Best Remote Network Monitoring Software in 2024: Top 6 Solutions

Remote work and distributed networks come with unique challenges for IT professionals. Having the right remote monitoring tools will save you to effectively manage connectivity across multiple locations.

Whether it’s ensuring optimal performance or safeguarding against cyber threats, the top picks selected by our team offer the functionality and flexibility required for effective network oversight.

Let’s check them out.

What’s the best remote monitoring software?

• SolarWinds NPM: Automated network discovery, real-time alerts, detailed performance analysis.
• Paessler PRTG Network Monitor: Automated mapping, security monitoring, customizable alerts, detailed reporting.
• ManageEngine OpManager: Network mapping, security monitoring, advanced performance analysis, real-time alerts.
• Nagios XI: Customized mapping, security monitoring, performance analysis, real-time alerts, historical data analysis.
• Zabbix: Network mapping, security monitoring, performance analysis, real-time alerts, historical data storage.
• Datadog: Cloud-based network mapping, security monitoring, performance analysis, real-time alerts, historical data analysis.

Take a closer look at what they offer:

1. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a versatile tool for networks of all sizes. It has a versatile pricing model that scales with the size of your network.

No matter what network you manage- that of a small startup or of large enterprise, PRTG Network Monitor will have a suitable option for you.

On the same note, the tool is also versatile when it comes to its usability.

It offers advanced monitoring features and multiple protocols, but it’s UI is intuitive and easy to learn even by beginners.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that it offers multiple monitoring options, including SNMP, WMI, and packet sniffing, among others.

Lastly, the in-depth reporting and real-time alerts ensure you always are one step ahead of potential issues.

✅ Pros:

• Flexible pricing model based on sensors used
• Intuitive user interface with customizable dashboards
• Supports a wide range of monitoring including SNMP, WMI, and packet sniffing
• In-depth reporting and alerting features
• Free version available for up to 100 sensors

❌ Cons:

• Can become costly as more sensors are added
• Initial setup and configuration can be time-consuming
• Some advanced features require additional setup and knowledge

→ Get Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

2. ManageEngine OpManager

Manage Engine OpManager is another reliable remote monitoring software. It offers a comprehensive set of features that allow in-depth device and network monitoring.

If you’re tasked with overseeing extensive, distributed networks, you’ll appreciate the customizable dashboards it offers.

Using them, you can easily pick what you want to prioritize, which alerts to trigger, and more.

We should also mention that this monitoring tool supports a wide range of devices and offers advanced fault management options.

All in all, OpManager keeps a balance between depth of monitoring and ease of use.

✅ Pros:

• Comprehensive device and network monitoring
• Customizable dashboards and easy to navigate UI
• Supports a wide variety of devices and vendors
• Advanced fault management and alerting mechanisms
• Scalable solution suitable for small to large enterprises

❌ Cons:

• Licensing can be complex and expensive for larger setups
• Some features and add-ons require additional purchases
• Initial learning curve for setup and customization

→ Get ManageEngine OpManager

3. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor offers a user-friendly interface. It’s tailored for system administrators focused on maintaining optimal network performance across multiple locations.

This software excels in advanced network performance analysis. So it’s a great choice if your organization needs detailed insights into network operations.

It supports a wide range of devices which it can automatically discover and map. This simplifies the management of complex remote networks.

Furthermore, it has an easy to setup alerting system. It will send you real-time notifications, no matter where you are.

It’s fully customizable, so you can pick the type of event that triggers an alert.

All in all, SolarWinds provides in-depth analysis options. It’s a great tool both or real-time troubleshooting as well as long-term network planning.

✅ Pros:

• Comprehensive and user-friendly interface
• Advanced network performance analysis capabilities
• Supports a wide range of devices
• IP monitoring utility
• Automated network discovery and mapping
• Customizable alerting system

❌ Cons:

• Can be expensive for small businesses
• Complex setup for certain features
• Requires a dedicated server for the best performance

→ Get SolarWinds NPM

4. Nagios XI

Nagios XI offers a highly customizable and flexible remote monitoring solution. It’s compatible with a wide range of plugins, allowing you to tailor its features to serve your needs.

The availability of both free (Nagios Core) and paid versions ensures that organizations of any size can find a suitable solution.

However, if you manage remote networks, Nagios XI (the premium tier) might be a better choice because it offers a wider range of features that ensure effective real-time monitoring.

The strength of Nagios lies in its customization capabilities and the robust support from its community. It has an active user base that provides tons of tutorials and resources for network admins of all skill levels.

This combination allows for a monitoring solution that can be finely tuned to the unique demands of any network.

✅Pros:

• Highly customizable and flexible monitoring solution
• Wide range of plugins available for extended functionality
• Strong community support with lots of documentation
• Offers both free (Nagios Core) and paid versions

❌ Cons:

• Steep learning curve for new users
• Requires manual configuration and setup for many features
• The user interface is not as modern or intuitive as competitors

→ Get Nagios XI

5. Zabbix

Zabbix offers a cost-effective solution for remote network monitoring without compromising on functionality.

This open-source software supports a wide range of monitoring options. On top of that, it is scalable enough to monitor thousands of devices connected to your network.

While it may have a learning curve for beginners, Zabbix offers tons of resources for system administrators.

It also has an active community of users that contribute to reliable documentation on a regular basis.

Zabbix’s unique advantage is its combination of open-source flexibility with enterprise-level scalability, making it an attractive option for organizations with complex monitoring needs.

✅ Pros:

• Open source and free to use
• Supports a wide range of monitoring options including SNMP, IPMI, and JMX
• Scalable to monitor thousands of devices including routers, IoT devices, and more
• Strong community support and extensive documentation

❌ Cons:

• Configuration and setup can be complex and time-consuming
• The user interface can be less intuitive compared to other solutions
• Customization and advanced setup require good technical knowledge

→ Get Zabbix

6. Datadog

Datadog is a cloud-based solution that excels in integrating with cloud services and virtual environments, making it an ideal choice for organizations heavily invested in the cloud.

It gives you complex analytics and dashboards to so you can fully grasp the state of your netwrok.

Datadog is notable because it can integrate with many different platforms and services. This allows you to monitor across various platforms and services.

This integration capability makes it a versatile tool for modern, cloud-centric networks.

✅ Pros:

• Cloud-based solution with no need for on-premise infrastructure
• Integrates well with cloud services and virtual environments
• Real-time monitoring with detailed analytics and dashboards
• Supports a wide range of integrations for extended monitoring capabilities

❌ Cons:

• Can be expensive for monitoring a large number of hosts or metrics
• Some advanced features require additional configuration
• Primarily focused on cloud and application monitoring, which may not suit all network monitoring needs

→ Get Datadog

When picking remote network monitoring software, think about how well it can keep an eye on everything, analyze issues deeply, grow with your company, and give you alerts you can customize.

It should also be easy to use and fit your budget. Just make sure it meets your needs and can scale up when you need it to.