# Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) vs SolarWinds Database Observability Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that SolarWinds Database Observability excels in providing a comprehensive view of database performance, with users highlighting the "phenomenal" amount of data presented, which aids in identifying bottlenecks and improving query efficiency.
- **Users say** that Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to understand database performance, with some noting its effectiveness in real-time monitoring of all databases in one place, which is particularly beneficial for those managing multiple systems.
- **According to verified reviews** , SolarWinds Database Observability stands out for its robust alerting functions, with users appreciating the monitoring capabilities for switches and the proactive notifications that help maintain optimal performance.
- **Reviewers mention** that while PMM has good alerting features, it may not match the depth of monitoring provided by SolarWinds, as some users feel that the alerting system could be more comprehensive in addressing specific performance issues.
- **Users highlight** that SolarWinds Database Observability has a quick implementation process, with many praising the intuitive onboarding wizard that simplifies setup, making it easier for teams to get started without extensive training.
- **G2 reviewers note** that while PMM is a valuable tool for real-time monitoring, it has received fewer recent reviews, which may indicate a smaller user base or less frequent updates compared to SolarWinds, which has a more active community and ongoing feedback.



| | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 31 | 231 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (45.2% of reviews) | Mid-Market (42.5% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | 0 Unlimited | $1,399.00 Per Year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)

**Not enough data**

### SolarWinds Database Observability

Pros:
- Real-time Monitoring (12 reviews)
- Monitoring (10 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (6 reviews)
- Steep Learning Curve (6 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.3 (23 reviews) | 8.8 (196 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.7 (24 reviews) | 8.7 (211 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.4 (21 reviews) | 8.7 (143 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.4 (21 reviews) | 8.8 (132 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 8.7 (197 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.7 (18 reviews) | 8.9 (129 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.5 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (194 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Free

Price: 0 Unlimited

Description: Percona Monitoring and Management is a free, best-of-breed, open-source database monitoring and management solution.


[Learn more about Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)](https://www.g2.com/products/percona-monitoring-and-management-pmm/reviews)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### SolarWinds Database Observability

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Flexible Database Performance Analyzer for virtualized environments or SQL Sentry license per instance

Price: $1,399.00 Per Year

Description: 1-50 instances
Volume based discounting available 

Key Features:
- One year subscription price, also includes maintenance and support. 

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/database-observability/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Database Monitoring

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)** | 8.0/10 | 18 |
| **SolarWinds Database Observability** | 8.9/10 | 107 |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Monitoring** | 8.7 (18 reviews) | 9.4 (91 reviews) | 
| **Alerting** | 6.8 (14 reviews) | 8.8 (85 reviews) | 
| **Logging** | 8.2 (15 reviews) | 9.0 (77 reviews) | 
| **Response Time** | 8.4 (17 reviews) | 9.0 (89 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | 7.9 (15 reviews) | 8.6 (79 reviews) | 
| **Data Visualization** | 7.8 (17 reviews) | 8.5 (82 reviews) | 
| **Performance Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Uptime Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Database Monitoring

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 9.1 (17 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Capacity Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Resource Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visual Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Configuration Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Capacity Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Diagnostic Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dependency Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Troubleshooting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Predictive Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Application Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Application-Level Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multitenancy** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Query Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Historical Trend Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Summary Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboard Creation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Automated Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Prioritization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Issue Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Metrics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Resource Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Status Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Database Management Systems (DBMS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolarWinds Database Observability** | 9.3/10 | 25 |

#### Management

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Data Replication** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Query Language** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Performance Analysis** | Not enough data | 9.2 (24 reviews) | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Security

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **User Access Control** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Mobile Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Workflow Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extraction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Relational Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Connectors** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search/Filter** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Templates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Full Text Search** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drag & Drop** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Fields** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Mapping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Programming Languages Supported** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Capture and Transfer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **NOSQL Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Calendar Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Charting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Data Warehouse Automation

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolarWinds Database Observability** | N/A | N/A |

#### Automation

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Workflow Automation** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Multi-platform support** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Data Management** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Data Simplicity** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Documentation management** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Platform support** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Template functionality** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Error Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Service Automation** | Not enough data | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Workflow management** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Agentic AI - Data Warehouse Automation

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Parallel Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Ad hoc Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Data Sources** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **In-Database Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Synchronization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Connectors** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Metrics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Ad hoc Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drag & Drop** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Match & Merge** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Extraction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Migration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **In-Memory Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Mapping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Database Monitoring Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-monitoring)


