Osquery as a Linux alternative to Spiceworks
Updated
Our verdict
Osquery is not a direct replacement for Spiceworks because it lacks a ticketing system and help desk workflow. It is a system visibility tool, not an IT service management suite. If you only need network discovery and real-time monitoring of Linux hosts, Osquery is excellent. However, if you relied on Spiceworks for SLA tracking or ticket management, you must pair Osquery with a separate tool like GLPI or OTRS. It does not handle Windows monitoring natively, so it only covers the Linux portion of your infrastructure.
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 5.24.0
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Provides real-time monitoring and alerting capabilities for system state
- Performs device inventory and discovery of processes, files, and configurations
- Supports scheduled queries for periodic logging and auditing
- Offers a web-based interface for remote access to query results
- Integrates with existing logging services like Splunk or ELK
What is different
- Lacks a built-in ticketing system, workflow engine, or SLA tracking
- Does not natively monitor Windows endpoints, requiring separate agents for mixed environments
- Requires SQL knowledge to define queries and views, unlike Spiceworks' GUI-driven setup
- No built-in help desk interface for end-user support requests
- Focuses on system state visibility rather than comprehensive IT asset management
Opening your Spiceworks files
Osquery does not import Spiceworks files directly. Spiceworks data is stored in a proprietary database format that Osquery cannot read. You will need to export inventory data from Spiceworks as CSV or JSON if possible, though since Spiceworks is discontinued, data recovery may be limited. Osquery generates its own data in SQLite or via log shippers, so there is no file format overlap between the two systems.
Switching from Spiceworks to Osquery, step by step
- Install Osquery on all Linux hosts using your package manager
- Configure osqueryd to run as a service with appropriate permissions
- Set up a central logger like ELK or Splunk to collect Osquery logs
- Write SQL queries to replicate your previous inventory and monitoring checks
- Deploy a separate ticketing system like GLPI to handle support requests
- Test alerting rules to ensure critical events trigger notifications correctly
Key features of Osquery
- Query system state using standard SQL
- Monitor processes, files, and network connections in real-time
- Schedule queries to run periodically for logging
- Integrate with centralized logging systems like Splunk or ELK
- Support for custom extensions to query non-standard data
- Lightweight daemon architecture with low resource overhead
How to install Osquery on Linux
sudo pacman -S osqueryFrequently asked questions
Can Osquery monitor Windows machines?
No, Osquery is designed for Unix-like systems. For Windows, you would need a different agent or tool, which means Osquery only covers part of a mixed environment.
Does Osquery have a web dashboard?
Osquery itself is a daemon and does not include a web UI. You need to pair it with a front-end like Osquery Fleet or a logging stack like ELK to visualize and query data via a browser.
Is Osquery free?
Yes, Osquery is licensed under Apache-2.0 and is free to use. There are no licensing costs for the software itself, though you may incur costs for logging infrastructure if you scale to hundreds of devices.