Quick Overview
- 1#1: PRTG Network Monitor - Comprehensive network monitoring solution with dedicated FTP sensors for uptime, response time, throughput, and SSL certificate checks.
- 2#2: SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor - Advanced server monitoring tool that tracks FTP service performance, availability, and file transfer metrics with customizable alerts.
- 3#3: Nagios XI - Enterprise monitoring platform featuring extensive FTP plugins for server health, connection testing, and transfer monitoring.
- 4#4: Zabbix - Open-source monitoring system with native FTP checks for availability, directory listings, and performance data collection.
- 5#5: ManageEngine Applications Manager - Application performance monitoring tool that includes FTP server monitoring for response times, errors, and throughput.
- 6#6: WhatsUp Gold - Network and server monitoring software with FTP service discovery, performance tracking, and automated alerting.
- 7#7: Checkmk - IT infrastructure monitoring suite offering FTP connectivity checks, banner detection, and uptime surveillance.
- 8#8: LogicMonitor - Cloud-based observability platform with pre-built datasources for FTP server metrics and anomaly detection.
- 9#9: Pandora FMS - Multi-purpose monitoring tool supporting FTP protocol verification, file polling, and custom transfer tracking.
- 10#10: Site24x7 - Cloud monitoring service providing FTP server uptime checks, response time monitoring, and SSL validation.
Tools were evaluated based on key metrics: depth of FTP-specific capabilities (uptime, throughput, alerting), overall performance and stability, ease of use, scalability, and alignment with diverse organizational needs—from small teams to large enterprises.
Comparison Table
Explore a comparison of top FTP monitoring tools, featuring PRTG Network Monitor, SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor, Nagios XI, Zabbix, ManageEngine Applications Manager, and more, to evaluate key features and suitability. This table equips readers with insights to choose the tool that aligns with their monitoring needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRTG Network Monitor Comprehensive network monitoring solution with dedicated FTP sensors for uptime, response time, throughput, and SSL certificate checks. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor Advanced server monitoring tool that tracks FTP service performance, availability, and file transfer metrics with customizable alerts. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 3 | Nagios XI Enterprise monitoring platform featuring extensive FTP plugins for server health, connection testing, and transfer monitoring. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 4 | Zabbix Open-source monitoring system with native FTP checks for availability, directory listings, and performance data collection. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 5.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | ManageEngine Applications Manager Application performance monitoring tool that includes FTP server monitoring for response times, errors, and throughput. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | WhatsUp Gold Network and server monitoring software with FTP service discovery, performance tracking, and automated alerting. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Checkmk IT infrastructure monitoring suite offering FTP connectivity checks, banner detection, and uptime surveillance. | other | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | LogicMonitor Cloud-based observability platform with pre-built datasources for FTP server metrics and anomaly detection. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Pandora FMS Multi-purpose monitoring tool supporting FTP protocol verification, file polling, and custom transfer tracking. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Site24x7 Cloud monitoring service providing FTP server uptime checks, response time monitoring, and SSL validation. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
Comprehensive network monitoring solution with dedicated FTP sensors for uptime, response time, throughput, and SSL certificate checks.
Advanced server monitoring tool that tracks FTP service performance, availability, and file transfer metrics with customizable alerts.
Enterprise monitoring platform featuring extensive FTP plugins for server health, connection testing, and transfer monitoring.
Open-source monitoring system with native FTP checks for availability, directory listings, and performance data collection.
Application performance monitoring tool that includes FTP server monitoring for response times, errors, and throughput.
Network and server monitoring software with FTP service discovery, performance tracking, and automated alerting.
IT infrastructure monitoring suite offering FTP connectivity checks, banner detection, and uptime surveillance.
Cloud-based observability platform with pre-built datasources for FTP server metrics and anomaly detection.
Multi-purpose monitoring tool supporting FTP protocol verification, file polling, and custom transfer tracking.
Cloud monitoring service providing FTP server uptime checks, response time monitoring, and SSL validation.
PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseComprehensive network monitoring solution with dedicated FTP sensors for uptime, response time, throughput, and SSL certificate checks.
Advanced FTP sensors that monitor not just basic connectivity but also specific file operations, bandwidth usage, and SSL/TLS security in real-time.
PRTG Network Monitor by Paessler is a powerful, all-in-one network monitoring solution that excels in FTP monitoring through its dedicated sensors for server availability, response times, file transfers, and storage usage. It provides real-time alerts, historical data, and customizable dashboards to ensure FTP servers run smoothly. With auto-discovery and scalable deployment options, PRTG simplifies comprehensive FTP oversight in enterprise environments.
Pros
- Extensive library of FTP-specific sensors for detailed metrics like availability, throughput, and space usage
- Intuitive auto-discovery and mapping for quick FTP server setup and visualization
- Robust alerting, reporting, and scalability for large-scale deployments
Cons
- Pricing scales with sensor count, which can become costly for extensive monitoring
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations and configurations
- Resource-intensive on the hosting server for very large networks
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing multiple FTP servers within complex network infrastructures needing proactive, detailed monitoring.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; paid licenses start at ~$1,800 for 500 sensors, scaling up to enterprise editions with annual maintenance.
SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor
enterpriseAdvanced server monitoring tool that tracks FTP service performance, availability, and file transfer metrics with customizable alerts.
Pre-built, customizable application templates delivering out-of-the-box FTP-specific metrics and thresholds
SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM) is an enterprise-grade IT monitoring platform that includes robust FTP server monitoring capabilities through pre-configured templates for services like IIS FTP, vsftpd, and FileZilla Server. It tracks key metrics such as uptime, response times, active connections, bandwidth usage, and error rates, enabling proactive issue detection and performance optimization. SAM integrates FTP insights into a unified dashboard alongside server and application monitoring for holistic visibility.
Pros
- Comprehensive FTP templates with deep metrics like session counts and transfer speeds
- Advanced alerting, reporting, and historical trending for proactive management
- Scalable integration with SolarWinds ecosystem for multi-site deployments
Cons
- High pricing model based on monitored elements, overkill for small-scale FTP-only needs
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Requires significant resources on both monitoring server and targets
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises seeking integrated FTP monitoring within broader server and application oversight.
Pricing
Starts at ~$1,994 for 100 monitors (perpetual license + annual maintenance ~20-25%; scales per element monitored)
Nagios XI
enterpriseEnterprise monitoring platform featuring extensive FTP plugins for server health, connection testing, and transfer monitoring.
Extensive plugin ecosystem enabling advanced, custom FTP checks like SSL validation and throughput monitoring
Nagios XI is an enterprise-grade IT monitoring platform built on the open-source Nagios Core, offering comprehensive visibility into network infrastructure, servers, and services including FTP. For FTP monitoring, it utilizes plugins like check_ftp to verify service availability, connection times, banner responses, and even directory listings or file presence. It excels in scalable alerting, dashboards, and reporting, integrating FTP checks into broader infrastructure oversight.
Pros
- Highly customizable FTP plugins for uptime, performance, and content checks
- Scalable for monitoring thousands of FTP servers in large environments
- Robust alerting, historical reporting, and integration with SIEM/tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and plugin configuration
- Linux-centric installation requires sysadmin expertise
- Overkill and costly for FTP-only monitoring needs
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing complex infrastructures with multiple FTP servers alongside other services.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $1,995 for 100 nodes (Standard edition), plus ~20% annual support; higher tiers for more nodes/features.
Zabbix
otherOpen-source monitoring system with native FTP checks for availability, directory listings, and performance data collection.
Low-level discovery (LLD) for automatic detection and monitoring of dynamic FTP directories and files without manual configuration
Zabbix is an enterprise-class open-source monitoring platform that provides comprehensive IT infrastructure monitoring, including FTP servers through agentless checks, custom scripts, and SNMP integration. It tracks FTP availability, response times, connection counts, disk usage, and custom file metrics via flexible templates and triggers. With robust alerting, dashboards, and historical data analysis, it's suitable for detailed FTP oversight in complex environments.
Pros
- Highly customizable with templates and low-level discovery for dynamic FTP file monitoring
- Scalable for large-scale deployments with proxy support for remote FTP sites
- Powerful alerting, dashboards, and reporting for proactive FTP issue resolution
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring expertise to configure FTP-specific checks
- Not plug-and-play; manual scripting often needed for advanced FTP metrics
- Resource-heavy on the monitoring server for high-volume FTP polling
Best For
Large IT teams managing diverse infrastructure who need integrated FTP monitoring within a broader network oversight solution.
Pricing
Core Zabbix Server, Frontend, and Proxy are free and open-source; enterprise support and certified appliances start at custom pricing based on nodes monitored.
ManageEngine Applications Manager
enterpriseApplication performance monitoring tool that includes FTP server monitoring for response times, errors, and throughput.
Protocol-agnostic monitoring supporting FTP, FTPS, and SFTP with correlated business transaction insights
ManageEngine Applications Manager is an enterprise-grade application performance monitoring (APM) platform that provides dedicated FTP server monitoring as part of its extensive IT infrastructure oversight. It tracks critical FTP metrics such as availability, response time, active sessions, disk usage, throughput, and error rates, with support for FTP, FTPS, and SFTP protocols. The tool delivers real-time dashboards, customizable alerts, and detailed reports to ensure reliable file transfer operations.
Pros
- Robust FTP metrics including throughput, sessions, and protocol-specific support for FTP/FTPS/SFTP
- Intuitive dashboards with historical trending and automated alerting
- Scalable for enterprise environments with seamless integration into broader APM
Cons
- Overkill for users seeking only basic FTP monitoring due to its full APM scope
- Initial setup and configuration can be complex for non-experts
- Pricing scales quickly for small deployments focused solely on FTP
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing integrated FTP monitoring within a comprehensive application and infrastructure performance suite.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 10 monitors; paid plans start at ~$395/year for 25 monitors, with custom enterprise licensing based on monitor count and CPU.
WhatsUp Gold
enterpriseNetwork and server monitoring software with FTP service discovery, performance tracking, and automated alerting.
Customizable FTP performance monitors with scripted checks for file integrity and transfer validation
WhatsUp Gold is a comprehensive network monitoring platform that includes dedicated FTP server monitoring as part of its application and performance oversight capabilities. It tracks FTP server availability, response times, connection success rates, and can even monitor specific directories or file transfers through customizable checks and scripts. With real-time dashboards, alerting, and historical reporting, it ensures reliable FTP operations within broader IT environments.
Pros
- Robust FTP monitoring including active/passive modes, directory listings, and custom script support
- Integrated network mapping and visualization for contextual FTP status
- Scalable alerting and reporting tailored to enterprise FTP needs
Cons
- Overkill and complex for users needing only basic FTP monitoring
- Steep pricing that scales quickly with monitored elements
- Setup requires network expertise for optimal FTP polling configuration
Best For
Enterprises with distributed FTP servers requiring integrated network-wide monitoring and advanced alerting.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$2,000/year for 100 devices, scales with monitors and features; perpetual licenses also available.
Checkmk
otherIT infrastructure monitoring suite offering FTP connectivity checks, banner detection, and uptime surveillance.
Pre-built FTP checks that monitor active/inactive connections, banner verification, and TLS support out-of-the-box
Checkmk is a comprehensive, open-source IT infrastructure monitoring platform that extends to FTP server monitoring through dedicated plugins like check_ftp for availability, response times, and connection status. It collects metrics via agents, SNMP, or agentless methods, allowing users to track FTP performance alongside thousands of other services. While powerful for enterprise environments, its FTP capabilities are solid but not specialized, making it suitable for holistic monitoring rather than standalone FTP oversight.
Pros
- Vast plugin library with robust FTP checks for uptime and performance
- Scalable for large environments with agent-based data collection
- Free Raw Edition provides excellent value for basic FTP monitoring
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and configuration
- Overkill for users needing only FTP monitoring without broader IT oversight
- Enterprise features require paid subscription for full support
Best For
Enterprise IT teams requiring integrated FTP monitoring within comprehensive infrastructure surveillance.
Pricing
Free Raw Edition (open-source); Enterprise Edition starts at ~€600/year for small setups, scaling with number of hosts monitored.
LogicMonitor
enterpriseCloud-based observability platform with pre-built datasources for FTP server metrics and anomaly detection.
AI-driven root cause analysis that correlates FTP performance issues with underlying infrastructure events in real-time
LogicMonitor is a comprehensive SaaS-based IT infrastructure monitoring platform that includes robust capabilities for FTP server monitoring, tracking metrics like availability, response times, connection counts, disk usage, and file transfer performance. It deploys lightweight collectors to gather real-time data and provides customizable dashboards, alerting, and reporting specifically for FTP protocols and services. While not exclusively an FTP tool, it integrates FTP monitoring seamlessly into broader hybrid and multi-cloud environments with automated discovery and AI-powered anomaly detection.
Pros
- Extensive out-of-the-box datasources for FTP metrics including throughput and error rates
- Scalable for enterprise environments with thousands of FTP endpoints
- Advanced AIOps for predictive alerting on FTP issues
Cons
- Overkill and complex for small-scale or FTP-only monitoring needs
- Steep learning curve for non-IT admins configuring custom FTP modules
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be expensive for limited use
Best For
Large enterprises managing complex, hybrid IT infrastructures that require integrated FTP monitoring alongside servers, networks, and cloud services.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $2,000-$5,000/month for mid-sized deployments, billed per device or observed data point with annual contracts.
Pandora FMS
enterpriseMulti-purpose monitoring tool supporting FTP protocol verification, file polling, and custom transfer tracking.
Modular agent system with visual console maps for intuitive FTP service dependency visualization
Pandora FMS is a comprehensive open-source monitoring platform that extends to FTP servers via specialized modules for checking availability, response times, directory listings, and file presence. It supports agentless monitoring over protocols like TCP and custom scripts, enabling detailed FTP performance tracking, alerts, and reporting. While versatile for broader IT infrastructure, its FTP capabilities are solid but require configuration for optimal use.
Pros
- Highly customizable modules for FTP checks like login, file count, and transfers
- Scalable from small setups to enterprise environments
- Free open-source version with strong community support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for configuring FTP-specific monitors
- Overkill and resource-heavy for pure FTP-only monitoring
- Dated user interface compared to modern tools
Best For
IT teams in mid-sized organizations needing integrated FTP monitoring within a full-stack infrastructure oversight solution.
Pricing
Free Open Source edition; Enterprise OPEX plans start at ~€1,750/year for 100 agents, scaling up.
Site24x7
enterpriseCloud monitoring service providing FTP server uptime checks, response time monitoring, and SSL validation.
Multi-protocol support (FTP, FTPS, SFTP) with content polling and SSL expiry checks in a unified dashboard
Site24x7 is a comprehensive cloud-based monitoring platform that includes FTP server monitoring to track uptime, response times, SSL certificate status, and file content availability. It performs periodic checks on FTP connectivity and supports both FTPS and SFTP protocols for secure monitoring. Integrated with broader IT infrastructure tools, it provides real-time alerts and historical performance data via intuitive dashboards.
Pros
- All-in-one monitoring for FTP alongside servers, networks, and apps
- Real-time alerts via email, SMS, Slack, and more
- User-friendly setup with auto-discovery and customizable thresholds
Cons
- Overkill and costly for users needing only FTP monitoring
- Limited advanced FTP-specific features like detailed transfer logging
- Pricing scales quickly with multiple monitors or locations
Best For
IT teams in SMBs seeking integrated FTP monitoring within a full-stack observability platform.
Pricing
Free trial; paid plans start at $9/monitor/month (billed annually), with tiers scaling by monitor count and advanced features.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top contenders, PRTG Network Monitor leads as the top choice, celebrated for its comprehensive FTP sensors and versatile monitoring features. SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor follows, impressing with advanced customization and detailed performance tracking, while Nagios XI stands out as a robust option due to its extensive enterprise plugins. Each tool offers unique strengths, ensuring there’s a strong fit for different needs.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your FTP monitoring—start with PRTG Network Monitor today to enhance uptime tracking, SSL validation, and overall efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison