Top 8 MySQL Monitoring Tools in 2025: Features, Pricing & Best Use Cases

MySQL Monitoring tools are essential for tracking slow queries, resource usage, and database performance that directly impact application speed. In 2025, MySQL continues to dominate as the world’s most popular open-source database, powering over 43% of global relational workloads (Statista). This makes monitoring critical for uptime, scalability, and user experience.

However, selecting the right MySQL monitoring tools remains a challenge. Many vendors hide costs behind ingestion or retention fees, while others provide only limited visibility at the query level. As of September 2025, these gaps create unpredictable expenses, delayed troubleshooting, and blind spots in optimizing production databases.

CubeAPM is the best MySQL monitoring tool provider, offering full-stack observability with real-time query analytics, slow query detection, and cost-efficient $0.15/GB pricing. It correlates MySQL performance with application traces to give teams clear, actionable insights.

In this article, we’ll explore the top MySQL monitoring tools of 2025 based on features, pricing, and best-fit use cases.

Top 8 MySQL Monitoring Tools

1. CubeAPM
2. Datadog
3. New Relic
4. Dynatrace
5. Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)
6. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA)
7. MySQL Enterprise Monitor (Oracle)
8. Paessler PRTG

What is a MySQL Monitoring Tool?

A MySQL monitoring tool is designed to continuously track and analyze the performance of MySQL databases, collecting metrics such as query response times, connection counts, replication lag, buffer pool usage, and transaction throughput. By surfacing these insights in real time, it helps teams understand how well their databases are handling workloads, whether queries are optimized, and where potential bottlenecks might appear. Without this visibility, issues like slow queries, deadlocks, or unbalanced indexing often go unnoticed until they affect users.

For businesses, this kind of monitoring is not just about keeping dashboards green — it’s about improving reliability, reducing downtime, and cutting costs. Real-time alerting allows engineers to catch problems before they escalate, while query-level analysis highlights opportunities to optimize schemas or caching strategies. Over time, these improvements directly translate to better application performance, smoother user experiences, and more predictable infrastructure spending.

Example: Detecting slow queries with CubeAPM

Imagine a PHP-based e-commerce application where checkout transactions are intermittently stalling. With CubeAPM, every MySQL query tied to a request is automatically traced. The tool flags a slow SELECT query joining multiple large tables, highlights its execution time, and provides an explain-plan view to show missing indexes. 

Instead of sifting through logs manually, the developer immediately sees the root cause linked to the user-facing slowdown. CubeAPM also correlates this query with CPU usage on the database server, proving it isn’t just application latency but a genuine database bottleneck. Within minutes, the team knows exactly where to optimize.

Why Teams Choose Different MySQL Monitoring Tools

Cost predictability vs. surprise bills

MySQL databases generate large volumes of telemetry — slow query logs, performance schema metrics, replication data, and connection stats. When tools charge separately for hosts, logs, metrics, and retention, costs quickly become unpredictable as query volume grows. This is one of the most common frustrations raised in Datadog and New Relic user reviews. Teams are increasingly seeking solutions with flat, per-GB pricing that make database observability costs easier to forecast.

Depth of query-level visibility

Not all monitoring platforms offer the same level of query introspection. Database engineers often need to see execution plans, buffer pool activity, replication lag, and temp table usage to troubleshoot performance issues. Tools like Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) and Zabbix MySQL templates remain popular because they deliver precise query analytics rather than just host-level stats.

OpenTelemetry-first pipelines

More teams are adopting an OpenTelemetry-first approach to avoid vendor lock-in. With libraries like otelsql, MySQL client queries can be instrumented as spans and exported to any backend. This ensures portability and the ability to correlate MySQL traces with application performance data in a vendor-neutral way (OpenTelemetry SQL Instrumentation). Vendors that support native OTel ingestion are increasingly preferred in modern observability stacks.

