Checkly
Checkly monitors websites, APIs and user journeys through automated checks that detect failures, measure performance and alert teams to problems.
Why it caught my attention
A website can be online while its login, checkout or other essential functions are broken. Checkly goes beyond basic uptime checks by regularly simulating those interactions. Its ability to reuse Playwright tests as production monitors is particularly interesting for teams already automating their application testing.
What problem does this actually solve?
Checkly could be worth considering if you recognise any of these challenges.
Critical user journeys silently fail
A website may respond normally while login, checkout or form submissions fail. Browser checks detect these problems.
APIs return unexpected responses
Services may remain reachable while returning incorrect data or errors. Scheduled API assertions help identify these failures.
Regional problems go unnoticed
Applications can behave differently across locations. Checks from multiple regions help reveal geographically isolated failures.
Failures reach teams too late
Without continuous checks, problems may surface through customer complaints. Automated alerts help teams investigate sooner.
Is this a good fit for you?
A quick way to see if Checkly is relevant for your situation.
- You operate websites or APIs where availability and correct behaviour matter.
- You need to monitor login, checkout or other important browser workflows.
- Your team already uses Playwright for automated application testing.
- You want monitoring definitions reviewed and deployed alongside application code.
- You need checks from multiple geographical locations with automated failure alerts.
- You primarily need infrastructure metrics, application profiling or detailed log analysis.
- You only require occasional manual testing without continuous production monitoring.
How does it work?
In practice, the workflow looks something like this:
Identify important API endpoints, website pages or user journeys, such as signing in or completing a purchase.
Define API assertions or browser interactions, using the interface, JavaScript or TypeScript, or supported infrastructure-as-code tools.
Select monitoring intervals and execution regions. Checkly repeatedly runs the checks from its monitoring infrastructure.
Configure notification channels and inspect failed runs, including available logs, timings and browser execution evidence.
Update checks as applications change, optionally testing and deploying monitoring definitions through your existing CI/CD pipeline.
What else should I know?
A few important things to be aware of before you investigate further.
Usage-based monitoring costs
Plans include different monitoring allowances. Frequent checks across multiple locations can increase consumption and paid-plan costs.
Script maintenance and test data
Browser checks require reliable scripts and suitable test accounts. Production interactions must avoid unwanted transactions or data changes.
Public and private monitoring locations
Standard checks run from Checkly infrastructure. Monitoring internal services through private locations requires additional setup and suitable plan access.
Synthetic monitoring has defined limits
Scripted checks show whether selected workflows succeed, but do not replace real-user monitoring, infrastructure metrics or application profiling.
Think Checkly could fit your environment?
Visit the Checkly website to find out more, request a demo or speak to their team.
Something you'd like to know about Checkly?
Is there something I haven't covered in my research? Send me your question and I'll look into it and reply personally by email.