Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Checkly · 📟 monitoring
Checkly vs Gatus
A highly customizable monitoring solution that provides automated status pages, extensive alerting options, and detailed testing capabilities for your services and infrastructure Here is how Gatus ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Checkly ($35/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Gatus is a verified Apache-2.0-licensed open-source replacement for Checkly. Switching from Checkly ($35/mo) saves $420/yr per solo seat, or $2,100/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Self-host.
The catch: It is configuration-driven and normally probes from one place, so Pingdom's global probe network and recorder-style transaction checks are the major losses.
Checkly vs Gatus Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | Checkly (Paid) | Gatus (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $35 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $420 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $420) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $2,100 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $2,100) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $4,200 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $4,200) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Apache-2.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 12.5k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Checkly to Gatus
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It is configuration-driven and normally probes from one place, so Pingdom's global probe network and recorder-style transaction checks are the major losses.
How to deploy Gatus
Run one binary or Docker container and supply a YAML configuration; Helm is available
What it takes to run
The first hurdle is writing YAML for endpoints, conditions, alerts, and secrets; without configuring a database, history disappears on restart.
Where your data lives
Monitor definitions live in YAML; results are in memory by default or persist in SQLite or PostgreSQL when storage is configured.
Why fork Gatus instead of vibe-coding a Checkly clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Checkly or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 13 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Uptime Kuma.
Checkly vs Gatus FAQ
Is Gatus a good free alternative to Checkly?+
Yes. Gatus is a verified open-source (Apache-2.0) replacement for Checkly. A highly customizable monitoring solution that provides automated status pages, extensive alerting options, and detailed testing capabilities for your services and infrastructure
What is the catch when switching from Checkly to Gatus?+
It is configuration-driven and normally probes from one place, so Pingdom's global probe network and recorder-style transaction checks are the major losses.
How much do you save switching from Checkly to Gatus?+
Checkly costs $35/mo ($420/yr) per seat, whereas Gatus is $0/mo. Switching saves $420/yr for a solo user, $2,100/yr for a 5-person team, and $4,200/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Gatus instead of Checkly?+
Install: Run one binary or Docker container and supply a YAML configuration; Helm is available. Setup: The first hurdle is writing YAML for endpoints, conditions, alerts, and secrets; without configuring a database, history disappears on restart.
