What is Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing?
Dotcom-Monitor's load-testing product line includes LoadView (cloud-based) and on-prem options for performance/load testing. The cloud LoadView arm has been their primary load-test offering since 2015. Where it falls short for many teams: multi-product overhead (LoadView is separate from Dotcom-Monitor's synthetic monitoring SKU, two contracts), concurrent-VU pricing that scales aggressively, and EveryStep browser-script lock-in for real-Chrome scenarios.
When Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing is the right pick
- You're an existing Dotcom-Monitor synthetic monitoring customer and want consolidated billing.
- You need EveryStep real-Chrome browser-based load testing (their flagship feature).
- You need exotic protocol coverage (DNS, streaming, FTP) from the broader Dotcom-Monitor stack.
Where Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing leaves gaps
- Multi-product pricing. LoadView + Dotcom-Monitor synthetic + per-feature SKUs stack quickly.
- Concurrent-VU metering. LoadView Starter is $199/mo ($129/mo billed annually) for 1,000 concurrent HTTP users or 100 real browsers, Professional is $699/mo for 10,000 HTTP users or 1,000 browsers, and Advanced covers 30,000 / 3,000, with On-Demand and Enterprise options on top. Prices from the LoadView pricing page, checked October 2026. Browser tests use up a plan ten times faster than HTTP tests, so a real-Chrome campaign can push you a tier up.
- EveryStep lock-in. Browser scripts recorded in EveryStep don't port to JMeter/k6, vendor-specific format.
- No native Core Web Vitals depth. Load-test focused; SEO-grade page-perf is bolted on.
LoadFocus vs. Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing: comparison
| Feature | LoadFocus | Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing |
|---|---|---|
| JMeter cloud execution | Yes, .jmx unchanged | Partial (plugin limitations) |
| k6 cloud execution | Yes, .js scripts | No |
| Real-Chrome browser load | No, protocol-level HTTP load only | Yes (EveryStep, their flagship) |
| Synthetic API monitoring | Yes, included | Separate Dotcom-Monitor SKU |
| Core Web Vitals depth | Full Lighthouse | Basic |
| Pricing model | Flat SaaS tier | Per concurrent VU metered |
| Entry price | $29/mo ($19/mo billed yearly) | ~$199/mo + per-test fees |
| Setup workflow | Upload .jmx or .js, run | Record EveryStep or import .jmx |
| Free tier | Forever | Limited credits |
When LoadFocus is the right pick
- You write JMeter or k6 scripts and don't need record-and-replay browser flows.
- You want flat predictable pricing: no concurrent-VU metering anxiety.
- You need load testing + synthetic monitoring + Core Web Vitals in one tool, not 3 Dotcom-Monitor SKUs.
- You're small-to-mid market where LoadView's per-VU pricing doesn't fit.
- You want a permanent free tier for prototyping.
Migrating from Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing
- Inventory existing load tests by type: EveryStep recordings, .jmx imports, protocol-only HTTP scripts.
- For .jmx imports: copy directly to LoadFocus, runs unchanged on upstream Apache JMeter without LoadView's plugin restrictions.
- For HTTP-protocol scripts: rewrite as k6 .js (lighter weight + modern code-first model).
- For EveryStep browser flows: LoadFocus has no browser-level load testing. Rebuild the flow as HTTP requests in JMeter or k6 if protocol-level load answers your question, or keep LoadView for real-browser load. No automated converter. EveryStep is Dotcom-Monitor's own recorder format.
- Cancel the synthetic monitoring + LoadView SKUs separately at renewal; LoadFocus consolidates both.
FAQ: LoadFocus vs Dotcom-Monitor Load Testing
Can I run my LoadView .jmx scripts on LoadFocus?
Yes. JMeter .jmx files port directly. Both services use upstream Apache JMeter without proprietary extensions blocking portability. LoadFocus also runs k6 (LoadView doesn't).
Is LoadFocus cheaper than LoadView?
At the entry level, yes. LoadFocus load testing starts at $29/mo, or $19/mo billed yearly; LoadView Starter is $199/mo ($129/mo billed annually). A 500-VU HTTP test fits within Starter; if those 500 users must be real browsers, LoadView needs Professional at $699/mo ($454/mo billed annually).
Does LoadFocus do EveryStep-style real-Chrome scripting?
No. LoadFocus load tests are protocol-level (HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2), from JMeter .jmx or k6 JavaScript scripts, and no load agent runs a real browser. If real-browser load is a hard requirement, LoadView is the better fit. For scripted browser journeys as monitoring rather than load, LoadFocus API monitoring runs Playwright browser checks in headless Chromium on a schedule, one browser per run, with screenshots, per-step timings and a Playwright trace (paid plans).
What about exotic protocols (DNS, streaming, FTP)?
Dotcom-Monitor specializes in these. LoadFocus is HTTP-focused. If you need DNS/streaming/FTP testing, keep Dotcom-Monitor for those specific use cases.
Can I keep Dotcom-Monitor synthetic + use LoadFocus for load?
Yes, common pattern. Drop the LoadView SKU + keep Dotcom-Monitor synthetic if you need their exotic protocol monitoring. LoadFocus replaces the load-test slice.
Does LoadFocus support .jmx plugins LoadView restricts?
Yes, full upstream Apache JMeter + most public plugins. LoadView's JMeter execution restricts certain plugins; LoadFocus doesn't.
Get started with LoadFocus
Sign up free and upload your first JMeter .jmx or k6 .js, flat pricing, no concurrent-VU metering.
