Quick Overview
- 1#1: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Delivers comprehensive monitoring of network performance, availability, and bandwidth across routers, switches, servers, and virtual environments.
- 2#2: Paessler PRTG Network Monitor - Provides flexible, sensor-based real-time monitoring of network devices, bandwidth usage, traffic, and applications with customizable dashboards.
- 3#3: ManageEngine OpManager - Offers unified network monitoring, fault and performance management, and automated workflows for IT infrastructure health.
- 4#4: Nagios XI - Advanced monitoring engine for hosts, services, and networks with powerful visualization, reporting, and configuration tools.
- 5#5: Zabbix - Enterprise-class open source solution for distributed monitoring of networks, servers, clouds, and applications with alerting and visualization.
- 6#6: Datadog - Cloud-native platform for network monitoring, observability, anomaly detection, and real-time analytics across hybrid environments.
- 7#7: LogicMonitor - SaaS-based automated discovery and monitoring platform for networks, infrastructure, and applications in multi-cloud setups.
- 8#8: Auvik - Cloud-based network monitoring and management tool for automated device discovery, mapping, and configuration backups.
- 9#9: ThousandEyes - Internet and network intelligence platform providing visibility into WAN, internet performance, and digital experiences.
- 10#10: WhatsUp Gold - Comprehensive network monitoring solution with discovery, mapping, alerting, and performance tracking for hybrid networks.
Tools were evaluated based on core functionalities, including monitoring depth, scalability, user-friendliness, and value, ensuring they deliver actionable insights and adapt effectively to evolving network landscapes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table features top networking monitoring software tools—including SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, Paessler PRTG Network Monitor, ManageEngine OpManager, Nagios XI, Zabbix, and more—to help readers evaluate key features, scalability, and usability for their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Delivers comprehensive monitoring of network performance, availability, and bandwidth across routers, switches, servers, and virtual environments. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Paessler PRTG Network Monitor Provides flexible, sensor-based real-time monitoring of network devices, bandwidth usage, traffic, and applications with customizable dashboards. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | ManageEngine OpManager Offers unified network monitoring, fault and performance management, and automated workflows for IT infrastructure health. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Nagios XI Advanced monitoring engine for hosts, services, and networks with powerful visualization, reporting, and configuration tools. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | Zabbix Enterprise-class open source solution for distributed monitoring of networks, servers, clouds, and applications with alerting and visualization. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 6 | Datadog Cloud-native platform for network monitoring, observability, anomaly detection, and real-time analytics across hybrid environments. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | LogicMonitor SaaS-based automated discovery and monitoring platform for networks, infrastructure, and applications in multi-cloud setups. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Auvik Cloud-based network monitoring and management tool for automated device discovery, mapping, and configuration backups. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | ThousandEyes Internet and network intelligence platform providing visibility into WAN, internet performance, and digital experiences. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | WhatsUp Gold Comprehensive network monitoring solution with discovery, mapping, alerting, and performance tracking for hybrid networks. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
Delivers comprehensive monitoring of network performance, availability, and bandwidth across routers, switches, servers, and virtual environments.
Provides flexible, sensor-based real-time monitoring of network devices, bandwidth usage, traffic, and applications with customizable dashboards.
Offers unified network monitoring, fault and performance management, and automated workflows for IT infrastructure health.
Advanced monitoring engine for hosts, services, and networks with powerful visualization, reporting, and configuration tools.
Enterprise-class open source solution for distributed monitoring of networks, servers, clouds, and applications with alerting and visualization.
Cloud-native platform for network monitoring, observability, anomaly detection, and real-time analytics across hybrid environments.
SaaS-based automated discovery and monitoring platform for networks, infrastructure, and applications in multi-cloud setups.
Cloud-based network monitoring and management tool for automated device discovery, mapping, and configuration backups.
Internet and network intelligence platform providing visibility into WAN, internet performance, and digital experiences.
