At a glance
| Database engines | SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, RDS for SQL Server, Google Cloud |
| Deployment | Self-hosted Windows components and SQL Server repository; browser-based Web Console |
| Collection | Agentless (nothing installed on monitored SQL Servers) |
| Alerting | Adaptive baselines, dynamic thresholds, scripted and ServiceNow actions |
| Query monitoring | Query Monitor, wait statistics and recommendations |
| Metrics retention | Held in your own repository; plan 1 to 3 GB per instance per year |
| Licensing | Per instance, from $1,247 per instance as listed; term licences up to 2,000 days |
SQL Diagnostic Manager suits SQL Server teams that want agentless monitoring, a repository they own and a published starting price per instance. Like SQL Sentry it covers only SQL Server and its cloud variants, so mixed-engine estates need another tool alongside it.
Overview
SQL Diagnostic Manager (often shortened to SQL DM) is Idera's performance monitoring product for SQL Server. Idera lists coverage of SQL Server on premises, Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, Amazon RDS for SQL Server and Google Cloud, with hypervisor metrics from VMware and Hyper-V hosts shown next to SQL Server metrics. Version 14.3 is current; it added estate-wide enterprise reports, configuration templates, retuned default alert thresholds and a modernised installer.
Idera describes the product as agentless: nothing is installed on the monitored SQL Servers. Its Windows components (which need .NET 4.8 or later) collect the data into a SQL Server repository (SQL Server 2016 or later, on premises or Amazon RDS Custom for SQL Server), and the Web Console runs in any browser, including on macOS and Linux. Idera's documentation plans for about 1 to 3 GB of repository space per monitored instance per year.
Key features
- Adaptive baselines and dynamic alert thresholds
- Wait statistics broken down by database, user, application and query
- Deadlock capture and visualisation, live sessions and TempDB monitoring
- Query Monitor with query and index recommendations
- Forecasting of disk, database and table growth
- Alert actions that run scripts, open ServiceNow tickets, page staff or send SNMP traps
- Availability group, replication and VMware or Hyper-V monitoring
Pros and cons
Pros
- Published starting price per instance, unlike most SQL Server monitors
- Agentless, with no per-gigabyte ingest fees and a repository you own
- Wide SQL Server coverage including Azure, RDS and Google Cloud
- Alert actions and reports aimed at estate-wide DBA work
Cons
- SQL Server only
- Self-hosted, so you run the Windows services and the repository database
- Starting price does not state its term; confirm the full quote with Idera
Pricing
Idera prices SQL Diagnostic Manager per monitored SQL Server instance and states that there are no per-gigabyte ingest fees. The product page lists a starting price of $1,247 per instance (the dollar sign is shown without a currency code or a stated term), with volume pricing from sales. Version 14.3 offers term licences of up to 2,000 days. A 14-day full-feature trial is available without a credit card.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
SQL Server DBA teams that want agentless monitoring with adaptive alerting and a self-owned repository at a known per-instance starting price.
Who should look elsewhere
- Estates with PostgreSQL, MySQL or Oracle that want one tool: see database monitoring tools.
- Teams that want SaaS monitoring with no servers to maintain: see SQL Server monitoring tools.
Verdict
SQL Diagnostic Manager is a capable SQL Server monitor with agentless collection, adaptive baselines and a clear starting price per instance. Its scope is the SQL Server family only and it needs self-hosted infrastructure, so compare it with SQL Sentry and Redgate Monitor in a trial on your own servers.
Frequently asked questions
Does SQL Diagnostic Manager need agents?
No. Idera describes it as agentless: nothing is deployed on the monitored SQL Servers, and data is collected into a SQL Server repository that you host.
How much does Idera SQL Diagnostic Manager cost?
Idera lists a starting price of $1,247 per instance on its product page, with volume pricing from sales and term licences of up to 2,000 days. There are no per-gigabyte ingest fees, and a 14-day trial is available.
Does it monitor Azure SQL and Amazon RDS?
Yes. Idera lists Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Amazon RDS for SQL Server and Google Cloud alongside on-premises SQL Server.
Sources
- Idera SQL Diagnostic Manager product page
- SQL Diagnostic Manager 14.3 requirements
- SQL Diagnostic Manager 14.3 announcement
Checked November 2026.
How we research reviews and what star ratings mean: our editorial method.