End-to-end correlation

Database monitoring is no longer siloed. When an API slows down, engineers need to trace it back to the exact SQL query and tie it to server-level metrics. Tools that unify APM, logs, and MySQL metrics reduce mean-time-to-resolution by eliminating blind spots. For example, CubeAPM automatically links slow queries with application traces and infra stats, letting teams see the full causal chain from user request to SQL execution.

Kubernetes & multi-cloud readiness

Many MySQL deployments now run in Kubernetes clusters or as managed services like Amazon RDS and Aurora. Organizations need tools that seamlessly collect telemetry across pods, operators, and managed DBs while maintaining context with the rest of the application stack. AWS itself highlights the importance of integrating RDS Performance Insights into monitoring pipelines for query optimization (AWS RDS Performance Insights).

Deployment & compliance (SaaS vs. self-hosted)

For industries like finance and healthcare, MySQL telemetry may include sensitive data in query logs or traces. Cloud-only solutions can raise compliance and data-residency concerns. Tools that offer self-hosted or VPC-isolated deployment allow teams to keep telemetry within their own infrastructure while still getting real-time insights. CubeAPM, for instance, supports full on-prem or VPC deployment, keeping MySQL logs and metrics inside your cloud.

Top 8 MySQL Monitoring Tools

1. CubeAPM

Overview

CubeAPM is known for being an OpenTelemetry-native full-stack observability platform with strong MySQL monitoring capabilities. It holds a market position as a cost-predictable alternative to legacy APM vendors, offering on-prem or VPC deployment for compliance-driven organizations while still delivering modern dashboards, traces, and real-time query analytics.

Key Advantage

Seamless correlation between application traces and MySQL queries, enabling engineers to jump from a slow endpoint to the exact SQL statement and its server-level metrics in just a few clicks.

Key Features

• Query analytics: Detects slow and long-running queries using MySQL slow logs and Performance Schema.
• Trace-to-SQL mapping: Links PHP, Java, or Node.js request traces directly with the executed MySQL queries.
• Replication visibility: Surfaces replica lag, thread state, and topology health for MySQL clusters.
• InnoDB internals: Monitors buffer pool efficiency, deadlocks, redo log activity, and row lock waits.
• Schema impact detection: Highlights performance regressions tied to schema or index changes.

Pros

• On-prem/VPC deployment available for compliance and data residency
• Smart sampling retains critical MySQL traces under heavy load
• Unified observability: metrics, logs, traces, and errors in one platform
• Quick, engineer-led support via Slack/WhatsApp

Cons

• Less ideal for teams that prefer cloud-only SaaS without self-hosting options
• Focused purely on observability and does not extend into cloud security management

CubeAPM Pricing at Scale

CubeAPM charges a flat $0.15/GB of data ingested with no extra fees for users, infra, or data transfer. For a mid-sized company ingesting 10 TB per month (10,000 GB), the cost is ~$1,500/month. This makes it significantly more cost-efficient than legacy APM tools that often charge by host and retention tiers.

Tech Fit

Best suited for organizations running Java, .NET, Python, Node.js, or Go applications backed by MySQL, deployed across Kubernetes, VMs, or cloud-managed DBs (RDS, Aurora, Cloud SQL). The platform’s VPC/self-hosting model is especially attractive for industries with strict compliance mandates.

2. Datadog

Overview

Datadog is a SaaS observability leader known for robust MySQL coverage via its MySQL Integration and Database Monitoring (DBM)—widely used to keep database uptime and health in check while also drilling into query performance. You get out-of-the-box dashboards, MySQL-native metrics, and optional deep DBM features (query samples, explain plans, wait analysis) in one UI.

Key Advantage

Always-on MySQL uptime + deep query visibility in a single, cloud-hosted platform that scales across self-hosted, RDS, and Aurora deployments.

Key Features

• MySQL uptime & availability: Tracks Uptime, connection errors, and instance health with out-of-the-box monitors to detect service drops quickly.
• Query performance (DBM): Captures query metrics and samples, EXPLAIN plans, wait events, and database load for historical analysis.
• Replication & managed MySQL: Monitors RDS/Aurora instances remotely (no agent on the DB) and surfaces lag and thread state for HA.
• InnoDB internals: Observes buffer pool behavior, locks, deadlocks, and throughput to diagnose storage-engine bottlenecks.
• Dashboards & alerting: Pre-built MySQL dashboards and alert templates to page on availability, saturation, and query latency.

Pros

• Mature cloud platform with rich MySQL dashboards and DBM insights
• Strong support for RDS and Aurora alongside self-hosted MySQL
• Huge ecosystem and integrations for end-to-end visibility
• Easy to operationalize uptime monitors and SLO-oriented alerts

Cons

• Pricing can add up as you combine DBM per database host with log/trace ingestion at higher volumes
• Cloud-only SaaS; no self-hosted/VPC-isolated deployment for strict data-residency needs

Datadog Pricing at Scale

Datadog Database Monitoring (DBM) is $70 per database host/month (billed annually), and Log Ingestion is $0.10 per GB. For a mid-sized team ingesting 10 TB/month (10,000 GB) of MySQL logs, log ingestion alone is ≈ $1,000/month, plus DBM = $70 × 10 hosts = $700/month. Total ≈ $1,700/month for logs + DBM. By contrast, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB would be ≈ $1,500/month for the same 10 TB, with no extra DB-host or user fees—making it the more affordable choice at scale.

Tech Fit

Best for teams standardizing on a cloud-hosted stack who want unified uptime and performance monitoring for self-hosted MySQL, Amazon RDS, and Aurora, with the option to add APM, logs, synthetics, and more as needs grow.

3. New Relic

Overview

New Relic is a usage-based observability platform with a mature MySQL integration and Database Performance Monitoring (DPM) that brings query-level analysis, wait types, and explain plans together with infrastructure metrics—positioning it as a solid choice for teams standardizing on a cloud SaaS while needing deeper MySQL visibility.

Key Advantage

Unified query-level monitoring (slow queries, waits, execution plans) alongside host and instance health—so DB bottlenecks are visible without juggling multiple tools.

Key Features

• On-host MySQL integration: Uses the Infrastructure agent to collect core MySQL metrics (connections, throughput, cache behavior, replication stats) with ready dashboards.
• Deep query analytics: Surfaces slow/long-running queries, wait events, and EXPLAIN plans to pinpoint the statements driving DB load.
• Replication health: Tracks lag and thread state so you can keep primaries/replicas healthy and spot topology issues early.
• Managed MySQL support: Quickstarts and integrations for cloud databases (e.g., Azure Database for MySQL) to monitor managed instances alongside self-hosted.
• Dashboards & alerting: Prebuilt MySQL views plus customizable alerts for availability, saturation, and query latency.

Pros

• Mature SaaS with rich MySQL dashboards and growing DPM depth
• Works across self-hosted MySQL and cloud DBs in one place
• Large ecosystem and quickstarts for faster rollout
• Good fit if you already use New Relic for APM/logs

Cons

• Overall cost can rise with large data ingest and multiple full-platform users
• Cloud-only deployment; no self-hosted/VPC-isolated option for strict residency

New Relic Pricing at Scale

New Relic bills primarily on data ingest plus user seats. As of now, data ingest is $0.40/GB beyond 100 GB free/month; full-platform users are billed per seat by edition. For a mid-sized company ingesting 10 TB/month (10,000 GB) of MySQL telemetry, data charges alone are ~$3,960/month (9,900 GB × $0.40). 

Adding, say, 5 full-platform users (Standard) would be $406/month ($10 first user + 4×$99). Total ≈ $4,366/month before any other add-ons. By comparison, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB is ~$1,500/month for the same 10 TB, with no per-host or user fees—typically more affordable at scale.

