Best Network Monitoring Software to Choose for Your Business

Network monitoring software enables administrators to monitor the health of devices, bandwidth usage, response times, and availability, and alerts make it easier to identify problems before they impact users.

However, selecting the appropriate network monitoring tool is dependent on the size of the network, technical resources, and budget. Some platforms are dedicated to routers and switches, and others also track cloud infrastructure, servers and applications.

This guide provides a comparison of 10 network monitoring software services based on features, costs, pros and cons, and suitability for your environment so you can choose the right tool without spending money on features you don’t need.

What Are Network Monitoring Tools?

Network monitoring software are applications that gather and analyze data on network devices, connections, and performance. They assist administrators in monitoring device availability, measuring traffic, monitoring performance changes, and troubleshooting problems.

Depending on the product, network monitoring tools can track routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, servers, cloud connections, and network interfaces.

Network issues can cause delays in work, impact application performance, and leave IT teams scratching their heads. These tools can also be used to alert when a device goes offline, bandwidth usage exceeds a threshold, or network performance drops below a desired level. More advanced network monitoring systems provide topology maps, traffic-flow analysis, historical reports, and integrations with other IT management applications.

Network monitoring is not the same as security monitoring. A performance monitoring tool can show unusual traffic or unexpected connections, but it won’t offer the deep packet inspection, threat detection or security event correlation that specialized cybersecurity products offer.

Quick Look at Top Monitoring Tools for Networks 

Tool	Network mapping and path analysis	Traffic-flow analysis	Free or open-source option
SolarWinds NPM	Advanced hop-by-hop analysis with NetPath	Available through a separate module	Proprietary software; 30-day free trial, no open-source edition
PRTG Network Monitor	Device maps and network diagnostics	Built-in flow-monitoring sensors	Free edition with a limit of 100 sensors
ManageEngine OpManager	Network maps and path analysis	Separate NetFlow Analyzer module	Limited free edition for up to 3 devices and 2 users
Datadog	Network Path visualization	Traffic monitoring depends on the selected product	Proprietary software; free trial available, no open-source edition
Netdata	Network topology visualization	Supports NetFlow and sFlow analysis	Open-source agent; free Community cloud plan has usage restrictions
Site24x7	Network maps and device visibility	Supports NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, and IPFIX	Proprietary software; limited free monitoring options
Checkmk	Device discovery and network monitoring	Depends on available checks and integrations	Free, open-source Community edition
Zabbix	Custom monitoring and device discovery	Requires suitable integrations or configuration	Free, open-source software
LibreNMS	Automatic discovery and network maps	May require additional configuration or integrations	Free, open-source software
Auvik	Automated network topology mapping	Supports traffic-flow monitoring through compatible features	Proprietary SaaS; 14-day free trial, no open-source edition

How We Selected These Network Monitoring Software

We compared these network device monitoring companies and their software using official documentation, published pricing, technical capabilities, and deployment options. We are evaluating features that impact network visibility, troubleshooting, usability and value.

• Network protocol support: We examined SNMP versions and traps, NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, and if traffic analysis needs to be done with a separate paid module.
• Data collection: We examined polling intervals, collection frequency, and historical data retention. Longer intervals may not capture short traffic surges or connection drops.
• Flexibility of deployment: We looked at cloud and self-hosted solutions, open-source availability and control over monitoring data.
• Pricing and value: We looked at device, sensor, node and usage-based licensing, as well as potential costs as networks grow.
• Network mapping: We examined automatic device discovery and visibility of network connections, paths, and dependencies.
• Setup and maintenance: We looked at preconfigured device profiles, alert configuration, and the amount of work it takes to maintain the software.
• Integrations and compatibility: We tested APIs, third-party integrations, and compatibility with common IT environments. For network monitoring tools for Windows, operating-system compatibility was also considered.

These criteria can be used to compare network monitoring systems based on real-world needs, not on marketing hype. We also took into account each tool’s drawbacks, so that readers can select software that aligns with their infrastructure and budget.

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Top 10 Monitoring Tools for Networks

Check out the list of top ten computer network monitoring tools and see which one suits your requirements the best:

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

Best for

• Midsize and large companies with network engineering departments.
• Organizations that need hop-by-hop network path analysis.

Pricing

• Begins at $2,829, based on the vendor’s published pricing.
• NetFlow Traffic Analyzer and Network Configuration Manager may need to be licensed separately.
• Offers a fully functional 30-day trial.

Pros

• NetPath is used to identify latency and connectivity issues on network paths.
• Multi-vendor networks are supported by automated discovery.
• PerfStack is a tool to correlate performance metrics on a common timeline.

Cons

• The more modules added, the more expensive it will be.
• Smaller teams can find deployment and administration challenging.
• Polling intervals may not detect all transient issues.

