Percona Monitoring and Management

Overview

PMM brings database dashboards, query analytics and configuration insight together across on-premises, cloud and hybrid deployments. Its supported technologies include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Amazon RDS and Aurora, ProxySQL and Percona XtraDB Cluster; the supported-database list also includes MariaDB and Valkey/Redis. That range makes PMM a practical candidate for mixed database estates, rather than a tool focused on just one engine.

The service uses PMM Server and PMM Client. Clients connect to the server over HTTPS with TLS encryption, and the server provides a browser-accessible interface. Percona has built enterprise-grade open-source software since 2006. Its Trust Center identifies GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 and PCI badges, as well as annual third-party audits and penetration testing.

Key features

Query analysis and alerts

Query Analytics ranks queries by load and supports anomaly investigation, explain plans and customizable dashboards across MySQL, MongoDB and PostgreSQL. Query profiling, wait and lock analysis, and execution plans make it useful for investigating database behavior, not just watching availability. Percona Alerting supports more than 15 notification channels, giving teams multiple ways to route alerts.

Advisors and backups

Percona Advisors scan MySQL, MongoDB and PostgreSQL for security gaps, misconfigurations and performance problems, then provide recommendations. This gives operators a way to surface issues across several engines, though the scans and recommendations are not a substitute for deciding how to address them.

PMM includes scheduled and on-demand backup and restore for MongoDB and MySQL, with point-in-time recovery. That adds useful operational coverage for those databases, but does not extend the stated backup capability to PostgreSQL.

Pricing

PMM is free and open source. The PMM plan costs 0.00 USD per free and covers database monitoring, management and observability. The software has no paid lower tier to trade features for cost; however, the infrastructure used to install it may have separate costs.

Platforms

PMM is available for Linux and self-hosted deployments, with a web interface and API. Deployment options include Docker, Podman, a virtual appliance, Kubernetes or OpenShift through Helm, and an AWS Marketplace instance. This flexibility suits teams able to operate their own monitoring infrastructure, but the Docker setup recommends at least 2 CPU cores, 4 GB RAM and 100 GB disk, and requires an x86-64-v2-capable CPU. The first login also requires changing the default admin password.

Who it's for

PMM is a strong fit for database teams that manage multiple supported engines or spread workloads across on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments. It combines load-oriented query investigation, configuration recommendations and selected backup tools without a software subscription price. It is less suitable for readers seeking a hosted, low-setup service: PMM’s self-hosted options and resource requirements demand infrastructure and ongoing operational attention.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad database and deployment coverage helps teams monitor mixed environments through one service.
• Pro: Query ranking, anomaly investigation, explain plans and wait and lock analysis support deeper performance troubleshooting.
• Pro: Advisors and MySQL and MongoDB backup and restore add security guidance and operational tools beyond monitoring.
• Pro: The software is free and open source, with TLS-encrypted client connections to PMM Server.
• Con: Self-hosting requires meaningful server resources, including 100 GB recommended disk for Docker, so installation is not cost-free in practice.
• Con: Backup and restore are limited to MongoDB and MySQL, and advisor scans cover MySQL, MongoDB and PostgreSQL rather than every supported technology.

Alternatives

For more options, browse Database Performance Monitoring Software and Database Monitoring.

• DBmarlin is another free-plan option for Linux, self-hosted, web and Windows platforms.
• AimBetter is a paid, cross-platform option with per-server pricing starting at 110.00 USD per month.
• SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is a paid option with a free trial and quote-required subscription or volume licensing.
• pgwatch is a free, self-hosted and web-based choice specifically for PostgreSQL versions 14 and later.
• Site24x7 Database Monitoring is a paid option for web, iOS and Android.
• pganalyze is a paid option with a free trial and a Production plan priced at 149.00 USD per month.
• MySQL is a freemium option with a free Community Edition.
• Amazon RDS is a paid service with a free tier; its listed legacy-account allowance is 750 hours per month for up to 12 months.

Verdict

Choose PMM if you need open-source monitoring and query analysis across a varied database estate and can provide the infrastructure to run it. Its strongest case is the combination of performance investigation, configuration recommendations and selected backup capabilities at no software charge. Look elsewhere if you want monitoring without self-hosting or need backup coverage beyond MongoDB and MySQL.