Comparison

UptimeSignal vs Checkly

Checkly excels at Playwright browser automation and monitoring-as-code. For simple HTTP endpoint monitoring, UptimeSignal is simpler and more cost-effective.

TL;DR

• Choose UptimeSignal if you need simple HTTP monitoring with flat $15/mo pricing and included status pages
• Choose Checkly if you need Playwright browser automation, monitoring-as-code, or CI/CD integration
• Consider both if you want cheap HTTP monitoring plus sophisticated E2E browser tests

Quick Comparison

Feature UptimeSignal Checkly

Primary focus HTTP monitoring Browser checks

Pricing model Flat rate Usage-based

Unlimited monitors $15/month Scales with usage

Free tier 25 monitors Limited checks/mo

Playwright browser tests No Yes

Monitoring as code No Yes

Status pages Unlimited free No

Setup complexity 60 seconds CLI + config

Check intervals 1-5 minutes 1-60 minutes

Understanding Checkly

Checkly is a developer-first synthetic monitoring platform built around "monitoring as code." Founded in 2018, it focuses on programmable checks using Playwright and JavaScript/TypeScript.

What Checkly Does Well

Playwright browser automation — Full browser checks that render JavaScript, fill forms, click buttons, and validate visual elements
Monitoring as code — Define checks in JavaScript/TypeScript files, version control them with your app, deploy via CLI
CI/CD integration — Run checks in your deployment pipeline to catch regressions before production
Multi-step API checks — Chain API calls with custom JavaScript assertions and setup/teardown logic

Checkly's Target Audience

Checkly is built for engineering teams who want to treat monitoring like code. It's ideal for organizations with complex web applications, dedicated QA processes, and CI/CD pipelines. The learning curve is higher, but the flexibility is substantial.

Where UptimeSignal Wins

Simpler Setup for HTTP Monitoring

If you just need to check whether your API returns 200 OK, Checkly requires installing a CLI, writing configuration files, and understanding their check syntax. UptimeSignal takes 60 seconds: enter a URL, set your interval, done.

# Checkly setup

npm install checkly

npx checkly login

npx checkly init

# Edit checks, deploy...

# UptimeSignal setup

Enter URL → Click "Create" → Done

Predictable, Flat Pricing

Checkly's usage-based pricing means costs scale with check volume and browser check minutes. This makes budgeting unpredictable, especially for growing teams. UptimeSignal is $15/month flat for unlimited monitors—no surprises.

Checkly (example: 50 monitors)

Team plan: ~$30-100+/mo

+ browser check minutes

UptimeSignal (50 monitors)

$15/mo flat

Same price for 500 monitors

Built-in Status Pages

Checkly doesn't offer status pages. If you want to share uptime information with customers, you need a separate tool. UptimeSignal includes unlimited public status pages at no extra cost.

No Code Required

Checkly's power comes from programmability—but that means writing and maintaining check scripts. UptimeSignal requires zero code. Configure everything through a visual dashboard, get alerts instantly.

When to Choose Checkly

→ You need Playwright browser automation to test complex user flows (login, checkout, multi-step forms)
→ You want to define monitoring as code in your repository alongside your application
→ You need checks to run in your CI/CD pipeline before deployments
→ You require custom JavaScript assertions and complex validation logic
→ You're testing JavaScript-rendered SPAs that require a real browser

When to Choose UptimeSignal

→ You need simple HTTP/API endpoint monitoring (status codes, response times, content checks)
→ You want flat, predictable pricing without usage-based surprises
→ You need public status pages included at no extra cost
→ You prefer no-code setup over writing configuration files
→ You're monitoring APIs, webhooks, and health endpoints that don't require browser rendering

Using UptimeSignal + Checkly Together

Many teams get the best of both worlds by using UptimeSignal for basic HTTP monitoring and Checkly for complex browser tests:

UptimeSignal handles:

• API health endpoints (/health, /status)
• External service dependencies
• Webhook receivers
• Static asset availability
• Public status page for customers

Checkly handles:

• Login flow E2E tests
• Checkout process validation
• JavaScript-heavy SPAs
• Pre-deployment smoke tests
• Visual regression testing

This approach gives you comprehensive coverage while keeping costs predictable for the high-volume HTTP checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between UptimeSignal and Checkly?

UptimeSignal focuses on simple HTTP endpoint monitoring with flat $15/month pricing for unlimited monitors. Checkly specializes in "monitoring as code" with Playwright browser automation, using usage-based pricing. Choose UptimeSignal for straightforward uptime monitoring, Checkly for complex browser-based synthetic testing.

Is UptimeSignal cheaper than Checkly?

For HTTP monitoring, yes. UptimeSignal costs $15/month flat for unlimited monitors with 1-minute checks. Checkly's usage-based pricing starts around $30/month for the Team plan and scales based on check runs and browser minutes. For simple HTTP monitoring at scale, UptimeSignal is significantly more cost-effective.

Does UptimeSignal support Playwright browser checks like Checkly?

No. UptimeSignal focuses exclusively on HTTP endpoint monitoring—checking status codes, response times, and content. If you need full browser automation to test complex user flows (login sequences, checkout processes, JavaScript-rendered content), Checkly is the better choice.

Can I use UptimeSignal and Checkly together?

Yes, many teams use both. UptimeSignal handles basic HTTP uptime monitoring (APIs, health endpoints, webhooks) at low cost, while Checkly handles complex browser-based E2E tests for critical user flows. This provides comprehensive coverage without overspending.

Does Checkly have status pages like UptimeSignal?

No, Checkly does not offer public status pages. UptimeSignal includes unlimited free status pages that you can share with customers. If you use Checkly and need status pages, you'd need a separate tool like Statuspage or Better Stack.

Which tool is better for monitoring APIs?

For simple API health checks (is it up? is it fast?), UptimeSignal is simpler and cheaper. For complex API testing with custom assertions, JavaScript validation, or multi-step authentication flows, Checkly's programmable checks offer more flexibility.

Try UptimeSignal free

25 monitors, no credit card required, no Playwright scripts needed.

Start monitoring free →