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Quest Spotlight

quest.com

Free trial WindowsSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.3 #24 of 38 in Database Monitoring

What it is

Quest Spotlight is a self-hosted database monitoring and diagnostics product for professionals managing SQL Server environments. Spotlight on SQL Server Enterprise uses agentless monitoring from a centralized diagnostic server and raises alarms for performance deviations. Its tools include incident playback, health checks, workload analysis, deadlock detection, root cause analysis, query profiling, wait and lock analysis, and execution plans. SQL Optimizer integration identifies long-running queries and suboptimal code for further tuning. Users can define thresholds, create counters, and configure rule-based actions to run once or repeatedly. One screen can monitor SQL Server, Windows, and virtualization infrastructure. Supported databases listed are Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Oracle Database, and IBM DB2; SQL Azure is specifically supported by Spotlight on SQL Server. The Diagnostic Server requires a SQL Server account with the sysadmin role, while Windows performance counters use WMI queries. Windows is a listed platform, deployment is self-hosted, and pricing is available on request. Quest offers an on-premises trial, but no duration is stated. Spotlight Cloud reached end of life on December 31, 2024.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Spotlight monitors, diagnoses, and helps optimize SQL Server performance in on-premises or cloud environments.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Intended users
Quest describes Spotlight as a tool for database professionals managing SQL Server environments and improving application service quality.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Trial
Quest offers an on-premises trial and lists Spotlight on SQL Server Enterprise as a free trial product; the pages opened do not state a trial duration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Support
Quest provides product support resources including knowledge articles, video tutorials, downloads, and technical documentation.Read 9 Oct 2026 · support.quest.com
Headquarters
Aliso Viejo, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · quest.com
Founded
1987Read 28 Sep 2026 · quest.com
Access requirements
The Diagnostic Server needs access to a SQL Server account with the sysadmin server role; monitoring Windows performance counters uses WMI queries.Read 9 Oct 2026 · support.quest.com
Azure support
Quest lists SQL Azure among the platforms supported by Spotlight on SQL Server.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Company scale
Quest says more than 45,000 organizations, including over 90% of the Fortune 500, rely on its software.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Customization
Users can set custom thresholds, create counters, and configure rule-based actions to run once or on a recurring basis.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Diagnostics
Features include incident playback, health checks, workload analysis, deadlock detection, and root cause analysis.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Monitored environment
The product can monitor SQL Server, Windows, and virtualization infrastructure from a single screen.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Monitoring
Spotlight on SQL Server Enterprise provides agentless monitoring from a centralized diagnostic server, with alarms for performance deviations.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Spotlight Cloud status
Spotlight Cloud reached end of life on December 31, 2024; Quest says it continues to offer Spotlight on-premises.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com
Tuning
SQL Optimizer integration identifies long-running queries and suboptimal code for further tuning.Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com

Plans and prices

Spotlight on SQL Server Enterprise Priced on request Pricing by request · On-premises trial offered Read 9 Oct 2026 · quest.com

Every Quest Spotlight plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Agentless centralized monitoring
  • Includes deadlock and root-cause analysis
  • Supports custom thresholds and automated actions
  • Monitors Windows and virtualization infrastructure
  • Offers query profiling and execution plans

Limits

  • Pricing is available only on request
  • Diagnostic access requires the sysadmin role
  • Windows performance monitoring uses WMI queries
  • Spotlight Cloud has reached end of life

Who it suits

It suits database professionals who need self-hosted monitoring, diagnostics, and tuning analysis across supported SQL Server and other listed database environments.

Verdict

Quest Spotlight provides broad monitoring and diagnostic controls for self-hosted database operations. Its trial and supported database coverage help evaluation, while access requirements and the end of Spotlight Cloud matter when planning deployment.

Where Specifiction places it

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