Uptime Kuma vs Nagios: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Uptime Kuma and Nagios 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:
Uptime Kuma
Self-hosted uptime monitoring
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • Uptime Kuma is a self-hosted monitoring tool for websites and services
- • It provides uptime monitoring with a beautiful dashboard
Nagios
The industry standard in open-source IT monitoring tools for servers, networks, applications, and services.
Best for you if:
- • 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).
| At a Glance |  Uptime Kuma |  Nagios |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Monitoring |
Rating | 86/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Uptime Kuma | Nagios |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringStatus Pages | MonitoringIncident Management |
Understanding the Differences
Both Uptime Kuma and Nagios solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Uptime Kuma positions itself as "self-hosted uptime monitoring" while Nagiosfocuses on "the industry standard in open-source it monitoring tools for servers, networks, applications, and services.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Uptime Kuma
Uptime Kuma makes sense if you're looking for a completely free solution. With a score of 86/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Nagios
Nagios is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Uptime Kuma lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Uptime Kuma
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Uptime Kuma handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Uptime Kuma
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Uptime Kuma
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Nothing at all? Uptime Kuma is completely free.
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 Uptime Kuma higher (86/100). But the community has upvoted Nagios more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Uptime Kuma Does Better
- Higher overall score (86/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Nagios If
- You want to start free and scale later
- 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 Uptime Kuma (86/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Uptime Kuma scores higher in our analysis, but Nagios 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 Uptime Kuma or Nagios better?
Based on our analysis, Uptime Kuma scores higher with 86/100. Uptime Kuma isfree while Nagios is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Uptime Kuma to Nagios 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 Uptime Kuma and Nagios offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Uptime Kuma is completely free.Nagios is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.