environments. The Sensor Docker Container Status, specifically designed for Docker performance tracking, identifies and aggregates information on active Docker containers. The live data and historical summaries provided through the tabbed dashboard offer valuable insights into Docker container operations over various timeframes. PRTG’s color-coded visualizations enhance status recognition, providing network managers with a user-friendly and efficient means of monitoring Docker resources.
Docker, and other container systems, span traditional divisions in monitoring activities. The service requires network, server, and application monitoring in combination. The broad monitoring capabilities of PRTG cover all of these areas of monitoring, which gives Paessler a strong background in all of the monitoring requirements for tracking Docker container activity.
A monitoring tool in PRTG is called a “sensor.” Paessler created a sensor that trackers Docker performance, which is called Sensor Docker Container Status. This monitor identifies all active Docker containers on the system. All status information on those identified containers is aggregated and the systems resources that they use are quantified and shown live in the PRTG dashboard.
The Docker sensor screen in the PRTG dashboard is tabbed. It enables the user to see live data and then summaries for the recent operations of Docker containers over the previous two days, 30 days, and 365 days. The sensor console also includes analytical functions that act on historical data.
Each of the resources that Docker containers use has a finite capacity. These services include memory, disk space, and network traffic bandwidth. A visualization section at the top of the dashboard shows color-coded dials for each of these resources. This enables at-a-glance status recognition. Paessler deploys this status color coding for all of its dashboard screens and network managers monitoring Docker will also check on other sensor consoles to investigate the root causes of any problems that get flagged in the Docker monitoring console.
Who is it recommended for?
Paessler PRTG Docker Monitoring is recommended for users seeking a comprehensive and integrated IT infrastructure monitoring solution with dedicated tools for Docker monitoring. Suitable for organizations of varying sizes, PRTG’s broad monitoring capabilities cover network, server, and application monitoring, making it a robust choice for Docker environments that span traditional monitoring divisions. The solution’s user-friendly interface, live data visualization, and historical analysis cater to the needs of network managers, making it an ideal choice for efficiently monitoring Docker containers and identifying potential issues across diverse timeframes.
PRTG is on-premises software that runs on Windows Server. The package is charged according to the number of sensors that the buyer wants to activate. Paessler offers a 30-day free trial of PRTG with unlimited sensors.
6. Prometheus
Prometheus is a widely known Docker monitoring tool and one of the best open-source options available. Unlike AppOptics, Prometheus installs via an image per container, which can take some time and configuration. This makes Prometheus better suited for smaller environments using fewer Docker containers.
Why do we recommend it?
Prometheus stands out as a widely recognized and robust open-source Docker monitoring tool. Known for its versatility, Prometheus is particularly well-suited for smaller environments with a limited number of Docker containers. Its installation, facilitated through an image per container, ensures simplicity and ease of configuration. The intuitive dashboard provides straightforward visualizations, including charts, live graphs, top containers, and performance gauges, making it easy for users to analyze data at a glance. The ability to query metrics using the Prometheus query language directly from the dashboard enhances flexibility and customization. With an HTTP API on the backend, Prometheus allows seamless data sharing with external monitors and other applications.
Once the image is installed data will start populating the dashboard. The visualizations are simple to analyze at a glance. The configuration makes it easy to add rows or customized views. These include charts, live graphs, top containers, and performance gauges.
Metrics can be queried via the Prometheus query language right from the dashboard to pull specific reports or data. On the backend, Prometheus uses HTTP API to allow for data to be easily shared with external monitors or other applications.
While Prometheus might be one of the most popular open-source tools, many businesses may find the lack of official support troublesome if they run into issues that can’t be fixed quickly.
Who is it recommended for?
Prometheus is recommended for users seeking a powerful and flexible open-source Docker monitoring solution, particularly well-suited for smaller environments with fewer Docker containers. Ideal for organizations comfortable with open-source tools, Prometheus offers a range of visualizations and customization options, catering to users who prioritize simplicity and versatility in their monitoring approach. It is important to note that while Prometheus is popular and feature-rich, organizations should be aware of the potential challenges associated with the lack of official support, making it crucial for users to have the expertise to address issues independently.
Prometheus is completely free and can be downloaded from the official product website.
7. cAdvisor
cAdvisor is a free software tool built by Google for the sole purpose of monitoring containers. This tool can monitor all of the critical aspects of a Docker container environment and provide statistics on both the container and application level.
Why do we recommend it?
cAdvisor, developed by Google, is a highly valuable free software tool dedicated to monitoring containers, specifically tailored for Docker environments. Its ease of use sets it apart, requiring just a single command for launch and configuration. Operating as a container itself, cAdvisor employs a running daemon to collect data from other Docker containers, providing comprehensive statistics at both the container and application levels. The tool’s simplicity extends to its user-friendly dashboard, offering visualizations for CPU, memory, and input/output metrics.
One main benefit of cAdvisor is its ease of use. After just a single command the cAdvisor tool will launch and configure itself. The tool itself is a container and utilizes a running daemon to pull data from all other running Docker containers.
The tool itself provides a visualization of this data through a simple dashboard interface. You can easily set it to visualize your CPU, memory, and input/outlook. The dashboard gets the job done, but tools like SolarWinds SAM and AppOptics have much better interfaces.
cAdvisor is flexible and can integrate with a host of other applications or monitors via REST API through web service applications. cAdvisor’s latest images can be installed directly on the Docker host in as little as 10 minutes.
One drawback to cAdvisor is that it lacks in-depth reporting or SLA management. You’ll also have to configure your own method for providing alerts through another application.
