In today’s hybrid and distributed IT environments, ensuring high network uptime, low latency, and rapid issue resolution is crucial for business continuity. Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) tools have evolved to provide deep visibility into network health, application performance, bandwidth usage, and security bottlenecks.
Whether you’re managing on-premises data centers, hybrid cloud architectures, or remote networks, choosing the right network monitoring software can drastically improve your operational efficiency and reduce downtime.
In this post, we rank the Top 10 Network Performance Monitoring Tools for IT Teams in 2025, focusing on pricing models, licensing options, feature comparisons, and platform integrations—using insights from G2, Gartner, and other trusted sources.
What are Network Performance Monitoring Tools?
Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) tools are software solutions that continuously track and analyze various aspects of a network to ensure optimal performance and availability. These tools gather data from device metrics, network flow data, and packet captures to identify and proactively address performance issues.
How NPM Tools Work:
Data Collection:
NPM tools gather data from various sources, including device metrics (SNMP, WMI), network flow data (NetFlow, IPFIX), and packet data.
Analysis and Reporting:
They analyze the collected data to identify trends, anomalies, and potential performance bottlenecks.
Visualization:
NPM tools often provide dashboards and visualizations to help network administrators quickly understand the network's performance and identify areas of concern.
Alerting and Troubleshooting:
They can generate alerts when performance issues are detected and provide troubleshooting tools to help diagnose and resolve problems.
Key Features of NPM Tools:
Real-time Monitoring:
NPM tools provide real-time visibility into network performance, allowing administrators to identify and respond to issues quickly.
Comprehensive Coverage:
They can monitor various aspects of the network, including device health, traffic flow, bandwidth utilization, and application performance.
Proactive Issue Detection:
By continuously monitoring the network, NPM tools can help prevent issues from escalating into major problems.
Performance Optimization:
NPM tools provide insights into network performance, allowing administrators to optimize network resources and improve overall performance.
Root Cause Analysis:
They can help identify the root cause of network issues, making resolving problems easier and preventing them from recurring.
Benefits of Using NPM Tools:
Improved Network Performance:
NPM tools can improve network performance and reduce downtime by identifying and addressing performance issues.
Increased Network Availability:
Proactive monitoring and troubleshooting can help ensure high network availability, reducing the impact of outages on end users.
Reduced Troubleshooting Time:
NPM tools can help identify and resolve network issues more quickly, reducing the time spent troubleshooting and improving IT efficiency.
Enhanced Security:
By monitoring network traffic, NPM tools can help detect and prevent security threats, such as malware or malicious activity.
Better Resource Planning:
NPM tools can provide insights into network resource utilization, helping organizations plan for future needs and optimize resource allocation.
Criteria for Selection
We assessed each tool based on the following:
1. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds NPM Pricing: Starts at $1,638/year
SolarWinds Licensing Options: Node-based licensing
Best For: Enterprise network teams
Key Focus: SNMP-based monitoring, NetPath, PerfStack analytics
G2 Score: 4.3★
✅ Pros: Scalable and customizable
⚠️ Cons: On-premise setup requires infrastructure
Screenshot:
2. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG Pricing: Free up to 100 sensors; pay starts at $1,799/year
PRTG Licensing Options: Sensor-based (up to unlimited)
Best For: SMBs and mid-sized enterprises
Key Focus: All-in-one monitoring (networks, servers, apps)
G2 Score: 4.5★
✅ Pros: Easy setup, detailed dashboard
⚠️ Cons: UI can feel dated for advanced users
Screenshot:
3. ManageEngine OpManager
OpManager Pricing: Starts around $245 for 10 devices
OpManager Licensing Options: Device-based
Best For: IT teams in regulated industries
Key Focus: Layer 2 maps, VoIP monitoring, firewall log analysis
G2 Score: 4.5★
✅ Pros: Budget-friendly, rich features
⚠️ Cons: Learning curve for custom configs
Screenshot:
4. ThousandEyes (Cisco)
ThousandEyes Pricing: Quote-based enterprise plans
ThousandEyes Licensing Options: Unit-based (tests, endpoints)
Best For: Cloud-first organizations
Key Focus: WAN, SaaS, SD-WAN visibility
Gartner Rating: Leader in NPMD
✅ Pros: Global cloud vantage points
⚠️ Cons: Requires investment for full potential
Screenshot:
5. LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor Pricing: Quote-based (tiered per device or metric)
LogicMonitor Licensing Options: Enterprise SaaS subscription
Best For: MSPs and fast-scaling IT orgs
Key Focus: AIOps-driven alerts, hybrid infra monitoring
G2 Score: 4.6★
✅ Pros: Great support, modern UI
⚠️ Cons: Complex billing structure
Screenshot:
6. Datadog Network Monitoring
Datadog Pricing: Starts at $5 per host/month
Datadog Licensing Options: Module-based (NPM, infra, logs)
Best For: DevOps and cloud-native teams
Key Focus: Real-time network flows, cloud visibility
G2 Score: 4.5★
✅ Pros: Seamless integration with cloud stacks
⚠️ Cons: Costs add up across modules
Screenshot:
7. Nagios XI
Nagios XI Pricing: Starts at $1,995 (standard edition)
Nagios Licensing Options: Per-Node perpetual or subscription
Best For: Traditional IT teams & Linux admins
Key Focus: Custom plugin support, alerting
G2 Score: 4.1★
✅ Pros: Highly customizable
⚠️ Cons: Requires hands-on Linux skills
Screenshot:
8. WhatsUp Gold by Progress
WhatsUp Gold Pricing: Starts around $2,740/year
WhatsUp Gold Licensing Options: Device-based
Best For: Windows-heavy IT environments
Key Focus: Network discovery, bandwidth monitoring
G2 Score: 4.3★
✅ Pros: Easy installation, SNMP support
⚠️ Cons: Limited for large-scale cloud ops
Screenshot:
9. Zabbix
Zabbix Pricing: Open-source; commercial support available
Zabbix Licensing Options: Free (GPLv2) or enterprise support
Best For: Open-source enthusiasts and DevOps teams
Key Focus: Distributed monitoring, scalability
G2 Score: 4.3★
✅ Pros: Free and highly customizable
⚠️ Cons: Steeper learning curve, DIY setup
Screenshot:
10. Site24x7 Network Monitoring
Site24x7 Pricing: Starts at $9/month (Basic), scalable plans
Site24x7 Licensing Options: Per monitor/device
Best For: Remote teams, multi-location monitoring
Key Focus: Cloud-based NPM with mobile alerts
G2 Score: 4.4★
✅ Pros: Affordable, multi-tenant support
⚠️ Cons: Advanced features locked behind higher tiers
Screenshot:
What is a network monitoring tool?
Network monitoring systems include software and hardware tools that track various aspects of a network and its operation, such as traffic, bandwidth utilization, and uptime.
What is a performance monitoring tool?
A Performance Monitor is crucial in proactive system maintenance, continuously tracking system metrics like CPU usage, memory use, and disk activity. This real-time data helps you find potential issues before they escalate into serious problems.
What does npm mean in networking?
An NPM or network performance monitoring solution is a term used to describe the process of monitoring, measuring, adjusting, troubleshooting, and analyzing the quality of network performance. The terms network performance monitoring and network performance management are often used interchangeably.
How do I use the network monitor tool?
Run Netmon in an elevated status by choosing Run as Administrator. Network Monitor opens with all network adapters displayed. Select the network adapters where you want to capture traffic, select New Capture, and then select Start. Reproduce the issue, and you'll see that the Network Monitor grabs the packets on the wire.
How many types of network monitoring are there?
Network monitoring tools generally fall into four categories: performance monitoring, availability monitoring, traffic & bandwidth modeling, and security modeling. Cloud infrastructure modeling is often called out separately, but many tools today can monitor both on-prem and cloud environments.
How does a monitoring tool work?
Monitoring software leverages agents or agentless technologies to gather data from network devices, servers, and applications. This data is then processed and displayed on centralized dashboards, giving administrators a comprehensive view of their infrastructure.
With remote work, multi-cloud deployments, and growing attack surfaces, IT teams need:
Failing to monitor network health results in downtime, lost productivity, and security vulnerabilities. These tools help avoid just that.
While these tools offer deep network visibility, most enterprises struggle with SaaS sprawl and license bloat. Enter CloudNuro.ai — a Gartner-recognized SaaS Management Platform (SMP) that enables:
🎯 Book a Demo and gain unified visibility across networks and SaaS ecosystems.
Request a no cost, no obligation free assessment —just 15 minutes to savings!
