Tool Comparison

Checkly vs Uptime Kuma

Which Monitoring Tool is Better for You?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right uptime monitoring solution

Quick Comparison

Feature Checkly Uptime Kuma PerkyDash
Starting Price $30/mo Free (self-hosted) $9/mo
Free Tier 5 checks Unlimited (self-hosted) 5 monitors
Uptime Monitoring
Status Pages
SSL Monitoring
API Monitoring
Incident Management
Slack Integration
Multi-Region Checks
Check Interval 1 min 20 sec 1 min

What is Checkly?

Developer-focused monitoring platform with Playwright-based synthetic monitoring. Checkly offers API monitoring and browser checks with a code-first approach.

Checkly Pros

  • Code-first approach (monitoring as code)
  • Playwright-based browser checks
  • Excellent API monitoring
  • CI/CD integration

Checkly Cons

  • No built-in status pages
  • Requires coding knowledge
  • Limited free tier
  • Can be complex for simple needs

Best for: Development teams wanting monitoring-as-code and synthetic testing

What is Uptime Kuma?

Self-hosted, open-source monitoring tool with a fancy UI. Uptime Kuma is free to use but requires you to host and maintain it yourself.

Uptime Kuma Pros

  • Completely free and open-source
  • Unlimited monitors
  • Beautiful, modern UI
  • Full control over your data

Uptime Kuma Cons

  • Requires self-hosting and maintenance
  • Single-location monitoring only
  • No team features
  • You're responsible for uptime of the monitor itself

Best for: Developers who want free monitoring and are comfortable with self-hosting

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Pricing

Checkly

Starts at $30/mo. Free tier includes 5 checks.

Uptime Kuma

Starts at Free (self-hosted). Free tier includes Unlimited (self-hosted).

Monitoring Capabilities

Checkly

  • Uptime Monitoring
  • SSL Monitoring
  • API Monitoring
  • Real User Monitoring

Uptime Kuma

  • Uptime Monitoring
  • SSL Monitoring
  • API Monitoring
  • Real User Monitoring

Alerting & Notifications

Checkly

  • Email Alerts
  • SMS Alerts
  • Slack Integration
  • Webhooks

Uptime Kuma

  • Email Alerts
  • SMS Alerts
  • Slack Integration
  • Webhooks

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Checkly if you:

  • Need a free tier (5 checks)
  • Want monitoring-as-code approach
  • Need Playwright-based browser checks
  • Development teams wanting monitoring-as-code and synthetic testing
Visit Checkly

Choose Uptime Kuma if you:

  • Need a free tier (Unlimited (self-hosted))
  • Need status pages included
  • Want to self-host your monitoring
  • Need unlimited monitors without monthly cost
Visit Uptime Kuma
Alternative Option

Consider PerkyDash

Looking for a simpler, more affordable alternative?

PerkyDash combines uptime monitoring and status pages in one simple, affordable tool. Built for indie makers and small teams who want powerful monitoring without enterprise complexity.

Monitoring + Status Pages
Starting at $9/month
Free tier with 5 monitors
1-minute check intervals
Multi-region monitoring
Setup in under 2 minutes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Checkly or Uptime Kuma?

It depends on your specific needs. Checkly is best for Development teams wanting monitoring-as-code and synthetic testing. Uptime Kuma is best for Developers who want free monitoring and are comfortable with self-hosting. Consider your budget, team size, and required features when making your decision.

What's the pricing difference between Checkly and Uptime Kuma?

Checkly starts at $30/mo with a free tier offering 5 checks. Uptime Kuma starts at Free (self-hosted) with a free tier offering Unlimited (self-hosted). Both offer different feature sets at their price points.

Is there a better alternative to Checkly and Uptime Kuma?

PerkyDash offers a compelling alternative with monitoring and status pages in one tool, starting at $9/month with a free tier available. It's designed for indie makers and small teams who want simplicity without sacrificing features.

Can I migrate from Checkly to Uptime Kuma?

Yes, most monitoring tools allow you to export your monitors or recreate them on a new platform. The migration process typically involves setting up new monitors on the target platform and configuring your alert preferences.

Do Checkly and Uptime Kuma offer free trials?

Checkly offers a free tier with 5 checks. Uptime Kuma offers a free tier with Unlimited (self-hosted). We recommend trying both to see which fits your workflow better.

Still not sure which to choose?

Try PerkyDash free and see if it meets your needs. No credit card required.