Verdict

For enterprises requiring in-depth network diagnostics, SolarWinds is a good option. NetPath and PerfStack are useful tools for engineers to investigate complex problems, but buyers need to work out the expense of extra modules before buying. It can be costly and cumbersome for smaller groups.

PRTG Network Monitor

Best for

• Small and midsize businesses that need centralized monitoring.
• IT teams who manage network devices and infrastructure with a single application.

Pricing

• PRTG 500 is available for $200/month (annual billing).
• PRTG 1,000 is priced at $358/month (annual billing). See details here
• A free version allows up to 100 sensors.

Pros

• Manages network devices, bandwidth and infrastructure.
• Supports SNMP, traffic-flow analysis and automated alerts.
• Automatic discovery makes setup easier.

Cons

• Careful planning is needed for sensor limits.
• The more monitoring that is needed, the more expensive it will be.
• Sensors can be quickly used up with detailed monitoring.

Verdict

PRTG offers comprehensive monitoring in one place. It is flexible with its sensor-based licensing, but each measurement counts toward the license. Before selecting a plan, determine your sensor needs.

ManageEngine OpManager

Best for

• Business IT teams that are monitoring routers, switches, firewalls and servers.
• Organizations that want device-based licensing.

Pricing

• Standard is $95/year for 10 devices.
• Professional: $145/year for 10 devices.
• Enterprise starts at $4,595/year for 250 devices.

See the official editions and pricing page.

Pros

• Automatic discovery and performance monitoring.
• Alerts for network issues based on thresholds.
• Distributed monitoring is supported in higher editions.

Cons

• Higher editions are needed for advanced features.
• Additional products may increase the total price.
• Buyers must compare edition limits carefully.

Verdict

ManageEngine OpManager provides a practical network monitoring solution with simple device-based pricing. It is ideal for businesses that require centralized dashboards and troubleshooting without a comprehensive observability platform. Check edition differences before purchasing.

Datadog Network Monitoring

Best for

• Cloud engineers and DevOps teams with hybrid infrastructure.
• Organizations that need to investigate network and application performance together.

Pricing

• Network Device Monitoring starts at $7/device/month, billed annually.
• Cloud Network Monitoring is $5/host/month, billed annually.
• Network Path begins at $5 per 1,000 tests/month, with an annual billing.

See the official Datadog pricing page.

Pros

• Relates network, infrastructure and application data.
• Offers visibility and traffic analysis of networks.
• Works with cloud and on-premises environments.

Cons

• Cost estimates are complicated by different billing units.
• This platform might be overkill for simple office networks.
• It needs to be configured and planned for effective use.

Verdict

Datadog enables teams to explore network issues in conjunction with application and infrastructure performance. It has more observability features that are helpful in cloud environments, but the costs can increase as devices, hosts, and path tests are added. Make an educated guess on usage before committing.

Netdata

Best for

• Infrastructure teams that need detailed performance visibility.
• Engineers monitoring networks, servers and applications.

Pricing

• Open-source agent: Free.
• Community cloud plan: Free up to 5 connected nodes, but with limitations.
• Starting at $4.50/node/month on an annual basis.

See Netdata’s official pricing page.

Pros

• Provides detailed infrastructure metrics and real-time visibility.
• Enables network monitoring and traffic-flow analysis.
• Assists in correlating network activity with server performance.

Cons

• The Community cloud plan is free for personal, non-commercial use.
• Advanced business features are only available with a paid plan.
• It is not a replacement for a dedicated network configuration management.

Verdict

Netdata is ideal for teams looking to explore network activity in conjunction with server and application performance. It offers a flexible starting point with its open-source agent and Business provides centralized management and enterprise features. If you need to make configuration backups, you will need another tool.

Site24x7 Network Monitoring

Best for

• Cloud-based monitoring is preferred by businesses.
• Network, server, application and website administrators.

Pricing

• Professional is $42/month, billed annually.
• Contains 10 network components and other monitoring allowances.
• Additional monitoring resources may increase costs.

Check the official Site24x7 pricing page.

Pros

• Supports SNMP monitoring, network maps and traffic analysis.
• Combines network and wider IT monitoring.
• Provides centralized dashboards and alerts.

Cons

• Excessive component limits can add up.
• Higher plans or add-ons are necessary for some capabilities.
• The broader platform may be unnecessary for network-only teams.

Verdict

Site24x7 is ideal for companies that require cloud-based monitoring for multiple IT systems. It comes with a set amount of network components; make sure you know what you need before buying. It’s most useful when teams also require server and application monitoring.

Checkmk

Best for

• IT teams with expanding network infrastructures.
• Organizations that require automated checks and distributed monitoring.

Pricing

• Community edition: Free.
• Pro starts at €190/month, billed annually.
• Ultimate is available for €275/month, billed annually.

See Checkmk’s official pricing page.

Pros

• Automated discovery minimizes repetitive configuration.
• Supports SNMP monitoring and re-usable rules.
• Advanced reporting and distributed monitoring are available in paid editions.

Cons

• Planning is essential for service-based licensing.
• Enterprise features are available in paid versions.
• Initial setup can be a challenge for inexperienced administrators.

Verdict

Checkmk enables teams to scale monitoring with prebuilt checks and reusable rules. The primary drawback is service-based licensing, as there can be multiple services being monitored on a single device. Before comparing plans, estimate your service count.

Zabbix

Best for

• Technical teams looking for customizable, open-source monitoring.
• Organizations that want to use their own monitoring infrastructure.

Pricing

• Free and open source, under AGPLv3 for version 7.0 and later.
• Technical support and professional services are available separately and are paid for.
• The total cost includes hosting, maintenance and staff time.

See the official Zabbix licensing information.

Pros

• Supports SNMP, custom triggers, dashboards and automated discovery.
• Allows flexible monitoring rules and templates.
• Manages networks, servers and applications.

Cons

• It needs technical skills to set up and maintain.
• For advanced traffic analysis, there may be a need for extra tools.
• Alerts should be fine-tuned to prevent unnecessary alerts.

Verdict

Zabbix offers a lot of flexibility, and no software licensing fees. It is ideal for teams that are able to handle their own configuration, upgrades, and troubleshooting. For organizations looking for a turnkey managed service, a commercial option might be preferable.

LibreNMS

Best for

• Budget-conscious network administrators.
• Teams that require device discovery, bandwidth graphs, and SNMP monitoring.

Pricing

• Free and open source (GPLv3 or later).
• No standard software license fee available.
• Hosting and maintenance is still the responsibility of the organisation.

See the official LibreNMS repository.

Pros

• Automatically discovers supported devices.
• Offers bandwidth graphs, alerts and API access.
• Avoids per-device software licensing costs.

Cons

• Needs technical expertise to install and operate.
• It is not a main product of commercial support.
• Advanced network management may require complementary tools.

Verdict

LibreNMS is a network monitoring company that can handle numerous common requirements without any licensing fees. The primary drawback is the effort needed to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot the platform. It is suitable for teams that have technical skills to maintain their own infrastructure.

Auvik

Best for

• Multiple customer networks supported by managed service providers.
• Distributed IT teams that need remote monitoring and network mapping.

Pricing

• Custom quote based on managed devices and selected services.
• Provides a 14-day free trial (no credit card required).
• Available as a cloud-based subscription.

For more details please visit the official Auvik pricing page.

Pros

• Network topology maps are generated by automatic discovery.
• Centralized visibility aids in remote troubleshooting.
• Many supported access points, printers, and other devices do not count toward licensing.

Cons

• There is no standard public starting price.
• Subscription fees vary based on the managed environment.
• Cloud-only deployment may not be suitable for organizations that need to deploy their software on their own.

Verdict

Auvik is especially beneficial for MSPs who have to handle multiple customer networks. Automatic mapping makes remote troubleshooting easier, but a quote is required to determine the cost to the buyer. Verify billable devices and services.

How to Choose the Right Network Monitoring Tool

When choosing a tool, you should take into account the size of your network, your troubleshooting requirements, and the resources you have to keep your platform up and running.

• Review monitoring requirements. Choose between basic device availability, bandwidth monitoring, traffic-flow analysis, network path visualization, and application metrics. Advanced features that your team will never use are an unnecessary expense.
• Check data collection periods. Not all monitoring tools gather data on a regular basis. Frequent intervals can help to reveal short performance peaks, but can also lead to higher processing and storage demands. Test the tool with your real network before buying.
• Compare licensing models. Some vendors bill by device, others bill by sensor, host, node or monitored service. Predict your network needs now and as it expands.
• Choose the right deployment model. Self-hosted software provides greater control of infrastructure and data, but requires your team to maintain it. While some operational work is saved with cloud-based monitoring, there are still data-handling needs and subscription costs to consider.
• Check alerts and integrations. Search for helpful notification features, APIs, ticketing integrations, and integrations with existing IT systems. If alerts are not set up properly, they can cause more issues than they solve.

Conclusion

The right network monitoring software can help your IT team detect performance problems, minimize downtime, and ensure your network devices operate smoothly. But it will depend on your infrastructure, monitoring needs, budget and technical skills. 

When deciding, consider the features you need, the software’s alert and troubleshooting capabilities, and its pricing. Think about the overall price, not just the initial price, because you’ll need to add extra modules, hosting, and maintenance. 

You can also test a few of the options that are suitable for your existing network to understand their usability and effectiveness. Finally, select a solution that offers dependable visibility without high costs or management overhead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)