In today’s fast-paced world, businesses continually look for new and innovative ways to improve their productivity. Using network monitoring software has proven to be an efficient way to do this.
Network monitoring software is valuable for finding solutions to many network problems, including outages, performance degradation, and security breaches.
With this software, you can keep track of your network’s performance, identify potential issues, and resolve them quickly.
Although network monitoring has always been necessary, as networks have become more complex and sophisticated, it has become even more essential.
This blog post will discuss seven of the best network monitoring tools and software available in 2022. We will provide a brief overview of each tool, including its features, pros, and cons, so you can decide which is right for your business.
1. DataDome
Source: DataDome
DataDome is a cutting-edge network monitoring tool that provides users with detailed insights into their network activity.
Utilizing the latest in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, DataDome is able to provide users with real-time visibility into their network traffic, including identifying and blocking suspicious activity.
In addition, DataDome’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to understand and interpret the data, meaning that users can quickly take action to protect their networks.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, DataDome is an essential tool for any organization looking to stay ahead of the curve. Thanks to its innovative approach, DataDome has quickly become the leading choice for network monitoring and security.
Pricing:
- Business: $2990/month billed yearly or $3890/month billed monthly.
- Corporate: $5990/month billed yearly or $7790/month billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact Datadome’s support for an inquiry.
Features
- DataDome features a real-time traffic monitor.
- It has excellent activity monitoring features.
- It offers vulnerability scanning and protection features.
- It has a web and mobile application firewall and an intrusion detection system.
- It has behavioral analytics features.
- It offers bot detection features.
- It provides comprehensive reporting and analysis tools.
- It offers a wide range of customization options.
Summary
DataDome is easy to set up and has an intuitive user face. It provides detailed insights into the behavior of visitors, so that website owners can better understand how they interact with their sites.
DataDome uses a proprietary algorithm to detect and block bot traffic in real-time. This ensures that only legitimate users can access your data and that all automated attacks are thwarted before they can do any damage.
It also provides comprehensive logs of all bot activity, showing exactly how and when your data was accessed or compromised. Additionally, DataDome offers prompt and helpful customer service.
Things to Watch out For
- The technical documentation doesn’t explain all the application functions, so you need to rely on the support team.
2. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
Source: SolarWinds
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a network management software that allows users to monitor, troubleshoot, and diagnose network issues.
It provides end-to-end visibility into your network and includes various features designed to make network monitoring easier.
With SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, you can see exactly what is happening on your network at all times and quickly identify and diagnose problems.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is an essential tool for any network administrator. It is easy to use, provides a wealth of information about your network, and allows you to monitor multiple networks from a single interface – making it ideal for large enterprises.
Pricing:
- Subscription: This is a license based on subscription. It starts at $1638.
- Perpetual: This is a one-time payment option. It starts at $2995.
Features
- It has a network discovery feature that automatically discovers all the devices on a network.
- It offers real-time monitoring of network performance.
- It provides detailed insights and analytics.
- It offers flexible reporting options on network traffic and utilization.
- It provides performance baselines for comparison over time.
- It has troubleshooting features for identifying and resolving network issues.
- It offers configurable alerts for identifying potential problems early.
- It is available in both on-premise and cloud-based versions.
Summary
One of the main advantages of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is that it offers comprehensive visibility into network activity, including traffic, routing, and applications. This means that administrators can see all the devices on the network and identify which ones are causing problems.
Additionally, it provides real-time alerts when problems occur. This allows administrators to take immediate action to fix the issue.
Solarwinds is also highly scalable and can be adapted to the needs of any size organization.
Things to Watch out For:
- It can be challenging to install and configure, especially for more extensive networks.
- It requires significant training to use all of its features effectively.
3. ManageEngine OpManager
Source: ManageEngine OpManager
ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive network management software that helps you monitor and troubleshoot your networking devices, servers, and applications.
It offers a real-time view of your network performance, supporting multiple protocols and devices.
The software also includes a robust set of tools for configuring and managing network devices and troubleshooting and diagnosing problems.
In addition, ManageEngine OpManager provides a web-based interface that makes it easy to access the software anywhere.
With its scalable architecture and modular design, ManageEngine OpManager can be easily customized to meet the specific needs of any organization.
Pricing:
- Standard: Starts at $245 for up to 10 devices.
- Professional: Starts at $345 for up to 10 devices.
- Enterprise: Starts at $11,545 for up to 250 devices.
Features
- It offers Network Health and VoIP Monitoring features.
- It provides performance monitoring features that allow you to monitor the performance of your network devices and identify any potential issues.
- It offers configuration management features that ensure your devices are properly configured.
- It has fault management features that help you identify and resolve any issues affecting your network.
- It offers security management features that help secure your network and prevent unauthorized access.
- It has asset management features that help you keep track of your network assets and maintain them properly.
- It has excellent troubleshooting features that troubleshoot any issues you may encounter across your networks.
Summary
What sets Opmanager apart is its ease of use. Even novice users will be able to navigate the software’s intuitive interface.
ManageEngine OpManager is designed to be highly configurable and scalable, making it an ideal solution for businesses with complex network infrastructure.
Opmanager also provides comprehensive monitoring and reporting capabilities, allowing companies to quickly identify and resolve performance issues.
In addition, Opmanager offers a wide range of integrations with third-party systems, making it easy to connect with other business applications.
Things to Watch out For:
- It can be challenging to set up for those who are unfamiliar with network management. However, once the setup is complete, it is easy to navigate.
4. Datadog Network Monitoring
Source: Datadog
Datadog Network Monitoring provides visibility into the health and performance of your network. It monitors network activity, data usage, performance, and network security.
Datadog Network Monitoring gathers data from all devices on your network, including routers, switches, and servers, to help you identify potential problems before they affect your business.
With detailed reports and real-time alerts, Datadog makes it easy to troubleshoot issues and keep your network running smoothly. In addition, Datadog’s intuitive web interface makes it easy to track your network’s performance over time.
Pricing:
- Pro: $15/month/host billed yearly or $18/month/host billed monthly.
- Enterprise: $23/month/host billed yearly or $27/month/host billed monthly.
Features
- It provides real-time traffic monitoring features.
- It provides insights and analysis features that track traffic patterns and identify anomalies.
- It offers robust reporting features that generate detailed reports on network usage and performance and show historical trends and performance data.
- It provides troubleshooting features for individual devices on your network.
- It offers collaboration tools that make it easy to communicate with other team members to resolve issues quickly.
- It has multiple network monitoring features.
- It provides customizable alerts that notify you of potential problems.
Summary
Datadog is easy to set up and use. It integrates with a wide range of other monitoring tools. This allows administrators to gain insights into the health and performance of their entire infrastructure, not just their networks.
Datadog is highly scalable and can be easily customized to fit the needs of any organization. It provides comprehensive reporting capabilities, so you can track your progress over time and identify areas for improvement.
Things to Watch out For:
- Datadog’s documentation is not comprehensive; hence you need to rely on the support team for clarity on the usage of certain features.
5. Auvik
Auvik is a powerful yet easy-to-use network monitoring solution. It gives visibility into every aspect of your network, from devices and traffic to performance and security.
By monitoring data flow and usage patterns, Auvik can identify potential security threats and performance bottlenecks.
Auvik is designed to grow with you, so you can add new features and functionality as your needs change.
With Auvik, you can quickly and easily see what’s happening on all your clients’ networks, identify and fix problems before they cause downtime, and automate mundane tasks so you can focus on your business.
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Auvik can help you maximize your network performance.
Pricing:
- Auvik’s pricing information is not available on its official website. Pricing information is based on request. However, it offers a 14-day free trial period.
Features
- Auvik provides a built-in traffic analyzer that provides users with information about bandwidth utilization, packet loss, and latency.
