Redgate SQL Monitor vs. Spotlight

Redgate SQL Monitor is well suited for database administrators or companies who implement software that relies on SQL servers. It will help them test new changes and ensure this will not impact the performance of their software. It is a last resort for MSPs to use to get to the bottom of an ongoing performance issue with their SQL server.

Incentivized

Spotlight is great when you need a tool to give a quick look at a SQL server as a whole. It gives you the ability to see a lot of things, which can be vital in diagnosing problems or identifying stressors. Less great is the open-end of some of the diagnoses it makes, and things it identifies as "problems" (unless you love users coming to you and saying something like "Spotlight says there's a problem with our page latch!!!").

Incentivized

• It will tell you if your server is under attack.
• You can quickly see how your server is performing and which queries are taking the longest
• I gives you the feeling that you are in control of your database, that you know what is going on for when they users ring up and tell you that the server is slow

Incentivized

• I love the main page that provides a color code list of all the servers so I know very quickly where to focus my attention first.
• I love how easy it is to configure new notifications.
• I love how easy it is to configure a new server to monitor.

Incentivized

• Incremental releases can be buggy
• Isn't the best for pinpointing performance issues
• Web interface can be sluggish

Incentivized

• Have not found any issues at this point.

Incentivized

Access to metrics is simple but I like easy access to top SQL

Fast support responses from Redgate

Incentivized

Though our support needs have been minimal, we have gotten good responses when we have needed it.

Incentivized

Redgate SQL Monitor is a lot cheaper than SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer. I prefer the SolarWinds' design and that it offers integration with other SolarWinds products we already use. SolarWinds supports more than SQL servers (Oracle, MySQL, Maria DB, IBM DB2) and the analysis seems to be much better. The Spiceworks SQL Server monitoring is a free tool and is ideal for monitoring small business SQL instances.

Incentivized

I think Dell is better with its dashboard and ease of use, but SQL Sentry is better at customization. We used Spotlight at my previous company, and SQLSentry at my current company.

Incentivized

• The quality of the product and give a negative investment impression, on the plus side when it does work it is a god send.
• Day to day tasks as made simpler, and a feeling of security of realised. Just don't change anything.

Incentivized

• We have not encountered any issues and continue to keep Spotlight's version current.
• Very simple to set up and add databases. The only thing that has to happen to the database is that a user ID needs to exist.

Incentivized