PA Server Monitor Free is the no-cost edition of Power Admin’s Windows-based server monitoring software, intended for admins who need simple event log, ping or web page monitoring for one machine without paying for a full monitoring suite. Searches for “pa server monitor free” often expect a full product with limits removed; that is not what it is. The Free edition is deliberately small: one server, or up to ten monitors, using basic monitor types only.
The same installer contains every edition. The paid editions (Lite, Pro and Ultra) add disk, CPU, service, SNMP, performance counter and many other monitors, multiple servers and satellites. If the Free edition covers your need, for example alerting on specific Windows events on a file server or checking that an intranet page responds, it is a reliable, well-maintained way to do it.
PA Server Monitor Free at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 10.2.0.246 (2026; Power Admin does not publish an exact date) |
| Licence | Free edition of a commercial product (proprietary): 1 server or 10 monitors, basic monitors only |
| Platforms | Installs on Windows Server 2012 to 2025 and Windows 8.1, 10, 11; reports in a browser; mobile apps for iPhone and Android |
| Developer | Power Admin LLC |
| Official website | poweradmin.com |
| Best for | Event log, ping and web page monitoring on a single server at no cost |
What it does
Within the Free edition limits:
- Event Log monitor: watches Application, System, Security and custom Windows event logs and fires actions when a matching event appears.
- Ping monitor: pings a host or device on a schedule, alerts on no response or high latency, and records response times for graphs.
- Web Page monitor: checks one or more pages for text that must be present, error text that must not be, and changes; it records response times.
- Runs as a Windows service, with a separate console for configuration.
- Generates HTML status, uptime and audit reports, viewable in the console or a browser, plus basic hardware and system inventory.
- Stores data in the embedded SQLite database or in Microsoft SQL Server.
- Supports maintenance windows so planned reboots do not produce alerts.
Disk space, CPU, memory, Windows service, SNMP, performance counter, file and many other monitors belong to the paid editions. Power Admin’s Free edition page lists exactly which alert actions and reports are included.
How sysadmins use it
Alert on critical events on one server
- Install on the server you want to watch (or on a management machine that can read its event logs remotely).
- In the console, add a new monitor to that server and choose Event Log Monitor.
- Select the log (for example System) and filter by source and event ID, such as disk or NTFS errors, unexpected shutdowns (ID 6008) or failed backups from your backup software.
- Attach an action for notification and test it by writing a test event:
eventcreate /T ERROR /ID 999 /L APPLICATION /SO TestSource /D "PA test"
Watch an intranet site or web app
- Add a Web Page monitor with the URL.
- Enter text that must appear on a healthy page (for example the login form title) and text that indicates failure (for example “Service Unavailable”).
- Set the check interval and attach an action. Response times are kept for reports.
Ping a few key devices
- Add Ping monitors for the gateway, a core switch or a site VPN endpoint.
- Set thresholds for no response and for excessive latency.
- Remember the ten-monitor ceiling when you plan: three ping checks, one web page and a handful of event log filters fill it quickly.
Install and first run
Windows only. PA Server Monitor installs on Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025, and on Windows 8.1, 10 and 11. There is no Linux or macOS version; paid editions can monitor Linux and network devices remotely.
Requirements. .NET Framework 4.6.2 or later (used for report generation), 50 to 500 MB of free RAM depending on the number of monitors, and roughly 700 MB of disk for program files and logs, growing with the database. The embedded database is fine for the Free edition; SQL Server is optional.
Gotchas.
- The download is a single installer for all editions and starts as a trial of the full product. Pick or switch to the Free edition licence as described by Power Admin so you know which features will remain.
- The built-in web server for reports and mobile apps uses a configurable HTTP port; enable HTTPS and open the port in Windows Firewall only if you need remote access.
- Remote event log monitoring needs an account with rights to read the target’s logs and firewall rules allowing remote event log management.
- Install with local administrator rights; the monitoring engine runs as a service.
Limitations
- One server or ten monitors in total; that is the whole budget.
- Only basic monitor types (event log, ping, web page). No disk, CPU, memory, service or SNMP monitoring in the Free edition.
- Windows-only server; no Linux, macOS or container deployment.
- Not a network discovery or mapping tool.
- Power Admin does not publish release dates for each build, so check the release notes page when updating.
PA Server Monitor vs alternatives
| Tool | Free tier | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| PRTG Freeware | 100 sensors | Windows-based too, but the free tier covers several devices and includes disk, CPU, SNMP and traffic sensors. |
| Checkmk Community | Fully free, open source | Linux server with agents; no device limits; more setup work. |
| NetCrunch | None (commercial) | Agentless monitoring with maps and flows for whole networks. |
Pick PA Server Monitor Free for a tightly scoped job on one Windows server. If you need resource monitoring for several machines at no cost, PRTG Freeware or an open-source tool goes further.
FAQ
Is PA Server Monitor free?
The Free edition is, within its limits: one server or ten monitors, using event log, ping and web page monitors. Lite, Pro and Ultra are paid editions.
What does the PA Server Monitor Free edition include?
Event Log, Ping and Web Page monitoring, HTML reports, basic inventory and the mobile apps. Resource, service and SNMP monitors require a paid edition.
Where do I get a PA Server Monitor download?
Power Admin ships one installer for all editions; the edition is set by the licence. Use the official website for documentation, release notes and updates.
Can I use the free ping monitor on its own?
Yes. Power Admin positions the Free edition as a free ping monitor, event log monitor or web site monitor, and ping monitors count toward the ten-monitor limit.
Does PA Server Monitor run on Linux?
No. It installs only on Windows. The paid editions can monitor Linux servers and network devices remotely.
What is PA Server Monitor Ultra?
Ultra is the top paid edition, adding the full set of monitors, actions and features such as satellites for remote sites. It is not part of the Free edition.
Last checked against official sources: 1 October 2026 (developer website: poweradmin.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in production.