- It has autodiscovery features that automatically discover all devices on a network.
- It offers network mapping features that project networking diagrams visually.
- It provides real-time network performance monitoring.
- It has reporting features that allow users to generate custom reports on network usage and performance.
- It offers a flexible grouping option for easy management of devices.
- Auvik’s API enables users to integrate network data with third-party tools for even more comprehensive analysis and reporting.
- It provides granular control over network security settings.
Summary
Auvik offers the ability to see all network devices on a single dashboard. This saves time and allows for quick identification of problem areas.
Another beautiful thing about Auvik is the granular visibility into each device. This allows for quick troubleshooting and identification of potential issues.
Additionally, Auvik offers real-time alerts to notify users of problems as they happen. This prevents extensive network downtime and ensures that problems are resolved quickly.
Things to Watch out For:
- Auvik’s network mapping features need improvements.
- Also, the development of a mobile app version would be great.
6. PRTG Network Monitor
Source: Paessler
PRTG Network Monitor is a user-friendly network monitoring tool from Paessler. It’s designed to make it easy to monitor your network and comes with a wide range of features to make that possible.
PRTG can monitor your entire network, including LANs, WANs, and VPNs, and it can also monitor individual devices and services.
It gives you complete visibility into your network, including real-time traffic graphs, bandwidth, CPU usage, and detailed information on every device on your network.
The built-in mapper makes it easy to see how your devices are connected, and you can also create custom maps.
PRTG also includes a wide range of sensors that can be used to monitor different aspects of your network, and you can also create custom sensors.
With PRTG, you’ll always know what’s going on with your network, which means peace of mind for you and your users.
Pricing:
- PRTG 500: Perpetual license at $1,799/server license
- PRTG 1,000: Perpetual license at $3,399/server license
- PRTG 2,500: Perpetual license at $6,899/server license
- PRTG 5000: Perpetual license at $11,999/server license
- PRTG XL: Perpetual license at $15,999/server license
Features
- It offers real-time monitoring of network performance and activity.
- It provides instant alerts for potential problems.
- It offers configuration management features that ensure your devices are properly configured.
- It provides instant alerts for potential problems.
- It has a web-based interface for remote access and administration
- It provides detailed historical data for trend analysis and capacity planning.
- It has flexible reporting options for easy sharing of information.
Summary
PRTG is easy to set up and use, and it provides real-time insights into your network performance. With PRTG, you can monitor your network 24/7, and you can be alerted to problems as they happen.
Additionally, PRTG supports a wide range of devices and applications, making it a versatile tool for any size network.
PRTG also provides adequate customer support for users.
Things to Watch out For:
- Some users have complained that the setup interface is old and unintuitive.
7. LogicMonitor
Source: LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor is the leading SaaS-based performance monitoring platform for enterprise IT. It is a cloud-based data center monitoring platform that delivers powerful and easy-to-use capabilities for on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.
Delivering unparalleled insights into complex systems, LogicMonitor provides users with instant awareness of issues, end-to-end visibility into all aspects of their environment, and the ability to resolve problems before they impact business operations proactively.
With its agentless architecture and intuitive web interface, LogicMonitor is able to deliver world-class performance monitoring capabilities without the need for costly hardware or software investments.
In addition, the platform provides granular control over who has access to which data, ensuring that only authorized users can view sensitive information.
Pricing:
- LogicMonitor’s pricing information is not available on its official website. Pricing information is based on request. However, it offers a 14-day free trial period.
Features
- It offers real-time network performance monitoring.
- It provides customizable alerts that notify you of potential problems.
- It is available in both on-premise and cloud-based versions.
- It provides comprehensive reporting and analysis tools.
- It has excellent troubleshooting features that troubleshoot any issues you may encounter across your networks.
- It has asset management features that help you keep track of your network assets and maintain them properly.
- LogicMonitor also has an extensive API that allows you to integrate the platform with other tools in your IT stack.
Summary
LogicMonitor’s intelligent monitoring approach automatically detects and starts monitoring new devices on your network without requiring manual intervention. So you can be confident that your system is always up-to-date.
The software alerts system is reliable. Alerts are sent via SMS, email, or slack, depending on your preference.
Setting up Logic Monitor is pretty straightforward. It has an intuitive installation interface.
LogicMonitor offers a free 14-day trial, so you can try before you buy and see first-hand how it can benefit your business. There’s no obligation to purchase afterward either.
Things to Watch out For:
- Some users have complained about LogicMonitor’s mobile app. This may not be an issue for you if you don’t intend to access it from your mobile device.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Network Monitoring Software
There are many factors to consider when shopping for the best network monitoring software for your business. Below are some of the essential factors to keep in mind:
Priorities
What do you need the software to do? What features are most important to you? Answering these questions can help you narrow your choices and find the best software for your needs.
Do you need the software to monitor multiple networks? If so, look for software that can monitor multiple networks simultaneously. This can be especially important if you have an extensive network or if you manage multiple networks.
What kind of alarms do you need? Some network monitoring software can generate alarms when it detects a problem. This can be helpful if you need to be alerted immediately when something goes wrong. Other software can send email or text alerts, which can be beneficial if you don’t need to be alerted right away but still want to know about problems as soon as possible.
What kind of reporting do you need? Some network monitoring software can generate reports that show you what is happening on your network. This can be helpful if you need to troubleshoot problems or keep track of network activity. Other software may not have this feature, which may not be an issue if you don’t need it.
Ease of Use
Perhaps the most important factor is usability. The software should be easy to use and understand, even for employees with limited IT experience.
If the software is difficult to use, it will be more difficult for IT staff to troubleshoot problems and provide support.
Intuitive design, clear instructions, and robust customer support contribute to usability. When evaluating different options, be sure to consider these factors to choose the most user-friendly option.
Price
This is often one of the most important factors to consider when choosing any software, and network monitoring software is no exception.
A number of factors can affect the price of a network monitoring tool, including the features included and the size of the network that will be monitored.
However, it is important to remember that the cheapest option is only sometimes the best option. To find the best value for your money, you should compare prices and features from several vendors.
Scalability
The software of your choice should also be able to scale as your business grows so that you can continue to monitor your network effectively.
Some solutions are designed for small networks and lack the features and capacity to handle more extensive networks effectively. Others may offer some scalability but come with a hefty price tag.
When choosing network monitoring software, it’s essential to consider your future needs and select a solution that can grow with your business.
Customization
This is another important consideration; the software should be able to adapt to the specific needs of your business.
The ability to tailor the software to your specific needs can significantly affect its effectiveness.
For example, you may want to set up different alerts for different events. Or you may want to customize the reports generated by the software.
Either way, the software’s ability to tailor to your specific needs can be a valuable asset.
Support
Another factor to consider is the level of support available from the software vendor. You need to be sure that someone will be available to help you if you experience any problems.
A sound network monitoring system will have a team of dedicated support staff who are available 24/7 to help resolve any issues that may arise.
This is important because network downtime can cost a business dearly in terms of lost productivity and revenue.
Integration
When it comes to network monitoring software, integration is an essential factor to consider.
Integrating with other systems and platforms can provide many benefits, including improved visibility, increased efficiency, and enhanced security.
By integrating with other systems, network monitoring software can provide a complete picture of the network, making it easier to identify and resolve issues.
In addition, integration can help to automate tasks and processes, saving time and improving efficiency.
Finally, integration can help to bolster security by providing insights into potential vulnerabilities and threats.
Conclusion
Today’s businesses depend on their networks for various critical functions, such as communication, file sharing, and customer relationship management.
If a network goes down, it can have a devastating impact on operations. That’s why it’s essential to have a tool that can monitor the health of your network and identify potential problems before they cause an outage.
DataDome is our top choice network monitoring software due to its ease of use, comprehensive reporting options, and utilization of AI and Machine Learning.
