AbstractOnline monitoring of polymerization reactions is not only important due to the high exothermic nature of most polymerization systems; the data gained also provides information on product composition and quality and control possibilities thereof. Many inline and online methods are still in development and are better suited for application on the laboratory or pilot‐plant scale. Industrial polymerization plant environments pose additional technical and financial challenges and constraints for the use of such systems. Available methods and current developments are reviewed with regard to their practicability and usefulness under these aspects.