Overview

Checkly is a aPI and browser monitoring with Playwright tests, deployed via code. It handles monitoring as code, playwright, api checks, and alerts, and it's best suited for devops teams wanting monitoring as code. It has been around since 2018, giving it a 8-year head start in building out integrations and refining the product.

The free plan is free for 5 checks — enough for most people to evaluate whether it fits. It's designed for small teams, striking a balance between simplicity and collaboration features.

Strengths

  • Includes Monitoring as Code as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows
  • Includes Playwright as a core feature, purpose-built for monitoring workflows
  • Free for 5 checks — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
  • Includes api checks alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

  • Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
  • Developer-oriented tooling may not suit non-technical team members
  • Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in monitoring
  • Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Quick info

Category
Monitoring
Starting price
Free
Free tier
Yes — Free for 5 checks
Open source
No
Best for
Small teams
Founded
2018

Last updated 2026-04-12

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