Quick Overview
- 1#1: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Provides real-time network fault detection, root cause analysis, and automated alerting for comprehensive network management.
- 2#2: ManageEngine OpManager - Offers fault and performance management with intelligent alerting and workflow automation for networks.
- 3#3: PRTG Network Monitor - Uses sensor-based monitoring to instantly detect network faults and generate customizable reports.
- 4#4: Nagios XI - Delivers proactive network fault management through advanced monitoring, visualization, and event correlation.
- 5#5: Zabbix - Open-source platform for scalable network fault monitoring, alerting, and predictive analytics.
- 6#6: LogicMonitor - Cloud-based SaaS tool for automated network fault discovery, troubleshooting, and resolution.
- 7#7: Micro Focus Network Node Manager i - Enterprise-grade fault management with topology mapping and impact analysis for large networks.
- 8#8: IBM Netcool Operations Insight - AI-driven event and fault management solution for telecom and enterprise networks.
- 9#9: Checkmk - Agentless monitoring software with powerful fault detection and anomaly-based alerting.
- 10#10: Riverbed SteelCentral NetProfiler - Analyzes network traffic for fault isolation and performance optimization across hybrid environments.
Tools were ranked based on key metrics including advanced features (real-time detection, root cause analysis), practical usability (intuitive interfaces, workflow automation), technical reliability (data accuracy, scalability), and overall value (cost-effectiveness, alignment with diverse network sizes).
Comparison Table
Network fault management software is essential for ensuring optimal network performance, and selecting the right solution demands analysis of features, scalability, and user-friendliness. This comparison table explores key options like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, ManageEngine OpManager, PRTG Network Monitor, Nagios XI, Zabbix, and additional tools, guiding readers to identify tools that match their operational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Provides real-time network fault detection, root cause analysis, and automated alerting for comprehensive network management. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | ManageEngine OpManager Offers fault and performance management with intelligent alerting and workflow automation for networks. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | PRTG Network Monitor Uses sensor-based monitoring to instantly detect network faults and generate customizable reports. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Nagios XI Delivers proactive network fault management through advanced monitoring, visualization, and event correlation. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Zabbix Open-source platform for scalable network fault monitoring, alerting, and predictive analytics. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | LogicMonitor Cloud-based SaaS tool for automated network fault discovery, troubleshooting, and resolution. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | Micro Focus Network Node Manager i Enterprise-grade fault management with topology mapping and impact analysis for large networks. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | IBM Netcool Operations Insight AI-driven event and fault management solution for telecom and enterprise networks. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Checkmk Agentless monitoring software with powerful fault detection and anomaly-based alerting. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 10 | Riverbed SteelCentral NetProfiler Analyzes network traffic for fault isolation and performance optimization across hybrid environments. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Provides real-time network fault detection, root cause analysis, and automated alerting for comprehensive network management.
Offers fault and performance management with intelligent alerting and workflow automation for networks.
Uses sensor-based monitoring to instantly detect network faults and generate customizable reports.
Delivers proactive network fault management through advanced monitoring, visualization, and event correlation.
Open-source platform for scalable network fault monitoring, alerting, and predictive analytics.
Cloud-based SaaS tool for automated network fault discovery, troubleshooting, and resolution.
Enterprise-grade fault management with topology mapping and impact analysis for large networks.
AI-driven event and fault management solution for telecom and enterprise networks.
Agentless monitoring software with powerful fault detection and anomaly-based alerting.
Analyzes network traffic for fault isolation and performance optimization across hybrid environments.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseProvides real-time network fault detection, root cause analysis, and automated alerting for comprehensive network management.
PerfStack™ timeline-based correlation of performance data across network, server, and application layers for rapid fault diagnosis
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a leading network monitoring platform designed for comprehensive fault detection, performance analysis, and troubleshooting across complex IT environments. It automatically discovers and maps network devices from over 1,200 vendors, monitors key metrics like availability, latency, and throughput, and provides real-time alerts for faults. NPM's advanced features enable root cause analysis, customizable dashboards, and predictive insights to minimize downtime and optimize network health.
Pros
- Scalable monitoring for thousands of devices with auto-discovery and topology mapping
- Intelligent alerting with dependency awareness to reduce noise and pinpoint root causes
- PerfStack cross-correlation for multi-layer fault analysis
Cons
- High initial and scaling costs for large deployments
- Server resource demands can be significant on-premise
- Steep learning curve for advanced configuration
Best For
Enterprise IT teams and MSPs managing large, hybrid networks requiring robust fault management and proactive issue resolution.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription or perpetual licensing starting at ~$2,995 for 100 elements, scaling with monitored nodes and add-ons.
ManageEngine OpManager
enterpriseOffers fault and performance management with intelligent alerting and workflow automation for networks.
