Quick Overview
- 1#1: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Comprehensive network monitoring solution that tracks device performance, availability, bandwidth, and traffic patterns in real-time.
- 2#2: PRTG Network Monitor - Flexible sensor-based tool for monitoring bandwidth, devices, servers, and applications with intuitive maps and alerts.
- 3#3: Datadog Network Monitoring - Cloud-native platform providing deep visibility into network performance, traffic flows, and hybrid environments with AI-driven insights.
- 4#4: LogicMonitor - SaaS-based observability platform with automated network discovery, monitoring, and root cause analysis for IT infrastructure.
- 5#5: Zabbix - Open-source enterprise-grade monitoring solution for networks, servers, and applications with advanced alerting and dashboards.
- 6#6: Nagios XI - Powerful commercial extension of Nagios for network and infrastructure monitoring with customizable plugins and reporting.
- 7#7: ManageEngine OpManager - Integrated fault and performance management tool for monitoring networks, servers, and virtualization environments affordably.
- 8#8: Auvik - Cloud-based network monitoring and management platform with automated mapping, inventory, and configuration backups for MSPs.
- 9#9: Splunk Enterprise - Data platform for network monitoring through log analysis, performance metrics, anomaly detection, and security monitoring.
- 10#10: ThousandEyes - End-to-end network intelligence platform monitoring internet, cloud, and application performance from global vantage points.
We selected and ranked these tools based on feature depth, technical excellence, usability, and overall value, ensuring coverage of diverse requirements, from enterprise-scale monitoring to cost-effective small-team solutions.
Comparison Table
Discover key insights into leading network monitoring software with this comparison table, featuring tools like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, PRTG Network Monitor, Datadog Network Monitoring, LogicMonitor, Zabbix, and more. Learn about features, usability, and coverage to identify the best tool for your network management needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Comprehensive network monitoring solution that tracks device performance, availability, bandwidth, and traffic patterns in real-time. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | PRTG Network Monitor Flexible sensor-based tool for monitoring bandwidth, devices, servers, and applications with intuitive maps and alerts. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Datadog Network Monitoring Cloud-native platform providing deep visibility into network performance, traffic flows, and hybrid environments with AI-driven insights. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | LogicMonitor SaaS-based observability platform with automated network discovery, monitoring, and root cause analysis for IT infrastructure. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Zabbix Open-source enterprise-grade monitoring solution for networks, servers, and applications with advanced alerting and dashboards. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.7/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 6 | Nagios XI Powerful commercial extension of Nagios for network and infrastructure monitoring with customizable plugins and reporting. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | ManageEngine OpManager Integrated fault and performance management tool for monitoring networks, servers, and virtualization environments affordably. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | Auvik Cloud-based network monitoring and management platform with automated mapping, inventory, and configuration backups for MSPs. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Splunk Enterprise Data platform for network monitoring through log analysis, performance metrics, anomaly detection, and security monitoring. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 5.2/10 | 6.3/10 |
| 10 | ThousandEyes End-to-end network intelligence platform monitoring internet, cloud, and application performance from global vantage points. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive network monitoring solution that tracks device performance, availability, bandwidth, and traffic patterns in real-time.
Flexible sensor-based tool for monitoring bandwidth, devices, servers, and applications with intuitive maps and alerts.
Cloud-native platform providing deep visibility into network performance, traffic flows, and hybrid environments with AI-driven insights.
SaaS-based observability platform with automated network discovery, monitoring, and root cause analysis for IT infrastructure.
Open-source enterprise-grade monitoring solution for networks, servers, and applications with advanced alerting and dashboards.
Powerful commercial extension of Nagios for network and infrastructure monitoring with customizable plugins and reporting.
Integrated fault and performance management tool for monitoring networks, servers, and virtualization environments affordably.
Cloud-based network monitoring and management platform with automated mapping, inventory, and configuration backups for MSPs.
Data platform for network monitoring through log analysis, performance metrics, anomaly detection, and security monitoring.
