Network Monitoring Tools

When your network goes down, productivity follows. And in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected environments, IT teams need more than just ping tests and basic up/down monitoring.

They need real-time visibility, deep analytics, and proactive alerting to keep everything running smoothly. In this article, we’ll walk through 5 powerful network monitoring tools that modern IT teams are using to stay ahead of outages, performance issues, and security blind spots.

1. PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG is an all-in-one network monitoring solution that’s known for its ease of use and powerful dashboard. It supports auto-discovery and monitors bandwidth, traffic, devices, and applications.

Highlights:

  • Easy to deploy
  • Sensor-based licensing model
  • Built-in alerting and mobile app

Best for: Small to medium businesses or hybrid environments looking for flexibility without heavy complexity.

2. Zabbix

Zabbix is a free, open-source platform with a strong following. It provides a highly customizable environment with support for SNMP, IPMI, and agent-based monitoring.

Highlights:

  • Full-stack monitoring (networks, servers, VMs, apps)
  • Highly customizable templates
  • Strong community and documentation

Best for: Organizations with in-house Linux skills looking for an enterprise-level solution with no licensing costs.

3. FortiMonitor (formerly Panopta)

FortiMonitor from Fortinet brings infrastructure and cloud monitoring into a single pane of glass. It integrates well with Fortinet’s security fabric and offers synthetic checks, performance baselines, and incident workflows.

Highlights:

  • Cloud-native and hybrid-ready
  • Real-time health maps and SLA tracking
  • Seamless FortiGate and FortiManager integration

Best for: Enterprises already in the Fortinet ecosystem looking for performance + security visibility.

4. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)

Despite past controversies, SolarWinds NPM remains a robust choice for deep network insight. It supports NetFlow, deep packet inspection, and intelligent alerting.

Highlights:

  • Intuitive interface with dynamic maps
  • Advanced bandwidth and traffic analysis
  • Role-based access controls

Best for: Medium to large enterprises that need in-depth diagnostics and layered infrastructure visibility.

5. ManageEngine OpManager

OpManager offers a feature-rich platform with strong automation capabilities. It supports multi-vendor devices, VMware and Hyper-V, and customizable dashboards.

Highlights:

  • Affordable compared to high-end competitors
  • Workflow automation
  • Built-in reporting and compliance tools

Best for: Growing teams that need scalability, automation, and easy integration into helpdesk and ITSM platforms.

Network Monitoring Conclusion

There’s no perfect tool—only the one that best fits your environment and team. Whether you’re looking for something lightweight and open source, or a fully integrated solution with security and automation in mind, the right monitoring platform gives your IT team the visibility they need to stay proactive.

Choose based on your scale, architecture, and the skillsets you have in-house. And remember: what gets monitored, gets managed.