Side by side
Prometheus vs RRDtool
Both stand on time-series databases. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
Prometheus provides a free monitoring and alerting toolkit with flexible metric collection and querying. Its stated accuracy limitation makes it unsuitable for per-request billing workloads.
Visit Prometheus Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
RRDtool offers configurable time-series storage, graphing, and data-processing options at no listed cost. Consider its GPL licensing and the documented limitation on pre-filled data when deciding whether it fits your use.
Visit RRDtoolThe facts
| Prometheus | RRDtool | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | prometheus.io | oss.oetiker.ch |
| On time-series databases | #17 of 36 | #21 of 36 |
Prometheus: what it does well
- Free and open source.
- PromQL queries time-series metrics.
- Targets can be discovered or configured statically.
- Server runs without external dependencies.
- TLS and HTTP Basic Authentication are supported.
What to know first
- Not recommended where data must be 100% accurate.
- Public exposure of component endpoints requires protective measures.
- Security fixes are handled on a best-effort basis.
RRDtool: what it does well
- Free and open source under GNU GPL V2 or later
- Archives cycle older values out as configured
- Includes classic consolidation and forecasting functions
- Supports command-line, pipe, and language-based ingestion
What to know first
- Pre-filled RRD data is not guaranteed correct
- The maker says modified versions cannot use a different license
Alternatives to Prometheus Alternatives to RRDtool The whole list