Side by side
dnshealth_exporter vs DriftWatch
Both stand on dns monitoring software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Choose dnshealth_exporter if you run Linux or self-hosted infrastructure and want DNS checks exposed to Prometheus, Grafana, or Alertmanager. Its early-development status and initial HTTP 503 period are worth accounting for when planning operations.
Visit dnshealth_exporter Free plan APIWeb
DriftWatch combines DNS change tracking with configurable scans, team access, alerts, and an API. Check domain and channel limits before choosing a plan, since reaching a limit blocks additions until items are removed or the plan is upgraded.
Visit DriftWatchThe facts
| dnshealth_exporter | DriftWatch | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Pro: $29 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | driftwatch.app |
| On dns monitoring software | #8 of 37 | #12 of 37 |
dnshealth_exporter: what it does well
- Open-source software under Apache License 2.0
- Checks SOA, recursion availability, and glue consistency
- Metrics integrate with Prometheus-based dashboarding and alerting
- Configuration reloads without restarting the exporter
- Docker Compose demo includes Grafana and a CoreDNS hierarchy
What to know first
- Project is marked as early development
- Metrics endpoint returns HTTP 503 before the first probe completes
- Building from source requires Go 1.26 or later
DriftWatch: what it does well
- Monitors nine types of DNS records.
- Scan intervals can be configured per domain.
- Supports email, Slack, webhooks, and Pushover alerts.
- Team roles include owner, admin, member, and viewer.
- Free plan includes three domains and hourly scans.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to three domains.
- Subdomains count as separate domains.
- Slack and Pushover alerts require Pro or higher.
- Adding domains or channels is blocked at plan limits.
Alternatives to dnshealth_exporter Alternatives to DriftWatch The whole list