Quick Overview
- 1#1: Datadog - Provides real-time cloud network monitoring with visibility into traffic, performance metrics, and security across multi-cloud environments.
- 2#2: Dynatrace - Delivers AI-powered full-stack observability including deep packet inspection and network topology mapping for cloud infrastructures.
- 3#3: New Relic - Offers comprehensive network performance monitoring and telemetry data analysis for cloud-native applications and hybrid environments.
- 4#4: ThousandEyes - Monitors end-to-end internet, cloud, and SaaS performance with global vantage points for network path visualization.
- 5#5: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Tracks network device health, bandwidth usage, and performance in on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud setups.
- 6#6: LogicMonitor - SaaS platform for automated discovery and monitoring of cloud network infrastructure with predictive analytics.
- 7#7: Splunk Enterprise - Analyzes machine data for cloud network security, traffic patterns, and anomaly detection using advanced search capabilities.
- 8#8: Kentik - Cloud-native network observability platform providing traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and peering insights.
- 9#9: ExtraHop Reveal(x) - Uses AI-driven wire data analytics for real-time cloud network threat detection and performance monitoring.
- 10#10: Site24x7 - Cloud-based tool for monitoring network devices, bandwidth, and flow data across global cloud providers.
Tools were selected based on feature richness (including real-time analytics, AI-driven insights, and threat detection), usability, and value, ensuring they address the diverse needs of enterprise and mid-market environments while delivering actionable intelligence.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading cloud network monitoring tools, featuring Datadog, Dynatrace, New Relic, ThousandEyes, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor and more, to guide readers in understanding key capabilities, use cases, and differences. It helps identify the right tool for optimizing network performance, visibility, and troubleshooting.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Datadog Provides real-time cloud network monitoring with visibility into traffic, performance metrics, and security across multi-cloud environments. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Dynatrace Delivers AI-powered full-stack observability including deep packet inspection and network topology mapping for cloud infrastructures. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | New Relic Offers comprehensive network performance monitoring and telemetry data analysis for cloud-native applications and hybrid environments. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | ThousandEyes Monitors end-to-end internet, cloud, and SaaS performance with global vantage points for network path visualization. | enterprise | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Tracks network device health, bandwidth usage, and performance in on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud setups. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | LogicMonitor SaaS platform for automated discovery and monitoring of cloud network infrastructure with predictive analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Splunk Enterprise Analyzes machine data for cloud network security, traffic patterns, and anomaly detection using advanced search capabilities. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Kentik Cloud-native network observability platform providing traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and peering insights. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | ExtraHop Reveal(x) Uses AI-driven wire data analytics for real-time cloud network threat detection and performance monitoring. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Site24x7 Cloud-based tool for monitoring network devices, bandwidth, and flow data across global cloud providers. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
Provides real-time cloud network monitoring with visibility into traffic, performance metrics, and security across multi-cloud environments.
Delivers AI-powered full-stack observability including deep packet inspection and network topology mapping for cloud infrastructures.
Offers comprehensive network performance monitoring and telemetry data analysis for cloud-native applications and hybrid environments.
Monitors end-to-end internet, cloud, and SaaS performance with global vantage points for network path visualization.
Tracks network device health, bandwidth usage, and performance in on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud setups.
SaaS platform for automated discovery and monitoring of cloud network infrastructure with predictive analytics.
Analyzes machine data for cloud network security, traffic patterns, and anomaly detection using advanced search capabilities.
Cloud-native network observability platform providing traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and peering insights.
Uses AI-driven wire data analytics for real-time cloud network threat detection and performance monitoring.
Cloud-based tool for monitoring network devices, bandwidth, and flow data across global cloud providers.
Datadog
enterpriseProvides real-time cloud network monitoring with visibility into traffic, performance metrics, and security across multi-cloud environments.
