Quick Overview
- 1#1: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Provides comprehensive network performance monitoring with deep traffic analysis, flow monitoring, and alerting capabilities.
- 2#2: PRTG Network Monitor - All-in-one solution for monitoring network traffic, bandwidth usage, and device performance using customizable sensors.
- 3#3: Datadog Network Monitoring - Cloud-native platform offering real-time network traffic visibility, anomaly detection, and integration with infrastructure monitoring.
- 4#4: ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer - Specialized tool for analyzing NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, and IPFIX data to monitor bandwidth and traffic patterns.
- 5#5: Splunk Enterprise - Powerful data analytics platform for ingesting, searching, and visualizing massive volumes of network traffic logs.
- 6#6: ThousandEyes - Delivers end-to-end visibility into internet and application traffic performance from global vantage points.
- 7#7: Nagios XI - Enterprise monitoring solution with traffic graphing, SNMP polling, and customizable dashboards for network health.
- 8#8: Zabbix - Open-source distributed monitoring platform supporting network traffic discovery, SNMP traps, and alerting.
- 9#9: Kentik - Cloud-scale network observability platform for real-time traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and security insights.
- 10#10: Wireshark - Free open-source packet analyzer for capturing and inspecting detailed network traffic in real-time or from files.
Tools were selected and ranked based on core functionality (including traffic analysis depth and alerting capabilities), quality, ease of use, and overall value, ensuring they address diverse organizational requirements.
Comparison Table
For organizations seeking to optimize network performance, reliable traffic monitoring software is essential to track usage, troubleshoot issues, and enhance efficiency. This comparison table breaks down top tools like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, PRTG Network Monitor, Datadog Network Monitoring, ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer, Splunk Enterprise, and more, equipping readers to evaluate key features, scalability, and use cases.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Provides comprehensive network performance monitoring with deep traffic analysis, flow monitoring, and alerting capabilities. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 2 | PRTG Network Monitor All-in-one solution for monitoring network traffic, bandwidth usage, and device performance using customizable sensors. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Datadog Network Monitoring Cloud-native platform offering real-time network traffic visibility, anomaly detection, and integration with infrastructure monitoring. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer Specialized tool for analyzing NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, and IPFIX data to monitor bandwidth and traffic patterns. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Splunk Enterprise Powerful data analytics platform for ingesting, searching, and visualizing massive volumes of network traffic logs. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 6 | ThousandEyes Delivers end-to-end visibility into internet and application traffic performance from global vantage points. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Nagios XI Enterprise monitoring solution with traffic graphing, SNMP polling, and customizable dashboards for network health. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Zabbix Open-source distributed monitoring platform supporting network traffic discovery, SNMP traps, and alerting. | other | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Kentik Cloud-scale network observability platform for real-time traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and security insights. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 10 | Wireshark Free open-source packet analyzer for capturing and inspecting detailed network traffic in real-time or from files. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.1/10 | 10/10 |
Provides comprehensive network performance monitoring with deep traffic analysis, flow monitoring, and alerting capabilities.
All-in-one solution for monitoring network traffic, bandwidth usage, and device performance using customizable sensors.
Cloud-native platform offering real-time network traffic visibility, anomaly detection, and integration with infrastructure monitoring.
Specialized tool for analyzing NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, and IPFIX data to monitor bandwidth and traffic patterns.
Powerful data analytics platform for ingesting, searching, and visualizing massive volumes of network traffic logs.
Delivers end-to-end visibility into internet and application traffic performance from global vantage points.
Enterprise monitoring solution with traffic graphing, SNMP polling, and customizable dashboards for network health.
Open-source distributed monitoring platform supporting network traffic discovery, SNMP traps, and alerting.
Cloud-scale network observability platform for real-time traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and security insights.
Free open-source packet analyzer for capturing and inspecting detailed network traffic in real-time or from files.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseProvides comprehensive network performance monitoring with deep traffic analysis, flow monitoring, and alerting capabilities.
