10 Best Oracle Database Tools (2023)

Oracle was one of the first developers of relational database management systems and produced the first commercial SQL implementation. So, Oracle is very widely implemented because it has been in the database supply industry longer than any other company.

Oracle has developed many front-end products and refined its database management software, deepening its expertise in the field.

However, despite its technical excellence, a typical Oracle database needs constant adjustments to its resource utilization to ensure that it doesn’t hit capacity limits.

Here is our list of the ten best Oracle monitoring tools:

1. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer EDITOR’S CHOICE A package of database management and optimization tools that includes machine-learning procedures that spot irregular performance problems. Start a 14-day free trial.
2. Site24x7 Oracle Database Monitoring (FREE TRIAL) A cloud-based monitoring service for Oracle databases and their underlying infrastructure. Start a 30-day free trial.
3. ManageEngine Applications Manager (FREE TRIAL) This software package implements database monitoring, including Oracle instances, it also monitors servers and cloud platforms, so you can watch over Oracle Cloud as well. Runs on Windows Server, Linux, AWS, and Azure. Start 30-day free trial.
4. dbForge Studiofor Oracle A combination of developer support and database management features that focuses on PL/SQL application creation.
5. Oracle SQL Developer A free query and program development tool that includes database management controls.
6. Quest Toad for Oracle A database system development and management tool that supports Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, SAP, and MySQL.
7. Paessler PRTG An infrastructure monitoring tool that includes sensors for database errors and performance tuning features.
8. Atera A remote monitoring and management system for use by managed service providers that include oracle database monitoring capabilities.
9. Datadog APM A cloud-based application performance monitor that includes specialized services for Oracle database monitoring.
10. dbWatch Unified monitoring of all databases on a site regardless of DBMS vendor.

Oracle optimization and daily administration

Databases continue to grow through an accumulation of transactions over time. This inevitable expansion can require tables to be reanalyzed for efficiency, SQL queries to be optimized, and structures to be assessed and adapted. All of these tasks can be performed more efficiently with the support of automated tools.

Along with the optimization requirements of Oracle databases, a database administrator (DBA) has to pay attention to daily tasks, such as backing up the system, managing user accounts, and coordinating the development and live instances. Data security has become a major issue in recent years, and access logging has become a fundamental requirement for any RDBMS.

The best Oracle monitoring tools

There are two categories of tools that any DBA needs in order to perform the job well. These are monitoring systems and management tools. One makes sure nothing goes wrong and the other makes it possible to get the database running better. Very good tools combine both monitoring and management functions.

1. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (FREE TRIAL)

The SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is able to monitor and manage a range of DBMSs including Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL. The Oracle services of the tool are able to connect to Oracle instances and assess their objects in real-time.

Key Features:

• Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL monitoring
• Database activity monitoring
• Server resource tracking
• Transaction analysis
• Monitors on-premises and cloud databases

The two main areas of competence of this tool lie in the analysis of code execution and the monitoring of resource usage. It is able to monitor many instances simultaneously. It is also able to oversee a cloud-based database hosted on AWS, Azure, and other locations.

The interface for the Database Performance Analyzer includes collaboration screens that illustrate to a team how a developing application gets implemented in the database. Performance issues can be related to resource locking, inefficient joins, index usage, or system capacity. Naturally, DBAs will get more out of this tool than any other team member. The system gives recommendations on the allocation of resources that will alleviate detected problems. It also identifies keys that need new indexes to speed up processing.

The monitoring functions of the Database Performance Analyzer take care of day-to-day running and alert the DBA to emerging problems. This task is continuous and carries on in the background while the DBA uses other screens in the tool to manage users and improve response times.

The Database Performance Analyzer installs on Windows Server. It is available on a 14-day free trial.

2. Site24x7 Oracle Database Monitoring (FREE TRIAL)

Site24x7 is a cloud-based infrastructure monitor that has a specialized screen for Oracle monitoring. The database supervision capabilities of this service automatically detect all database instances and include them in the monitoring program. The system keeps a constant watch on the performance of the databases, reporting on the aggregate metrics for all, and enabling drill-down to see the performance of each, individually.

Key Features:

• SaaS package
• Specialized integration for Oracle
• Resource monitoring
• Autodetection

Other features in the database monitoring tool include an optimizer that scans all queries and recommends changes to their structure or improvements to database objects that would improve performance.

