Enterprise synthetic monitoring vs indie-friendly monitoring. A comparison for different needs.
Uptrends (now part of ITRS) is enterprise-grade synthetic monitoring with 231+ global checkpoints, real user monitoring (RUM), and transaction recording. Used by Apple, Microsoft, IBM.
PerkyDash is built for indie makers and small teams - simpler, cheaper, with status pages and visual diff included.
You need enterprise features like RUM, transaction monitoring, and 230+ global locations.
You want straightforward monitoring + status pages without enterprise complexity or contracts.
Before comparing features, you should know:
Multiple user reviews mention this as a major pain point:
"Buyer Beware: when signing up, you are agreeing to a 12 month contract with a 90 day termination notice."
"I attempted to cancel several days before expiry and they told me there is a 3-month notice period and refused to cancel."
"The company relies on abusive licensing terms to retain customers."
Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. No contracts, no notice period.
This alone may be a deciding factor for many teams.
Enterprise synthetic monitoring platform
Part of ITRS Group (acquired)
Used by Apple, Microsoft, IBM, BNP Paribas
231+ checkpoint locations in 67 countries
Features: RUM, transaction recorder, multi-step monitoring
Indie-focused monitoring + status pages
Independent, bootstrapped
Built for makers, startups, agencies
Focus: Simplicity + status pages + visual diff
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | ~$16/mo | Basic monitoring |
| Premium | ~$30-40/mo | More features |
| Professional | ~$54/mo | Advanced features |
| Business/Enterprise | Custom | Full suite |
Note: Credit-based pricing. 12-month contract required. Prices increase based on monitors and features.
| Plan | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $9.99/mo | Full monitoring + status pages + visual diff |
| Agency | $39.99/mo | Everything + white-label + more monitors |
Note: Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. All features included.
Uptrends pricing is complex (credit-based) and requires annual commitment. PerkyDash is flat monthly pricing with no contracts.
| Feature | PerkyDash | Uptrends |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring Types | ||
| HTTP/HTTPS uptime | ✅ | ✅ |
| API monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| SSL monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| DNS monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-step transactions | ✅ API-based | ✅ Browser recorder |
| Real User Monitoring (RUM) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Unique Features | ||
| Visual diff monitoring | ✅ | ❌ |
| Status pages | ✅ Included | ⚠️ Third-party |
| Emergency status page | ✅ Free tool | ❌ |
| Transaction recorder | ❌ | ✅ No-code |
| Infrastructure | ||
| Global checkpoints | Multiple | 231+ in 67 countries |
| Private checkpoints | ❌ | ✅ |
| Reporting | ||
| Custom dashboards | ✅ Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| PDF/Excel export | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Full |
| SLA reporting | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| Contract | ||
| Commitment | Month-to-month | 12-month minimum |
| Cancellation | Anytime | 90-day notice |
| Support | ||
| Support level | Email, responsive | Phone, email, dedicated |
| SLA guarantees | ❌ | ✅ Enterprise |
Track actual user experience, not just synthetic tests. PerkyDash doesn't offer RUM.
No-code tool to record multi-step user journeys. PerkyDash requires API configuration.
Monitor from 67 countries. Massive global coverage.
Monitor from inside your corporate network. PerkyDash can't do this.
Advanced dashboards, PDF exports, SLA reports for stakeholders.
Dedicated account managers, phone support, SLAs.
Apple, Microsoft, IBM trust it. That's serious validation.
If you need RUM, private checkpoints, or enterprise-grade reporting, Uptrends is genuinely more capable. It's built for that market.
Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. No 90-day notice BS.
Catch visual/layout issues automatically. Uptrends doesn't offer this.
Uptrends doesn't have status pages - you need a third-party tool.
Free instant status page during crisis.
No credit systems, no complex tiers. Two plans, clear limits.
$9.99-39.99/mo vs $16-54+/mo (plus annual commitment).
Built for makers and small teams, not enterprise procurement cycles.
No sales calls, no contracts to negotiate. Sign up and monitor in 10 minutes.
Uptrends offers Real User Monitoring (RUM). PerkyDash doesn't.
RUM tracks actual user sessions - real browsers, real devices, real network conditions. It shows you exactly what your users experience.
Reality check: Most small teams don't need RUM. Synthetic monitoring catches 90% of issues. RUM is valuable but adds cost and complexity.
If you're not sure, start with synthetic. Add RUM later if you actually need it.
You need Real User Monitoring (RUM)
Transaction recording (browser-based) is important
You need 200+ global monitoring locations
Private checkpoints for internal network monitoring
Enterprise reporting and SLA guarantees
You're okay with 12-month contracts
You want month-to-month, no contracts
Visual diff monitoring would catch issues for you
You need status pages included (not third-party)
Simpler pricing without credits and tiers
You're an indie maker, startup, or small agency
Fast setup without sales cycles
Frustrated with Uptrends' contract terms? Here's how to switch:
Verify your contract end date and cancellation notice requirements (remember: 90 days)
Start trial 3+ months before your Uptrends renewal
Most configs take 15-20 minutes
Test both until you're confident
To Uptrends with required notice period
When contract ends
Note: Uptrends transaction recordings won't transfer - you'll need to reconfigure multi-step monitors as API flows in PerkyDash.
If you need RUM, private checkpoints, and enterprise features - possibly. The features are genuinely good. But the contract terms frustrate many users. Read reviews carefully before committing.
No. Uptrends has 231+ checkpoints in 67 countries. PerkyDash has multiple global locations but not that many. If monitoring from 50+ specific locations matters, Uptrends wins.
Different market focus. RUM adds significant complexity and cost. Most indie makers and small teams don't need it. We focus on doing synthetic monitoring + status pages really well.
For what it offers (RUM, transaction recording, 231+ locations), the pricing is reasonable for enterprises. It's expensive for indie makers, which is why we built PerkyDash for that market.
Uptrends is serious enterprise monitoring. RUM, transaction recording, 231+ global checkpoints, enterprise support. If you need those features, it delivers.
But: 12-month contracts with 90-day cancellation notice. Complex credit-based pricing. Not indie-friendly.
PerkyDash is monitoring + status pages for indie makers and small teams. No contracts, simple pricing, visual diff included. Less powerful than Uptrends, but you get what most teams actually need.
The question: Are you enterprise or indie?
Enterprise needs → Uptrends (accept the contract)
Indie/SMB needs → PerkyDash (no strings attached)
Start monitoring in 5 minutes. No credit card required.
Start 14-Day Free TrialNo credit card • No contract • Cancel anytime