Real-time network flow monitoring with automated topology mapping and cross-correlation to application metrics, traces, and logs
Datadog is a comprehensive cloud observability platform renowned for its Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) capabilities, providing deep visibility into network traffic, performance, and health across multi-cloud and hybrid environments. It ingests data from VPC flow logs, SNMP devices, hosts, and containers to deliver real-time metrics, topology maps, and anomaly detection. Teams can troubleshoot issues with correlated insights from metrics, traces, logs, and network flows, ensuring optimal performance for cloud-native applications.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with AWS, Azure, GCP, and on-prem for seamless multi-cloud monitoring
- Real-time network topology visualization and flow analytics for quick issue resolution
- AI-powered Watchdog for automated anomaly detection and root cause analysis
Cons
- Usage-based pricing can escalate quickly for high-volume environments
- Steep learning curve for configuring advanced dashboards and alerts
- Limited free tier capabilities for enterprise-scale network monitoring
Best For
DevOps and network engineering teams in large enterprises managing complex, distributed cloud infrastructures requiring unified observability.
Pricing
Free tier available; Pro plans start at $15/host/month, Network Monitoring at $5/host/month (annual); usage-based with additional costs for logs, APM, and high data volumes.
Dynatrace
enterpriseDelivers AI-powered full-stack observability including deep packet inspection and network topology mapping for cloud infrastructures.
Davis AI causation engine for precise, automated root cause identification across networks and applications
Dynatrace is a leading AI-powered observability platform that delivers full-stack monitoring, including advanced cloud network monitoring capabilities such as real-time topology mapping, flow analysis, and performance metrics across multi-cloud and hybrid environments. It automatically discovers network dependencies, detects anomalies, and provides root cause analysis using its Davis AI engine to minimize downtime and optimize performance. Ideal for complex infrastructures, it integrates network insights with application and infrastructure data for holistic visibility.
Pros
- AI-driven root cause analysis with Davis engine accelerates troubleshooting
- Smartscape topology provides dynamic, real-time network dependency mapping
- Seamless support for multi-cloud environments like AWS, Azure, and GCP
Cons
- High cost suitable mainly for enterprises
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Resource-intensive agent deployment in large-scale setups
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, distributed cloud networks requiring deep observability and AI automation.
Pricing
Consumption-based enterprise pricing, typically $0.04/GB ingested data or $21/host/month; custom quotes required.
New Relic
enterpriseOffers comprehensive network performance monitoring and telemetry data analysis for cloud-native applications and hybrid environments.
Entity explorer with correlated network flow data to application traces for instant root cause identification
New Relic is a full-stack observability platform that excels in monitoring cloud infrastructure, applications, and networks across multi-cloud environments like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Its Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) capabilities provide visibility into network devices, traffic flows, latency, and packet loss, enabling correlation with application performance. With AI-powered analytics via New Relic AI and customizable dashboards, it helps teams detect and resolve issues proactively.
Pros
- Unified full-stack observability correlating networks with apps and infra
- Deep integrations with major cloud providers and auto-instrumentation
- AI-driven anomaly detection and root cause analysis
Cons
- Usage-based pricing can become expensive at scale
- Steep learning curve for advanced querying and custom setups
- Less focus on on-premises/traditional network hardware
Best For
Enterprises running complex, cloud-native applications needing end-to-end network and performance visibility.
Pricing
Freemium model with usage-based pricing (~$0.30/GB ingested data) plus per-full-user pricing; free tier for basic monitoring.
ThousandEyes
enterpriseMonitors end-to-end internet, cloud, and SaaS performance with global vantage points for network path visualization.
Distributed Cloud and Internet Agents enabling synthetic testing from 200+ cities worldwide without hardware deployment
ThousandEyes is a leading network intelligence platform specializing in end-to-end visibility for cloud, internet, and application performance monitoring. It leverages a global network of vantage points to run synthetic tests, capturing data on network paths, BGP routing, DNS resolution, and HTTP transactions from real-world locations. This enables proactive detection and troubleshooting of issues in multi-cloud, hybrid, and SaaS-dependent environments.