End-to-end network intelligence platform monitoring internet, cloud, and application performance from global vantage points.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseComprehensive network monitoring solution that tracks device performance, availability, bandwidth, and traffic patterns in real-time.
PerfStack™ interactive timeline for cross-stack performance correlation and root cause analysis
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a leading network monitoring solution that delivers real-time visibility into network devices, performance metrics, bandwidth usage, and traffic flows across hybrid environments. It features automatic discovery, dynamic network mapping, customizable dashboards, and advanced alerting to proactively identify and resolve issues. NPM excels in scalability, supporting thousands of nodes with tools like PerfStack for cross-correlation analysis and NetPath for path visualization.
Pros
- Highly scalable for enterprise environments with support for 1M+ elements
- Powerful PerfStack for correlating metrics across network, server, and app stacks
- Extensive auto-discovery, mapping, and customizable reporting/alerting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and customization
- High resource requirements for large deployments
- Pricing can be costly for small to mid-sized organizations
Best For
Enterprise IT teams and MSPs managing complex, large-scale hybrid networks requiring deep visibility and analytics.
Pricing
Subscription or perpetual licensing starting at ~$3,000 for 100 elements, scaling with monitored nodes/elements (custom quotes for enterprises).
PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseFlexible sensor-based tool for monitoring bandwidth, devices, servers, and applications with intuitive maps and alerts.
Sensor-based monitoring model providing unmatched granularity with one sensor per metric
PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive IT infrastructure monitoring solution from Paessler that tracks networks, bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, applications, and devices in real-time. It employs a unique sensor-based architecture where each sensor monitors a specific metric, enabling granular oversight with over 250 sensor types supporting protocols like SNMP, WMI, and Flow. The platform offers intuitive web dashboards, interactive maps, automated alerts, reporting, and clustering for high availability, making it suitable for scaling from small to enterprise deployments.
Pros
- Extensive sensor library for detailed, customizable monitoring
- Powerful visualization with dynamic maps and dashboards
- Scalable architecture with auto-discovery and clustering support
Cons
- Sensor-based licensing can become expensive at scale
- Core server can be resource-intensive for large setups
- Steeper learning curve for advanced custom sensors
Best For
Mid-sized to large IT teams needing highly granular, scalable network and infrastructure monitoring with strong visualization tools.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; paid perpetual licenses start at $1,749 for 500 sensors, scaling to unlimited, with annual subscription options available.
Datadog Network Monitoring
enterpriseCloud-native platform providing deep visibility into network performance, traffic flows, and hybrid environments with AI-driven insights.
Agent-based, host-to-host network performance monitoring with TCP metrics, latency, and packet loss visibility across every application flow
Datadog Network Monitoring delivers comprehensive visibility into network performance across hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-premises environments, tracking device health via SNMP, traffic flows, and end-to-end latency. It correlates network metrics with infrastructure, application, and log data for root-cause analysis. As part of Datadog's unified observability platform, it enables real-time dashboards, alerts, and AI-driven insights to proactively identify issues.
Pros
- Seamless integration with full-stack observability (infra, APM, logs)
- Advanced network mapping and AI-powered anomaly detection
- Scalable for large-scale, global networks with real-time insights
Cons
- Expensive pricing that scales with usage and add-ons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations
- Potential alert fatigue without proper tuning
Best For
Large enterprises and DevOps teams managing complex, multi-cloud infrastructures needing correlated network and application observability.
Pricing
Pro plan at $15/host/month; Network Device Monitoring $5/device/month; Flow Monitoring from $15 per 10k interfaces/month (billed annually, usage-based).
LogicMonitor
enterpriseSaaS-based observability platform with automated network discovery, monitoring, and root cause analysis for IT infrastructure.
