PRTG Network Monitor is an agentless network monitoring software that enables you to easily keep an eye on your IT infrastructure. Developed by Paessler, this program covers all systems, devices, and applications that need monitoring, and is great for businesses of any type and size. There’s a free 30-day trial available for unlimited usage, and this turns into a free version that can monitor up to 100 sensors.

What is the use of PRTG Network Monitor?

Originally called “Paessler Router Traffic Grapher”, PRTG Network Monitor is basically an all-in-one inclusive monitoring solution for business customers. You don’t need to get any additional plugins or downloads as the program already provides what you’ll need and even more options to choose from. This includes the ability to monitor nearly anything running in your networking system—from detailed app statistics and overall server capacity to the bandwidth’s status and your local network’s stability.

To do this, it uses “sensors”, which are specific aspects that you can monitor on a device or system. These can be the port of a switch, the database of the server you use, the CPU load on a computer, a specific URL, and even the traffic of a network. Plus, protocols such as SNMP, WMI, and SSH are supported and integrated into PRTG, allowing you easy data access on your devices. 

These are great as they ensure that the software stays completely agentless—never requiring you to install anything on your devices for it to work properly. There is a mobile version available, though, which allows you to keep an eye on your IT setup whenever you're on the go. Plus, PRTG does not need a database before installation since that already comes with the software. This convenient tool is even able to monitor multiple locations using Remote Probes. 

Is PRTG free?

PRTG Network Monitor’s strong points are on its ease of use and in-depth customization. This program provides both a web and a desktop client interface that are highly customizable. Their layout designs make it easy to know where exactly to go, but creating your custom network maps can be a bit tricky as the whole process has a steep learning curve. Despite this, the PRTG map designer allows you to craft detailed real-time maps with live status information that you can share with others.

Not only that but PRTG gives high priority to alerts and notifications for any issues found—whether they be serious errors or simply unusual-looking metrics. This program comes with many built-in mechanisms for such—like emails, SMS, and even automated messages on productivity applications like Slack and Microsoft Teams. These alerts are quite flexible and can be configured to only send during certain working hours or display custom text.

PRTG is a tough contender in its market. However, it can fall short against its rivals due to its “per sensor” licensing scheme. Its free trial eventually turns into a free version that has no time limit, supporting up to 100 sensors. You can easily run out of them depending on how many devices you want to cover, though. If you want more, you must upgrade to a commercial license—there are 6 options, from a minimum of 500 to no maximum with its XL1 and Enterprise licenses.

Worth the price tag

Overall, PRTG Network Monitor is a highly-versatile software for all of your business’ IT monitoring needs. It’s easy to use and configure once you’ve gotten the hang of how to handle it. Plus, it offers features that both beginners and advanced IT users can appreciate. While its sensor-based pricing scheme may fall behind other software’s device-oriented licensing, its great performance and usability is still nothing to scoff at. This is a recommended tool for businesses of all sizes.