Quick Overview
- 1#1: ThousandEyes - Provides end-to-end visibility into VPN performance, tunnel health, and WAN optimization across global networks.
- 2#2: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Monitors VPN tunnels, bandwidth utilization, latency, and uptime with advanced alerting and reporting.
- 3#3: PRTG Network Monitor - Tracks VPN connection status, traffic volume, and errors using customizable sensors and dashboards.
- 4#4: Datadog - Offers real-time monitoring of VPN metrics, logs, and infrastructure with AI-powered insights.
- 5#5: ManageEngine OpManager - Delivers comprehensive VPN monitoring including device health, bandwidth, and fault management.
- 6#6: Nagios XI - Provides extensible VPN monitoring through plugins for availability, performance, and security checks.
- 7#7: Zabbix - Open-source solution for monitoring VPN servers, clients, and network traffic with flexible templates.
- 8#8: LogicMonitor - Automates VPN infrastructure monitoring with dynamic dashboards and predictive analytics.
- 9#9: Auvik - Automates network discovery and monitors VPN configurations, traffic, and changes in real-time.
- 10#10: Checkmk - Monitors VPN endpoints, performance metrics, and security events with agentless checks.
Tools were selected and ranked based on feature depth, ease of use, performance, and overall value, ensuring alignment with varied needs such as global network visibility, real-time analytics, or cost-effective monitoring.
Comparison Table
VPN monitoring is critical for maintaining secure, efficient network operations. This comparison table analyzes top tools like ThousandEyes, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, PRTG, Datadog, ManageEngine OpManager, and more, highlighting key features and usability to help readers identify the best fit for their network needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ThousandEyes Provides end-to-end visibility into VPN performance, tunnel health, and WAN optimization across global networks. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Monitors VPN tunnels, bandwidth utilization, latency, and uptime with advanced alerting and reporting. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | PRTG Network Monitor Tracks VPN connection status, traffic volume, and errors using customizable sensors and dashboards. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Datadog Offers real-time monitoring of VPN metrics, logs, and infrastructure with AI-powered insights. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | ManageEngine OpManager Delivers comprehensive VPN monitoring including device health, bandwidth, and fault management. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 6 | Nagios XI Provides extensible VPN monitoring through plugins for availability, performance, and security checks. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 6.0/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 7 | Zabbix Open-source solution for monitoring VPN servers, clients, and network traffic with flexible templates. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 8 | LogicMonitor Automates VPN infrastructure monitoring with dynamic dashboards and predictive analytics. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Auvik Automates network discovery and monitors VPN configurations, traffic, and changes in real-time. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | Checkmk Monitors VPN endpoints, performance metrics, and security events with agentless checks. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
Provides end-to-end visibility into VPN performance, tunnel health, and WAN optimization across global networks.
Monitors VPN tunnels, bandwidth utilization, latency, and uptime with advanced alerting and reporting.
Tracks VPN connection status, traffic volume, and errors using customizable sensors and dashboards.
Offers real-time monitoring of VPN metrics, logs, and infrastructure with AI-powered insights.
Delivers comprehensive VPN monitoring including device health, bandwidth, and fault management.
Provides extensible VPN monitoring through plugins for availability, performance, and security checks.
Open-source solution for monitoring VPN servers, clients, and network traffic with flexible templates.
Automates VPN infrastructure monitoring with dynamic dashboards and predictive analytics.
Automates network discovery and monitors VPN configurations, traffic, and changes in real-time.
Monitors VPN endpoints, performance metrics, and security events with agentless checks.
ThousandEyes
enterpriseProvides end-to-end visibility into VPN performance, tunnel health, and WAN optimization across global networks.
Endpoint agents that deploy on user laptops and run tests directly over active VPN connections for true end-user experience monitoring
ThousandEyes is a comprehensive network intelligence platform that excels in VPN monitoring by providing end-to-end visibility into VPN performance, including latency, jitter, packet loss, and throughput across site-to-site and remote access VPNs. Leveraging a global network of over 200 cloud agents, enterprise agents, and endpoint agents deployed on user devices, it simulates real-user VPN traffic to detect and diagnose issues proactively. Its advanced analytics and path visualization help IT teams pinpoint problems from the endpoint through the VPN tunnel to cloud services or data centers.
