When it comes to network monitoring, the needs of a large enterprise are dramatically different than those of a small business. Mistakes in this domain have ripple effects that can create huge costs and long-term consequences for a company’s bottom line. Enterprises need the assurance that their network monitoring solutions will integrate well with their infrastructure and stand the test of time. If your enterprise is looking for an upgrade or complete overhaul in network monitoring, look no further than some of the top picks we’ve selected below.
Top Seven Best Enterprise Network Monitoring Software Solutions
- SolarWinds– Best Overall Network Monitoring
- WhatsUp Gold– Best for Easy Set Up
- NinjaOne– Best for Remote Network Monitoring
- LogicMonitor– Best for Integrations
- Zabbix– Best Open-Source Network Monitoring Solution
- PRTG – Best for Large Enterprises
- Pandora FMS– Best for Flexibility
1. SolarWinds – Best Overall Network Monitoring
PRICING: Subscriptions start at $1,638 billed on an annual basis in one, three, or five-year terms. License-based model also available for purchase.
SolarWinds is one of the biggest players in the game for network monitoring services, with features especially suited for large enterprises. Many of their clients are Fortune 500 companies, and although they suffered a hack a few years ago that cost them some customer loyalty, they quickly returned to dominance and remain a trusted name in the industry.
KEY FEATURES:
- Network monitoring for multiple vendors
- PerfStack IT data analysis and visual traceroot tool with NetPath
- On-premise and remote monitoring services
REASONS TO BUY:
- Can customize Wi-Fi heat maps according to your use case
- Free trial
- NetPath cloud server monitoring
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Access to the entire SolarWinds ecosystem is expensive
- Some services like network traffic require additional license purchase
2. WhatsUp Gold– Best for Easy Set Up
PRICING: Premium or Total Plus tiers offered either on a perpetual or annual subscription basis, starting at $2,740 for 25 devices.
WhatsUp Gold is revered in the industry for the simple setup process to new environments and their product experienced a surge in business when companies were looking for emergency alternatives during the SolarWinds hack. With its simple software, WhatsUp Gold earns rave reviews from large companies pleased with the product’s monitoring performance and features.
KEY FEATURES:
- Free version available up to 20 points
- New integration with Progress Floman combines monitoring with traffic analysis and threat detection in a single dashboard
- Configuration monitoring
REASONS TO BUY:
- Free trial
- Automatic, seamless upgrades to the latest system technology
REASONS TO AVOID:
- One of the more expensive options, especially for medium enterprises, due to limited number of licensing tiers
- Mobile app is rudimentary
3. NinjaOne – Best for Remote Network Monitoring
PRICING: Fully custom pricing model based on a monthly per-device subscription structure. Requesting a quote is required.
NinjaOne’s network monitoring software is well suited to both small and large small enterprises with its cutting edge RMM (remote monitoring and management) tools offering best-in-class monitoring no matter where your IT team is located.
KEY FEATURES:
- Multiplatform endpoint and patch management
- IT automation for variety of tasks
REASONS TO BUY:
- Free trial
- Simple and intuitive web interface
- Expansive functionalities are great for large IT teams to explore and utilize
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Apple and Android devices not supported
- Limited antivirus integrations
4. LogicMonitor– Best for Integrations
PRICING: Device-based license model with two tiers: Pro (for up to 199 devices) and Enterprise (200+ devices). Quote request required.
LogicMonitor is another big name in the network monitoring world, offering extensive services for both medium and large enterprises. They offer some of the best flexibility in the industry, with integration with some of the most helpful third-party players to make it easy for your enterprise to achieve targeted results.
KEY FEATURES:
- Fully automated hybrid infrastructure offering both on-premise and cloud-based monitoring (Google, AWS, Azure)
- Container, network, server, storage, configuration, and database monitoring
REASONS TO BUY:
- Numerous third-party integrations with over 2,000 preconfigured solutions for easy customization based on use case
- Free trial
- Offers on-site or remote training for teams to get up to speed with the product
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Complex user interface can be confusing for some users
5. Zabbix– Best Open Source Network Monitoring Solution
PRICING: Free. If used commercially, they request purchase of a commercial license of any kind, starting at $1,600 per year.
Zabbix stands out from the crowd by allowing its technology to be used for free by any user with their easily downloadable source code available directly from their website. Although commercial enterprises are asked to support the business with a paid license, many will find the price well worth the freedom to customize your own code and avoid locked in commitment.
KEY FEATURES:
- Ability to define thresholds for problem monitoring
- Hybrid infrastructure for both on-premise and cloud monitoring
- Training courses and support available for purchase
REASONS TO BUY:
- Diverse data visualization displays
- Deployment can happen in as few as five minutes
- Unlimited device monitoring
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Steep learning curve due to expansive functionalities and options
6. PRTG Enterprise Monitor– Best for Large Enterprises
PRICING: Starts at $16,600 subscription for one year
Paessler’s PRTG Enterprise Monitor is a software solution specifically designed for large IT environments with more than 1,000 devices. PRTG wins points with companies looking for an all-in-one solution that they can count on to keep their systems under control.
KEY FEATURES:
- ITOps Board offers dashboards to monitor systems across multiple servers within your enterprise
- Supports audits with a single source of information
- 250 preconfigured sensors for customizable integrations
- Includes all features of the standard network monitoring product as well
REASONS TO BUY:
- No maintenance costs
- Strong in-house support teams available across the world
- Can monitor systems, traffic and devices in the thousands across locations in a single solution
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Complicated user interface can present a steep learning curve
7. Pandora FMS Enterprise– Best for Flexibility
PRICING: Free version is available. Licenses for enterprises require a quote starting at 100 agents
Pandora FMS Enterprise finishes off the list as a strong contender for enterprises seeking reliable and flexible network monitoring. With their MaaS (monitoring as a service) model, businesses have the ability to select from seemingly countless features to build the ideal monitoring system for their needs. This all-in-one-solution is capturing the attention of large enterprises across the globe.
KEY FEATURES:
- Monitoring of mainframe, IoT, servers as well as synthetic and service-oriented monitoring
- Remote access monitoring
- Technical consulting services available as part of license
- Hybrid monitoring for on-premise or cloud
REASONS TO BUY:
- Free trial
- 24/7 support available
- Unlimited upgrades to plugins within enterprise library
- Highly scalable
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Setup fee required
- Slow learning curve, especially if switching from another system
References and Links
- https://www.solarwinds.com/network-performance-monitor/use-cases
- https://www.whatsupgold.com/flowmon
- https://www.getapp.com/it-management-software/a/whatsup-gold/reviews/
- https://technologyadvice.com/products/ninjaone-reviews/
- https://www.logicmonitor.com/lm-difference
- https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/network-performance-monitoring/vendor/logicmonitor/product/logicmonitor
- https://www.zabbix.com/download
- https://www.paessler.com/prtg-enterprise-monitor/pricing
- https://pandorafms.com/en/prices/