This tool also monitors services and servers that support Oracle databases. This gives you the ability to identify the root cause of performance issues, which might not be a problem with the database.

Site24x7 is a subscription service and the system is free to use to monitor just five servers. You can get a 30-day free trial of the paid version.

Site24x7 Start 30-dy FREE Trial

3. ManageEngine Applications Manager (FREE TRIAL)

ManageEngine Applications Manager is a package that monitors a range of software applications, including Oracle databases. The system also watches over server resources and services that include the monitoring of cloud platforms. Among the cloud systems that this package will monitor is the Oracle Cloud platform – the others are AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Key Features:

• Oracle response time recording
• Oracle database instance activity metrics
• Application dependency mapping

Thanks to the server and application monitoring combination of the Applications Manager, this tool can track performance within, above, and beneath an Oracle database instance. This means that it extracts performance metrics from the database, watches the server processes that the database invokes, and measures resource availability on the hosting server or cloud platform.

A discovery routine in the Applications Manager seeks out all of the contributing modules that create an application. This generates an application dependency map that shows you which applications are accessing each of your Oracle database instances. This information enables the Applications Manager to work out whether required resources are going to be available when required. This is a predictive alerting system that lets you head off disasters.

ManageEngine Applications Manager runs on Windows Server or Linux. You can also get the system as a service on AWS and Azure. There is a free version and two paid editions – one for a single network and one for multi-site implementations. Access a 30-day free trial. If you decide not to buy at the end of the trial period, your implementation switches over to the free version.

ManageEngine Applications manager Start 30-day FREE Trial

4. dbForge Studio for Oracle

dbForge Studio for Oracle by Devart is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that supports developers creating SQL queries and PL/SQL programs.

Key Features:

• SQL query assembler
• Oracle database monitor
• Free version

The dbForge Studio editor includes a code formatter, syntax library, and debugger. A nice feature is the editor’s object name tracker. It can be annoying to be given a new formula for object names once you have already written a program because that means every reference to that object will need to be changed. dbForge Studio automatically updates programs to track those name changes for you.

The dbForge Studio tool is also useful for DBAs. The software package includes event monitoring screens, a session manager, and a security manager, which enables the administration of user accounts. It has schema comparison capabilities that help DBAs organize snapshots, backups, and syncing between instances. The environment includes a data import and export manager to help populate tables rapidly. Other useful assistance from dbForge Studio includes a database diagramming system.

There is a free version of dbForge. However, it doesn’t include a PL/SQL debugger, name refactoring, or data management functions. Three paid versions of the tool are called Standard, Professional, and Enterprise with progressively longer lists of features.

Devart offers dbForge Studio for Oracle on a free trial. The software installs on Windows and Windows Server.

5. Oracle SQL Developer

SQL Developer is an IDE provided by Oracle for free. This tool isn’t just for the creation of SQL queries. It has a PL/SQL program editor but, despite its name, its functions are not limited to programming support.

Key Features:

• Free to use
• Created by Oracle
• Programmer and DBA tools

The SQL Developer facilities extend to a database manager console for DBAs. So, this isn’t just a tool for developers, DBAs can get a lot of support from SQL Developer. A really useful feature for DBAs is the database modeler, which draws up ERDs and produces lists of metadata. The DBA can also store object creation scripts and manage user accounts through SQL Developer.

As well as supporting the development of PL/SQL programs and SQL queries, the tool includes a testing facility. This enables both the developer and the DBA to test new programs and assess efficiency.

SQL Developer includes migration support to copy databases to Oracle Cloud. It is also able to migrate databases from other DBMSs into Oracle and load data into new tables.

The SQL Developer code installs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

6. Quest Toad for Oracle

Quest produces a range of infrastructure management tools and Toad is its database management offering. The company produces a tailored version, called Toad for Oracle. This system is a performance monitor and code optimizer for on-premises or cloud-based Oracle databases.

Key Features:

• On-premises package
• Monitor local and cloud-based databases
• Resource tracking

As well as constant checks on supporting infrastructure, Toad will examine code for efficiency problems and alert when resources get locked. It also aids in the management of backups and replications.

Quest Toad for Oracle includes a version control system for program files and also presents a code editor that includes a function library and syntax checker. Toad also manages testing of code and the transfer of objects and programs from the test system to the live environment. The tool also includes access tracking and data protection processes.