Comprehensive network monitoring solution with discovery, mapping, alerting, and performance tracking for hybrid networks.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseDelivers comprehensive monitoring of network performance, availability, and bandwidth across routers, switches, servers, and virtual environments.
PerfStack™ timeline view for drag-and-drop correlation of performance metrics across devices and applications
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive network monitoring solution that delivers real-time visibility into network performance, device health, and traffic patterns across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. It features automatic discovery and mapping of network devices, supports monitoring of thousands of elements with fault, performance, and flow analysis, and provides customizable dashboards, alerts, and reports for proactive management. NPM integrates seamlessly with other SolarWinds tools, enabling correlated troubleshooting and capacity planning for enterprise-scale networks.
Pros
- Extensive device support and auto-discovery for quick deployment
- Advanced visualizations like PerfStack for cross-correlation analysis
- Scalable architecture handles large, complex networks efficiently
Cons
- High cost for smaller organizations
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
- Resource-intensive on monitoring servers for very large deployments
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing large, distributed networks requiring deep performance insights and proactive alerting.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$2,000 for 100 elements, scaling to $10,000+ for 1,000+ elements; perpetual licenses also available with annual maintenance.
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseProvides flexible, sensor-based real-time monitoring of network devices, bandwidth usage, traffic, and applications with customizable dashboards.
Sensor-based architecture with 250+ pre-built sensors for monitoring virtually any IT component out-of-the-box
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive network monitoring solution that tracks bandwidth, devices, servers, applications, virtual environments, and cloud services using a sensor-based architecture with over 250 sensor types. It features automatic discovery, real-time dashboards, interactive maps, customizable alerts, and detailed reporting for proactive IT management. Scalable through remote probes and clustering, PRTG supports both on-premises and hosted deployments for growing infrastructures.
Pros
- Extensive library of 250+ sensors for broad coverage without agents
- Powerful interactive maps and dashboards for visualization
- Robust alerting, reporting, and auto-discovery features
Cons
- Sensor-based licensing increases costs as monitoring expands
- Resource-intensive core server in very large environments
- Windows-centric with a moderate learning curve for customization
Best For
Mid-to-large IT teams needing scalable, agentless monitoring for complex hybrid networks.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; paid perpetual licenses start at $1,899 for 500 sensors plus 35% annual maintenance; PRTG Hosted SaaS from $99/month.
ManageEngine OpManager
enterpriseOffers unified network monitoring, fault and performance management, and automated workflows for IT infrastructure health.
Advanced fault management with root cause analysis and workflow automation
ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive network monitoring solution that provides real-time visibility into the performance, health, and availability of network devices, servers, VMs, and storage systems. It automates device discovery, generates topology maps, and delivers fault management with root cause analysis using protocols like SNMP, ICMP, and WMI. With customizable dashboards, reports, and workflow automation, it enables IT teams to proactively resolve issues and optimize network operations.
Pros
- Extensive monitoring for networks, servers, virtualization, and storage
- Intuitive Layer 2/3 topology maps and customizable dashboards
- Scalable with strong reporting and automation capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configuration management
- Resource-intensive on very large deployments
- Mobile app lacks full feature parity with web interface
Best For
Mid-sized enterprises and IT teams needing scalable, multi-vendor network monitoring with strong visualization and automation.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 10 devices; Standard edition starts at ~$245/year for 10 nodes, Professional at ~$345/year, with enterprise add-ons and volume discounts.
Nagios XI
enterpriseAdvanced monitoring engine for hosts, services, and networks with powerful visualization, reporting, and configuration tools.
Nagios Exchange plugin library with over 4,000 community-contributed extensions for unparalleled monitoring flexibility
Nagios XI is a robust, enterprise-grade monitoring platform built on the open-source Nagios Core, providing comprehensive visibility into networks, servers, applications, and cloud infrastructure. It uses a plugin-based architecture to monitor device health, performance metrics like bandwidth and latency, and service availability through protocols such as SNMP, ICMP, and WMI. The solution offers customizable dashboards, advanced alerting, capacity planning, and detailed reporting to help IT teams proactively manage their environments.