Tech Fit

Best for teams that want cloud-hosted MySQL monitoring with query-level insights and are already invested in New Relic for APM/logs; works well across self-hosted MySQL and managed services while keeping rollout simple via quickstarts and the Infrastructure agent.

4. Dynatrace

Overview

Dynatrace is an AI-powered, cloud-first observability platform with a mature MySQL extension (including a remote-monitoring mode) that captures key KPIs, slow queries, and execution plans—bringing database health and performance into the same view as services and infrastructure. It’s positioned for enterprises that want automated discovery and AI-driven problem detection while keeping tight watch on MySQL uptime and query behavior.

Key Advantage

End-to-end MySQL visibility without agents on the DB host via the MySQL Remote Monitoring v2 extension—ideal for managed databases or locked-down servers where you can’t install OneAgent.

Key Features

• Remote monitoring (ActiveGate): Collects MySQL KPIs, query stats, and metadata over the network when agents can’t be installed on DB hosts.
• Slow queries & plans: Surfaces slow/long-running statements and provides execution plan details to diagnose inefficient SQL quickly.
• Replication awareness: Tracks lag and thread states to protect HA topologies and spot emerging issues early.
• InnoDB internals: Observes buffer usage, locks/deadlocks, and throughput signals to pinpoint storage-engine bottlenecks.
• Dashboards & alerting: Prebuilt MySQL boards and AI-driven problem detection to page on availability and performance anomalies.

Pros

• Strong remote monitoring story for managed or restricted MySQL estates
• Integrated AI-driven problem detection alongside app and infra signals
• Flexible extension framework and hub-backed configuration
• Good coverage for both self-hosted MySQL and cloud DB services

Cons

• Consumption model can be complex to forecast when mixing logs, retention, and host monitoring
• Extension and ActiveGate setup add operational steps compared to single-agent approaches

Dynatrace Pricing at Scale

For MySQL log and telemetry volumes, Dynatrace Logs powered by Grail list pricing is $0.20 per GiB ingested and $0.02 per GiB-day retained (with included queries up to 35 days). Assuming a mid-sized org ingests 10 TB/month (~10,000 GiB) and keeps 30 days of logs: ingest ≈ $2,000/month plus retention ≈ $6,000/month (10,000 GiB × 30 × $0.02). 

If you also monitor 10 hosts with Infrastructure Monitoring at $0.04/hour, that’s ≈ $292/month—bringing the illustrative total to ≈ $8,292/month before any discounts. By comparison, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB would be ≈ $1,500/month for the same 10 TB, with no per-host or retention add-ons—materially more affordable and simpler to budget at scale.

Tech Fit

A strong match for enterprises standardizing on Dynatrace who need agentless/remote MySQL monitoring, deep query visibility, and AI-driven incident detection across self-hosted MySQL, Amazon RDS/Aurora, and mixed Kubernetes/VM estates.

5. Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM)

Overview

Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM) is an open-source, MySQL-first monitoring and observability platform known for deep query analytics (QAN), replication visibility, and rich dashboards built for DBAs. In market terms, it’s the go-to choice when teams want license-free, database-centric monitoring with hands-on control over data and deployment.

Key Advantage

Purpose-built MySQL query analytics and tuning—from slow-log and Performance Schema ingestion to digest-level insights and explain-plan analysis.

Key Features

• Query Analytics (QAN): Aggregates slow log/Performance Schema into digest-level views with latency percentiles and plan details.
• Replication monitoring: Tracks lag, thread state, and topology health across primary/replica setups and managed services.
• InnoDB internals: Surfaces buffer pool efficiency, deadlocks, redo log pressure, and lock waits to pinpoint bottlenecks.
• MySQL dashboards & alerts: Prebuilt, MySQL-specific views and alert rules for availability, saturation, and query KPIs.
• Flexible deployment: Run PMM Server in your environment (VM/Kubernetes) and connect self-hosted or cloud MySQL instances.