Who is it recommended for?
cAdvisor is recommended for users seeking a straightforward and efficient container monitoring solution, especially tailored for Docker environments. Its simplicity makes it an excellent choice for those who prioritize ease of use and quick setup. Ideal for environments where advanced reporting or SLA management may not be critical, cAdvisor serves as a reliable choice for users who value simplicity, flexibility, and integration capabilities. Organizations looking for a lightweight and efficient monitoring tool for Docker containers will find cAdvisor to be a valuable addition to their toolkit.
cAdvisor can be downloaded directly from Github.
8. Dynatrace
Dynatrace is a performance and application monitor that excels at making Docker container monitoring simple and fast. Once the Dynatrace monitor is installed the tool automatically can detect new and existing Docker containers as well as the applications inside them. This saves you time on having to configure and launch an agent, or install an image directly in the container itself.
Why do we recommend it?
Dynatrace stands out as a top-tier performance and application monitoring tool, offering unparalleled simplicity and speed in Docker container monitoring. Installation of the Dynatrace monitor is streamlined, automatically detecting both new and existing Docker containers, along with the applications within them. This eliminates the need for manual agent configuration or direct image installations within containers, saving valuable time for users. The default dashboard in Dynatrace provides a clean and comprehensive overview of critical events in real-time, featuring key metrics like CPU usage, slowest requests, response time, and failure rate—all displayed simultaneously. Notably, the customizable display screen caters to specific monitoring needs, and the global heatmap visually represents geographical areas facing application issues.
The Dynatrace default dashboard view is clean, simple, and provides a neat overview of critical events both in real-time and over a recent period of time. Metrics like CPU, slowest requests, response time, and the failure rate can all be displayed at once. The display screen is fully customizable and can be arranged for your specific monitoring needs. One feature that stands out is the global heatmap. This map uses color to indicate geographically where your applications are having the most problems.
Long term logs can be referenced later or parsed for specific events. All events can be accessed via the Log Analytics menu and filtered down to highlight what you’re looking for. The features and ease of use that Dynatrace brings to the market make it a strong contender as one of the best Docker monitoring tools.
Who is it recommended for?
Dynatrace is highly recommended for users seeking a powerful and user-friendly Docker container monitoring solution. Its automatic detection of containers and applications simplifies the setup process, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize efficiency and ease of use. The customizable dashboard adds flexibility, allowing users to tailor the display to their specific monitoring requirements. Organizations looking for a comprehensive monitoring tool that excels in simplicity, speed, and advanced features will find Dynatrace to be a robust solution for Docker container monitoring.
Currently, there is no public pricing information available, however, you can try a 15-day free trial of Dynatrace from the official company website.
9. Sematext
Sematext is a lightweight Docker monitoring tool that launches itself as a small container to collect data from all other hosts and applications. Sematext is one of the most efficient and resource-conscious utilities on our list. Sematext runs efficiently by running on each of the Docker hosts directly. Some may find this off-putting when comparing it to solutions such as Dynatrace which require no configuration during onboarding.
Why do we recommend it?
Sematext stands out as a lightweight and efficient Docker monitoring tool, offering a streamlined approach by launching itself as a small container to collect data from hosts and applications. Its resource-conscious design ensures efficient performance, particularly as it runs directly on Docker hosts without requiring extensive configuration during onboarding. The dashboard in Sematext is well-organized and user-friendly, providing a default view with neatly presented data. Users have the flexibility to customize the dashboard by moving or removing objects to accommodate specific metrics of interest.
Like many of the tools on this list, Sematext does a great job of keeping the dashboard neat and tidy and providing a spread of data via the default view. Each object on the dashboard can be moved or removed to make room for other metrics you wish to track.
Sematext also provides out-of-the-box monitoring and alert templates you can use to get up and running right away. In a few minutes, you can configure alerts for resource thresholds, network errors, and a variety of other Docker container statuses.
Log files are organized well and come with multiple different types of filter options. The interface makes it simple to transition your data from a text-based log view, to a graphic on the reporting dashboard with relative ease. Sematext has built log overage protection to ensure your logs don’t get rejected, and you don’t get any surprise bills at the end of the month. This is a nice feature, especially for businesses with many Docker containers.
Lastly, Sematext has a very user-friendly team integration that allows for multiple user access, shared logs, and individual login accounts. While most platforms charge per seat, Sematext allows for an unlimited number of users per account, making this a great option if you have a larger team.
Who is it recommended for?
Sematext is recommended for users who prioritize efficiency, simplicity, and resource-conscious monitoring in Docker environments. Its direct deployment on Docker hosts makes it an attractive option for those seeking a straightforward and streamlined setup. Businesses with a larger team will appreciate Sematext’s user-friendly team integration, providing multiple user access, shared logs, and individual login accounts without charging per seat. The unique pricing structure, featuring a mix of free and pay-as-you-go options, adds flexibility for users with varying monitoring needs and budget considerations. Overall, Sematext is an excellent choice for organizations looking for an efficient and user-friendly Docker monitoring solution.
Sematexts pricing structure is unique and contains a tiered mix of free and pay-as-you-go options. Basic monitoring starts at $0.007 (£0.0056) per hour while the standard data logging plan starts at $50.00 (£38.49) per month for 1GB per day with a one week retention period. You can get a full breakdown of the pricing structure, as well as a free trial on their website.
Choosing a Docker Monitoring Tool
It’s clear that if you manage Docker containers, you’re going to need a dependable monitor to ensure things are running smoothly. So with all these choices, which one is right for you?
Our top pick is SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor. SAM provides an excellent balance between scalability and features that are easy to implement. In under five minutes, you can have SAM running and pulling data to its dashboards.
SAM can monitor Docker containers as well as the applications inside of the containers individually. If you ever want to expand and start monitoring other applications or servers, SAM can integrate with nearly any other service and has over 1200 templates to choose from.
Do you currently monitor your Docker containers? If so, what’s your favorite tool? Let us know in the comments below.