Flow Navigator in NTA providing drill-down views of traffic conversations by IP, application, and protocol for pinpointing bandwidth issues.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a leading network monitoring platform that delivers real-time visibility into device performance, bandwidth utilization, and traffic flows across hybrid environments. It integrates seamlessly with Network Traffic Analyzer (NTA) to support protocols like NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, IPFIX, and NetStream for detailed traffic analysis, identifying top talkers, applications, and anomalies. NPM provides customizable dashboards, automated discovery, and PerfStack timelines for correlating performance data, making it ideal for proactive traffic management.
Pros
- Supports multiple flow protocols for comprehensive traffic monitoring including NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX
- Scalable architecture handles thousands of nodes with intuitive dashboards and reporting
- Advanced alerting and PerfStack for cross-correlation of traffic and performance metrics
Cons
- High licensing costs that scale with monitored elements and optional modules
- Steep learning curve for advanced configuration and customization
- Resource-intensive installation requiring dedicated hardware for large deployments
Best For
Enterprise IT teams and network administrators managing complex, high-traffic environments who need deep packet inspection and flow-based analytics.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription pricing starts at ~$2,995 for 100 elements; scales per node/license with NTA add-on extra (~$1,500+).
PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseAll-in-one solution for monitoring network traffic, bandwidth usage, and device performance using customizable sensors.
Hybrid sensor technology combining flow-based (NetFlow/sFlow) and packet-sniffing monitors for unmatched traffic granularity without additional modules
PRTG Network Monitor is a versatile all-in-one network monitoring tool from Paessler that provides comprehensive traffic monitoring capabilities through its sensor-based architecture, supporting protocols like NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, J-Flow, and SNMP. It delivers real-time bandwidth usage insights, top talkers identification, application-layer visibility, and historical trending via customizable dashboards, maps, and reports. Scalable from small networks to enterprises, PRTG automates device discovery and offers advanced alerting to proactively manage traffic issues.
Pros
- Extensive sensor library with deep support for traffic protocols like NetFlow and sFlow for granular analysis
- Intuitive web-based interface, customizable dashboards, and mobile apps for easy monitoring
- Powerful alerting, auto-discovery, and reporting for proactive traffic management
Cons
- Sensor-based licensing model can become expensive as monitoring scales
- Resource-intensive on the hosting server for large deployments
- Steep learning curve for advanced custom sensor configurations
Best For
Mid-sized to large enterprises needing scalable, detailed traffic analysis and bandwidth optimization.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; paid licenses start at $1,749 for 500 sensors, scaling to $14,000+ for 5,000 sensors or unlimited options.
Datadog Network Monitoring
enterpriseCloud-native platform offering real-time network traffic visibility, anomaly detection, and integration with infrastructure monitoring.
Real-time, AI-powered network topology maps that auto-discover dependencies and highlight issues
Datadog Network Monitoring delivers end-to-end visibility into network performance, traffic flows, and device health across hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-premises environments. It supports SNMP polling, NetFlow/sFlow/IPFIX collection, and real-time topology mapping to detect anomalies, bottlenecks, and security threats. Integrated with Datadog's unified observability platform, it correlates network data with application and infrastructure metrics for faster root-cause analysis.
Pros
- Comprehensive traffic flow analysis with NetFlow/sFlow support
- Automated network topology discovery and mapping
- Seamless integration with APM, logs, and infrastructure monitoring
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations
- High pricing scales quickly with usage and hosts
- Agent deployment can be resource-intensive in large environments
Best For
Enterprise teams managing complex, distributed networks who need correlated observability across apps, infrastructure, and traffic.
Pricing
Usage-based; Infrastructure Pro at $15/host/month, Network Device Monitoring at $5/device/month, with Enterprise plans for custom needs.
ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer
specializedSpecialized tool for analyzing NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, and IPFIX data to monitor bandwidth and traffic patterns.
Automated anomaly detection using dynamic baselines and machine learning for proactive DDoS and unusual traffic identification
ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer is a robust network traffic monitoring tool that collects and analyzes NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, IPFIX, and other flow data from routers and switches to deliver deep insights into bandwidth usage. It enables IT teams to identify top talkers, applications, and conversations, detect anomalies like DDoS attacks, and perform capacity planning with historical trends and forecasts. The solution offers customizable dashboards, automated reports, and integration with other ManageEngine tools for comprehensive network management.
