Top 10 Best Switch Management Software of 2026

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) is a robust platform designed for automating the backup, management, and compliance of network device configurations, with strong support for switches from multiple vendors like Cisco, Juniper, and Arista. It enables automated config backups, real-time change detection, policy-based compliance auditing, and scripted configuration deployments to minimize errors and downtime. As part of the SolarWinds Orion suite, NCM provides deep integration for holistic network oversight, making it a top choice for switch management in complex environments.

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager (NCM) is a robust platform designed for automating the configuration lifecycle of network devices, with strong capabilities for switch management including automated backups, change detection, and compliance enforcement. It supports over 400 device models from vendors like Cisco, Juniper, HP, and Arista, enabling seamless multi-vendor switch network oversight. NCM also provides firmware management, vulnerability assessments, and scripted configurations to streamline switch deployments and maintenance.

Cisco DNA Center is a comprehensive network management platform that centralizes the configuration, automation, assurance, and security for Cisco switches and other infrastructure. It leverages intent-based networking to allow administrators to define high-level policies, which the system translates into automated configurations across switches. For switch management, it offers zero-touch provisioning, software distribution, real-time analytics, and AI/ML-driven insights for troubleshooting and optimization. Overall, it's a powerful enterprise-grade solution tailored for Cisco environments.

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive network monitoring solution that excels in tracking switch performance, port utilization, traffic patterns, and device health through SNMP, flow sensors, and auto-discovery. It provides real-time alerts, customizable dashboards, and topology mapping to help IT teams proactively manage switch-related issues. While primarily a monitoring tool, it offers valuable insights for switch oversight rather than direct configuration management.

Aruba Central is a cloud-native SaaS platform from HPE Aruba Networking designed for centralized management of enterprise networks, including switches, access points, and gateways. For switch management, it provides zero-touch provisioning, configuration templates, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven insights to simplify operations across multi-site deployments. It supports Aruba CX switches with features like firmware updates, CLI access, and automated troubleshooting, reducing the need for on-premises controllers.

HPE Intelligent Management Center (IMC) is a comprehensive, modular network management platform designed primarily for HPE Aruba switches, routers, and other networking devices. It provides unified fault, configuration, performance, and security management (FCAPS) capabilities, including automated discovery, topology mapping, firmware updates, and traffic analysis. IMC supports both traditional and SDN environments, enabling scalable deployment for enterprise networks through add-on modules.

WhatsUp Gold is a robust network monitoring and management platform that provides comprehensive visibility into switches and other network devices through automated discovery, real-time polling, and interactive mapping. It excels in switch-specific features like port-level monitoring, VLAN discovery, bandwidth utilization tracking, and configuration backups via SNMP and other protocols. The tool delivers actionable insights with alerting, reporting, and performance dashboards tailored for maintaining switch health and troubleshooting connectivity issues.

Zabbix is an open-source enterprise-class monitoring solution that excels in network device monitoring, including switches via SNMP, ICMP, and agentless checks. It provides real-time visibility into switch performance, interface utilization, port status, and alerting for issues like high bandwidth or downtime. While strong in monitoring and discovery, it lacks native configuration management, firmware updates, or topology mapping found in dedicated switch management tools.

Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring and management platform that automates discovery, mapping, and monitoring of switches and other network devices across multi-vendor environments. It excels in switch management by providing configuration backups, change tracking, traffic analysis, and performance insights without requiring agents. This SaaS solution helps IT teams maintain visibility and troubleshoot issues proactively in dynamic networks.

The Ubiquiti UniFi Network Application is a free, centralized controller software for managing UniFi networking hardware, including switches, access points, and gateways via a web-based or mobile interface. It enables detailed switch management tasks such as VLAN configuration, PoE port control, traffic monitoring, firmware updates, and port profiling. Designed for scalability, it supports multi-site deployments and provides real-time analytics and alerts for proactive network oversight.