Pros

• License-free, open source with strong MySQL depth
• Excellent digest-level query analytics and tuning workflow
• Works across self-hosted MySQL and cloud DBs in one place
• Highly customizable dashboards and alerting
• Active community and frequent releases

Cons

• DIY operations and maintenance can add overhead
• Focus is database-centric; broader app traces/RUM/synthetics require extra tooling

PMM Pricing at Scale

PMM itself is license-free. Your costs come from infrastructure and storage (time-series database, object storage for logs, compute) and any optional Percona support you purchase. For a mid-sized company ingesting 10 TB/month of MySQL telemetry, total spend varies with your retention and infra choices. 

By comparison, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB is ≈ $1,500/month for 10 TB with full-stack coverage (metrics, logs, traces, errors, RUM, synthetics) and no per-host or per-user fees—often more predictable and operationally lighter than stitching multiple OSS components around PMM.

Tech Fit

Best for teams that want hands-on, database-centric monitoring; strong fit for DBAs and SREs running MySQL across VMs, Kubernetes, and managed services (RDS/Aurora/Cloud SQL) and comfortable operating the monitoring stack themselves.

6. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA)

Overview

SolarWinds DPA is a database-first performance monitoring product known for wait-time analysis, slow query detection, and capacity insights for MySQL. It’s positioned for teams that want deep, DBA-grade visibility (on-prem or in the cloud) without adopting a full observability suite.

Key Advantage

Wait-time–driven tuning that pinpoints the queries and resource bottlenecks truly responsible for MySQL slowdowns.

Key Features

• MySQL metrics coverage: Tracks query response time, waits, locks/deadlocks, buffer usage, connections, and replication lag for precise tuning.
• Query analytics: Ranks SQL statements by response time and highlights long-running or blocking queries with historical context.
• Anomaly detection: Baselines normal behavior and flags outliers to accelerate root-cause analysis.
• Topology & HA awareness: Monitors primary/replica health and lag across self-managed and managed MySQL.
• Broad deployment support: Registers self-hosted MySQL/Percona, Amazon RDS/Aurora, and Azure Database for MySQL with guided wizards.

Pros

• Proven, DBA-oriented workflow for MySQL performance tuning
• Clear wait-time model that prioritizes high-impact fixes
• Works across self-managed and managed MySQL in hybrid estates
• Lightweight data collection and historical baselines

Cons

• Focused on database performance; app traces/logs/RUM require additional tools
• Licensing scales per database instance; costs rise linearly with estate size

DPA Pricing at Scale

SolarWinds DPA is licensed per database instance with a subscription price of $1,699 per instance per year. For a mid-sized company monitoring 10 MySQL instances, that equals roughly $16,990/year (or about $1,415/month) before any optional add-ons. 

If this company also ingests 10 TB/month of MySQL logs into SolarWinds’ log stack, the costs would multiply further. By comparison, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB pricing would be ≈ $1,500/month for 10 TB of telemetry, with no per-instance or user charges—making it considerably more affordable and predictable at scale.

Tech Fit

Best for organizations that want DBA-grade MySQL performance tuning across self-managed servers and managed services (RDS/Aurora/Azure), and that are comfortable pairing DPA with separate tooling for application traces, logs, and end-user experience when needed.

7. Paessler PRTG

Overview

Paessler PRTG is a sensor-based infrastructure monitoring platform with a dedicated MySQL v2 sensor for availability checks and simple SQL-driven KPIs. It’s popular with IT teams that want lightweight MySQL health monitoring alongside network/server monitoring—without rolling out a full observability stack.

Key Advantage

Fast, out-of-the-box MySQL uptime and KPI checks using prebuilt sensors and custom SQL queries, with low operational overhead.

Key Features

• MySQL v2 sensor: Runs a defined SQL query and exposes channels (e.g., execution time, row count, custom KPI) with thresholds and alerts.
• Uptime & response: Measures reachability and query time to catch service drops or degraded latency quickly.
• Replication status: Custom queries can report Seconds_Behind_Master and thread state for lag alerts.
• Custom KPIs: Map business metrics (failed orders, queue depth, etc.) to channels for alerting and dashboards.
• Unified views: Show MySQL checks next to host, VM, and network sensors in the same dashboards.

Pros

• Quick to deploy for MySQL status and basic KPIs
• Flexible custom SQL checks
• Works for self-hosted and managed MySQL via remote polling
• Fits neatly into broader infra/network monitoring

Cons

• Not a deep DB performance tool; no digest-level analytics or explain-plan workflow
• No built-in correlation with application traces or logs
• Sensor-tier licensing can rise as coverage expands

PRTG Pricing at Scale

For mid-sized environments, PRTG 2500 (PR-2500) is $675 per month (paid annually) and includes up to 2,500 aspects and ~250 devices. A typical MySQL instance consumes a handful of aspects (status, response, custom SQL, replication), so this tier can cover many basic checks across your fleet. 

However, PRTG does not ingest high-volume logs or traces—you’d need additional tools if you require full MySQL observability. By comparison, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB provides complete coverage (logs, traces, metrics, RUM, synthetics, and MySQL query analytics). At 10 TB/month, CubeAPM is ≈ $1,500/month and consolidates what you’d otherwise assemble on top of PRTG—often ending up more affordable for end-to-end MySQL observability.

Tech Fit

Best for IT teams that primarily need uptime checks and a few SQL-based health metrics for MySQL, integrated with broader infra monitoring. If you need deep query analytics, log/trace correlation, and large-volume ingestion, a full observability platform like CubeAPM is the more complete and cost-efficient choice.

8. MySQL Enterprise Monitor (Oracle)

Overview

MySQL Enterprise Monitor (MEM) is Oracle’s vendor-native monitoring companion for MySQL, long known for its Query Analyzer, replication dashboards, and advisor-driven alerts. As of January 1, 2025, MEM has entered End of Life (EOL) with sustaining support, meaning no new features or security fixes are being delivered. This makes it a consideration mainly for existing Oracle customers rather than new adopters.

Key Advantage

Provides deep, out-of-the-box visibility into MySQL query performance and replication health using Oracle’s official agents and service manager.

Key Features

• Query Analyzer: Surfaces top query offenders with normalized statements, counts, and timings.
• Replication dashboards: Maps replication topologies and highlights lag and thread state for primary/replica setups.
• Agent-based collection: MEM Agent polls MySQL instances and hosts, forwarding data to the Enterprise Service Manager.
• Advisor rules & alerts: Built-in rules to detect issues and offer remediation guidance.
• Historical analysis: UI and repository-backed views to track performance and availability trends over time.

Pros

• Official Oracle tool aligned closely with MySQL internals
• Strong query and replication visibility with familiar MySQL concepts
• Well-structured agent and service manager model
• Good fit for enterprises already invested in MySQL Enterprise Edition

Cons

• End of Life as of Jan 1, 2025; no new features or security patches
• Only available as part of MySQL Enterprise Edition, not a standalone product
• Custom pricing makes forecasting and cost comparison difficult

MySQL Enterprise Monitor Pricing at Scale

MEM is bundled within MySQL Enterprise Edition, which is licensed per server under Oracle’s subscription model. Pricing is custom/quote-based and varies depending on deployment, support tier, and enterprise agreements. 

For a mid-sized company with 10 MySQL servers, annual costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, regardless of data volumes ingested. In contrast, CubeAPM’s flat $0.15/GB pricing would be ~$1,500/month for 10 TB of telemetry, with no per-server or per-user fees—making it far simpler and more predictable for scaling MySQL workloads.

