Oh Dear vs xMatters: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Oh Dear and xMatters 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Oh Dear
Website monitoring for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Oh Dear is a website monitoring service for uptime and performance
- • It checks sites, certificates, mixed content, and broken links
xMatters
Incident management and alerting
Best for you if:
- • You need workflow automation features specifically
- • xMatters is an incident management platform for IT operations
- • It provides alerting, on-call management, and incident resolution
| At a Glance |  Oh Dear | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Workflow Automation |
Rating | 82/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Oh Dear | xMatters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringStatus Pages | Workflow AutomationInternal Comms |
Understanding the Differences
Both Oh Dear and xMatters solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Oh Dear positions itself as "website monitoring for developers" while xMattersfocuses on "incident management and alerting". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Oh Dear
Oh Dear makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution. With a score of 82/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose xMatters
xMatters is worth considering if you need a professional-grade tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Neither is free, but both have their value. Test them both and see which clicks.
We'd pick: xMatters
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Oh Dear handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Oh Dear
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Oh Dear is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Oh Dear
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Both are paid tools. If money isn't the issue, go with Oh Dear—it scored higher.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Oh Dear higher (82/100). But the community has upvoted xMatters more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Oh Dear Does Better
- Higher overall score (82/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider xMatters If
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Oh Dear (82/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Oh Dear scores higher in our analysis, but xMatters might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oh Dear or xMatters better?
Based on our analysis, Oh Dear scores higher with 82/100. Oh Dear ispaid while xMatters is paid. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Oh Dear to xMatters easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Oh Dear and xMatters offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Oh Dear is paid with potential trial.xMatters is paid with potential trial. Visit their websites for current trial offers.