Metricbeat vs collectd: What are the differences?

# Introduction

Metricbeat and collectd are both monitoring agents used to collect system and application metrics from servers. Despite having similar functionalities, there are key differences between Metricbeat and collectd that distinguish them from each other.

1. **Data Collection Method**: Metricbeat uses a lightweight shipper to collect system metrics and provides native integrations with popular services like Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana. On the other hand, collectd relies on a standalone daemon to collect and aggregate metrics, which can then be forwarded to different storage solutions.
2. **Supported Platforms**: Metricbeat is designed to be compatible with modern cloud architectures, containerized environments, and various operating systems, making it more versatile for today's complex infrastructure setups. In contrast, collectd has been traditionally more focused on supporting a wider range of legacy systems and platforms.
3. **Plugins and Integrations**: Metricbeat offers a wide range of pre-built modules and integrations that simplify the process of monitoring common services and applications. In comparison, collectd provides a rich library of plugins but may require more configuration and customization for specific monitoring tasks.
4. **Resource Consumption**: Metricbeat is known for its minimal resource footprint, making it suitable for environments where resource utilization is a concern. On the other hand, collectd may consume more system resources due to its more extensive feature set and capabilities.
5. **Community Support**: Metricbeat, being part of the Elastic Stack, benefits from a large and active community that continuously contributes to its development and support. While collectd also has a dedicated user base, the community support for specific plugins or configurations may vary based on individual contributions.
6. **Ease of Deployment**: Metricbeat provides a straightforward setup process and offers centralized management through the Elastic Stack, making it easier to deploy and manage at scale. In contrast, collectd may require more manual configuration and monitoring for deployment in larger environments.

In Summary, the key differences between Metricbeat and collectd lie in their data collection methods, supported platforms, available plugins and integrations, resource consumption, community support, and ease of deployment, each catering to different monitoring needs in various infrastructures.