The DBmarlin alternative to SolarWinds DPA
Database monitoring that does not punish you for growing
Wait-time analysis, SQL plan history, and multi-database support, with pricing you can read on a webpage instead of negotiate over three years.
Free licence includes 1 database instance. No agents. Self-hosted or cloud.
Why teams switch from SolarWinds DPA
What teams tell us before they cancel their SolarWinds DPA licence
New owners, steeper bills
SolarWinds was acquired by Turn/River Capital in April 2025. Customers across the SolarWinds portfolio have publicly reported renewal increases of 200% to 300%.
Subscription-only, three-year minimum
As of August 1, 2025, SolarWinds enforced a subscription-only model with a 3-year minimum on new contracts. Perpetual licenses were deprecated.
An interface stuck before the cloud era
The DPA interface predates the cloud-first era and shows it.
A procurement cycle before you even see the product
DBA teams want a tool they can trial in an afternoon, not after a procurement cycle and a multi-year commitment.
Side-by-side comparison
DBmarlin vs SolarWinds DPA
The features that matter to teams leaving SolarWinds DPA.
| Feature | DBmarlin | SolarWinds DPA |
|---|---|---|
| Database support | 12+ database platforms | 8 database platforms supported |
| Wait-time analysis | All supported platforms | All supported platforms |
| Setup time | Under 30 minutes | 1-3 days, SQL Server repository required |
| Pricing model | Per instance, transparent tiers plus free | Per instance, quote-based |
| User interface | Modern React web app | Old style web app looks dated |
| Cloud-native deployment | Linux, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes | Windows Server preferred |
| SQL plan history | Yes | Yes |
| AI root cause analysis | Yes, built-in co-pilot | No |
| Free tier | 1 instance, no card needed | No |
Every database platform is a first-class citizen.
If your stack includes a mix of database platforms, DBmarlin gives each equal depth. Wait-time analysis, query plan capture, index recommendations, and AI co-pilot work across all 12+ supported platforms.
Brings together change and performance
SolarWinds DPA does not track changes, which are the most common reason for performance degradation. DBmarlin automatically tracks schema changes, integrates with CI/CD tools for further change information, and correlates change with database performance. Comparison reports let you analyse before and after changes to see the impact.
AI that gives you root cause, and how to fix it.
SolarWinds DPA surfaces the data. Working out why performance degraded is still your job. DBmarlin's AI co-pilot correlates wait events and plan changes with your deployment markers to surface the likely root cause and recommend the fix.
Teams that made the switch
Switching takes less than a sprint
You do not have to rip and replace. Run both, build confidence, cancel when you are ready.
01: Parallel run
Use the dpa2dbmarlin utility to import your database definitions into DBmarlin. Run DBmarlin alongside your existing SolarWinds DPA setup for as long as you need. No cutover pressure.
02: White-glove onboarding
Our team provides hands-on onboarding for the first 30 days, including live sessions, configuration review, and Slack access to your assigned engineer.
03: Cutover to DBmarlin
After 30 days of parallel running you can safely switch off DPA knowing DBmarlin now understands your databases. Users get a modern interface and the AI co-pilot assistant.
Common questions
Before you book the demo
Can DBmarlin fully replace SolarWinds DPA for SQL Server monitoring?
Yes. DBmarlin monitors SQL Server with wait-time analysis, query plan capture, blocking session detection, and AI-driven tuning recommendations. Teams using SolarWinds DPA primarily for SQL Server DPA typically find equivalent or better coverage from day one.
Will we lose our historical monitoring data when we switch?
Your existing SolarWinds DPA data stays in its repository. DBmarlin starts capturing from its first connection. For most teams, 7-14 days of parallel run gives enough overlap that historical data from the old tool becomes academic.
How does DBmarlin pricing compare to SolarWinds DPA?
SolarWinds DPA is quote-based, so a direct comparison depends on your instance count and contract. DBmarlin has a public price list and includes 1 free instance. Talk to us and we are confident that the switch will reduce your licence costs.
Does DBmarlin require a Windows Server host and SQL Server?
No. DBmarlin runs on Linux, Windows, Docker or Kubernetes and can be deployed on-prem or on AWS, Azure, or GCP. The repository database is PostgreSQL and comes with the installer, so there is nothing extra to provision.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes. The 1 free forever licence can be used to try it out, and if you need to see it working across multiple databases in your own organisation we can provide trial licences for up to 30 days.
Do you have a migration tool?
Yes. We have a utility called dpa2dbmarlin which can export the connection details for all your instances in DPA and import them into DBmarlin. It does not export passwords because they are encrypted, and it does not copy monitored data, so you start building new historical data in DBmarlin.
How long does migration actually take?
Connecting your first database takes under 30 minutes. Full parity with what you had in SolarWinds DPA typically takes a few hours across one sprint. DBmarlin can run in parallel alongside your existing tool so there is no forced cutover.
See DBmarlin running on your stack in under 30 minutes.
Connect your first database for free. No card, no agent, no Windows Server.