Intelligent root cause analysis that correlates multiple alarms to identify underlying issues rapidly
ManageEngine OpManager is a robust network monitoring and fault management solution that automatically discovers and monitors network devices, servers, and applications for faults, performance issues, and availability. It provides real-time alerts, root cause analysis, and automated workflows to detect, diagnose, and resolve network problems efficiently. With customizable dashboards, layer-2 topology maps, and comprehensive reporting, it enables proactive network management across multi-vendor environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive fault detection with correlated alarms and root cause analysis
- Affordable pricing with a free edition for small setups
- Intuitive interface and quick deployment
Cons
- Advanced features require paid add-ons
- Scalability challenges in very large environments
- Reporting customization could be more flexible
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams and enterprises seeking cost-effective, comprehensive network fault management without excessive complexity.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 devices; Standard Edition starts at ~$395/year for 10 devices, scaling with monitored elements (perpetual licenses available).
PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseUses sensor-based monitoring to instantly detect network faults and generate customizable reports.
Sensor-based architecture with auto-discovery and 1,000+ predefined/custom sensors for unmatched granularity in fault identification
PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive network monitoring solution from Paessler that excels in real-time fault detection, performance tracking, and alerting across devices, bandwidth, servers, and applications. It employs a sensor-based system with over 1,000 sensor types for granular monitoring, automatic discovery, and customizable dashboards/maps to visualize network health. Ideal for fault management, it provides instant notifications via email, SMS, push, or integrations, enabling quick issue resolution and minimizing downtime.
Pros
- Extensive library of 1,000+ sensors for detailed fault detection and monitoring
- Intuitive auto-discovery and interactive maps for topology visualization
- Flexible multi-channel alerting and reporting for proactive fault management
Cons
- Sensor-based licensing can become costly as monitoring scales
- Resource-intensive on the hosting server for large deployments
- Initial setup and sensor configuration has a learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams and enterprises requiring scalable, sensor-driven network fault detection and alerting without complex agent deployments.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; commercial licenses start at ~$1,750 for 500 sensors (one-time fee + 25% annual maintenance); unlimited sensors from ~$15,000.
Nagios XI
enterpriseDelivers proactive network fault management through advanced monitoring, visualization, and event correlation.
Vast plugin ecosystem enabling monitoring of virtually any network device, service, or application with fault-specific checks
Nagios XI is an enterprise-grade network monitoring and fault management platform built on the proven Nagios Core engine, providing comprehensive visibility into network devices, servers, applications, and services. It detects faults through active and passive checks, delivers real-time alerts via multiple channels, and offers detailed reporting, dashboards, and historical analysis for proactive issue resolution. With its web-based interface and extensive plugin ecosystem, it scales from small networks to large enterprise environments while supporting fault correlation and root cause analysis.
Pros
- Highly extensible with thousands of community and official plugins for custom monitoring
- Powerful alerting system with escalation, acknowledgments, and multi-channel notifications
- Advanced reporting, dashboards, and capacity planning tools for fault trend analysis
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex configuration and plugin management
- Web interface appears dated and less intuitive compared to modern competitors
- High resource consumption in very large-scale deployments without optimization
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with skilled IT teams needing deeply customizable network fault detection and monitoring.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at ~$2,000 for up to 100 hosts, scaling up based on monitored objects and edition (Standard/Enterprise).
Zabbix
specializedOpen-source platform for scalable network fault monitoring, alerting, and predictive analytics.
Advanced event correlation and predictive triggers for proactive fault detection and root cause analysis
Zabbix is an open-source enterprise-class monitoring solution that provides comprehensive network fault management through real-time detection, alerting, and visualization of IT infrastructure issues. It supports extensive protocols like SNMP, ICMP, and IPMI for monitoring network devices, servers, and services, enabling fault detection, event correlation, and root cause analysis. With auto-discovery, network maps, and predictive triggers, it helps IT teams proactively manage faults and maintain service availability.
Pros
- Highly scalable with distributed proxies for large networks
- Deep customization via triggers, actions, and scripting
- Extensive protocol support including SNMPv3 and auto-discovery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for configuration and setup
- Outdated user interface requiring technical expertise
- Resource-intensive for very high-scale deployments without tuning
Best For
IT teams in mid-to-large enterprises seeking a powerful, customizable open-source solution for network fault monitoring on a budget.
Pricing
Core open-source version is free; enterprise support, appliances, and cloud hosting start at around $2,500/year depending on scale.
LogicMonitor
enterpriseCloud-based SaaS tool for automated network fault discovery, troubleshooting, and resolution.
LM Envision AIOps engine for machine learning-based anomaly detection and predictive fault resolution
LogicMonitor is a SaaS-based observability platform specializing in unified monitoring for IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, clouds, and applications. For network fault management, it provides real-time detection, automated alerting, event correlation, and root cause analysis to quickly identify and resolve issues. Its auto-discovery capabilities and AIOps-driven insights enable proactive fault prediction, reducing downtime in hybrid environments.
Pros
- Advanced AIOps for fault correlation and root cause analysis
- Auto-discovery and broad device support with 2,000+ integrations
- Scalable SaaS model with real-time alerting and dynamic dashboards
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with monitored resources, becoming expensive for large setups
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations and custom thresholding
- Limited on-premises deployment options compared to hybrid competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with complex hybrid networks needing proactive, AI-enhanced fault management.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at ~$2-10 per device/resource per month; scales with volume and features.
