Managing incidents with legacy tools like VictorOps can feel clunky, expensive, or lacking in modern features-leading to alert fatigue, slow escalations, and frustrating on-call experiences. In 2026, teams are switching to more agile, cost-effective alternatives that prioritize smart routing, noise reduction, automation, and deep integrations with monitoring stacks. These platforms make scheduling effortless (no more spreadsheets), ensure the right person gets alerted quickly, and help DevOps teams spend less time firefighting and more time building.
1. AppFirst
AppFirst operates as a platform that lets developers define application requirements and then automatically handles the underlying infrastructure. Users specify needs like CPU, database, networking, and Docker images, while the system provisions VPCs, security boundaries, credentials, and other cloud-specific elements across AWS, Azure, or GCP without requiring manual configuration files.
The setup includes built-in logging, monitoring, and alerting from the start, along with centralized auditing of changes and cost breakdowns by application or environment. Deployment options cover SaaS hosting or self-hosted installations, which suits groups looking to avoid maintaining separate infrastructure tools or processes.
Key Highlights:
- Automatic multi-cloud provisioning
- No manual Terraform or YAML needed
- Built-in security standards
- Centralized change auditing
- Cost tracking per application
- Self-hosted deployment possible
Services:
- Infrastructure provisioning across major clouds
- Built-in logging and monitoring
- Alerting configuration
- Networking and security setup
- Database management
- Docker-based application deployment
Contact Information:
- Website: www.appfirst.dev
2. PagerDuty
PagerDuty operates as a comprehensive platform focused on handling incidents from detection through resolution. It brings together alerting, automation, and AI features to manage critical operations, including noise reduction and workflow automation across various areas like customer service and IT resilience.
The setup includes options for trying different components separately, with emphasis on end-to-end incident handling and integration capabilities for modern digital operations.
Key Highlights:
- Incident management with automation
- AIOps for separating signal from noise
- Generative AI tools for operations
- Solutions for resiliency and customer experience
- Free trials available for core features
Pros:
- Handles full lifecycle of incidents efficiently
- Strong automation at scale
- Flexible for different operational needs
Cons:
- Can feel overwhelming with multiple specialized solutions
- Setup might require planning for specific use cases
Contact Information:
- Website: www.pagerduty.com
- Phone: +18448003889
- Email: sales@pagerduty.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pagerduty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PagerDuty
- Twitter: x.com/pagerduty
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pagerduty
3. Jira Service Management (from Atlassian)
Jira Service Management incorporates alerting and on-call features previously found in standalone tools, offering a migration path for users moving from dedicated incident platforms. It combines incident response with broader service management, including request handling and virtual agents.
Compass provides a more focused option for core alerting and software component tracking, aimed at teams needing context for alerts without full service desk expansion.
Key Highlights:
- Migration tools with step-by-step guidance
- Alerting and on-call scheduling included
- Options between full service management or streamlined alerting
- Community and documentation support for transitions
Pros:
- Keeps key alerting features in one place
- Expands to comprehensive service tools if needed
- No interruption during migration process
Cons:
- Splits features across different products
- Might require choosing between broader or narrower scope
Contact Information:
- Website: www.atlassian.com/software/jira/service-management
- Phone: +1 415 701 1110
- Address: 350 Bush Street Floor 13 San Francisco, CA 94104 United States
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/atlassian
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Atlassian
- Twitter: x.com/atlassian
4. Better Stack
Better Stack bundles observability tools with incident management, allowing resolution directly in collaboration apps like Slack or Teams. It covers tracing, logging, monitoring, and alerting in a single stack, with emphasis on handling large data volumes affordably.
The approach integrates multiple monitoring aspects, making it suitable for teams wanting everything under one roof without separate tools.
Key Highlights:
- Incident handling in chat applications
- Combined log management and tracing
- Infrastructure and error tracking
- Status pages and uptime checks
- Free start option available
Pros:
- Keeps costs predictable while scaling data
- Resolves issues without switching tools
- Covers full observability needs
Cons:
- Heavy focus on cost comparison might overshadow setup
- Assumes existing monitoring migration
Contact Information:
- Website: betterstack.com
- Phone: +1 (628) 900-3830
- Email: hello@betterstack.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/betterstack
- Twitter: x.com/betterstackhq
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/betterstackhq
5. Squadcast
Squadcast delivers a reliability platform that unifies on-call, incident response, and related workflows, now integrated with observability from its acquisition. It automates routines like escalations, noise reduction, and post-incident reviews, including status pages and runbooks.
Features aim at consolidating alerting sources and providing visibility into service health for quicker resolutions.
Key Highlights:
- Unified on-call and incident interface
- Workflows for automation
- Service level objectives tracking
- Status pages for communication
- Free start and demo scheduling
Pros:
- Brings monitoring and response together
- Automates common incident tasks
- Transparent stakeholder updates
Cons:
- Recent acquisition might mean ongoing integrations
- Stats-heavy presentation can feel dense
Contact Information:
- Website: www.squadcast.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/squadcast
- Twitter: x.com/squadcastHQ
6. Zenduty
Zenduty functions as an incident management setup with a focus on giving a clear overview of operations in real time. It handles alerting through customizable rules tied to severity or type, routes notifications across channels like Slack or Teams, and pulls in playbooks for handling incidents with tasks and reviews afterward.
Mobile apps extend the reach, letting users get push alerts on phones or watches and handle acknowledgments quickly. The AI parts help with insights and cutting down manual work during responses, though it sometimes feels like the integrations are the real standout here.
Key Highlights:
- Customizable on-call rotations
- Playbooks attached to incidents
- Alert suppression and routing
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Integrations with monitoring tools
- Free signup available
Pros:
- Strong Slack and Teams coordination
- Easy mobile incident handling
- Noise reduction built in
Cons:
- AI features might need tuning for specific setups
- Rebranding could confuse older users
Contact Information:
- Website: zenduty.com
- Phone: +1 408-521-1217
- Email: contact@zenduty.com
- Address: Ground Floor, Incubex HSR18, 581, 1st Main Rd, Sector 6, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/zenduty
7. xMatters
xMatters centers on automating incident flows with built-in AI to enrich alerts and connect tools smoothly. It covers on-call scheduling with auto-escalations, workflow building without much coding, and ways to filter noise from various monitoring sources.
The adaptive side aims at resolving issues proactively and pulling lessons from past events, plus analytics for spotting bottlenecks. Customization stands out, but the demo-heavy approach makes it a bit tricky to grasp everything upfront without diving in.
Key Highlights:
- Workflow automation options
- Signal intelligence for alert context
- On-call escalation handling
- Actionable analytics dashboard
- Personalized demo paths
Pros:
- Flexible integrations for existing setups
- Reduces noise effectively
- Supports proactive resolutions
Cons:
- Heavy reliance on demos for exploration
- Analytics might overwhelm simpler needs
Contact Information:
- Website: www.xmatters.com
- Phone: +1 781-373-9800
- Address: 1130 West Pender Street, Suite 780, Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xmatters-inc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/xMatters
- Twitter: x.com/xmatters_inc
8. BigPanda
BigPanda uses AIOps to correlate events and automate early-stage operations in IT environments. It builds context around alerts, cuts duplicates, and adds details for quicker prioritization, while tying into systems like ServiceNow for ticket handling.
The agentic AI extends to preventing issues through change analysis and unified views across data sources. It’s geared toward larger setups, where the knowledge graph part helps break down silos, though that complexity can slow initial adoption.