AIOps-driven root cause analysis and automated remediation workflows
LogicMonitor is a SaaS-based infrastructure monitoring platform specializing in agentless network, server, application, and cloud monitoring for hybrid IT environments. It automates device discovery, performance tracking, and alerting using AI-driven analytics for anomaly detection and root cause analysis. The platform provides customizable dashboards and supports over 2,000 out-of-the-box integrations for comprehensive visibility.
Pros
- Extensive out-of-the-box monitoring for 2,000+ technologies
- AI-powered AIOps for predictive analytics and automation
- Scalable for large, complex hybrid environments
Cons
- High cost, especially for smaller teams
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited free trial and opaque public pricing
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises managing complex hybrid IT infrastructures needing automated, AI-enhanced network monitoring.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing per device/host, typically starting at $20-50 per device/month with minimum commitments around $2,000/month for small deployments.
Zabbix
specializedOpen-source enterprise-grade monitoring solution for networks, servers, and applications with advanced alerting and dashboards.
Low-Level Discovery (LLD) for automatic detection and monitoring of dynamic network elements like interfaces and VLANs
Zabbix is an open-source, enterprise-class monitoring platform that provides real-time monitoring of IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, applications, and cloud services. For network monitoring, it supports protocols like SNMP, ICMP, IPMI, and WMI, enabling comprehensive tracking of device availability, bandwidth usage, latency, and performance metrics. It features automated discovery, topology mapping, predictive analytics, and flexible alerting to handle large-scale environments effectively.
Pros
- Fully open-source and free with no licensing costs
- Extensive network protocol support including SNMPv3, ICMP, and auto-discovery
- Highly scalable for monitoring thousands of devices with advanced visualization
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and configuration
- Complex initial deployment requiring technical expertise
- User interface appears dated compared to modern alternatives
Best For
Large enterprises and IT teams needing a highly customizable, scalable network monitoring solution without ongoing licensing fees.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid support, training, and Zabbix Appliance from custom quotes (starting around $3,000/year for enterprise support).
Nagios XI
enterprisePowerful commercial extension of Nagios for network and infrastructure monitoring with customizable plugins and reporting.
Vast plugin ecosystem enabling monitoring of virtually any device, service, or application without custom development
Nagios XI is a commercial extension of the open-source Nagios Core, delivering enterprise-grade network and IT infrastructure monitoring through a web-based interface. It tracks hosts, services, networks, servers, applications, and cloud resources with real-time status updates, alerting, and performance graphing. The platform excels in scalability and customization via thousands of community plugins, while offering dashboards, reports, and capacity planning tools for proactive management.
Pros
- Highly extensible with over 5,000 plugins for broad monitoring coverage
- Robust alerting with escalation and multiple notification channels
- Scalable architecture suitable for large enterprise environments
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to configuration complexity
- Dated web interface lacking modern UI polish
- Resource-intensive setup and potential high costs for scaling
Best For
Experienced IT teams in large organizations needing deeply customizable, plugin-driven network monitoring.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $1,995 for 100 nodes (Standard edition), scaling up to Enterprise plans; annual support (20-30% of license cost) required.
ManageEngine OpManager
enterpriseIntegrated fault and performance management tool for monitoring networks, servers, and virtualization environments affordably.
Integrated Layer 2/3 topology maps with business views for intuitive network visualization and dependency mapping
ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive network monitoring solution designed to provide real-time visibility into network health, performance, and faults across devices like routers, switches, servers, and virtual environments. It features automated discovery, performance monitoring for metrics such as bandwidth, CPU, memory, and disk usage, along with fault detection, alerting, and customizable dashboards. The tool also supports configuration management, reports, and workflows to streamline IT operations in complex networks.
Pros
- Extensive support for 2000+ device types with auto-discovery and mapping
- Real-time alerting, root cause analysis, and customizable dashboards
- Robust reporting and analytics for compliance and troubleshooting
Cons
- Advanced features often require paid add-ons
- Can be resource-intensive for very large deployments
- Steeper learning curve for complex configurations
Best For
Mid-sized to large IT teams managing diverse, multi-vendor networks who need scalable monitoring and alerting.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 10 devices; paid perpetual licenses start at $245/year for 10 devices (Professional edition), scaling with device count; annual maintenance extra.
