Top 3 Network Device Monitoring Applications To Use in 2024

Find below the best options to see and manage the devices connected to your network.

We have chosen network device monitoring applications that offer various protocols and useful features like real-time alerts.

Eager to learn more? Keep reading.

What are the best network device monitoring apps?

Here’s a quick look at our top picks:

• Paessler PRTG Network Monitor: Versatile, scalable tool with customizable dashboards and extensive sensor library.
• ManageEngine OpManager: User-friendly interface, advanced fault management, and support for physical and virtual environments.
• SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor: Simple monitoring provided through personalized alerts, self-detection and changing maps for intricate networks.

Now let’s check out their features and capabilities:

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is great for networks of any size. You can always upgrade your plan as your monitoring needs increase and get customized pricing.

It has an interface that is easy to understand and use. You can adjust the dashboards as per your needs for monitoring certain parameters.

Also worth noting special characteristic is the PRTG Map Designer, which allows you to make unique dashboards showing data in real-time.

It makes monitoring more effective, as it displays a graphical representation of how the network is performing. This makes it simpler to detect and handle problems quickly.

Additionally, if you are not willing to spend money on the product then you need to know that the free version of PRTG Network Monitor for small networks can be a big benefit.

This is especially true for businesses with 100 or less sensors.

✅ Pros:

• Flexible and scalable solution for networks of all sizes
• Offers a wide range of sensors for different monitoring needs
• User-friendly interface with customizable dashboards
• Free version available for small networks (up to 100 sensors)

❌ Cons:

• Full functionality requires purchase of additional sensors
• Initial setup and configuration can be time-consuming

→ Get PRTG Network Monitor

ManageEngine OpManager

If you want a strong solution that can check devices on your network instantly, then ManageEngine OpManager is the right choice.

The tool offers options for in-depth real-time network monitoring with powerful troubleshooting capabilities.

First, OpManager is good at giving you control with its custom dashboards and reports that provide essential information for accurate network device management.

Even more, the large number of integrations also improve its usefulness as a main tool for IT management.

We must also note that this software has a special Workflow Automation feature, which allows you to automate regular tasks and solve problems in advance.

This characteristic, along with its simple interface, guarantees that network management is productive and successful.

Lastly, the pricing of ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager, which is based on devices, makes it a desirable option for networks of any size.

✅ Pros:

• Provides real-time network monitoring with powerful troubleshooting capabilities
• Supports custom dashboards and reports for tailored insights
• Features a device-based pricing model, making it cost-effective for various sizes of networks
• Offers a wide range of integrations with other IT management tools
• User-friendly interface for efficient network management

❌ Cons:

• Some advanced features may require additional plugins or add-ons
• Initial setup and customization can be time-consuming

→ Get ManageEngine OpManager

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is another great choice that stands out with its broad method of network device monitoring. The tool excels in fault, performance, and availability monitoring.

When you fire up this tool, you’ll notice it’s easy-to-use, straightforward interface. It simplifies the complicated job of monitoring a variety of different network devices – including computers, servers, and even IoT devices.

With features such as dashboards that can be customized and alerts in real-time, you can quickly find and fix problems with your networks.

Another great thing about this tool is how well it can grow alongside your business – from small companies right up to big enterprises, SolarWinds fits them all.

We can’t talk about SolarWinds NPM without mentioning the NetPath™ service. It offers insights about the network’s performance and traffic paths.

It is thus boosting visibility within cloud surroundings as well as different service providers.

This feature, when combined with the PerfStack™ dashboard, enables users to link various data points across the network in one view. This makes problem-solving and analysis more efficient.

✅ Pros:

• Comprehensive and intuitive interface for monitoring network performance
• Advanced features for fault, performance, and availability monitoring
• Supports a wide range of network devices and vendors
• Customizable dashboards and alerts for real-time insights
• Scalable solution suitable for small to large enterprises

❌ Cons:

• Can be expensive for smaller organizations
• Initial setup and configuration may require more time and expertise

→ Get SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

What to look for in a network device monitoring application?

All of the options in this article offer features to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate monitoring of devices on a network:

• Ability to monitor networks of varying sizes, from a handful of devices to thousands.
• Support for a wide range of protocols like SNMP, NetFlow, and packet sniffing for in-depth traffic analysis.
• Customizable alerts and detailed reports for proactive network management.
• Intuitive and user-friendly, facilitating easy setup and ongoing management.
• Compatibility with other IT management tools and systems, backed by reliable customer support.
• Offers a good balance between features and pricing, including free versions or scalable pricing models for growing networks.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, choosing the right network monitoring software is vital for maintaining peak performance. Scalability, monitoring capabilities and cost efficiency are all factors to consider when you want to find the perfect fit for your network.