Pros
- Supports multiple flow protocols (NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX) for broad compatibility
- Advanced anomaly detection and forensics with baseline profiling
- Seamless integration with OpManager and other ManageEngine suite tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced configuration
- Pricing scales quickly with number of monitored interfaces
- Resource-intensive on high-traffic networks without optimization
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring detailed traffic analysis, anomaly detection, and capacity planning in complex networks.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $395 for 100 interfaces (Professional edition); Enterprise edition from $1,195 with advanced features; free 30-day trial available.
Splunk Enterprise
enterprisePowerful data analytics platform for ingesting, searching, and visualizing massive volumes of network traffic logs.
Splunk Search Processing Language (SPL) for advanced querying and correlation of network traffic data with logs and metrics
Splunk Enterprise is a robust data analytics platform that ingests, indexes, and analyzes machine-generated data, including network traffic logs, NetFlow, and sFlow records, to provide real-time monitoring and insights into network performance and security. It excels in creating custom dashboards, detecting anomalies, and correlating traffic data with other IT events for comprehensive visibility. While not a dedicated network traffic analyzer, its flexibility makes it suitable for enterprise-scale traffic monitoring when integrated with appropriate add-ons like Splunk Stream.
Pros
- Powerful real-time analytics and machine learning for anomaly detection in traffic patterns
- Highly scalable with support for massive data volumes and multi-source integration
- Customizable dashboards and alerting for proactive traffic management
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to proprietary SPL query language
- High licensing costs based on data ingest volume
- Resource-intensive setup requiring significant infrastructure
Best For
Large enterprises with complex IT environments needing integrated traffic monitoring alongside security and operations analytics.
Pricing
Licensed per GB/day of data ingested; starts at ~$1,500/year for 1GB/day, scales to enterprise custom pricing (typically $thousands to $millions annually).
ThousandEyes
enterpriseDelivers end-to-end visibility into internet and application traffic performance from global vantage points.
Hop-by-hop Path Visualization tracing traffic routes from thousands of global vantage points in real-time
ThousandEyes is a cloud-native network intelligence platform that provides end-to-end visibility into network performance, application delivery, and digital experiences using synthetic monitoring from global vantage points. It excels in tracking internet traffic paths, BGP routing, DNS resolution, HTTP transactions, and flow data via agents deployed worldwide. Acquired by Cisco, it helps enterprises proactively detect and resolve issues in hybrid cloud and internet environments.
Pros
- Global vantage point testing for comprehensive external traffic visibility
- Advanced path visualization and BGP monitoring for root-cause analysis
- Seamless integrations with ITSM, SIEM, and Cisco ecosystems
Cons
- High enterprise pricing with usage-based scaling
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Less emphasis on deep internal packet inspection compared to traditional tools
Best For
Large enterprises and service providers managing complex global internet and cloud traffic.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing on Cloud Units (tests/month) and agents; typically starts at $5,000-$10,000/month for mid-tier deployments.
Nagios XI
enterpriseEnterprise monitoring solution with traffic graphing, SNMP polling, and customizable dashboards for network health.
Nagios Network Analyzer for deep packet inspection and flow-based (NetFlow/sFlow/IPFIX) traffic forensics and bandwidth accounting
Nagios XI is a powerful, enterprise-grade IT monitoring platform from Nagios Enterprises that extends beyond traditional host and service checks to include network traffic monitoring via SNMP polling, bandwidth graphing, and optional NetFlow/sFlow analysis through its Nagios Network Analyzer add-on. It provides real-time visibility into interface utilization, traffic patterns, anomaly detection, and historical trending to help manage network performance and capacity. While highly extensible with thousands of plugins, its traffic monitoring shines in heterogeneous environments requiring integrated alerting and reporting.
Pros
- Highly scalable for large networks with multi-tenancy support
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for custom traffic metrics and flows
- Strong reporting and visualization dashboards for traffic insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex configuration
- Additional modules like Network Analyzer require extra licensing
- Resource-intensive on the monitoring server for high-traffic environments
Best For
IT teams in mid-to-large enterprises seeking an all-in-one monitoring solution with customizable traffic oversight.
Pricing
Starts at $1,995 one-time for Standard Edition (100 hosts) plus 30% annual maintenance; scales up for more hosts/devices with add-ons like Network Analyzer at extra cost.
Zabbix
otherOpen-source distributed monitoring platform supporting network traffic discovery, SNMP traps, and alerting.
Native support for NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX with low-level discovery for automatic interface and flow monitoring
Zabbix is an enterprise-class open-source monitoring solution that provides robust network traffic monitoring capabilities through SNMP polling, NetFlow, IPFIX, sFlow, and other protocols. It tracks bandwidth utilization, interface statistics, top talkers, and traffic anomalies across distributed environments. While primarily a general IT monitoring tool, its flexibility allows for detailed traffic analysis, custom dashboards, and predictive alerting.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing limits
- Highly scalable for large networks with distributed polling
- Rich alerting, forecasting, and visualization for traffic data
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Web interface feels dated and less intuitive for traffic-specific workflows
- Advanced flow monitoring requires custom configuration
Best For
Large enterprises with skilled IT teams needing cost-free, customizable traffic monitoring integrated with broader infrastructure oversight.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid enterprise support, appliances, and consulting starting at custom quotes.
Kentik
enterpriseCloud-scale network observability platform for real-time traffic analytics, DDoS detection, and security insights.
Unified Network Traffic Analytics Lake that correlates flows, packets, BGP, and synthetics for holistic observability
Kentik is a cloud-native network observability platform specializing in traffic monitoring, providing real-time visibility into network flows across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It ingests massive volumes of NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, BGP, and other telemetry data to deliver analytics, anomaly detection, DDoS mitigation, and performance optimization. With AI-driven insights, it helps enterprises troubleshoot issues, secure networks, and plan capacity proactively.
Pros
- Handles petabyte-scale data ingestion with real-time streaming analytics
- AI-powered anomaly detection and root cause analysis
- Comprehensive integrations with cloud providers and security tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users
- Pricing can escalate quickly with high data volumes
- UI occasionally feels dense with advanced options
Best For
Large enterprises managing complex, multi-cloud networks that require deep traffic visibility and security monitoring.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on data volume ingested, typically starting at $10,000+ annually with per-GB rates around $0.10.
Wireshark
otherFree open-source packet analyzer for capturing and inspecting detailed network traffic in real-time or from files.
Unmatched protocol dissection engine that provides byte-level analysis of network traffic across thousands of protocols
Wireshark is a free, open-source network protocol analyzer that captures and displays data packets from network interfaces in real-time or from saved capture files. It offers deep inspection of hundreds of protocols with powerful filtering, coloring rules, and statistical tools for troubleshooting, security analysis, and performance optimization. Widely used by network engineers and developers, it excels in detailed traffic dissection but requires technical expertise to leverage fully.
Pros
- Extensive support for over 3,000 protocols with detailed dissection
- Advanced filtering, search, and visualization capabilities
- Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) and completely free
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to complex interface
- Resource-intensive during high-volume captures
- Lacks built-in alerting, reporting, or long-term monitoring features
Best For
Experienced network engineers, security analysts, and developers needing deep packet-level traffic inspection and protocol analysis.
Pricing
Free and open-source with no licensing costs.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools deliver strong options for network traffic monitoring, with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor leading as the top choice, boasting comprehensive analysis and alerting. PRTG Network Monitor follows as a versatile all-in-one solution with customizable sensors, and Datadog Network Monitoring excels with cloud-native integration and real-time insights—excellent alternatives catering to different needs. Together, they highlight the critical role of reliable traffic monitoring in maintaining seamless network performance.
Take the next step in optimizing your network—try SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, the top-ranked tool, to experience its robust capabilities firsthand.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison