At a glance
| Database engines | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MariaDB, SAP HANA (documented examples) |
| Deployment | SaaS platform; ActiveGate run by the customer for remote database extensions |
| Collection/agents | Database extensions on ActiveGate; OneAgent for host metrics |
| Alerting | Health alerts and warning signals for databases |
| Query monitoring | Statement analysis with execution plans, blocking and deadlocks |
| Licensing | Dynatrace Platform Subscription: annual commitment consumed by usage |
Dynatrace fits large organisations that are standardising on one observability platform and want databases inside it, with statement analysis, plans and lock detection next to application and host data. It requires an annual spend commitment and ActiveGate infrastructure for database extensions, which is a lot to take on only for database monitoring.
Overview
Dynatrace is an observability and security platform covering applications, infrastructure, logs and more. Its database monitoring is built on Extensions Framework 2.0: database extensions run on one or more ActiveGate groups that connect remotely to each database server, while OneAgent on hosts supplies resource context. The documentation names PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MariaDB and SAP HANA among monitored vendors without giving a complete list.
Collected data lands in Grail, Dynatrace's data lakehouse, in a dedicated default_database_monitoring bucket that can be access-restricted. The database views cover statement performance with execution plans, blocking queries and deadlocks, health alerts and a composite health score, and inventory of databases, tables and indexes, including unused-index detection.
Key features
- Statement performance analysis, filterable by time, CPU, disk or waits, with execution plans
- Detection of lock contention, blocking queries and deadlocks
- Health alerts, warning signals and a composite health score per database, with recommendations
- Inventory of databases, tables and indexes, including size and unused indexes
- Remote collection through Extensions Framework 2.0 on ActiveGate groups
- Database data stored in Grail in an access-controlled bucket, next to application and infrastructure data
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad engine coverage, including Oracle and SAP HANA
- Database, application and host data in one platform
- Public rate card for host monitoring and log ingest
- Fine-grained access control on database monitoring data in Grail
Cons
- Requires a minimum annual spend commitment, which is not published
- Remote database extensions need ActiveGate infrastructure with network access to each database
- Databases needing extra components such as JDBC drivers require them on every designated ActiveGate
Pricing
Dynatrace is sold through the Dynatrace Platform Subscription (DPS): a minimum annual spend commitment, which is not published, consumed against a public rate card. As listed on the pricing page on 7 November 2026 (prices shown in dollars): Full-Stack Monitoring is $58 a month per 8 GiB host, billed at $0.01 per memory-GiB-hour; Infrastructure Monitoring is $29 a month per host, billed at $0.04 per host-hour; Foundation and Discovery is $7 a month per host; log ingest is $0.20 per GiB. A 15-day free trial is available.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Large organisations standardising on one observability platform that want database monitoring for several engines, including Oracle and SAP HANA, inside it.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small teams that want a low-cost or free database monitor: see open source database monitoring tools.
- DBA teams that only need a dedicated database tool: see database monitoring vs APM.
Verdict
Dynatrace offers wide database coverage and ties database problems to the rest of the stack, which suits enterprises already committed to the platform. For teams that only need database monitoring, the annual commitment and ActiveGate setup are heavy, and a dedicated monitor may be simpler.
Frequently asked questions
How does Dynatrace monitor databases?
Through database extensions built on Extensions Framework 2.0 that run on ActiveGate groups and connect remotely to each database server. OneAgent adds host metrics.
How is Dynatrace priced?
Through the Dynatrace Platform Subscription, a minimum annual commitment consumed against a rate card. As listed on 7 November 2026, Infrastructure Monitoring is $29 a month per host and Full-Stack Monitoring is $58 a month per 8 GiB host.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Dynatrace offers a 15-day free trial.
Sources
- Dynatrace database monitoring documentation
- Dynatrace pricing
- Dynatrace ActiveGate installation documentation
Checked November 2026.
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