Get StartedIn today’s hybrid and distributed IT environments, ensuring high network uptime, low latency, and rapid issue resolution is crucial for business continuity. Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) tools have evolved to provide deep visibility into network health, application performance, bandwidth usage, and security bottlenecks.
Whether you’re managing on-premises data centers, hybrid cloud architectures, or remote networks, choosing the right network monitoring software can drastically improve your operational efficiency and reduce downtime.
In this post, we rank the Top 10 Network Performance Monitoring Tools for IT Teams in 2025, focusing on pricing models, licensing options, feature comparisons, and platform integrations—using insights from G2, Gartner, and other trusted sources.
What are Network Performance Monitoring Tools?
Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) tools are software solutions that continuously track and analyze various aspects of a network to ensure optimal performance and availability. These tools gather data from device metrics, network flow data, and packet captures to identify and proactively address performance issues.
How NPM Tools Work:
Data Collection:
NPM tools gather data from various sources, including device metrics (SNMP, WMI), network flow data (NetFlow, IPFIX), and packet data.
Analysis and Reporting:
They analyze the collected data to identify trends, anomalies, and potential performance bottlenecks.
Visualization:
NPM tools often provide dashboards and visualizations to help network administrators quickly understand the network's performance and identify areas of concern.
Alerting and Troubleshooting:
They can generate alerts when performance issues are detected and provide troubleshooting tools to help diagnose and resolve problems.
Key Features of NPM Tools:
Real-time Monitoring:
NPM tools provide real-time visibility into network performance, allowing administrators to identify and respond to issues quickly.
Comprehensive Coverage:
They can monitor various aspects of the network, including device health, traffic flow, bandwidth utilization, and application performance.
Proactive Issue Detection:
By continuously monitoring the network, NPM tools can help prevent issues from escalating into major problems.
Performance Optimization:
NPM tools provide insights into network performance, allowing administrators to optimize network resources and improve overall performance.
Root Cause Analysis:
They can help identify the root cause of network issues, making resolving problems easier and preventing them from recurring.
Benefits of Using NPM Tools:
Improved Network Performance:
NPM tools can improve network performance and reduce downtime by identifying and addressing performance issues.
Increased Network Availability:
Proactive monitoring and troubleshooting can help ensure high network availability, reducing the impact of outages on end users.
Reduced Troubleshooting Time:
NPM tools can help identify and resolve network issues more quickly, reducing the time spent troubleshooting and improving IT efficiency.
Enhanced Security:
By monitoring network traffic, NPM tools can help detect and prevent security threats, such as malware or malicious activity.
Better Resource Planning:
NPM tools can provide insights into network resource utilization, helping organizations plan for future needs and optimize resource allocation.
Criteria for Selection
We assessed each tool based on the following:
1. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds NPM Pricing: Starts at $1,638/year
SolarWinds Licensing Options: Node-based licensing
Best For: Enterprise network teams
Key Focus: SNMP-based monitoring, NetPath, PerfStack analytics
G2 Score: 4.3★
✅ Pros: Scalable and customizable
⚠️ Cons: On-premise setup requires infrastructure
Screenshot:
2. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG Pricing: Free up to 100 sensors; pay starts at $1,799/year
PRTG Licensing Options: Sensor-based (up to unlimited)
Best For: SMBs and mid-sized enterprises
Key Focus: All-in-one monitoring (networks, servers, apps)
G2 Score: 4.5★
✅ Pros: Easy setup, detailed dashboard
⚠️ Cons: UI can feel dated for advanced users
Screenshot:
3. ManageEngine OpManager
OpManager Pricing: Starts around $245 for 10 devices
OpManager Licensing Options: Device-based
Best For: IT teams in regulated industries
Key Focus: Layer 2 maps, VoIP monitoring, firewall log analysis
G2 Score: 4.5★
✅ Pros: Budget-friendly, rich features
⚠️ Cons: Learning curve for custom configs
Screenshot:
4. ThousandEyes (Cisco)
ThousandEyes Pricing: Quote-based enterprise plans
ThousandEyes Licensing Options: Unit-based (tests, endpoints)
Best For: Cloud-first organizations
Key Focus: WAN, SaaS, SD-WAN visibility