Tech Fit

Best for organizations already running MySQL Enterprise Edition and seeking a vendor-native tool, even under sustaining support. For new projects in 2025, most teams evaluate modern, cost-transparent alternatives like CubeAPM or other OTel-native solutions that ensure long-term viability and affordability.

How enterprises should choose a MySQL monitoring tool

Cost model aligned to MySQL telemetry

MySQL workloads generate heavy telemetry from slow query logs, Performance Schema, and replication metrics. Choose tools with transparent pricing that scales predictably as query volume and log size grow, instead of complex host- or retention-based models.

First-class query analytics (digest-level)

A good tool must expose query digests, latency percentiles, rows examined vs. sent, and EXPLAIN/EXPLAIN ANALYZE insights from the slow log and Performance Schema. This allows DBAs to pinpoint inefficient queries and optimize indexing.

InnoDB & server internals visibility

Since most production workloads use InnoDB, monitoring should cover buffer pool hit ratios, redo log activity, row lock waits, history length, and deadlocks. These internals are crucial for diagnosing throughput issues.

Replication, HA, and topology awareness

Your monitor should detect replica lag, GTID consistency, semi-sync status, and errant transactions, while mapping the full topology of primaries and replicas. This ensures HA setups like Galera or Group Replication remain healthy.

Schema & index change impact

Look for a correlation between schema/index changes and query performance. The right tool will show optimizer plan shifts or metadata locking events that cause spikes in latency.

OpenTelemetry & trace correlation for SQL

Choose platforms that capture SQL spans and integrate them with application traces. This makes it possible to follow a slow PHP request all the way down to the exact query digest and associated server metrics.

Kubernetes, Operators, and sidecar hygiene

If you deploy MySQL on Kubernetes, ensure the tool supports Percona/Bitnami Operators, pod scraping, and statefulset awareness. It should persist telemetry across pod reschedules and respect cluster, instance, and shard labels.

Managed MySQL (RDS/Aurora/Cloud SQL) constraints

For cloud deployments, confirm the tool integrates with RDS Performance Insights, Aurora metrics, and GCP Cloud SQL exports. It should surface replica lag, IOPS throttling, and storage burst balance along with query insights.

Cardinality & retention controls for DB data

MySQL data can explode in dimensionality (database, schema, table, query digest). Ensure the tool has cardinality limits, digest aggregation, and per-signal retention policies to control cost while keeping critical trends.

Safe, low-overhead collection

Collectors must use Performance Schema and the slow log efficiently, with minimal overhead. Look for agents that handle multi-GB slow logs, survive logrotate, and sample without dropping rare but critical slow queries.

Security, PII, and query redaction

Because queries often include sensitive values, choose a tool that supports query text redaction, access controls, and VPC/self-hosted deployment options. This ensures compliance while preserving visibility.

Alerting that speaks MySQL

The best alerts are database-native: replica lag thresholds, deadlock rate spikes, redo log saturation, buffer pool efficiency drops, or tmp tables on disk surges. Each alert should link directly to the offending query digest and server metrics.

Version & upgrade awareness (5.7 → 8.0+)

With MySQL 8.0 now the standard, monitoring must understand new features like histograms, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, and optimizer switch changes. The tool should highlight regressions after upgrades or collation shifts.

Conclusion

Choosing the right MySQL monitoring tool often comes down to balancing cost predictability, query visibility, and deployment needs. Many teams struggle with tools that either become too expensive at scale, lack deep query analytics, or don’t offer the flexibility to run in hybrid and regulated environments.

This is where CubeAPM stands out. With its affordable $0.15/GB pricing, real-time MySQL query analytics, OpenTelemetry-native design, and on-prem/VPC deployment options, it solves the pain points of unpredictable costs, limited insights, and compliance hurdles—all in a single platform.

If you’re ready to simplify MySQL monitoring while cutting costs, it’s time to switch. Start with CubeAPM today and unlock end-to-end observability built for modern databases.