collectd/collectd
FreeThe system statistics collection daemon. Please send Pull Requests here!
FreeFree tier
About collectd/collectd
collectd is a small daemon which collects system information periodically and provides mechanisms to store and monitor the values in a variety of ways. It gathers statistics from various sources such as CPU, memory, disk, network, and over 100 plugins covering Apache, NFS, Docker, and more. The collected data can be written to RRD files, Graphite, or other backends, making it suitable for infrastructure monitoring and performance analysis.
Key Features
Periodic collection of system performance data (CPU, memory, disk, network)
Modular plugin architecture with over 100 data collection plugins
Supports multiple output backends (RRD, Graphite, etc.)
Lightweight and runs as a daemon with minimal overhead
Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open source and free to use
- Extensive plugin ecosystem covering many services and hardware
- Lightweight and suitable for small to large deployments
- Mature project with over 12,000 commits and active community
Cons
- Configuration can be complex for advanced setups
- Some plugins require additional dependencies (e.g., libcurl, libxml2)
- Lacks built-in alerting; typically relies on external tools like Grafana Alerting
Best For
Server infrastructure monitoring and capacity planningCollecting metrics for visualization in tools like GrafanaTroubleshooting system performance issuesLong-term storage and analysis of system statistics
FAQ
What is collectd?
collectd is a small daemon that periodically collects system performance statistics and provides mechanisms to store and monitor the values in various ways.
What data can collectd collect?
collectd can collect data from over 100 plugins covering CPU, memory, disk, network, sensors, databases, web servers (Apache, Nginx), messaging queues, and more.
How does collectd store collected data?
collectd can write data to RRD files, Graphite, CSV, JSON, and other backends, allowing integration with various monitoring and visualization tools.
Is collectd free?
Yes, collectd is open-source software released under the MIT license and is free to use.