pmm
PMM is an open-source database monitoring and management platform that provides real-time visibility into MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Valkey, and Redis performance. It offers customizable dashboards, alerting, and built-in advisors to identify security threats and performance issues across hybrid environments.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | percona/pmm |
| Owner | percona |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | AGPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.1k |
| Forks | 221 |
| Open issues | 202 |
| Latest release | v3.8.1 (2026-06-16) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/percona/pmm |
What pmm is
PMM is a Go-based client-server architecture that collects database metrics, query performance data, and system telemetry for centralized analysis and visualization. The server component runs as a Docker container (or bare-metal) and exposes a web UI; clients deploy agents to monitored database nodes to scrape metrics and send to the server.
Get the pmm source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/percona/pmm.gitcd pmm# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- PMM Server runs as a Docker container with persistent volume storage; plan for container orchestration, resource allocation (CPU/memory), and backup/restore procedures.
- PMM Client agents must be deployed to each monitored database node; verify agent compatibility with your OS/database versions and configure secure communication (TLS) between client and server.
- Advisor checks and alerting rules require configuration; tune thresholds and notification channels (email, webhook, etc.) to reduce false positives and match your operational SLAs.
- Database credentials and connection strings are stored in PMM; implement role-based access control (RBAC) and audit logging to meet security and compliance requirements.
- Metric retention, scrape intervals, and dashboard refresh rates impact storage and performance; monitor disk usage and adjust retention policies based on your monitoring horizon.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- AGPL-3.0 license incompatibility with proprietary products — If your organization produces closed-source software or requires permissive licensing for server components, PMM Server's AGPL-3.0 license requires source disclosure and may conflict with your business model. (PMM Client is Apache 2.0.)
- Single-database or lightweight monitoring needs — For small teams monitoring one or two databases with basic metrics, the operational overhead of a PMM server may outweigh the benefit; simpler lightweight solutions may suffice.
- Databases outside the supported list — PMM currently supports MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Valkey, and Redis. If your stack includes unsupported database engines, you will need custom exporters or alternative platforms.
- Air-gapped or highly restricted network environments — PMM's client-server architecture and regular Advisor checks assume outbound connectivity for telemetry and updates. Deployment in air-gapped networks requires significant customization.
License & commercial use
PMM Server and documentation are licensed under AGPL-3.0; this is a copyleft license requiring source code disclosure and derivative works to be licensed identically if distributed. PMM Client is Apache 2.0 (permissive). Verify AGPL-3.0 compliance obligations in your organization before deployment.
AGPL-3.0 permits commercial use of PMM Server, but with strict copyleft conditions: any modifications or software that combines it must have source made available under AGPL-3.0. If you modify PMM Server and distribute it (including SaaS), you must release source. Percona offers commercial support and enterprise features; review their support and licensing terms if you need proprietary indemnification or exemptions.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Strong |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
PMM Server stores database credentials; enforce TLS for all client-server communication, use network policies to isolate the server, and implement RBAC and audit logging. OpenSSF Scorecard indicates security practices are in place. Review Advisor output for database-level security recommendations (e.g., default credentials, missing encryption). No known exploits inferred from the data; conduct your own security assessment and penetration testing before production use.
Alternatives to consider
Prometheus + Grafana + custom exporters
Lightweight, permissive licensing (Apache 2.0), and wide ecosystem support. Requires more manual setup and lacks built-in database Advisors; suitable for teams comfortable with DIY observability stacks.
Datadog, New Relic, or Splunk (SaaS)
Fully managed, multi-database support, and enterprise features. Higher cost, vendor lock-in, and less control; good for enterprises with large budgets and regulatory requirements.
MySQL Enterprise Monitor, MongoDB Cloud, or native cloud database monitoring
Database-vendor-specific solutions with deep integrations. Limited to one vendor's ecosystem; suitable if your stack is homogeneous and you prefer vendor support.
Build on pmm with DEV.co software developers
Review the official Percona documentation, test deployment in your environment, and confirm AGPL-3.0 licensing compliance with your legal team before production rollout.
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pmm FAQ
Can I use PMM in a commercial product or SaaS?
What databases does PMM support?
How much storage and compute does PMM Server need?
Is PMM suitable for small teams or startups?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If pmm is part of your open-source observability roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Evaluate PMM for Your Database Monitoring Needs
Review the official Percona documentation, test deployment in your environment, and confirm AGPL-3.0 licensing compliance with your legal team before production rollout.