Find the Best Network Monitoring Software for Free: Top 10 Tools in 2021

Introduction

Greetings, tech enthusiasts! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best network monitoring software that you can use for free. In today’s world, network management is crucial for businesses of all sizes, and it requires the right tools to ensure the network runs smoothly. However, with so many options out there, it can be challenging to find the right one that fits your specific needs. Fortunately, we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the top 10 network monitoring software that you can use for free. Read on to learn more!

Why Network Monitoring is Essential

In today’s digital age, networks have become the backbone of any organization’s infrastructure. As such, they need to be managed and monitored effectively to ensure optimal performance, availability, and security. Network monitoring software plays a vital role in this regard by providing real-time visibility into your network, detecting any issues or anomalies, and alerting you before they become a bigger problem. By proactively monitoring your network, you can reduce downtime, improve productivity, and enhance security.

How We Selected the Top 10 Best Network Monitoring Software

We conducted extensive research, including analyzing customer reviews, features, and functionalities, to come up with our list of the top 10 best network monitoring software. We’ve also taken into account the following criteria:

Criteria	Description
Features	Functionality, scalability, and compatibility with various platforms and devices.
User Interface	User-friendly interface, customization options, and ease of use.
Cost	Cost-effectiveness and value for money.
Support	Availability of customer support, documentation, and training resources.

What to Look for in a Network Monitoring Software

Before we dive into our top 10 picks, it’s crucial to know what to look for in a network monitoring software:

• Scalability: Ensure that the software can scale with your organization’s growth.
• Compatibility: Ensure that the software can integrate with your existing infrastructure and support various platforms and devices.
• Customization: Look for software that offers customization options and allows you to tailor it to your specific needs.
• Real-time monitoring: Look for software that offers real-time monitoring capabilities and alerts you to any issues proactively.
• Reporting: Look for software that offers detailed reporting and analytics capabilities to track network performance and identify trends over time.

Best Network Monitoring Software Free

1. PRTG Network Monitor

Features: PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various network devices and protocols. It includes over 200 pre-configured sensors for various infrastructure components and offers customizable dashboards and reports.

User Interface: PRTG Network Monitor has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: PRTG Network Monitor offers a free version that supports 100 sensors, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. However, if you need more sensors, you’ll need to upgrade to one of their paid plans.

Support: PRTG Network Monitor offers extensive documentation, a knowledge base, and various support options, including phone, email, and live chat support.

2. Nagios Core

Features: Nagios Core is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It’s highly customizable and supports a wide range of plugins and addons.

User Interface: Nagios Core has a web-based interface that’s not as user-friendly as some other options. However, it’s highly customizable, and you can tailor it to your specific needs.

Cost: Nagios Core is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: Nagios Core offers extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum, but no official customer support channels.

3. Zabbix

Features: Zabbix is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a robust set of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: Zabbix has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: Zabbix is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: Zabbix offers extensive documentation, a knowledge base, and various support options, including phone, email, and live chat support for their paid plans.

4. LibreNMS

Features: LibreNMS is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a robust set of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: LibreNMS has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: LibreNMS is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: LibreNMS offers extensive documentation, a knowledge base, and a community-driven support forum.

5. Observium Community

Features: Observium Community is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a wide range of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: Observium Community has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: Observium Community is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: Observium Community offers extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum.

6. Icinga

Features: Icinga is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a wide range of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: Icinga has a web-based interface that’s not as user-friendly as some other options. However, it’s highly customizable, and you can tailor it to your specific needs.

Cost: Icinga is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: Icinga offers extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum.

7. Cacti

Features: Cacti is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a comprehensive set of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: Cacti has a web-based interface that’s user-friendly and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: Cacti is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: Cacti offers extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum.

8. PANDORA FMS

Features: PANDORA FMS is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a wide range of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: PANDORA FMS has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: PANDORA FMS offers a free version that supports up to 100 devices, making it suitable for small businesses. However, if you need more devices, you’ll need to upgrade to one of their paid plans.

Support: PANDORA FMS offers extensive documentation, a knowledge base, and various support options, including phone, email, and live chat support for their paid plans.

9. NetXMS

Features: NetXMS is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a wide range of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: NetXMS has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: NetXMS is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: NetXMS offers extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum.

10. Zenoss Core

Features: Zenoss Core is an open-source network monitoring software that offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and reporting for various infrastructure components. It includes a wide range of features and supports a wide range of plugins and integrations.

User Interface: Zenoss Core has a web-based interface that’s user-friendly and offers customization options to tailor it to your needs.

Cost: Zenoss Core is entirely free and open-source, making it an excellent option for small businesses and hobbyists.

Support: Zenoss Core offers extensive documentation and a community-driven support forum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is network monitoring software?

Network monitoring software is a tool that allows you to monitor your computer network for performance, security, and other issues in real-time. It can help you identify and troubleshoot any problems before they become more significant issues.

2. What is the difference between free and paid network monitoring software?

Free network monitoring software usually has fewer features and is limited in terms of the number of devices it can monitor, while paid software offers more comprehensive features and can monitor more devices.

3. How do you choose the right network monitoring software for your needs?

When choosing network monitoring software, look for features such as scalability, compatibility, customization, real-time monitoring, and reporting. Also, consider your budget and support options.

4. Can network monitoring software help with network security?

Yes, network monitoring software can help with network security by monitoring your network for suspicious activities, detecting and alerting you to any security breaches, and providing data for reporting and analysis.

5. Can network monitoring software be used for home networks?

Yes, network monitoring software can be used for home networks, especially if you have multiple devices that need to be monitored. However, most free network monitoring software is designed for enterprise-level networks.

6. What are some common network monitoring metrics?

Common network monitoring metrics include network uptime, bandwidth usage, packet loss, latency, and responsiveness.

7. Can network monitoring software detect software problems?

Yes, network monitoring software can detect software problems by monitoring system logs, application performance, and other metrics that indicate issues with software components.

8. How often should you monitor your network?

You should monitor your network regularly, ideally in real-time. However, the frequency of monitoring depends on the size of your network and the complexity of your infrastructure.

9. Can network monitoring software help with compliance?

Yes, network monitoring software can help with compliance by identifying and analyzing data related to network security, user behavior, and other metrics that affect regulatory compliance.

10. What are some network monitoring best practices?

Network monitoring best practices include monitoring your network proactively, keeping track of metrics and trends, setting up alerts and notifications, and staying up-to-date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities.

11. Can network monitoring software be used for cloud-based networks?

Yes, network monitoring software can be used for cloud-based networks, although you may need to choose software that supports cloud-based infrastructure and protocols.

12. Can network monitoring software be used for mobile devices?

Yes, some network monitoring software can be used for mobile devices, although you may need to choose software that supports mobile platforms and protocols.

13. How does network monitoring software help with troubleshooting?

Network monitoring software can help with troubleshooting by providing real-time data on network performance, identifying issues and anomalies, and providing insights into potential causes of problems.

Conclusion

There you have it – our comprehensive guide on the best network monitoring software that you can use for free. Network monitoring is essential for businesses of all sizes, and having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. Our list of top 10 picks includes a range of open-source and free options that offer various features and functionalities to suit your specific needs. Remember to consider factors like scalability, compatibility, customization, real-time monitoring, and reporting when choosing the right software for your needs. We hope this guide has been helpful, and we encourage you to take action and start monitoring your network today!

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. The authors and publishers of this article are not liable for any damages or losses caused by the use of this information. Always consult a professional before making any decisions related to network monitoring software.