Micro Focus Network Node Manager i
enterpriseEnterprise-grade fault management with topology mapping and impact analysis for large networks.
Causal Analysis Engine for automated root cause identification and impact analysis
Micro Focus Network Node Manager i (NNMi) is an enterprise-grade network management solution focused on fault, configuration, performance, and topology management. It excels in real-time fault detection, event correlation, and root cause analysis to minimize network downtime across complex, multi-vendor environments. Integrated with other Micro Focus tools, it provides scalable monitoring for large-scale deployments.
Pros
- Advanced event correlation and root cause analysis via Causal Engine
- Highly scalable for large enterprise networks with thousands of nodes
- Comprehensive support for diverse protocols and multi-vendor devices
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Dated user interface compared to modern competitors
- High licensing costs for smaller organizations
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, multi-vendor networks needing robust fault isolation and minimal downtime.
Pricing
Enterprise perpetual licensing based on monitored nodes/interfaces; custom quotes typically start at $10,000+ with annual maintenance fees.
IBM Netcool Operations Insight
enterpriseAI-driven event and fault management solution for telecom and enterprise networks.
AI-powered Active Insight for proactive anomaly detection and automated root cause determination
IBM Netcool Operations Insight (NOI) is a comprehensive AIOps platform from IBM focused on IT and network operations management, excelling in real-time event monitoring, correlation, and fault isolation. It leverages AI and machine learning to reduce event noise, predict issues, and provide topology-based impact analysis for faster resolution in complex networks. Designed for enterprise-scale environments, NOI integrates with tools like IBM Instana and Watson AIOps to streamline network fault management across hybrid infrastructures.
Pros
- Robust AI-driven event correlation and root cause analysis
- Highly scalable for large-scale networks with topology visualization
- Deep integrations with IBM ecosystem and third-party tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex deployment process
- High licensing and implementation costs
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern SaaS alternatives
Best For
Large enterprises and telecom providers managing complex, high-volume network environments requiring advanced fault diagnostics.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically subscription-based starting at $100K+ annually, depending on scale and modules.
Checkmk
specializedAgentless monitoring software with powerful fault detection and anomaly-based alerting.
Event Console with rule-based correlation for intelligent fault detection and deduplication
Checkmk is a powerful open-source-based IT monitoring platform with strong capabilities in network fault management, offering real-time monitoring of devices, interfaces, and performance metrics via SNMP, agents, and other protocols. It features automatic discovery, topology mapping, event correlation through its Event Console, and customizable alerting to detect, diagnose, and resolve network faults efficiently. While versatile for broader IT monitoring, it shines in proactive fault isolation for complex networks.
Pros
- Over 2,000 pre-built checks for extensive network coverage
- Advanced event correlation and root cause analysis via Event Console
- Scalable distributed monitoring for large enterprise networks
Cons
- Steep learning curve for configuration and rule tuning
- Resource-intensive on the monitoring server for very large deployments
- UI feels dated compared to modern SaaS alternatives
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with complex hybrid networks seeking comprehensive, customizable fault management without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Free Raw open-source edition; Enterprise edition starts at ~€600/year per core (up to 25 cores), with Cloud edition for hosted deployments.
Riverbed SteelCentral NetProfiler
enterpriseAnalyzes network traffic for fault isolation and performance optimization across hybrid environments.
Instrumented Flow Mapping that overlays flow data on live network topology for precise fault domain isolation and troubleshooting.
Riverbed SteelCentral NetProfiler is a network performance monitoring and analytics platform that collects and analyzes NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX data to deliver deep visibility into network traffic patterns, bandwidth utilization, and application performance. It helps IT teams detect anomalies, troubleshoot faults, and perform root-cause analysis through intuitive dashboards, historical baselining, and customizable alerts. Integrated within the SteelCentral suite, it supports proactive fault management by correlating network flows with device topology and application dependencies.
Pros
- Comprehensive flow-based analytics for anomaly detection and traffic forensics
- Scalable architecture handling petabytes of data for large enterprises
- Strong integration with SNMP topology and SteelCentral tools for end-to-end visibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and configuration
- High licensing costs with additional fees for advanced modules
- Limited support for non-flow protocols without complementary probes
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, high-traffic networks requiring detailed flow analysis for fault isolation and performance optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise licensing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually for subscriptions or perpetual licenses based on network scale and features.
Conclusion
The reviewed network fault management tools offer varied strengths, but SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor stands out as the top choice, excelling in real-time detection and automated alerts. ManageEngine OpManager and PRTG Network Monitor follow closely, each with unique advantages—OpManager for intelligent workflows, and PRTG for customizable reports, making them excellent alternatives depending on specific needs.
Don't miss out on optimizing your network's reliability; start with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor to proactively manage faults and keep operations running smoothly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