Pros
- Global vantage point network for accurate, location-specific testing
- Advanced path visualization and BGP analytics for root-cause analysis
- Robust integrations with tools like Splunk, ServiceNow, and cloud providers
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing not suited for SMBs
- Steep learning curve for configuring complex custom tests
- Focuses more on monitoring than automated remediation
Best For
Large enterprises with complex multi-cloud and SaaS ecosystems needing detailed external network visibility.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $15,000+ annually, scaling with test volume, agents, and enterprise features.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseTracks network device health, bandwidth usage, and performance in on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud setups.
PerfStack™ for interactive, timeline-based correlation of network, server, and application metrics
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a robust hybrid network monitoring solution that extends to cloud environments through API integrations with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, tracking metrics like bandwidth, latency, and device health. It automatically discovers network topology, provides real-time dashboards, and offers advanced alerting for performance issues across on-premises and cloud infrastructures. While powerful for hybrid setups, its cloud-native capabilities rely on additional modules and may not match dedicated SaaS cloud tools in scalability or ease of deployment.
Pros
- Comprehensive hybrid monitoring with deep cloud integrations
- PerfStack for cross-correlation analysis
- Highly customizable dashboards and reports
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and configuration
- Primarily on-premises focused, requiring add-ons for full cloud coverage
- Higher cost for small-scale cloud-only deployments
Best For
Large enterprises managing complex hybrid cloud and on-premises networks seeking detailed performance insights.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at ~$2,995 for 100 elements; subscription models from $1,500/year, scaling with monitored elements.
LogicMonitor
enterpriseSaaS platform for automated discovery and monitoring of cloud network infrastructure with predictive analytics.
LM Envision AI platform for automated root cause analysis and predictive network issue forecasting
LogicMonitor is a comprehensive SaaS-based observability platform that delivers full-stack monitoring for IT infrastructure, including cloud networks, servers, applications, and logs across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It excels in cloud network monitoring by providing agentless auto-discovery, flow analysis (NetFlow/sFlow/IPFIX), and performance metrics for AWS VPCs, Azure VNets, GCP VPCs, and more. Leveraging AI through its LM Envision platform, it offers anomaly detection, predictive forecasting, and root cause analysis to proactively manage network health and performance.
Pros
- AI-powered anomaly detection and predictive insights via LM Envision
- Agentless monitoring with automatic discovery for hybrid/multi-cloud networks
- Robust support for network flow data and end-to-end visibility
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for small to mid-sized teams
- Steep learning curve for advanced configuration and custom dashboards
- Complex quote-based pricing lacks transparency
Best For
Enterprises with complex hybrid and multi-cloud networks requiring unified, AI-enhanced monitoring at scale.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing per monitored resource (devices/hosts); typically starts at $2,000-$5,000/month for mid-sized deployments with tiers for Standard, Enterprise, and Pro features.
Splunk Enterprise
enterpriseAnalyzes machine data for cloud network security, traffic patterns, and anomaly detection using advanced search capabilities.
Search Processing Language (SPL) for unparalleled flexibility in querying and correlating massive cloud network datasets
Splunk Enterprise is a robust platform for real-time data analytics, specializing in ingesting, searching, and visualizing machine-generated data from cloud networks and infrastructure. It monitors cloud network performance, traffic patterns, security events, and anomalies through integrations with AWS VPC Flow Logs, Azure Network Watcher, and GCP Logging. Users leverage its powerful Search Processing Language (SPL) to create custom dashboards, alerts, and reports for proactive network management.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with major cloud providers for comprehensive network data collection
- Advanced analytics including ML-driven anomaly detection and predictive insights
- Highly customizable dashboards and real-time alerting capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex SPL and configuration
- High costs scale rapidly with data volume
- Resource-intensive deployment, especially for large-scale cloud monitoring
Best For
Enterprises with data analytics expertise seeking deep, correlated insights into cloud network operations alongside security and performance metrics.
Pricing
Perpetual or term licenses based on daily ingest volume; starts at ~$1,800/GB/day/year, with additional costs for support and apps.