**Unique to SolarWinds Database Observability (3):** [Database Management Systems (DBMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-management-systems-dbms), [Data Warehouse Automation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-warehouse-automation), [Other Analytics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/other-analytics)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) | SolarWinds Database Observability | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 29.0% | 18.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 45.2% | 42.5% | 
| **Enterprise** | 25.8% | 39.3% | 

### By Industry

#### Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)

- **Information Technology and Services:** 35.5%
- **Computer Software:** 9.7%
- **Computer Games:** 9.7%
- **Commercial Real Estate:** 9.7%
- **Financial Services:** 6.5%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.2%
- **Research:** 3.2%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.2%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.2%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.2%
- **Other:** 12.9%

#### SolarWinds Database Observability

- **Information Technology and Services:** 19.2%
- **Computer Software:** 8.5%
- **Financial Services:** 4.5%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.5%
- **Government Administration:** 3.6%
- **Retail:** 3.6%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.1%
- **Construction:** 2.7%
- **Insurance:** 2.7%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 45.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)

- [Datadog](https://www.g2.com/products/datadog/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (726 reviews)
- [Oracle Enterprise Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-enterprise-manager/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (196 reviews)
- [Dynatrace](https://www.g2.com/products/dynatrace/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1366 reviews)
- [Grafana Labs](https://www.g2.com/products/grafana-labs/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (164 reviews)
- [SolarWinds Observability](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (863 reviews)
- [Monte Carlo](https://www.g2.com/products/monte-carlo/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (536 reviews)
- [IBM Instana](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-instana/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (480 reviews)
- [Site24x7](https://www.g2.com/products/site24x7/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (452 reviews)
- [Checkmk](https://www.g2.com/products/checkmk/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (305 reviews)
- [Zabbix](https://www.g2.com/products/zabbix/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (209 reviews)

### Alternatives to SolarWinds Database Observability

- [Dynatrace](https://www.g2.com/products/dynatrace/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1366 reviews)
- [Datadog](https://www.g2.com/products/datadog/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (726 reviews)
- [SAP HANA Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-hana-cloud-2025-10-01/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (620 reviews)
- [Redgate Monitor](https://www.g2.com/products/redgate-monitor/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (136 reviews)
- [Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (2286 reviews)
- [Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/teradata-autonomous-knowledge-platform/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (376 reviews)
- [Oracle Enterprise Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-enterprise-manager/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (196 reviews)
- [IBM Instana](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-instana/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (480 reviews)
- [Site24x7](https://www.g2.com/products/site24x7/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (452 reviews)
- [Monte Carlo](https://www.g2.com/products/monte-carlo/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (536 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)

- Title: [How do I access PMM?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-access-pmm) — 2 comments *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Hi! To install and access PMM, visit this page: https://www.percona.com/software/pmm/quickstart.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to..."
- Title: [What is PMM server?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-pmm-server) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "PMM Server is provide by the Percona. it is used to monitor the health of the different databases like MySQL , MongoDB and PostgreSQL at one single..."
- Title: [What is PMM percona?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-pmm-percona) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "PMM is a Percona Monitoring Tool for all kinds of Databases. "

### SolarWinds Database Observability

- Title: [What is Solarwinds Database Performance Analyzer used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-solarwinds-database-performance-analyzer-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) is software used to monitor, analyze, and optimize the performance of databases. It helps in identifying and..."
- Title: [Is it recommended to have a DPA server located at each site you are monitoring?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/dpa-location) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "We recommend getting DPA as close to the databases being monitoring as possible (and by close, we mean with least network latency possible)."
- Title: [How do I access DPA? Do I have to install anything on my PC to view the interface?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/dpa-access) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Download and install your free trial using our Getting Started Guide, which is located in the Success Center."
- Title: [What is the impact of running DPA on my production instances?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/dpa-s-impact) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Less than 1%. We are agentless and only monitor active sessions allowing us to keep our overhead on monitored database instances extremely low."
- Title: [How does SolarWinds Database Observability perform in terms of analytics depth and total cost of ownership?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-solarwinds-database-observability-perform-in-terms-of-analytics-depth-and-total-cost-of-ownership) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "<p>Oh, I forgot to mention—one thing I’ve really come to appreciate is how intuitive the UI is, even for folks who aren’t deep DBAs. It makes collaboration..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/percona-monitoring-and-management-pmm-vs-database-observability)