Nagios vs SigNoz: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Nagios and SigNoz comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Nagios
The industry standard in open-source IT monitoring tools for servers, networks, applications, and services.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Open-source IT monitoring for servers, networks, applications, and services.
- • Offers both a free, community-supported core and an enterprise-grade paid version (Nagios XI).
SigNoz
Open-source APM and observability
Best for you if:
- • You need data visualization features specifically
- • SigNoz is an open-source observability platform for metrics and traces
- • It provides APM, logs, and distributed tracing in one tool
| At a Glance |  Nagios |  SigNoz |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Data Visualization |
Rating | 85/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Nagios | SigNoz |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringIncident Management | Data VisualizationMonitoring |
How Nagios and SigNoz Compare
Nagios
The industry standard in open-source IT monitoring tools for servers, networks, applications, and services.
Free tier available · 85/100 score
SigNoz
Open-source APM and observability
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Nagios is a monitoring tool. SigNoz is in data visualization.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Nagios
Want the highest-rated option?
Nagios: 85/100. SigNoz: 84/100.
Go with: Nagios
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Nagios
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Nagios is a monitoring tool. SigNoz is in data visualization. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Nagios scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Nagios
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
SigNoz
- Better fit for data visualization
The Bottom Line
Nagios (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nagios or SigNoz better?
Nagios scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Nagios and SigNoz used for?
Nagios: The industry standard in open-source IT monitoring tools for servers, networks, applications, and services.. SigNoz: Open-source APM and observability.
What does Nagios cost vs SigNoz?
Nagios is freemium (free tier + paid plans). SigNoz is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.