As organizations increasingly rely on cloud technology and distributed systems, network monitoring and management have become more critical than ever before. Faulty networks can lead to reputation damage and revenue loss. Therefore, choosing the right network monitoring solution is a top priority for IT teams.
In this blog post, we will compare two popular network monitoring solutions- SolarWinds and Paessler- for small to mid-size networks. We will provide an unbiased review of their features, pricing, and customer support.
Features
SolarWinds provides a wide range of network management solutions, including Network Performance Monitor (NPM), Network Configuration Manager (NCM), and NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA).
Paessler's flagship product- PRTG Network Monitor- offers a similar range of features that include network performance monitoring, device configuration management, and bandwidth monitoring.
Both solutions come with customizable dashboards, alerts, and detailed reporting capabilities. However, SolarWinds provides more robust features for deep network performance analysis and troubleshooting, including packet-level analysis and network topology mapping. Paessler, on the other hand, offers easy-to-use setup wizards and a more straightforward user interface.
Pricing
SolarWinds pricing varies depending on the number of nodes (devices) you want to monitor. For example, the NPM solution starts at $2,995 for 100 nodes and can go up to $17,995 for 500 nodes.
Paessler, however, offers a freemium pricing model. With PRTG, you can monitor up to 100 sensors (a sensor is a device or protocol that you want to monitor) for free, forever. Paessler's pricing is based on the number of sensors you want to monitor and can range from $1,600 for 500 sensors to $14,500 for unlimited sensors.
Customer Support
While both SolarWinds and Paessler offer comprehensive online resources and user communities, SolarWinds stands out when it comes to support.
SolarWinds offers 24/7 technical support via phone, email, and online chat, and has won industry awards for its customer service. Moreover, they provide in-person training, webinars, and regional user groups to help their customers get the most out of their products.
Paessler, on the other hand, provides email support and online documentation for their free and paid users. They also offer a 30-day free trial for their paid plans.
Conclusion
Both SolarWinds and Paessler offer excellent network monitoring solutions with a similar range of features. However, choosing the right one depends on your organization's specific needs, budget, and technical expertise.
If you're looking for deep network performance analysis and troubleshooting capabilities and have a higher budget, SolarWinds is the way to go. If you're looking for an affordable free solution that's easy to use and understand, with flexible pricing tiers, then PRTG Network Monitor is the way to go.
References:
- SolarWinds. (2021). SolarWinds Network Management Software. https://www.solarwinds.com/network-management-software
- Paessler AG. (2021). PRTG Network Monitor. https://www.paessler.com/prtg