Toad installs on Windows and Windows Server. It is available for afree trial.

7. Paessler PRTG

Paessler PRTG is an all-in-one infrastructure monitoring package. The software contains a large number of monitors, called sensors. Each sensor specializes in monitoring specific parts of IT infrastructure. Two sensors in the package are the Oracle v2 sensor and the Oracle Tablespace sensor.

Key Features:

• Oracle database sensor
• Create your own package
• Server monitoring

The Oracle v2 sensor operates through the execution of an SQL query that tests the performance metrics of the database. This test is run periodically so DBAs can get on with other tasks, knowing that PRTG will raise an alert if there are problems discovered in the test results. Results are shown live, over time in the dashboard of PRTG. The Oracle Tablespace sensor gives a live view of key database statistics including occupied and available space.

PRTG doesn’t have as many Oracle performance checks and coding support services as the other tools on this list. However, its ability to coordinate a large number of monitors covering other infrastructure means that it can give a full-stack view of the Oracle database and all the services that support it. This is a great benefit when troubleshooting performance issues that might be no fault of the database itself.

Paessler PRTG installs on Windows Server. The package is available for a free trial with all sensors activated.

8. Atera

Atera is a cloud-based bundle of software support services for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It includes all of the tools that an MSP needs in order to operate and has Oracle database management capabilities.

Key Features:

• Remote monitoring
• Built for MSPs
• Oracle, MySQL, and SQL Server

As well as tracking the performance of all applications, including Oracle databases, Atera has a database backup and restore feature. The system interacts with the DBMS through its command set so all backup options are fully compatible with standard Oracle procedures.

As well as being able to manage Oracle databases, Atera can monitor and manage SQL Server and MySQL implementations.

Atera is a subscription service that is charged per technician per month. There are three editions: Pro, Growth, and Power. All of those versions include Oracle monitoring and management functions. The Power edition also has the ability to store database snapshots. You can access Atera on a 30-day free trial.

9. Datadog APM

Datadog is a cloud-based system management service. Its Oracle database monitoring capabilities are delivered as part of Datadog APM – an application performance monitor. The APM performs regular system monitoring of all services, checking on key metrics in the Oracle database infrastructure and the underlying operating system.

Key Features:

• Full system monitoring
• SaaS package
• Application dependency mapping

The automated checks compare performance to a series of thresholds of safe and acceptable statuses. As well as examining the environment, the Datadog system tests response times through issuing SQL commands within each database. Users can generate their own tests through the Datadog SQL query tool.

Datadog APM will monitor databases no matter where they are located. It can aggregate performance data for Oracle database located on several sites and it can also integrate monitoring of cloud-hosted databases. Oracle monitoring is implemented through “integration”. Datadog integrations are like a plugin that adapt processes and screen to the purposes of the specified third-party system – in this case, Oracle.

Datadog can be accessed on a 14-day free trial.

10. dbWatch

dbWatch is a specialist database monitoring tool that is able to unify the administration of different DBMS brands. The tool is able to aggregate live performance metrics for all instances and also enable drill down to a view of each individual database. It also monitors the health of the supporting servers.

Key Features:

• Monitors multiple instances
• Task automation
• Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sybase, and MariaDB

As well as Oracle, this database monitor can supervise SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sybase, and MariaDB systems. The dbWatch software runs on-premises, but it can operate over networks and the internet to include cloud-based and remote databases in the monitoring system.

There are three levels of dbWatch: Essentials, Professional, and Enterprise. All plans include database monitoring. The Professional plan also includes management task automation and the Enterprise plan has all of those facilities plus autodiscovery and cluster management.

The dbWatch software installs on Windows, Linux, and macOS and it is marketed through partner sellers.

Choosing an Oracle monitoring tool

Over the decades, the job of a DBA has transformed from being a relatively simple job into a departmental responsibility. The requirements of database management now occupy a team. The risk of failure is high, with the threat of legal action for data loss or corruption and a high probability of business failure should a critical disaster hit the database.

Oracle databases have become central to the operations of the businesses that use them and even a temporary outage could cause the company to fail. Automated database monitoring tools ensure that support staff gets alerted to potential problems before they become critical. Database management and analysis software can help a small team excel at making system performance better.

Database tools are worth the investment because they improve the efficiency of the Oracle database, increasing value for money, and they minimalize the risk of failure.

Oracle Monitoring FAQs:

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