Auvik
enterpriseCloud-based network monitoring and management platform with automated mapping, inventory, and configuration backups for MSPs.
Continuous, automated network topology mapping that visualizes dependencies and updates in real-time without manual input
Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring and management platform that automatically discovers devices, maps network topology, and provides real-time performance monitoring. It tracks configurations, bandwidth usage, and changes across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments, with alerting and SaaS application oversight. Designed for MSPs and IT teams, it simplifies troubleshooting and capacity planning through intuitive dashboards and integrations.
Pros
- Automated network discovery and interactive topology mapping
- Real-time alerts, configuration backups, and change detection
- Multi-tenant support ideal for MSPs with strong integrations
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with device count
- Limited depth in advanced analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Historical data retention varies by plan
Best For
MSPs and mid-sized IT teams managing multiple client networks who need quick deployment and visual insights.
Pricing
Subscription tiers start at ~$145/month (billed annually) for up to 100 devices; scales by network size with Essentials, Professional, and Elite plans.
Splunk Enterprise
enterpriseData platform for network monitoring through log analysis, performance metrics, anomaly detection, and security monitoring.
Search Processing Language (SPL) enabling complex, custom queries across petabytes of network telemetry
Splunk Enterprise is a powerful platform for collecting, indexing, and analyzing machine-generated data from network devices, logs, NetFlow, and packet captures. It excels in providing real-time visibility, dashboards, and alerts for network performance, security events, and troubleshooting through advanced search capabilities. While versatile for IT operations and SIEM, it requires significant configuration to function effectively as dedicated network monitoring software.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability and real-time analytics for large-scale network data
- Machine learning-driven anomaly detection and alerting
- Extensive app ecosystem including network-specific tools like Stream and NetFlow
Cons
- Steep learning curve with proprietary SPL query language
- High licensing costs based on data volume
- Resource-intensive deployment not ideal for small networks
Best For
Large enterprises requiring advanced analytics and correlation of network data with other IT logs.
Pricing
Volume-based licensing starting at ~$1,800/GB ingested per year; perpetual licenses also available but subscriptions common.
ThousandEyes
enterpriseEnd-to-end network intelligence platform monitoring internet, cloud, and application performance from global vantage points.
Internet Insights with 200+ global vantage points for unmatched external network and BGP path analysis
ThousandEyes is a cloud-native network intelligence platform that delivers end-to-end visibility into network, application, and user experience performance across internet, cloud, and enterprise environments. It uses a global network of vantage points and agents to conduct synthetic tests, capturing metrics on latency, packet loss, BGP routing, DNS, and more from real-world locations. Ideal for modern distributed networks, it helps teams detect, diagnose, and resolve issues proactively before they impact users.
Pros
- Extensive global vantage point network for accurate external and internet monitoring
- Advanced synthetic testing and path visualization for quick issue diagnosis
- Seamless integrations with ITSM, collaboration tools, and Cisco ecosystem
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing with custom quotes
- Steeper learning curve for configuring complex tests and alerts
- Less focused on traditional internal device polling compared to SNMP-heavy tools
Best For
Large enterprises and service providers managing complex, internet-dependent networks with heavy cloud and SaaS reliance.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $10,000+ annually, scaling with agents, tests, and vantage points (e.g., ~$15/endpoint agent/month).
Conclusion
The top-ranked tools represent diverse solutions, with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor leading for its comprehensive real-time tracking of performance, availability, and traffic. PRTG Network Monitor stands out as a flexible, sensor-based choice for customization, while Datadog Network Monitoring excels with cloud-native AI insights for hybrid environments, each offering robust value depending on specific needs.
Don't miss the chance to experience SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor—its layered capabilities make it a must-try for anyone seeking reliable, real-time network oversight.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
