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Technology · head to head

Nagios XI vs Postgres

Nagios XI logo

Nagios XI

Technology

Enterprise-grade monitoring solution with advanced visualization and reporting

From
Free
Rated
-
Postgres logo

Postgres

Technology

The world's most advanced open source database

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Nagios XI free Edition caps at 7 nodes or 100 services, whichever limit is hit first; Postgres each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nagios XI and Postgres actually diverge.

Attributes where Nagios XI and Postgres differ
AttributeNagios XIPostgres
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
PlatformsWebLinux, Windows, Macos, Docker
FoundedUnknown1996

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Technology).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Nagios XI

Nothing recorded that Postgres does not also cover.

Only in Postgres

  • ACID compliance
  • Complex queries
  • Foreign keys
  • Triggers
  • Views
  • Stored procedures
  • JSON/JSONB support
  • Full-text search

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Nagios XI

  • Monitoring servers, networks, and IoT devices for status changesnot Postgres
  • Detecting infrastructure problems before they cause outagesnot Postgres
  • Creating customizable dashboards for real-time IT visibilitynot Postgres
  • Tracking SLA compliance and generating capacity planning reportsnot Postgres

Postgres

  • Running a general purpose relational database for applicationsnot Nagios XI
  • Self-hosting an open source SQL database with no licence feenot Nagios XI
  • Workloads needing extensions, JSON and full text search in one enginenot Nagios XI

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Nagios XI

  • Free Edition caps at 7 nodes or 100 services, whichever limit is hit first
  • Standard Edition is licensed per node count, starting at $2,595 for 100 nodes and rising to $14,995 for 1,000 nodes
  • Enterprise Edition, which adds capacity planning and SLA reporting, is sold as an add-on starting at $4,690 for 100 nodes on top of the base license
  • Sitewide Edition for large distributed environments has no published price and requires contacting sales

Postgres

  • Each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life
  • Major version upgrades break on-disk compatibility and require a full dump and reload or the pg_upgrade tool
  • New major versions ship about once a year, so staying supported means a disruptive upgrade cycle
  • Minor releases contain only frequently-encountered bug fixes, low-risk fixes, security issues and data corruption fixes, so feature gaps are not addressed within a major version
  • There is no vendor SLA; commercial support must be bought separately from third party professional services listed by the project

Pricing, plan by plan

Nagios XI

Free
  • Free EditionFree
    • 7 nodes OR 100 services limit
    • Self-supported only
  • Standard 100-Node$2595/perpetual
    • 100 nodes
    • First year includes support and upgrades
  • Standard 500-Node$8295/perpetual
    • 500 nodes
    • First year includes support and upgrades
  • Standard 1000-Node$14995/perpetual
    • 1,000 nodes
    • First year includes support and upgrades

Postgres

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Full database features
    • No limitations
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Nagios XI if

  • You want to start without paying.

Choose Postgres if

  • You need acid compliance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker.
  • You also want complex queries.

Questions people ask

Is Nagios XI or Postgres better?
Neither clearly leads. Nagios XI starts at Free and Postgres at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nagios XI or Postgres?
Nagios XI starts at Free and Postgres at Free.
Does Nagios XI or Postgres run on more platforms?
Nagios XI runs on Web. Postgres runs on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker.
Can I use Nagios XI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Nagios XI best used for?
Nagios XI is most often used for monitoring servers, networks, and iot devices for status changes, detecting infrastructure problems before they cause outages, creating customizable dashboards for real-time it visibility, tracking sla compliance and generating capacity planning reports. Of those, monitoring servers, networks, and iot devices for status changes and detecting infrastructure problems before they cause outages are not what Postgres is typically brought in for.
What can Nagios XI do that Postgres cannot?
Postgres covers ACID compliance, Complex queries, Foreign keys, Triggers.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Nagios XI: What is Nagios XI's pricing model?

Nagios XI uses perpetual licensing with one-time purchase costs based on node count, ranging from $2,595 for 100 nodes to $14,995 for 1,000 nodes.

Source
Postgres: How much does PostgreSQL cost to use?

PostgreSQL is completely free to download, install, and use. No licensing fees, subscription costs, or per-seat charges apply. The database is open source under the PostgreSQL License. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

Source
Nagios XI: Is there a free version of Nagios XI?

Yes, Nagios XI Free Edition is available at no cost with a limit of 7 nodes or 100 services, whichever is reached first.

Source
Postgres: Are there commercial PostgreSQL support options available?

Official PostgreSQL (the project) is free. Commercial PostgreSQL services such as hosting, professional support, training, and managed database services are offered by third-party vendors, not the PostgreSQL project itself. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

Source
Nagios XI: What is included with Nagios XI licensing?

Initial licenses include one year of free version upgrades, up to 10 support cases, and support portal access. Each license permits three installations: production, backup/failover, and testing/development.

Source
Postgres: Do I need a license to use PostgreSQL commercially?

No. PostgreSQL is open source under the PostgreSQL License, which permits free commercial use without royalties, licensing fees, or support obligations. Source: https://www.postgresql.org

Source
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