Top 10 Network Monitoring Software based on 3,000+ Reviews in '24

Network downtime can spell trouble for any organization. A minute of downtime can cost ~$5,600 per minute.¹ 

So, how do you choose network monitoring software that keeps your devices systems running smoothly? This guide delves into the benefits and challenges of the top 10 network monitoring software to guide businesses to choose the right vendor for their needs.

* Vendors are ordered alphabetically.

Vendor Selection Criteria

We narrowed down our network monitoring software comparison using three main factors:

1. Number of employees: We looked at vendors with 15+ employees on LinkedIn.
2. Number of user reviews: We gave preference to solutions with user reviews from the popular B2B review websites (such as G2 and Capterra), as it indicates a proven track record based on user experiences.
3. Average review ratings: We selected the vendors with at least 4.4 points on average.

Review of Top 10 Network Monitoring Software

Shared Features

This section illuminates the shared features and capabilities of top 10 network monitoring software, emphasizing the core functionalities that they have in common.

1.Network Traffic Analysis

• Device Discovery: Automatic detection of network devices and systems.
• Network Discovery: Facilitation of a comprehensive mapping of the entire network, identifying all connected devices and their configurations to ensure no asset remains unseen.

2. Real-time Network Traffic Monitoring

• Performance Metrics: Collection and analysis of data regarding network speed, latency, and packet loss.
• Cloud Monitoring: Facilitates monitoring of cloud resources and services, aligning with the increasing shift towards cloud computing.
• Multi-Protocol Support: Support for various network protocols like SNMP, Flow protocols, etc.

3. Advanced Reporting

• Alerts & Notifications: Automated notifications for system anomalies or failures.
• Dashboard: Customizable views for tracking network metrics and performance.

1- AKIPS

AKIPS focuses solely on network monitoring and performance improvement. You can have a free trial or contact AKIPS for their product.

Pros

1. Ease of Setup and Use: Noted for its easy setup and the ability to integrate into various environments.
2. Customization and Reporting: Offers customizable features and robust reporting capabilities.

Cons

• User Interface: The GUI is not very user-friendly, especially for non-technical users, and lacks an integrated network map (See Figure below).

Figure 1. Customer review on AKIPS

Source: Capterra²

2- Atera

Atera is a comprehensive, cloud-based IT management platform that integrates Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), Professional Services Automation (PSA), and remote access, tailored for MSPs and IT professionals to streamline their operations and service delivery.

Pros

1. Ease of Implementation and Use: Atera is highly praised for its user-friendly platform and simple implementation process, making it accessible for users to deploy and integrate into their existing systems, including Microsoft Azure and UniFi platforms.
2. Comprehensive IT Management and Monitoring: Users appreciate Atera’s extensive functionality, which includes remote monitoring and management (RMM), automated ticketing, alerts, and integration with various applications.
3. Cost-Effectiveness and Support: Particularly for non-profit and smaller organizations, Atera’s cost structure is highlighted as a major benefit. The platform offers a good value proposition, complemented by responsive and helpful customer support.

Cons

• Feature Limitations and Reporting: While Atera is lauded for its many features, some users note limitations in specific areas such as detailed reporting and analysis. The reports generated by Atera are mentioned to lack depth, making it challenging for IT teams to perform comprehensive analyses. Additionally, the platform’s ticketing system and support functionality could be improved to enhance user experience and operational efficiency (see Figure below)
  

Figure 2. User review on Atera

Source: Capterra³

3- Auvik

A cloud-based network performance monitoring software, Auvik is known for its automated setup, network mapping, and resource utilization alerts. It’s especially effective for multi-site businesses, offering traffic analysis features in its higher plan​​.

Pros

1. Network Visualization: Users appreciate the comprehensive and intuitive network mapping and real-time diagrams.
2. Ease of Implementation and Use: Auvik is lauded for its easy setup, intuitive interface, and integration with various network devices and platforms.
3. Valuable Insights and Documentation: It provides crucial insights into network topology, improving documentation and troubleshooting for technicians.

Cons

• Complexity and Alert Overload: Some users find Auvik feature-rich and complex, leading to difficulty in navigating and managing the abundance of features and alerts. (see figure below)

Figure 3. Customer review on Auvik

Source: G2⁴

4- Datadog

Datadog is a monitoring and analytics platform that provides visibility into the performance and security of cloud-scale applications by aggregating data on server, container, database, and third-party services.

Pros

1. User-Friendly Interface and Ease of Use: Multiple reviews highlight Datadog’s user-friendly interface, ease of navigation, and simplicity in setting up monitors, dashboards, and alerts. This makes it accessible for users to manage and monitor their services and infrastructure effectively.
2. Monitoring and Real-Time Insights: Reviews constantly mention Datadog’s ability to provide real-time visibility into the performance of applications, infrastructure, and logs. Its comprehensive monitoring tools, including log management, APM, infrastructure metrics, and more, allow for effective troubleshooting and performance optimization (see Figure below)
3. Integration: Datadog is praised for its seamless integration with a wide range of other applications and services, enhancing its utility in diverse IT environments. 
4. Customization Capabilities:The platform’s customization options, particularly in dashboard and metric configurations, are also highlighted as a significant advantage, allowing users to tailor the tool to their specific monitoring needs.

Cons

• Costs: A recurring theme in the reviews is the concern over Datadog’s pricing, which some users find to be relatively high compared to other similar tools.
• Documentation Challenges: Additionally, the complexity and breadth of the documentation, along with the steep learning curve for new users, are mentioned as drawbacks.

Figure 4. User review on Datadog

Source: Capterra⁵

5- NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a unified IT operations platform that includes a network performance monitoring solution. It is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set, which includes remote monitoring and management (RMM), patch management, and backup tools.

Pros

1. Ease of Setup and Use: Users appreciate NinjaOne’s straightforward setup process and simple yet effective scripting capabilities.
2. Effective Integration and Support: The tool is noted for its robust integrations and responsive customer support, including dedicated account managers.
3. Comprehensive Monitoring and Management: Provides valuable insights and control over the entire network infrastructure, with features like remote desktop functionality and patch management.

Cons

• Complexity in Automation and Reporting: Some users find the automation features less intuitive and express a desire for more comprehensive reporting capabilities and script integrations (see Figure below).

Figure 5. User review on NinjaOne

Source: G2⁶

6- Site24x7 (ManageEngine)

Site24x7 is a cloud-based, all-in-one monitoring solution designed to ensure the availability and performance of websites, online applications, servers, and internet services.

Pros

1. Comprehensive Monitoring Solutions: Reviews consistently praise Site24x7 for its extensive range of monitoring options, providing a “one-stop shop” for various needs such as server monitoring, application performance, and real-time alerts. This wide array of features allows users to monitor diverse IT equipment and systems efficiently within a single platform.
2. Ease of Integration and Deployment: Users appreciate the platform’s ease of integration with existing infrastructure and the straightforward deployment process. The availability of necessary plugins out-of-the-box and compatibility with different IT equipment enhances the user experience by simplifying the setup.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Many reviews highlight the attractive price point of Site24x7, especially for smaller installations. Users feel that the service offers good value for money, allowing for extensive monitoring capabilities without a significant financial burden.

Cons

• Complexity and Documentation Issues: Some users find the platform overwhelming due to the sheer number of options available. The complexity is compounded by documentation that is sometimes lacking in clarity, particularly regarding manual configurations and advanced features. This can make it challenging for users to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities or customize it to their specific needs without additional guidance or support (see Figure below).
  

Source: G2⁷

7- Solarwinds NPM

Solarwinds NPM features SNMP monitoring, automatic device discovery, network packet analysis, and intelligent network maps.

Pros

1. User-Friendly Interface: The tool is commended for its intuitive UI, making it accessible even to less experienced engineers.
2. Comprehensive Monitoring Capabilities: Offers a wide range of functionalities including SLA, performance, ICMP, SNMP monitoring, config backup, and effective traffic graphs (see Figure below).

Figure 7. User review on Solarwinds NPM 

Source: Capterra⁸

3. Rich Feature Set: Known for its excellent event alerts and extensive out-of-the-box templates, especially for application monitoring.

Cons

• Cost and Complexity: The most common drawback noted is its high price point, along with the complexity and resource requirements for setup and integration, especially in initial stages.

What are the core features of a network monitoring software?

The core job of a network monitoring tool is to continuously observe a computer network for any issues such as slow or failing components, and to alert the network administrator (via email, SMS, or other alarms) in case of outages or other trouble. For this, there are 2 core features of a typical network monitoring tool:

1. Network Discovery: This feature involves the automatic identification and mapping of network devices and their interconnections. Network discovery helps administrators understand the layout of the network, including routers, switches, firewalls, and endpoints. This process is often the first step in network monitoring, as it provides a comprehensive view of the network’s architecture.
2. Network Traffic Monitoring: This feature involves the analysis of data packets flowing through the network. Traffic monitoring helps in understanding the performance of the network, identifying the types of traffic (e.g., email, web, video streaming), and pinpointing potential bottlenecks or unauthorized traffic. It’s crucial for ensuring optimal network performance and security.

All of the tools included in our list satisfy these 2 core criteria. After this, there are other optional yet important features, such as:

• Integration options: This refers to the ability of a network monitoring tool to connect and work with other systems, tools, or applications. It can include integrations with other network management tools, ticketing systems, alerting services, or even custom scripts. The goal is to streamline workflows and enhance the overall network management process by allowing data sharing and automation across different platforms.
• SNMP polling interval: The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) polling interval is the frequency at which a network monitoring tool queries devices on the network for status updates and performance metrics. Shorter intervals can provide more real-time data but may increase network and system load, while longer intervals reduce load but may delay detection of issues.
• Network topology mapping: This feature involves creating a visual diagram that shows the arrangement of and relationships between different network devices and connections. Network topology mapping helps administrators understand the physical and logical structure of the network, making it easier to identify where devices are located and how they’re interconnected, which is crucial for troubleshooting and network optimization.
• CPU monitoring: This feature involves tracking the usage and performance of the CPU on network devices. Monitoring CPU usage is important for identifying devices that are overworked or underperforming, which can lead to network slowdowns, bottlenecks, or failures. It helps in proactive management and capacity planning.
• Device access control: This feature refers to the ability to manage and control who can access and make changes to network devices. Besides monitoring, an intervention option to accept or deny devices is a plus for a network monitoring tool.

Another important capability of a network monitoring software is tracking key performance indicators. These include:

• Latency
• Bandwidth utilization
• Packet loss
• Jitter

Moreover, a vital feature to consider in a network monitoring software is performance-focused device monitoring. It uses a variety of techniques, including:

• SNMP alerts
• Event logs
• Syslog triggers
• Flow-based monitoring

This provides the best network device monitoring software for comprehensive network monitoring, including network performance monitoring software, free network monitoring software, and network monitoring solutions.

Finally, alert systems are crucial in guaranteeing the availability of network resources, including operating systems. They quickly detect issues related to hardware failures, software problems, and connectivity, thereby minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity.

Choosing the Right Network Monitoring Service

Choosing the right network monitoring software involves considering factors such as:

• Monitoring capabilities
• Scalability
• Flexibility
• Integration potential
• Overall usability

To ensure efficient operations, selecting network device monitoring software equipped with an intuitive, customized dashboard is vital. This includes features like network topology maps, status reports, and options for troubleshooting. The implementation process should be straightforward to avoid disruptions during setup. The service should also offer real-time, actionable reports for rapid issue resolution.

The productivity and security of the monitoring system are optimized through role-based access control. It delegates permissions according to the functions of users in the organization, ensuring only authorized personnel can make changes. Lastly, the choice between a free, open-source network monitoring software and a paid solution with extensive features will depend on the organization’s requirements. This decision should be based on the size and complexity of the network and the resources available for managing it.

FAQs

For more on network monitoring

• Network Performance Monitoring to Maximize Business Efficiency in 2024
• Top 5 Network Performance Monitoring Tools in 2024
• 10 Network Performance Best Practices to Improve Network Optimization
• 26 Network Performance Metrics to Measure Network Health in 2024

If you have questions or need help in finding vendors, feel free to reach out:

Transparency Statement: AIMultiple works with B2B tech vendors, including AKIPS. Vendors with links are among AIMultiple’s sponsors.

External Links

• 1. “Average Cost of Downtime per Industry – pingdom.com.” Pingdom, 9 January 2023. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 2. “AKIPS Pricing, Alternatives & More 2024.” Capterra. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 3. “Atera Pricing, Alternatives & More 2024.” Capterra. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 4. “Auvik Reviews 2024: Details, Pricing & Features.” G2. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 5. “Datadog Pricing, Alternatives & More 2024.” Capterra. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 6. “NinjaOne Reviews 2024: Details, Pricing & Features.” G2. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 7. “Site24x7 Reviews 2024: Details, Pricing & Features.” G2. Accessed 13 February 2024.
• 8. “Network Monitor Performance Pricing, Alternatives & More 2024.” Capterra. Accessed 13 February 2024.