Kentik
enterpriseCloud-native network observability platform providing traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and peering insights.
Infinite-scale Network Data Lake with real-time querying and long-term retention for unparalleled traffic forensics
Kentik is a network observability platform providing real-time visibility and analytics for cloud, hybrid, and on-premises networks. It ingests massive volumes of flow data, metrics, and events from sources like AWS VPC Flow Logs, Azure NSG Flows, and NetFlow/sFlow to enable traffic analysis, anomaly detection, and performance troubleshooting. With AI-driven insights and a scalable data lake, it helps enterprises detect issues like DDoS attacks, optimize routing, and ensure security compliance across multi-cloud environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-cloud and hybrid network visibility with petabyte-scale data handling
- Powerful AI/ML for anomaly detection, forecasting, and root cause analysis
- Extensive integrations with cloud providers, SD-WAN, and security tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and query language
- Pricing scales with data volume, potentially expensive for high-traffic networks
- UI can feel overwhelming for smaller teams or beginners
Best For
Enterprises with complex multi-cloud or hybrid networks requiring deep traffic forensics and security monitoring.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on ingested data volume; typically starts at $5,000+/month with no public tiers or free plan.
ExtraHop Reveal(x)
enterpriseUses AI-driven wire data analytics for real-time cloud network threat detection and performance monitoring.
Encrypted traffic analysis without decryption using ML heuristics and protocol intelligence
ExtraHop Reveal(x) is a network detection and response (NDR) platform designed for real-time monitoring and threat detection in cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments. It provides deep packet inspection and machine learning-driven analytics to identify anomalies, exploits, and lateral movement without deploying agents. The solution excels in offering automated investigations and response workflows, giving security teams comprehensive visibility into encrypted and dynamic cloud traffic.
Pros
- Agentless deployment enables rapid setup across cloud environments
- Advanced ML-based behavioral analytics for precise threat detection
- Strong support for multi-cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP
Cons
- Steep learning curve for configuring advanced detection rules
- Premium pricing may not suit small or mid-sized organizations
- More security-focused than general performance monitoring
Best For
Enterprises with complex hybrid cloud infrastructures needing advanced NDR capabilities.
Pricing
Enterprise subscription pricing; typically starts at $50,000+ annually based on scale and deployment, contact sales for custom quotes.
Site24x7
enterpriseCloud-based tool for monitoring network devices, bandwidth, and flow data across global cloud providers.
Automatic cloud network discovery and visual topology mapping for instant infrastructure overviews
Site24x7 is a comprehensive IT monitoring platform that excels in cloud network monitoring, offering automatic discovery and mapping of cloud infrastructure across AWS, Azure, GCP, and more. It provides real-time performance metrics, bandwidth monitoring, NetFlow/sFlow traffic analysis, and synthetic network checks for proactive issue detection. With customizable dashboards, AI-driven anomaly detection, and alerting via multiple channels, it delivers end-to-end visibility for hybrid cloud environments.
Pros
- Broad cloud provider support with auto-discovery and topology mapping
- Robust network flow monitoring (NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX) for traffic insights
- Intuitive dashboards and mobile app for quick setup and access
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for large environments with many devices
- Limited depth in advanced analytics compared to enterprise leaders
- Free tier restrictions may push users to paid plans sooner
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams managing hybrid cloud networks who need an affordable, all-in-one monitoring solution without excessive complexity.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 5 monitors; paid plans start at $9/device/month for network monitoring, $19/server/month for infrastructure, with custom enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
The top three tools—Datadog, Dynatrace, and New Relic—lead the pack with standout capabilities. Datadog emerges as the top choice, offering exceptional real-time monitoring across multi-cloud environments, while Dynatrace excels with AI-driven full-stack observability and New Relic delivers comprehensive analytics for cloud-native applications and hybrid setups. These platforms, though distinct in focus, redefine cloud network monitoring, ensuring reliability and performance.
Don’t miss out on Datadog’s powerful multi-cloud monitoring—start your journey to proactive network management today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison