DBmarlin

DBmarlin is database monitoring software for teams that need to see where SQL time goes and spot database changes. It suits database administrators and engineering teams working across supported database technologies, especially those who want self-hosted or cloud deployment. Its free single-instance licence makes it easy to start; paid licensing requires care because the unit counted depends on the database technology.

Overview

DBmarlin brings query profiling, wait-state analysis and change detection together. It captures SQL statement text and wait states to show where execution time is spent, then detects changes to schema objects, database parameters and explain plans. That combination is useful when a performance regression may coincide with a database change: teams can investigate both the slow statement and what changed.

The AI Co-pilot adds tuning insights and advice. DBmarlin can run self-hosted or in the cloud, and supports a wide range of databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, IBM Db2, MongoDB and Snowflake. The breadth is a strength for mixed estates, though licensing is not uniformly counted across technologies.

Key features

SQL and wait analysis

Query profiling captures SQL text and wait states, helping teams distinguish time spent executing SQL from time spent waiting. Wait and lock analysis and execution plans add useful context for diagnosing database performance problems.

Change detection and tuning

Automatic detection of schema, parameter and explain-plan changes gives DBmarlin a practical troubleshooting edge: teams can connect a change with a shift in database behaviour. The AI Co-pilot offers actionable tuning advice, although no further scope or limits are stated for that feature.

Integrations

DBmarlin lists integrations with Datadog, Grafana, Harness, Instana, Jenkins, Liquibase, New Relic and Splunk Observability Cloud. Its Datadog Chrome extension adds a link beside SQL statements to open the corresponding database performance view in DBmarlin. It can also send database performance data to the New Relic API for dashboards. These connections are most relevant to teams already using those observability tools.

Pricing

DBmarlin is freemium, with monthly pricing unavailable and prices excluding tax. The free plan is free, billed FREE/forever, with one database licence, unlimited users and no time limit. It is a low-commitment way to assess the product, but the single-instance cap limits its fit for larger estates.

Premium is custom pricing, billed at £999/year per licence. It includes unlimited licences, unlimited users and priority support. The paid plan is aimed at teams that need broader coverage and priority help; the annual term and per-licence framing matter when budgeting. Licensing counts active database instances, databases or nodes depending on technology, so confirm the applicable unit before estimating cost. SAP HANA pricing is listed as beta, with pricing to be confirmed. There is no free trial.

Platforms

DBmarlin supports Linux, Windows and web access, with self-hosted and cloud deployment options. Its hybrid deployment model gives teams a choice over where the monitoring software runs. Data retention is 8 days, a constraint for teams that need to investigate older incidents.

Who it's for

DBmarlin is a good fit for database teams that need query-level performance analysis, change tracking and support for varied database technologies. It is particularly compelling when one free instance is enough to begin, or when integration with Datadog or New Relic fits an existing workflow. Teams with larger estates should first map their technologies to DBmarlin's licensing units and assess whether eight days of retention is sufficient.

It is less suited to buyers seeking monthly billing, a trial before commitment, or a free licence covering multiple instances. Downloads also require a first name, last name and work email to access the downloads page.

Pros and cons

Pros

• SQL text, wait states, locks and execution plans provide several useful angles for diagnosing database slowdowns.
• Automatic detection of schema, parameter and explain-plan changes helps connect performance shifts to database changes.
• Broad database support and self-hosted or cloud deployment serve varied environments.
• The free plan has no time limit and allows unlimited users, making a one-instance evaluation practical.

Cons

• The free plan covers only one database licence, limiting its usefulness for multi-instance monitoring.
• Paid licensing is annual, with monthly pricing unavailable; the technology-specific counting unit can complicate cost estimates.
• Eight days of retention may be too short for teams investigating older performance issues.
• No free trial is offered, and downloads require work contact details.

Alternatives

Percona Monitoring and Management is the better place to start for teams seeking free, open-source database monitoring, management and observability; installation infrastructure may have separate costs.

New Relic Database Monitoring may suit teams that want database monitoring within New Relic's wider platform: its free plan includes 100 GB of monthly data ingest, unlimited basic users and one free full platform user.

DBPLUS Performance Monitor is worth considering for teams comparing per-instance and unlimited licensing options across Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL and SAP HANA.

SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is another paid option, with subscription or volume licensing available by quote and a free trial.

pganalyze is an alternative for teams evaluating paid database monitoring with a free trial; its Production plan is $149 a month.

WhaTap Database Monitoring is another paid, web-based database monitoring option.

Google Cloud Database Center is a free, web-based alternative.

Site24x7 Database Monitoring is a paid alternative with web, iOS and Android platforms.

Browse more options in Database Monitoring and Database Performance Monitoring Software.

Verdict

DBmarlin is a strong choice for database teams that need detailed SQL and wait analysis alongside automatic change detection, especially across a mixed database estate. Its one-instance free plan and broad deployment choices lower the barrier to evaluation. Look elsewhere if you need monthly billing, longer retention or a free plan that covers multiple instances; before buying, establish exactly how your database technology is counted.