Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Monit

mmonit.com

Free plan macOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit mmonit.com
Spec score 7.8 #10 of 26 in Process Monitoring Software

What it is

Monit is a free, open-source utility for managing and monitoring Unix systems, available for Linux, macOS, and self-hosted deployment. It watches local daemon processes and can restart a stopped process or stop one using too many resources. It checks files, directories, and filesystems for timestamp, checksum, or size changes, and tests TCP, UDP, and Unix domain sockets using protocols such as HTTP and SMTP. Scheduled program or script checks can trigger actions or alerts based on exit values. Monit tracks CPU, memory, system load, and network interfaces, and sends customizable error alerts to syslog or its own log. Its HTTP(S) interface displays service status and allows process control and monitoring changes. It works with init, upstart, and systemd, can use existing run-level scripts, and can run as PID 1 in containers. The maker says it uses statically linked OpenSSL 3.5.7 and dynamically linked PAM support.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Monit is an open-source utility for managing and monitoring Unix systems, with automatic maintenance and repair actions for errors.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Platforms
The maker lists precompiled binaries for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, DragonFly BSD, AIX, Solaris, and illumos.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Integrations
Monit works with init, upstart, and systemd and can use existing run-level scripts to manage services.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Security
The maker says Monit is built with OpenSSL 3.5.7 statically linked and PAM support dynamically linked.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Support
The maker directs questions to the community mailing list and says it does not have time to answer support questions sent directly to the company.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Alerts
Monit sends customizable alert messages about error conditions and can log to syslog or its own log file.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Container use
Monit can run as PID 1 in containers, handling init responsibilities and service monitoring in one lightweight package.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Filesystems
It monitors files, directories, and filesystems for timestamp, checksum, or size changes.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Network checks
It supports TCP, UDP, and Unix domain socket checks, with built-in protocol tests such as HTTP and SMTP.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Notable limit
The maker says process I/O activity metrics normally require Monit to run as root.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Processes
It monitors local daemon processes and can restart a process that stops or stop one that uses too many resources.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Scripts
It can run scheduled program or script checks and take action or send an alert based on the exit value.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
System metrics
It can monitor system resources including CPU, memory, system load, and network interfaces.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com
Web interface
Its built-in HTTP(S) interface shows monitored service status and lets users start, stop, or restart processes and enable or disable monitoring.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com

Plans and prices

Monit Free Free open-source software · GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL) Read 7 Oct 2026 · mmonit.com

Every Monit plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free open-source software under the AGPL
  • Monitors processes, filesystems, network checks, and system metrics
  • Can take action or alert after scheduled checks
  • Built-in HTTP(S) interface can control monitored processes

Limits

  • Process I/O metrics normally require running as root
  • Maker does not answer direct support questions

Who it suits

Monit suits administrators who want self-hosted monitoring and automated maintenance for Unix systems. It also fits container setups that need Monit to handle init responsibilities and service monitoring.

Verdict

Monit covers process supervision, system checks, alerts, and service control in a self-hosted utility. Check whether root access is acceptable if process I/O metrics matter.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to MonitAll alternatives →

PM2 From $79/mo · Free plan 9.0 Visit