Pros
- Vast plugin ecosystem via Nagios Exchange for extensive customization
- Scalable architecture suitable for large-scale enterprise networks
- Powerful alerting, reporting, and business process views
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex configuration
- Outdated web interface compared to modern competitors
- Node-based pricing can become expensive at scale
Best For
Experienced IT teams in large enterprises needing highly customizable network monitoring for complex, hybrid environments.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $1,995 for 100 nodes (includes 1 year support); scales up to $19,995+ for 1,000+ nodes with annual maintenance ~20% of license cost.
Zabbix
enterpriseEnterprise-class open source solution for distributed monitoring of networks, servers, clouds, and applications with alerting and visualization.
Low-Level Discovery (LLD) that automatically detects and monitors dynamic network elements like interfaces and VLANs.
Zabbix is an enterprise-class open-source monitoring solution that provides comprehensive visibility into IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, applications, and cloud services. For networking monitoring, it excels with support for SNMP, ICMP, IPMI, and other protocols to track device performance, availability, and traffic. It offers auto-discovery, customizable dashboards, alerting, and historical data analysis for proactive issue resolution.
Pros
- Highly scalable for large-scale networks with proxy support
- Rich template library and auto-discovery for quick device monitoring
- Powerful visualization, alerting, and reporting capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Outdated web interface compared to modern alternatives
- Resource-intensive for very high-traffic environments
Best For
Technical IT teams in mid-to-large enterprises needing customizable, scalable network monitoring without licensing costs.
Pricing
Free open-source core; paid Zabbix Cloud subscriptions start at $75/month and enterprise support available.
Datadog
enterpriseCloud-native platform for network monitoring, observability, anomaly detection, and real-time analytics across hybrid environments.
Dynamic Network Maps that visualize real-time topology, dependencies, and traffic flows
Datadog is a comprehensive cloud observability platform that excels in monitoring networks alongside infrastructure, applications, and logs. Its Network Monitoring solution provides real-time visibility into network performance, device health, traffic flows (via NetFlow, sFlow, and SNMP), and anomalies across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments. With agent-based and agentless options, it enables proactive issue detection through customizable dashboards, alerts, and AI-powered insights.
Pros
- Deep network visibility with support for SNMP, flow protocols, and cloud-native integrations
- Real-time dashboards, AI anomaly detection, and correlation with app/infra metrics
- Scalable for enterprise environments with 700+ integrations
Cons
- Pricing can escalate quickly at scale due to usage-based billing
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations and setups
- Limited data retention on lower tiers without add-ons
Best For
Enterprises with complex hybrid or multi-cloud networks needing unified observability across stacks.
Pricing
Free trial/tier; Infrastructure Pro at $15/host/month, Network Performance at $5/host/month (billed on usage/commitment)
LogicMonitor
enterpriseSaaS-based automated discovery and monitoring platform for networks, infrastructure, and applications in multi-cloud setups.
LM Envision AI platform for automated anomaly detection and intelligent alerting across multi-vendor networks
LogicMonitor is a SaaS-based IT infrastructure monitoring platform specializing in comprehensive network performance monitoring, automatic device discovery, and hybrid cloud observability. It collects metrics from routers, switches, firewalls, and bandwidth usage via agentless collectors, providing real-time dashboards, alerting, and AI-powered anomaly detection. The platform scales for enterprise environments, offering predictive analytics and root cause analysis to minimize downtime in complex networks.
Pros
- Automated discovery of thousands of network devices and interfaces
- AI-driven anomaly detection and root cause analysis for proactive issue resolution
- Highly customizable dashboards and over 2,000 pre-built datasources
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations and custom datasources
- Pricing can escalate quickly for large-scale deployments
- Limited on-premises deployment options compared to hybrid competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises managing complex hybrid networks who need scalable, AI-enhanced monitoring without extensive manual setup.
Pricing
Usage-based subscription starting at around $15-50 per device/month (quote-based); minimum commitments often $5,000+/month for enterprise tiers.
Auvik
enterpriseCloud-based network monitoring and management tool for automated device discovery, mapping, and configuration backups.
Continuous, layer 2/3 network topology mapping with dependency visualization
Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring and management platform that automatically discovers devices, maps network topology, and provides real-time visibility into infrastructure performance. It offers alerting, traffic analysis, configuration backups, and inventory tracking without requiring agents. Designed primarily for MSPs and IT teams, it simplifies troubleshooting and proactive management across multi-vendor environments.
Pros
- Automated network discovery and interactive topology mapping
- Real-time alerts and configuration change tracking
- Agentless deployment with SaaS accessibility
Cons
- Pricing scales expensively with device count
- Limited advanced reporting customization
- Requires stable internet for full functionality
Best For
MSPs and mid-sized IT teams seeking automated, visual network oversight without on-premises hardware.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$150/month (billed annually) for small networks, scaling by device count and collectors.
ThousandEyes
enterpriseInternet and network intelligence platform providing visibility into WAN, internet performance, and digital experiences.
Internet Insight with 500+ vantage points for agentless, worldwide synthetic network testing
ThousandEyes is a cloud-native network observability platform that provides end-to-end visibility into digital experiences across networks, applications, and user endpoints. It leverages a global network of over 500 vantage points for synthetic testing, real-user monitoring via lightweight agents, and integrations with BGP, DNS, and routing data to pinpoint performance issues. Ideal for troubleshooting complex, hybrid environments, it helps enterprises detect, diagnose, and resolve network degradations before they impact users.
Pros
- Global vantage point network for comprehensive internet-scale testing
- Advanced analytics with path visualization and packet-level insights
- Seamless integrations with ITSM, SIEM, and Cisco tools
Cons
- High cost limits accessibility for SMBs
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users
- Less emphasis on traditional on-premises LAN monitoring
Best For
Global enterprises and service providers requiring deep visibility into internet, cloud, and WAN performance.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing starting at ~$15,000/year, scaled by tests, agents, and endpoints.
WhatsUp Gold
enterpriseComprehensive network monitoring solution with discovery, mapping, alerting, and performance tracking for hybrid networks.
Dynamic, interactive Layer 2/3 network maps that automatically update and visualize topology dependencies
WhatsUp Gold is a robust network monitoring solution from Progress that provides comprehensive visibility into network devices, servers, applications, and cloud infrastructure through automated discovery and dynamic mapping. It monitors performance metrics, bandwidth usage, and uptime in real-time, supporting SNMP, WMI, and other protocols for hybrid environments. The tool offers customizable dashboards, alerting, and reporting to help IT teams proactively manage and troubleshoot networks.
Pros
- Excellent network discovery and layer 2/3 mapping
- Broad support for devices, VMs, and applications
- Flexible alerting and customizable reports
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations
- Pricing can escalate quickly for large-scale deployments
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams managing on-premises or hybrid networks requiring detailed topology mapping and performance monitoring.
Pricing
Quote-based; basic editions start around $2,000 annually, with premium/distributed editions scaling to $10,000+ based on device count.
Conclusion
The reviewed networking monitoring software presents a spectrum of solutions to address diverse operational needs, with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor leading as the top choice, offering comprehensive coverage of network performance, availability, and bandwidth across varied environments. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor distinguishes itself with flexible, sensor-based real-time monitoring and customizable dashboards, while ManageEngine OpManager stands out for unified, automated workflows that enhance infrastructure health. Collectively, these tools demonstrate the importance of aligning monitoring capabilities with specific organizational requirements.
Take the first step to elevate your network management—explore the top-ranked SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor to streamline monitoring, optimize efficiency, and ensure consistent network performance.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison