Quick Overview
- 1#1: Datadog - Cloud-scale monitoring platform providing real-time visibility into servers, networks, applications, logs, and security.
- 2#2: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Comprehensive network monitoring solution that discovers, maps, and tracks performance across devices, interfaces, and traffic.
- 3#3: Paessler PRTG Network Monitor - User-friendly monitoring tool using sensors to track network traffic, bandwidth, servers, devices, and cloud services.
- 4#4: Zabbix - Enterprise-class open-source solution for monitoring networks, servers, virtual machines, and cloud services with alerting.
- 5#5: Nagios XI - Advanced IT infrastructure monitoring system for hosts, services, networks, and applications with customizable dashboards.
- 6#6: ManageEngine OpManager - Unified network monitoring tool for fault management, performance monitoring, and configuration of servers and devices.
- 7#7: LogicMonitor - SaaS-based hybrid monitoring platform automating discovery and monitoring of IT infrastructure including networks and servers.
- 8#8: New Relic - Full-stack observability platform monitoring infrastructure, networks, applications, and end-user experiences in real-time.
- 9#9: Dynatrace - AI-powered observability solution automatically discovering and monitoring servers, networks, cloud, and microservices.
- 10#10: Checkmk - Powerful IT monitoring system for real-time monitoring of servers, networks, storage, applications, and cloud environments.
Tools were evaluated based on features, reliability, ease of use, and value, ensuring the list prioritizes versatility and performance for modern network and server management.
Comparison Table
Server network monitoring software is essential for maintaining system performance, minimizing downtime, and maximizing operational efficiency in diverse IT setups. This comparison table examines leading tools like Datadog, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, Paessler PRTG, Zabbix, and Nagios XI, breaking down key features, pricing, and scalability. Readers will discover how to select the right tool based on their infrastructure size, technical requirements, and budget constraints.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Datadog Cloud-scale monitoring platform providing real-time visibility into servers, networks, applications, logs, and security. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Comprehensive network monitoring solution that discovers, maps, and tracks performance across devices, interfaces, and traffic. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Paessler PRTG Network Monitor User-friendly monitoring tool using sensors to track network traffic, bandwidth, servers, devices, and cloud services. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Zabbix Enterprise-class open-source solution for monitoring networks, servers, virtual machines, and cloud services with alerting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Nagios XI Advanced IT infrastructure monitoring system for hosts, services, networks, and applications with customizable dashboards. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | ManageEngine OpManager Unified network monitoring tool for fault management, performance monitoring, and configuration of servers and devices. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 7 | LogicMonitor SaaS-based hybrid monitoring platform automating discovery and monitoring of IT infrastructure including networks and servers. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | New Relic Full-stack observability platform monitoring infrastructure, networks, applications, and end-user experiences in real-time. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Dynatrace AI-powered observability solution automatically discovering and monitoring servers, networks, cloud, and microservices. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Checkmk Powerful IT monitoring system for real-time monitoring of servers, networks, storage, applications, and cloud environments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
Cloud-scale monitoring platform providing real-time visibility into servers, networks, applications, logs, and security.
Comprehensive network monitoring solution that discovers, maps, and tracks performance across devices, interfaces, and traffic.
User-friendly monitoring tool using sensors to track network traffic, bandwidth, servers, devices, and cloud services.
Enterprise-class open-source solution for monitoring networks, servers, virtual machines, and cloud services with alerting.
Advanced IT infrastructure monitoring system for hosts, services, networks, and applications with customizable dashboards.
Unified network monitoring tool for fault management, performance monitoring, and configuration of servers and devices.
SaaS-based hybrid monitoring platform automating discovery and monitoring of IT infrastructure including networks and servers.
Full-stack observability platform monitoring infrastructure, networks, applications, and end-user experiences in real-time.
AI-powered observability solution automatically discovering and monitoring servers, networks, cloud, and microservices.
Powerful IT monitoring system for real-time monitoring of servers, networks, storage, applications, and cloud environments.
Datadog
enterpriseCloud-scale monitoring platform providing real-time visibility into servers, networks, applications, logs, and security.
Watchdog AI, which automatically detects anomalies, forecasts issues, and provides root-cause analysis across servers, networks, and applications
Datadog is a comprehensive cloud observability platform specializing in server and network monitoring, providing real-time metrics, traces, logs, and performance data across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It offers deep visibility into hosts, containers, networks via SNMP and flow data (NetFlow/sFlow), and correlates infrastructure events with application performance for root-cause analysis. With customizable dashboards, AI-powered anomaly detection, and over 500 integrations, it scales effortlessly for enterprises managing complex IT infrastructures.
Pros
- Exceptional full-stack observability with seamless correlation of metrics, traces, and logs
- Robust network monitoring including device health, traffic flows, and synthetic tests
- AI-driven Watchdog for proactive anomaly detection and alerting
Cons
- Premium pricing that scales quickly with usage and add-ons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations and integrations
- Agent can be resource-intensive on lower-spec servers
Best For
Large enterprises and DevOps teams managing distributed, hybrid cloud infrastructures requiring end-to-end monitoring and scalability.
Pricing
Usage-based; Infrastructure Pro starts at $15/host/month (billed annually), with additional fees for Network Monitoring ($5/host/month), APM, logs, and synthetics.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseComprehensive network monitoring solution that discovers, maps, and tracks performance across devices, interfaces, and traffic.
PerfStack™ timeline for cross-correlating server network metrics with other data sources to pinpoint issues instantly
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a powerful network monitoring solution that delivers real-time visibility into network devices, including servers, routers, switches, and virtual environments. It automatically discovers network topology, tracks performance metrics like bandwidth utilization, latency, packet loss, and device health via SNMP, WMI, and ICMP. NPM enables proactive issue resolution through customizable dashboards, intelligent alerts, reports, and the PerfStack timeline for correlating metrics across sources, making it suitable for server network monitoring in complex IT infrastructures.
Pros
- Automatic discovery and dynamic topology mapping for quick deployment
- PerfStack cross-correlation for rapid root cause analysis
- Highly scalable with support for thousands of elements and hybrid environments
Cons
- Expensive licensing model that scales with monitored elements
- Resource-intensive, requiring dedicated hardware for large deployments
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization and configuration
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises managing complex, hybrid networks with a need for deep server network performance monitoring and alerting.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at ~$2,995 for 100 elements; SaaS subscriptions from ~$1,643/year, pricing scales by monitored elements and additional modules.
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseUser-friendly monitoring tool using sensors to track network traffic, bandwidth, servers, devices, and cloud services.
Sensor-based architecture with auto-discovery, enabling hyper-customized monitoring of virtually any IT metric without scripting.
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive, sensor-based tool designed for monitoring networks, servers, devices, bandwidth, and applications in real-time. It automatically discovers devices and services, allowing users to deploy thousands of customizable sensors for metrics like CPU usage, disk space, traffic flow, and uptime. PRTG offers intuitive dashboards, automated alerts via email/SMS/push, historical reporting, and mobile apps for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Extensive library of over 250 sensor types for detailed server and network monitoring
- Automatic device discovery and interactive network maps for quick visualization
- Flexible alerting, reporting, and scalability with remote probes for distributed environments
Cons
- Sensor-based licensing can drive up costs in large-scale deployments
- High resource demands on the core server for monitoring thousands of sensors
- Initial setup and advanced customization require some technical expertise
Best For
IT teams in mid-to-large organizations seeking scalable, all-in-one monitoring for complex server and network infrastructures.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 100 sensors; paid perpetual licenses start at $1,799 for 500 sensors, plus 25% annual maintenance.
Zabbix
enterpriseEnterprise-class open-source solution for monitoring networks, servers, virtual machines, and cloud services with alerting.
