Azure Monitor vs Checkmk: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this Markdown document, we will discuss the key differences between Azure Monitor and Checkmk. Azure Monitor and Checkmk are both monitoring tools used to ensure the smooth operation and performance of IT infrastructure and applications.

1. Data Collection and Sources: Azure Monitor primarily collects data from Azure services and resources, providing insights into the Azure environment. On the other hand, Checkmk can collect data from various sources, including on-premises infrastructure, virtualization platforms, cloud environments, and network devices.

2. Supported Platforms: Azure Monitor is specifically designed for monitoring Azure resources and services, providing deep integration and native support for Azure infrastructure. In contrast, Checkmk is a versatile monitoring solution that supports not only Azure but also a wide range of platforms, including traditional on-premises systems and various cloud providers.

3. Ease of Setup and Configuration: Azure Monitor offers a straightforward setup process due to its native integration with Azure services. It provides out-of-the-box monitoring capabilities for Azure resources, requiring minimal configuration. Checkmk, on the other hand, might require more initial setup and configuration effort, especially when monitoring diverse environments and integrating with different systems.

4. Alerting and Notification: Azure Monitor offers flexible alerting capabilities, allowing users to define alerts based on metrics, logs, activity logs, and availability. It provides integration with Azure Logic Apps, Azure Functions, and other notification channels for sending alerts. Checkmk also provides robust alerting functionality, allowing users to define alert conditions and notification methods via various means such as email, SMS, or custom scripts.

5. Customization and Extensibility: Azure Monitor provides customization options, such as creating custom metrics and extending monitoring capabilities using Azure Monitor Application Insights. However, the extent of customization and extensibility is more limited compared to Checkmk. Checkmk offers a powerful rule-based configuration system, allowing users to customize monitoring workflows, define new metrics, and create custom plugins to monitor specific applications or services.

6. Pricing Model: Azure Monitor follows a consumption-based pricing model, where users pay for the data volume ingested and stored by Azure Monitor. The pricing is based on the services and features utilized within Azure Monitor. Checkmk, on the other hand, offers both open-source and enterprise editions. The open-source version is free, while the enterprise edition comes with various licensing options based on the number of hosts or devices to be monitored.

In summary, while both Azure Monitor and Checkmk are monitoring solutions, Azure Monitor primarily focuses on monitoring Azure resources and provides deep integration with Azure services. Checkmk, on the other hand, offers more customization options, supports a wide range of platforms, and provides a versatile monitoring solution for both on-premises and cloud environments.