Gartner Rating: Leader in NPMD
✅ Pros: Global cloud vantage points
⚠️ Cons: Requires investment for full potential
Screenshot:
5. LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor Pricing: Quote-based (tiered per device or metric)
LogicMonitor Licensing Options: Enterprise SaaS subscription
Best For: MSPs and fast-scaling IT orgs
Key Focus: AIOps-driven alerts, hybrid infra monitoring
G2 Score: 4.6★
✅ Pros: Great support, modern UI
⚠️ Cons: Complex billing structure
Screenshot:
6. Datadog Network Monitoring
Datadog Pricing: Starts at $5 per host/month
Datadog Licensing Options: Module-based (NPM, infra, logs)
Best For: DevOps and cloud-native teams
Key Focus: Real-time network flows, cloud visibility
G2 Score: 4.5★
✅ Pros: Seamless integration with cloud stacks
⚠️ Cons: Costs add up across modules
Screenshot:
7. Nagios XI
Nagios XI Pricing: Starts at $1,995 (standard edition)
Nagios Licensing Options: Per-Node perpetual or subscription
Best For: Traditional IT teams & Linux admins
Key Focus: Custom plugin support, alerting
G2 Score: 4.1★
✅ Pros: Highly customizable
⚠️ Cons: Requires hands-on Linux skills
Screenshot:
8. WhatsUp Gold by Progress
WhatsUp Gold Pricing: Starts around $2,740/year
WhatsUp Gold Licensing Options: Device-based
Best For: Windows-heavy IT environments
Key Focus: Network discovery, bandwidth monitoring
G2 Score: 4.3★
✅ Pros: Easy installation, SNMP support
⚠️ Cons: Limited for large-scale cloud ops
Screenshot:
9. Zabbix
Zabbix Pricing: Open-source; commercial support available
Zabbix Licensing Options: Free (GPLv2) or enterprise support
Best For: Open-source enthusiasts and DevOps teams
Key Focus: Distributed monitoring, scalability
G2 Score: 4.3★
✅ Pros: Free and highly customizable
⚠️ Cons: Steeper learning curve, DIY setup
Screenshot:
10. Site24x7 Network Monitoring
Site24x7 Pricing: Starts at $9/month (Basic), scalable plans
Site24x7 Licensing Options: Per monitor/device
Best For: Remote teams, multi-location monitoring
Key Focus: Cloud-based NPM with mobile alerts
G2 Score: 4.4★
✅ Pros: Affordable, multi-tenant support
⚠️ Cons: Advanced features locked behind higher tiers
Screenshot:
What is a network monitoring tool?
Network monitoring systems include software and hardware tools that track various aspects of a network and its operation, such as traffic, bandwidth utilization, and uptime.
What is a performance monitoring tool?
A Performance Monitor is crucial in proactive system maintenance, continuously tracking system metrics like CPU usage, memory use, and disk activity. This real-time data helps you find potential issues before they escalate into serious problems.
What does npm mean in networking?
An NPM or network performance monitoring solution is a term used to describe the process of monitoring, measuring, adjusting, troubleshooting, and analyzing the quality of network performance. The terms network performance monitoring and network performance management are often used interchangeably.
How do I use the network monitor tool?
Run Netmon in an elevated status by choosing Run as Administrator. Network Monitor opens with all network adapters displayed. Select the network adapters where you want to capture traffic, select New Capture, and then select Start. Reproduce the issue, and you'll see that the Network Monitor grabs the packets on the wire.
How many types of network monitoring are there?
Network monitoring tools generally fall into four categories: performance monitoring, availability monitoring, traffic & bandwidth modeling, and security modeling. Cloud infrastructure modeling is often called out separately, but many tools today can monitor both on-prem and cloud environments.
How does a monitoring tool work?
Monitoring software leverages agents or agentless technologies to gather data from network devices, servers, and applications. This data is then processed and displayed on centralized dashboards, giving administrators a comprehensive view of their infrastructure.
With remote work, multi-cloud deployments, and growing attack surfaces, IT teams need:
Failing to monitor network health results in downtime, lost productivity, and security vulnerabilities. These tools help avoid just that.
While these tools offer deep network visibility, most enterprises struggle with SaaS sprawl and license bloat. Enter CloudNuro.ai — a Gartner-recognized SaaS Management Platform (SMP) that enables:
🎯 Book a Demo and gain unified visibility across networks and SaaS ecosystems.
Request a no cost, no obligation free assessment —just 15 minutes to savings!
Get Started
CloudNuro Corp
1755 Park St. Suite 207
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone : +1-630-277-9470
Email: info@cloudnuro.com
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