Key Highlights:
- Event correlation and enrichment
- Agentic AI for response and prevention
- Unified analytics for insights
- Native ServiceNow integration
- IT knowledge graph for data unity
Pros:
- Good at handling alert volume
- Predictive elements for resilience
- Reduces unnecessary escalations
Cons:
- Suited more for complex environments
- Setup involves data unification effort
Contact Information:
- Website: www.bigpanda.io
- Address: 555 Twin Dolphin Dr., Suite 155б Redwood City, CA 94065
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bigpanda
- Twitter: x.com/bigpanda
9. AlertOps
AlertOps leans heavily on its AI core, called OpsIQ, to triage alerts, group related ones, and suggest fixes while cutting noise automatically. It routes notifications to on-call folks via multiple methods, including live calls, and supports custom escalations tied to SLAs.
Dashboards track performance down to individual levels, with easy post-mortem exports. The sheer number of integrations is handy, but the AI reasoning agents sometimes come across as the main hook rather than a subtle helper.
Key Highlights:
- AI agents for root cause and resolution
- Smart alert correlation
- Custom escalation policies
- Mobile and phone notifications
- Real-time performance dashboards
Pros:
- Extensive pre-built integrations
- Strong noise filtering
- Live call routing option
Cons:
- AI prompts might require fine-tuning
- Default schedules feel basic at first
Contact Information:
- Website: alertops.com
- Phone: +18442928255
- Email: sales@alertops.com
- Address: 125 Fairfield Way #330, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/alertops
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlertOpsOfficial
- Twitter: x.com/alertops
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/alertopsofficial
10. Spike
Spike focuses on delivering alerts through channels that are hard to miss, like phone calls and SMS, alongside chat apps. It sets up automatic escalations and one-click responses from notifications, pulling in data from monitoring tools without needing major changes to existing setups.
On-call handling includes rotations that sync with calendars and allow quick overrides. The phone call feature stands out for urgency, though it might feel a bit direct compared to quieter options.
Key Highlights:
- Phone call and SMS notifications
- Automated escalations
- On-call scheduling with calendar sync
- Webhook and API custom workflows
- Live call routing options
- 14-day free trial available
Pros:
- Alerts arrive reliably even in busy modes
- Quick setup with existing tools
- Fast actions from notifications
Cons:
- Phone alerts can interrupt more than expected
- Higher plans needed for unlimited calls
Contact Information:
- Website: spike.sh
- Email: hello@spike.sh
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/spike-hq
- Twitter: x.com/spikedhq
- App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/spike-sh/id1586777789
- Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sh.spike.spike_sh_app
11. PagerTree
PagerTree simplifies sharing on-call duties with straightforward schedules and added escalation layers for backup. It routes alerts to the current person on duty via push, email, voice, or chat, and includes ways to pause integrations during planned work.
Features cover performance tracking and mass updates for bigger events, plus routing incoming calls directly to schedules. The approach keeps things centralized, but the frequent new integrations suggest it’s still expanding quickly.
Key Highlights:
- Simple on-call rotations
- Escalation redundancy
- Multiple notification types including voice
- Live call routing
- Maintenance windows for alerts
- Performance analytics
Pros:
- Easy to manage schedules
- Redundant alerting paths
- Handles planned downtimes well
Cons:
- Might need time to catch all new integrations
- Analytics could suit smaller setups better
Contact Information:
- Website: pagertree.com
- Phone: +1 530-771-8733
- Email: support@pagertree.com
- Address: 1438 W Broadway Rd., Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85282, USA
- App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/pagertree/id1266437807
- Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pagertree.app
12. New Relic
New Relic provides a broad observability platform that includes alerting for anomalies and system health issues across applications, infrastructure, and more. It bundles monitoring for logs, traces, databases, and networks, with dashboards for overview.
The alerting ties into full-stack views, helping spot problems early, but direct on-call scheduling or notification routing isn’t the main focus here – it’s more about detection within a larger monitoring setup.
Key Highlights:
- Anomaly detection alerts
- Full-stack monitoring integration
- Dashboards and system health views
- Logs and traces handling
- Free start option available
Pros:
- Comprehensive data context for alerts
- Covers wide range of technologies
- Easy to expand from monitoring
Cons:
- Incident response feels secondary to observability
- Can get complex with many capabilities
Contact Information:
- Website: newrelic.com
- Phone: (415) 660-9701
- Address: 1100 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-relic-inc-
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewRelic
- Twitter: x.com/newrelic
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/newrelic
13. Dynatrace
Dynatrace builds observability around AI for detecting issues early and automating responses across applications, security, and infrastructure. The Davis AI engine spots potential problems with low false alerts and turns insights into actions.
Automation extends to workflows and prevention, using a data lakehouse for context. It’s strong on predictive side, though team notification channels aren’t highlighted as much as the analysis part.
Key Highlights:
- AI-driven problem detection
- Automation for responses
- Contextual data unification
- Threat and log analytics
- Free trial and demo options
Pros:
- Reduces noise in alerts effectively
- Proactive prevention tools
- Handles complex environments
Cons:
- Heavy AI focus might require adjustment
- Less emphasis on basic notifications
Contact Information:
- Website: www.dynatrace.com
- Phone: 1-844-900-3962
- Email: dynatraceone@dynatrace.com
- Address: 401 Castro Street, Second Floor, Mountain View, CA, 94041, United States of America
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dynatrace
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dynatrace
- Twitter: x.com/Dynatrace
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dynatrace
14. Rootly
Rootly offers an incident platform built around AI for handling on-call duties and responses directly in chat apps. It automates paging, gathers context from alerts and past events, and suggests fixes through its AI SRE part for quicker troubleshooting.
Retrospectives get auto-generated timelines and summaries, while status pages update customers without manual work. The Slack and Teams integration keeps everything in familiar spots, though the AI suggestions sometimes need checking against specific setups.
Key Highlights:
- AI-powered on-call scheduling
- Workflow automation in Slack/Teams
- Automated root cause suggestions
- Post-incident retrospective tools
- Customer status pages
- Free start available
Pros:
- Keeps collaboration in chat tools
- Automates tedious post-incident steps
- Gathers context automatically
Cons:
- Heavy AI reliance might require tweaks
- Paging simplification assumes chat-heavy flow
Contact Information:
- Website: rootly.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rootlyhq
- Twitter: x.com/rootlyhq
15. ServiceNow ITOM
ServiceNow ITOM focuses on visibility across IT environments, using AIOps to triage alerts and analyze impacts on services. It maps dependencies, discovers assets, and maintains a configuration database for understanding relationships in hybrid setups.
Automation handles essential processes, with generative AI helping operators. On-call or direct notification routing isn’t central here – it’s more about broader operations and predictive handling within the enterprise platform.
Key Highlights:
- AIOps for alert triage
- Service mapping and discovery
- Configuration management database
- Certificate and firewall tracking
- Integration with third-party data
Pros:
- Strong in complex multistack views
- Ties alerts to business services
- Scales with enterprise needs
Cons:
- Feels geared toward large operations
- Incident response spread across platform
Contact Information:
- Website: www.servicenow.com/products/it-operations-management.html
- Address: 2225 Lawson Lane, Santa Clara, CA 95054
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/servicenow
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/servicenow
- Twitter: x.com/servicenow
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/servicenow
Conclusion
Picking the right on-call and incident tool really comes down to what kind of headaches keep popping up in daily work. Some setups shine when everything happens inside chat apps with minimal context switching, others handle massive alert volumes through smart correlation and AI filtering, and a few go broader into full observability or endpoint management.
At the end of the day, the goal stays the same: get the alert to the right person fast, cut down the noise, resolve issues without burning everyone out, and learn something useful afterward. Try a couple that match current pain points, run them side by side for a bit if possible, and see which one actually makes outages feel less chaotic. The perfect fit usually shows up pretty quick once real incidents start rolling in.