Low-Level Discovery (LLD) that automatically detects and monitors dynamic IT components like filesystems, network interfaces, and SNMP tables without manual intervention
Zabbix is an enterprise-class, open-source monitoring solution that provides real-time monitoring of servers, networks, cloud services, virtual machines, and applications. It collects metrics using agents, SNMP, JMX, and other protocols, enabling detailed performance analysis, alerting, and visualization through customizable dashboards. With strong automation features like auto-discovery and scripting, it's built for scalability in large IT environments.
Pros
- Fully open-source with no feature limitations in the community edition
- Highly scalable for thousands of devices with proxy support
- Rich templating, auto-discovery, and low-level discovery (LLD) for dynamic environments
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced configuration
- Web interface feels dated and less intuitive compared to modern alternatives
- Resource-intensive on the server side for very large deployments without optimization
Best For
IT teams in large enterprises needing highly customizable, cost-free monitoring for complex server and network infrastructures.
Pricing
Free open-source community edition; optional paid support and Zabbix Enterprise Monitor (ZEM) with premium features starting at ~$1,200/year for 100 hosts.
Nagios XI
enterpriseAdvanced IT infrastructure monitoring system for hosts, services, networks, and applications with customizable dashboards.
Configuration wizards and wizards-driven setup that simplify complex Nagios Core deployments while retaining full customization power
Nagios XI is an enterprise-grade monitoring solution built on the open-source Nagios Core, providing comprehensive visibility into servers, networks, applications, and cloud infrastructure. It features real-time alerting, performance graphing, capacity planning, and advanced reporting through an intuitive web-based interface. Designed for scalability, it supports thousands of plugins for custom monitoring needs and includes tools like configuration wizards and business process views.
Pros
- Vast plugin ecosystem with over 5,000 community add-ons for extensive monitoring flexibility
- Robust alerting and notification system with escalation policies
- Advanced reporting, dashboards, and capacity planning tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for initial setup and configuration
- Web interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- High cost for small deployments or scaling to large environments
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with experienced IT teams needing highly customizable, scalable network and server monitoring.
Pricing
Tiered licensing starting at $1,995 for 100 nodes (perpetual license + ~20% annual support); higher tiers for more nodes and features.
ManageEngine OpManager
enterpriseUnified network monitoring tool for fault management, performance monitoring, and configuration of servers and devices.
Interactive 3D rack and layer-2 topology maps for visual data center and network mapping
ManageEngine OpManager is a unified network monitoring solution that provides real-time visibility into servers, routers, switches, firewalls, and virtual environments through fault and performance management. It supports automated discovery, bandwidth monitoring, CPU/memory/disk utilization tracking, and customizable dashboards for proactive IT management. Ideal for multi-vendor setups, it enables configuration backups, syslog analysis, and workflow automation to minimize downtime.
Pros
- Comprehensive server and network device monitoring with virtualization support
- Customizable dashboards, reports, and automated alerts
- Scalable licensing and cost-effective for growing IT environments
Cons
- User interface can feel cluttered and dated
- Advanced features often require paid add-ons
- Steeper learning curve for complex configurations
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams managing hybrid on-premise and virtual server networks seeking robust monitoring without enterprise-level costs.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 10 devices; Standard starts at ~$395/year for 10 monitors, with Professional (~$595) and Enterprise editions scaling by device count and add-ons.
LogicMonitor
enterpriseSaaS-based hybrid monitoring platform automating discovery and monitoring of IT infrastructure including networks and servers.
LM Envision AIOps platform for automated root cause analysis and noise-reducing alerting
LogicMonitor is a SaaS-based infrastructure monitoring platform designed for comprehensive visibility into servers, networks, applications, and cloud environments. It features automatic device discovery, real-time performance metrics, and AI-powered anomaly detection to proactively identify and resolve issues. With support for hybrid and multi-cloud setups, it delivers customizable dashboards, alerting, and root cause analysis for IT operations teams.
Pros
- AI/ML-driven anomaly detection and predictive analytics
- Automatic discovery and scalable collector architecture
- Extensive integrations with 1,000+ technologies
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for small to mid-sized businesses
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited on-premises deployment options
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises managing complex hybrid IT infrastructures that require proactive, AI-enhanced monitoring.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $1,500–$3,000/month for mid-sized deployments based on collectors and monitored elements.
New Relic
enterpriseFull-stack observability platform monitoring infrastructure, networks, applications, and end-user experiences in real-time.
Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) that maps service-to-service traffic flows and detects performance issues in real-time.
New Relic is a full-stack observability platform that excels in monitoring applications, infrastructure, and networks across hybrid environments. For server network monitoring, it collects metrics on host CPU, memory, disk, and network interfaces, while its Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) feature tracks traffic flows, latency, and packet loss between services. It provides customizable dashboards, alerts, and AI-powered insights for proactive issue resolution.
Pros
- Comprehensive network flow monitoring and infrastructure metrics
- Strong AI-driven anomaly detection and alerting
- Seamless integrations with cloud providers and tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can escalate quickly with high data volumes
- Overkill for teams needing only basic server network monitoring
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing complex, distributed infrastructures requiring deep observability beyond basic monitoring.
Pricing
Freemium model with 100GB/month free; usage-based billing at $0.30/GB for Standard and $0.60/GB for Elite data ingestion.
Dynatrace
enterpriseAI-powered observability solution automatically discovering and monitoring servers, networks, cloud, and microservices.
Davis Causal AI for precise, automated root cause detection across servers and networks
Dynatrace is a comprehensive observability platform that excels in monitoring servers, networks, and full-stack infrastructure with AI-driven insights. It automatically discovers hosts, processes, network interfaces, and dependencies, providing real-time visibility into traffic, latency, throughput, and performance bottlenecks. Ideal for complex environments, it correlates server metrics with network data to enable proactive issue resolution and root cause analysis.
Pros
- AI-powered Davis engine for automated root cause analysis
- Automatic discovery and dependency mapping of servers and networks
- Scalable for hybrid and multi-cloud environments with deep network flow analytics
Cons
- High cost, especially for smaller deployments
- Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Resource-intensive agent deployment on monitored hosts
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, distributed server and network infrastructures needing advanced AI-driven observability.
Pricing
Consumption-based pricing starting at ~$0.04/GB ingested, with full-stack plans from $21/host/month; custom enterprise quotes common.
Checkmk
enterprisePowerful IT monitoring system for real-time monitoring of servers, networks, storage, applications, and cloud environments.
Bi-directional agent with automatic inventory and predictive analytics for proactive issue resolution
Checkmk is a powerful, open-core IT monitoring platform that provides comprehensive visibility into servers, networks, applications, cloud services, and containers through agent-based and agentless checks. It excels in automatic discovery, customizable dashboards, and advanced analytics like anomaly detection and predictive forecasting. Built on Nagios foundations but vastly extended, it supports large-scale environments with efficient data collection and alerting.
Pros
- Highly scalable with unlimited hosts in the free Raw Edition
- Extensive auto-discovery and over 2,000 built-in checks
- Advanced analytics including anomaly detection and forecasting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for configuration and rulesets
- Web interface feels complex and dated for beginners
- Enterprise features like central management require paid licenses
Best For
Mid-to-large IT teams managing complex, hybrid infrastructures who need deep customization and scalability.
Pricing
Free Raw Edition (unlimited hosts); Site Edition starts at ~€600/year for 250 hosts; scales up to Enterprise/Cloud Editions for larger setups.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools deliver strong capabilities for server and network monitoring, with Datadog emerging as the top choice, offering unmatched cloud-scale visibility across servers, networks, and more. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor stands out for its deep network performance tracking, while Paessler PRTG offers user-friendly customization, making them ideal alternatives depending on specific needs. Each tool brings unique value, ensuring there’s a solution for diverse IT environments.
Don’t miss out—explore Datadog today to unlock real-time insights that keep your infrastructure running smoothly, and consider SolarWinds or PRTG if their focused features better align with your monitoring priorities.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison