At a glance
| Supported databases | SQL Server 2008 to 2025, Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, Amazon RDS |
| Query analysis | Query-level history of duration, CPU, IO, memory and tempdb use |
| Execution plans | Plan history, compile parameters, live plan profiles, plan download |
| Wait statistics | Per-query wait events (not instance-level waits) |
| Index recommendations | Not documented as such; recommendation engine and unsargable predicate checks |
| Slow-query detection | Custom events for long executions, blocking and plan changes |
| Tuning automation | Generates Query Store plan forcing commands; no automatic changes documented |
| Deployment | SaaS with an on-premises Windows collector (outbound HTTPS only) |
| Licensing | Subscription from $79 per month; floating licence; 30-day trial |
SQLGrease is a narrowly focused, query-level SQL Server monitor with simple published prices, which is rare in this market. It suits teams and consultants who want to answer "which query caused this, and when" without running a monitoring server. Check the vendor's release history (the latest dated feature entry is from December 2022) and confirm what a plan covers before buying.
Overview
SQLGrease is a hosted service for SQL Server performance troubleshooting. You install a lightweight Windows service somewhere in your network; it collects from one or more instances and sends data outbound over HTTPS to SQLGrease, so no inbound firewall ports are needed. Most features need only the VIEW SERVER STATE permission, with sysadmin required only for operating system counters. The vendor lists SQL Server 2008 through 2025, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and Amazon RDS.
Its focus is history at query level: execution times, CPU, IO, per-query wait events, execution plans with compile-time parameters, live plan profiles, lock trees for blocking, grouped deadlocks and tempdb usage, plus per-second snapshots of running queries. It can map captured plans to Query Store and generate the commands to force or unforce a plan. Licences float, so a subscription can move between non-production environments or consulting engagements.
Key features
- Per-query wait events, CPU, IO, duration and execution counts kept as history
- Execution plan history with compile parameters (for parameter sniffing) and live plan profiles on SQL Server 2016 SP1 and later
- Blocking lock trees showing what the root blocker was doing, and grouped deadlock analysis with XDL download
- Query Store integration that maps plans and generates force or unforce commands
- Custom events (long runs, blocking, plan changes, baselines exceeded) with filtered email notifications
- Query text and plan sanitisation that masks literal parameter values
- Recommendation engine (2021) including unsargable predicate checks (December 2022)
Integrations and ecosystem
Pros and cons
Pros
- Published, simple prices with unlimited users
- Low permissions: VIEW SERVER STATE for most features
- No monitoring server or repository database to run
- Deep query-level detail for blocking, deadlocks and plan changes
- Floating licence suits consultants and temporary troubleshooting
Cons
- SQL Server only
- Pricing page does not state the currency or whether a plan covers one server
- Data is held in the vendor's cloud, which some organisations will not allow
- Latest dated entry on the What's New page is from December 2022, so check recent development with the vendor
Pricing
SQLGrease publishes three subscription plans priced by stored data volume, each with unlimited users: Basic $79 per month or $806 per year (8 GB storage, recommended up to 8 CPUs), Standard $99 per month or $1,010 per year (15 GB, 8 to 24 CPUs) and Premium $119 per month or $1,214 per year (30 GB, 24 or more CPUs). The page shows dollar amounts without naming the currency, and does not say whether a plan covers one server or instance. A 30-day fully functional trial needs no payment details. A SQLGrease Lite option keeps only 2 hours of history; no price for it is published.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Small DBA teams and SQL Server consultants who want hosted query-level performance history with low setup effort and published pricing.
Typical use cases
- Finding the query behind a CPU or wait spike at a past point in time
- Diagnosing blocking chains and recurring deadlocks
- Catching plan changes after deployments and forcing a previous plan through Query Store
- Short-term monitoring during a consulting engagement or migration
- Estimating Azure SQL Database DTU needs before a migration
Who should look elsewhere
- Mixed estates that also run PostgreSQL, MySQL or Oracle: see database monitoring tools.
- Organisations that require monitoring data to stay on premises: compare the self-hosted options in SQL Server monitoring tools.
Verdict
SQLGrease covers the query-level questions most SQL Server performance work comes down to, with low permissions, no server to run and clear prices. Its limits are scope (SQL Server only, cloud-hosted data) and an unclear recent release history, so run the 30-day trial and ask the vendor about the roadmap and what a plan covers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does SQLGrease cost?
Basic is $79 per month or $806 per year, Standard $99 or $1,010, and Premium $119 or $1,214, sized by stored data (8, 15 or 30 GB) and recommended CPU count, with unlimited users. The page does not name the currency or say whether a plan covers one server, so confirm with the vendor.
Is there a free version?
There is a 30-day fully functional trial with no payment details required. SQLGrease Lite keeps only 2 hours of history; the site does not publish its price.
Does SQLGrease need sysadmin rights?
No for most features. The collector needs VIEW SERVER STATE; only operating system performance counters require sysadmin.
Does it work with Azure SQL and Amazon RDS?
Yes. The vendor lists Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and Amazon RDS alongside SQL Server 2008 to 2025.
Sources
- SQLGrease home page
- SQLGrease features
- SQLGrease pricing
- SQLGrease pricing options (trial and Lite)
- SQLGrease what's new
Checked November 2026.
Listed in: Performance & Query Optimization.
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