Pros
- Global vantage points and endpoint agents for realistic VPN testing from anywhere
- Real-time alerting, AI-driven insights, and BGP/path visualization for root-cause analysis
- Seamless integrations with Cisco tools and other ITSM platforms
Cons
- High cost suitable mainly for enterprises
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Overkill for small-scale VPN deployments
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing complex, large-scale VPN environments with remote workers and multi-cloud connectivity.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $15,000-$50,000 annually depending on agents and tests, with pay-as-you-go options available.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseMonitors VPN tunnels, bandwidth utilization, latency, and uptime with advanced alerting and reporting.
PerfStack™ cross-correlation timelines that overlay VPN metrics with related network data for root-cause analysis
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive network monitoring solution that excels in tracking VPN performance by polling routers, firewalls, and VPN concentrators for metrics like tunnel status, throughput, latency, jitter, and packet loss. It provides real-time dashboards, customizable alerts, and historical trend analysis to proactively identify and resolve VPN issues. While not exclusively VPN-focused, its robust device discovery and polling capabilities make it highly effective for enterprise-scale VPN monitoring within broader network oversight.
Pros
- Real-time monitoring of VPN tunnels, bandwidth, and quality metrics via SNMP and NetFlow
- Advanced alerting, automated reports, and integration with SolarWinds ecosystem
- Scalable for large deployments with thousands of monitored elements
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- High cost based on per-element licensing model
- Overkill for small VPN setups lacking deep user-level VPN session details
Best For
Enterprise IT administrators managing complex, multi-site VPN infrastructures alongside full network performance.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at ~$2,995 for 500 elements; subscription from ~$60/month per 25 elements; scales with monitored components.
PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseTracks VPN connection status, traffic volume, and errors using customizable sensors and dashboards.
Sensor-based architecture with dedicated VPN sensors for precise monitoring of tunnel status, traffic volume, connected users, and protocol-specific metrics.
PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive, sensor-based network monitoring tool from Paessler that provides real-time visibility into IT infrastructure, including VPN connections, tunnels, uptime, throughput, and user sessions. It supports monitoring of various VPN protocols like IPSec, OpenVPN, and Cisco AnyConnect through dedicated sensors, alongside bandwidth usage, latency, and error rates. With auto-discovery, customizable maps, and alerting, it's designed for proactive network management in complex environments.
Pros
- Vast library of 250+ sensors including VPN-specific ones for granular monitoring
- User-friendly maps, dashboards, and mobile app for quick insights
- Flexible alerting via email, SMS, push notifications, and integrations
Cons
- Sensor-based licensing model can become costly as monitoring scales
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to sensor configuration complexity
- Server software is Windows-only, limiting deployment options
Best For
Mid-sized to large enterprises with complex networks needing detailed VPN performance tracking alongside general infrastructure monitoring.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; paid licenses start at $1,799/year for 500 sensors, with prices scaling by sensor count up to unlimited editions.
Datadog
enterpriseOffers real-time monitoring of VPN metrics, logs, and infrastructure with AI-powered insights.
Watchdog AI engine that proactively detects and troubleshoots VPN performance issues across your entire observability stack
Datadog is a comprehensive cloud-based observability platform that provides infrastructure, application, and network monitoring capabilities. For VPN monitoring, it leverages Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) to track device health, traffic flows (via NetFlow/sFlow/IPFIX), latency, and bandwidth usage across VPN gateways and endpoints using SNMP, agentless discovery, and integrations with vendors like Cisco and Palo Alto. It enables custom dashboards, real-time alerts, and AI-driven anomaly detection to ensure VPN uptime and performance in hybrid environments.
Pros
- Robust network flow analysis for VPN traffic patterns and bottlenecks
- AI-powered Watchdog for automatic issue detection and root cause analysis
- Scalable integrations with cloud VPNs (AWS, Azure) and on-prem appliances
Cons
- Not specialized for VPNs, requiring custom setup for optimal use
- High costs that scale with usage and add-ons
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users
Best For
Large enterprises with hybrid cloud/on-prem VPN infrastructures needing unified observability beyond basic monitoring.
Pricing
Starts at $15/host/month for infrastructure monitoring; Network Monitoring adds $5/device/month or flow-based pricing from $0.10/GB.
ManageEngine OpManager
enterpriseDelivers comprehensive VPN monitoring including device health, bandwidth, and fault management.
Advanced VPN tunnel health monitoring with SLA compliance tracking and predictive analytics
ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive network monitoring platform that includes dedicated VPN monitoring capabilities for tracking tunnel status, bandwidth usage, latency, jitter, and packet loss across devices from vendors like Cisco, Fortinet, and Palo Alto. It provides real-time alerts, performance reports, and fault management to ensure VPN reliability and optimize remote access performance. Ideal for IT teams managing hybrid networks, it integrates VPN insights with overall infrastructure monitoring via customizable dashboards.
Pros
- Robust multi-vendor VPN support with detailed metrics like throughput and session counts
- Real-time alerting and automated workflows for quick issue resolution
- Scalable for enterprise environments with integrated network mapping
Cons
- VPN features require add-ons or specific configurations for full potential
- Interface can feel overwhelming for VPN-only users due to broad network focus
- Pricing escalates significantly for large-scale deployments
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing integrated network and VPN performance monitoring without dedicated VPN silos.
Pricing
Starts at $395/year for 10 devices (Standard edition); scales per monitored device/element, with Enterprise edition from $1,195/year; free 30-day trial available.
Nagios XI
enterpriseProvides extensible VPN monitoring through plugins for availability, performance, and security checks.
Vast, community-driven plugin library enabling granular VPN tunnel and performance monitoring
Nagios XI is a robust, enterprise-grade monitoring platform that builds on the open-source Nagios Core, offering a web-based interface for monitoring IT infrastructure including networks, servers, and applications. For VPN monitoring, it leverages a vast library of plugins to check tunnel status, uptime, latency, throughput, and endpoint health for protocols like IPsec and OpenVPN. While highly customizable, it requires configuration to focus specifically on VPNs, making it suitable for broader infrastructure oversight rather than VPN-only use cases.
Pros
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for detailed VPN status, performance, and alert monitoring
- Scalable for large enterprise environments with multi-site support
- Strong reporting, dashboards, and integration capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization of VPN-specific checks
- Not optimized out-of-the-box for VPN-only monitoring; requires manual plugin configuration
- Relatively high cost for smaller VPN deployments
Best For
IT teams in large enterprises needing customizable, comprehensive infrastructure monitoring that includes VPN oversight.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start at $1,995 for up to 100 hosts (Starter edition), scaling to $3,495+ for larger editions; annual support renewals required.
Zabbix
enterpriseOpen-source solution for monitoring VPN servers, clients, and network traffic with flexible templates.
Low-Level Discovery (LLD) for automatic detection and monitoring of dynamic VPN tunnels and interfaces without manual scripting for each device.
Zabbix is an open-source, enterprise-class monitoring platform that excels in general IT infrastructure monitoring and can be adapted for VPN oversight through SNMP, ICMP, agent-based checks, and custom scripts. It tracks VPN tunnel status, bandwidth usage, latency, uptime, and endpoint health on devices like routers and firewalls from vendors such as Cisco, Fortinet, and Palo Alto. With robust dashboards, alerting, and historical data analysis, it provides comprehensive visibility into VPN performance, though it requires configuration for specialized VPN metrics.
Pros
- Highly scalable and customizable for monitoring diverse VPN setups
- Powerful alerting, visualization, and reporting tools
- Supports a wide range of protocols and integrations out-of-the-box
- Excellent value as a free open-source solution
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and custom VPN templates
- Not specifically designed for VPNs, requiring manual configuration
- Resource-intensive for very large deployments without tuning
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with skilled IT teams needing a versatile, cost-effective monitoring platform that extends to VPN infrastructure alongside other IT assets.
Pricing
Core software is free and open-source; Zabbix Enterprise support and add-ons available via subscription starting at around $500/node/year, with custom pricing.
LogicMonitor
enterpriseAutomates VPN infrastructure monitoring with dynamic dashboards and predictive analytics.
AI-ML powered anomaly detection and root cause analysis for VPN and network issues
LogicMonitor is a comprehensive SaaS-based IT infrastructure monitoring platform that provides deep visibility into networks, including VPN tunnels, gateways, and performance metrics via SNMP, flow data, and custom datasources. It excels in monitoring VPN uptime, latency, throughput, and errors alongside broader infrastructure like servers, clouds, and applications. While highly capable for enterprise-scale VPN oversight, it functions best as part of full-stack observability rather than a dedicated VPN tool.
Pros
- Robust network and VPN performance monitoring with flow analysis and synthetic checks
- Scalable for large environments with automated discovery and AIOps-driven insights
- Highly customizable dashboards and alerting for proactive VPN issue resolution
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and datasource configuration
- Premium pricing makes it less ideal for small-scale or VPN-only needs
- Overkill for basic VPN monitoring without broader IT infrastructure
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring integrated monitoring of VPNs within complex hybrid IT environments.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $2,000-$5,000/month based on device count and modules; free trial available.
Auvik
enterpriseAutomates network discovery and monitors VPN configurations, traffic, and changes in real-time.
Automated, interactive network topology mapping that dynamically displays VPN tunnel status and inter-site connectivity
Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring and management platform that excels in automated discovery, mapping, and monitoring of entire networks, including VPN tunnels and site-to-site connections. It provides real-time visibility into VPN performance metrics like uptime, throughput, latency, jitter, and packet loss, with visual topology maps and customizable alerts. While not exclusively a VPN tool, its broad network oversight makes it valuable for tracking VPN health within larger infrastructures.
Pros
- Automated network discovery and topology mapping that clearly visualizes VPN tunnels and dependencies
- Real-time VPN performance monitoring with metrics like bandwidth usage, latency, and error rates
- Proactive alerts, historical reporting, and configuration backups for quick troubleshooting
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and can be expensive for small networks or VPN-only needs
- Limited depth in specialized VPN protocol analytics compared to dedicated tools
- Requires proper network access (e.g., SNMP, NetFlow) for full VPN visibility
Best For
MSPs and mid-sized enterprises managing multi-site networks with heavy VPN reliance.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $150-$500/month per site or network segment, with tiers for features and scale.
Checkmk
enterpriseMonitors VPN endpoints, performance metrics, and security events with agentless checks.
Rule-based configuration engine allowing granular, automated checks tailored to specific VPN metrics and thresholds
Checkmk is a powerful open-source IT monitoring platform that supports VPN monitoring through custom checks, agents, and plugins for protocols like OpenVPN, IPsec, and WireGuard. It tracks key metrics such as tunnel uptime, throughput, latency, packet loss, and endpoint health, integrating seamlessly with broader network infrastructure oversight. While not exclusively a VPN tool, it excels in enterprise-scale monitoring with alerting, graphing, and automation capabilities.
Pros
- Highly extensible with thousands of pre-built and custom checks for various VPN types
- Scalable for monitoring thousands of VPN tunnels in distributed environments
- Strong visualization, alerting, and reporting for proactive VPN management
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex configuration and rule-based setup
- Overkill for small-scale or VPN-only monitoring needs
- Limited out-of-the-box VPN-specific dashboards requiring manual customization
Best For
Enterprise IT operations teams managing complex hybrid infrastructures where VPN monitoring is part of comprehensive network oversight.
Pricing
Free Raw Edition (open-source); Enterprise Edition starts at ~€600/year for 25 hosts, scaling up with more hosts/sites.
Conclusion
The review showcases leading VPN monitoring tools, with ThousandEyes emerging as the top choice, providing end-to-end visibility across global networks. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor excels with advanced alerting and reporting, while PRTG Network Monitor impresses with customizable sensors and real-time insights, standing as strong alternatives. Together, they cater to diverse monitoring needs, ensuring networks remain optimized and secure.
Explore the power of ThousandEyes to elevate your VPN monitoring—try it today to experience unmatched performance tracking and proactive management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
