Last updated: November 13, 2026
PRTG and Auvik are the top network monitoring tools for small and mid-size IT teams in 2027, SolarWinds NPM and LogicMonitor lead in larger environments, and Zabbix is the best free open-source option. Datadog Network Monitoring suits cloud-heavy teams already on Datadog.
Good network monitoring finds problems before users notice them. Auto-discovery, sensible alerts and clear topology maps matter more than an endless list of sensors.
Network Monitoring Software To Use In 2027
| Software | Best For | Core Strength | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRTG Network Monitor | SMB and mid-size IT teams | Sensor-based all-in-one monitoring | Network monitoring |
| Auvik | MSPs and lean IT teams | Automatic discovery and live maps | Cloud network monitoring |
| SolarWinds NPM | Large enterprise networks | Deep performance analysis | Network monitoring |
| LogicMonitor | Hybrid infrastructure | SaaS monitoring with AI alerting | Hybrid observability |
| Zabbix | Self-hosted, free monitoring | Open source with templates | Open-source monitoring |
| Datadog Network Monitoring | Cloud-heavy teams on Datadog | Network data beside app metrics | Observability add-on |
| ManageEngine OpManager | Value-focused IT departments | Broad coverage at a fair price | Network monitoring |
| Checkmk | Large-scale self-hosted monitoring | Fast automatic discovery | Infrastructure monitoring |
How We Scored
We scored software on device discovery, SNMP and flow support, topology mapping, alert quality, cloud and hybrid coverage, MSP features and price.
The Top Network Monitoring Software
1. PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG monitors devices, traffic and applications through configurable sensors with clear dashboards.
A free tier covers small networks.
Best for: SMB and mid-size IT teams. Core strength: Sensor-based all-in-one monitoring.
2. Auvik
Auvik discovers devices automatically and keeps live topology maps and config backups.
MSPs value its multi-tenant design.
Best for: MSPs and lean IT teams. Core strength: Automatic discovery and live maps.
3. SolarWinds NPM
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor offers detailed path analysis and alerting at scale.
It fits large, complex networks.
Best for: Large enterprise networks. Core strength: Deep performance analysis.
4. LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor covers networks, servers and cloud with agentless collection and AI-assisted alerting.
It suits hybrid enterprises and MSPs.
Best for: Hybrid infrastructure. Core strength: SaaS monitoring with AI alerting.
5. Zabbix
Zabbix monitors networks and servers free of charge with a large template library.
Enterprise support is available.
Best for: Self-hosted, free monitoring. Core strength: Open source with templates.
6. Datadog Network Monitoring
Datadog adds device and cloud network monitoring next to APM and logs.
Teams see network issues in application context.
Best for: Cloud-heavy teams on Datadog. Core strength: Network data beside app metrics.
7. ManageEngine OpManager
OpManager monitors routers, switches, servers and virtualization with workflows and reports.
It offers enterprise features for less.
Best for: Value-focused IT departments. Core strength: Broad coverage at a fair price.
8. Checkmk
Checkmk scales to large environments with rule-based configuration and auto-discovery.
Free and commercial editions are available.
Best for: Large-scale self-hosted monitoring. Core strength: Fast automatic discovery.
Tune Alerts Before You Add Sensors
Alert fatigue causes real outages to be missed. Start with a short list of critical devices and thresholds, then expand once alerts are trusted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best network monitoring tool?
PRTG and Auvik are best for SMBs, SolarWinds NPM and LogicMonitor for enterprises.
Is there a free option?
Zabbix and Checkmk Raw are free, and PRTG has a free tier for small networks.
What should MSPs use?
Auvik and LogicMonitor are built for multi-tenant MSP use.
Conclusion
Choose PRTG or Auvik for lean teams, SolarWinds NPM or LogicMonitor at scale and Zabbix for a free self-hosted option.
