Guide · Updated 2026-10-20
Machine monitoring software for small machine shops (2026)
Want real spindle numbers instead of gut feel? Here are five machine monitoring tools compared on price, how they connect to your machines, and which shop size they fit.
The short version
- Cheapest way to start: JITbase lists free monitoring for up to 5 machines, if your machines are networked and speak a standard protocol like MTConnect or FOCAS.
- Older machines with no networked control: Amper uses IoT sensors that work on almost any machine, whatever its age or brand.
- Bigger shops: Datanomix, MachineMetrics and Shoplogix all price on request and offer pilots.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Pricing (from vendor site) | Free trial / plan | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| JITbase | Free for up to 5 machines (monitoring); Basic $65, Standard $100, Premium $150 per machine/mo; monthly, no commitment | Yes | Small shops with networked CNCs wanting a free start |
| Amper (ECI) | Contact (pricing on request) | Not stated | Shops with older machines and no networked controls |
| Datanomix | Contact (pricing on request; pilot program) | Not stated | CNC shops that want job-level data without operator input |
| MachineMetrics | Contact (volume-based; per-machine cost drops as you add machines) | Not stated | Shops with enough machines that you can't walk the floor |
| Shoplogix | Contact (pricing on request; pilot program) | Not stated | Multi-shift shops with lots of machines |
Three questions before you buy
- What controls are on your machines? Networked controls with MTConnect or FOCAS can connect with no extra hardware. Older or manual machines need sensors or IO hardware.
- Who has to enter data? Anything that depends on operators logging data gets skipped on a busy day. Look for automatic capture.
- Can you try it on your own machines? JITbase has a free tier; Datanomix and Shoplogix run pilot programs. Start with your bottleneck machine.
The tools
JITbase
Production planning and scheduling driven by machine data to raise capacity and workforce efficiency.
Plans: free monitoring for up to 5 machines (live dashboard, uptime and OEE, downtime reasons, 4 weeks of reports). Paid plans are $65, $100 and $150 per machine per month, billed monthly with no commitment and unlimited users. Self-setup works if your machines already speak MTConnect, FOCAS or another standard protocol.
Pricing: Free for up to 5 machines (monitoring); Basic $65, Standard $100, Premium $150 per machine/mo; monthly, no commitment · Free trial/plan: Yes
Source: www.jitbase.com/
www.jitbase.com/plans · jitbase.com/blog (free monitoring)
Amper (ECI)
IoT sensor-based production monitoring tracking machine uptime and downtime in real time.
How it connects: universal IoT sensors that ECI says work on virtually any machine regardless of age or brand. All plans include ERP integrations, hardware, OEE and downtime tracking, alerts and reporting.
Pricing: Contact (pricing on request) · Free trial/plan: Not stated
Datanomix
No-operator-input production monitoring with real-time insights, using AI to flag issues while there is time to act.
How it connects: connects to CNC machines over Ethernet, Wi-Fi or serial, with no operator data entry. Datanomix runs a pilot program before you commit.
Pricing: Contact (pricing on request; pilot program) · Free trial/plan: Not stated
MachineMetrics
AI-powered manufacturing operations platform connecting every machine, with 'Max AI' and machine monitoring.
Pricing model: SaaS subscription, volume-based, with unlimited users, onboarding and support included. Some machines may need an Edge gateway or extra IO hardware.
Pricing: Contact (volume-based; per-machine cost drops as you add machines) · Free trial/plan: Not stated
Source: www.machinemetrics.com/
tracxn.com/d/companies/machinemetrics/__WT8QdK1lGTELq2-O-POK · machinemetrics.com/pricing
Shoplogix
Connects to any shop-floor machine to surface bottlenecks, with an AI assistant for manufacturing.
AI: Pulse AI, an assistant that answers questions about OEE, downtime, quality, shifts and jobs from your live production data.
Pricing: Contact (pricing on request; pilot program) · Free trial/plan: Not stated
Source: shoplogix.com/
What to do with the data
Monitoring only pays if someone acts on it. Pick one number, like spindle utilization on your bottleneck machine, and review it weekly. Once you have the data, you can also check your quotes against real cycle times. See quoting software for small job shops.
FAQ
Is there free machine monitoring software for CNC machines?
Yes. JITbase lists free machine monitoring for up to 5 machines, covering a live dashboard, uptime and OEE, downtime reasons and 4 weeks of reports. Your machines need to be networked and support a standard protocol like MTConnect.
How much does machine monitoring cost?
JITbase publishes its prices: free for up to 5 machines, then $65 to $150 per machine per month. Amper, Datanomix, MachineMetrics and Shoplogix are pricing on request. MachineMetrics says its price per machine drops as you connect more machines.
Can I monitor older machines without a networked control?
Yes. Amper uses IoT sensors that ECI says work on virtually any machine regardless of age, and MachineMetrics offers IO hardware for older equipment. Datanomix also lists serial connections.
Do operators have to enter data?
Not for basic uptime and part counts. All five tools capture machine state automatically. Some add optional operator screens for downtime reasons.
Want this running in your shop?
Amtale sets up and runs AI workflows for job shops, starting with quote follow-up and order status updates.
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Pricing and features change; verify with each vendor. No listing on this page is paid. See all shop automation tools.