The 10 best network alerting software in 2024

Network monitoring and alerting are essential to IT management. These capabilities keep track of network components such as servers, computers, and routers. They also notify IT staff if there is a performance problem or a security threat.

Network alerting software facilitates these processes by automating detection and notification tasks. By collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data in real time, these tools provide insights into network health and performance—insights that are impossible to obtain manually.

The current marketplace offers a diverse range of network alerting software solutions, but it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. To help you decide, we’ve compiled in-depth reviews of the best network alerting software for IT professionals in 2024. Before diving in, let’s take a look at what network alerting software is, what types are available, and why you need one.

What is network alerting software?

Network alerting software is a tool for monitoring networks for performance issues, security breaches, and other anomalies. These tools often include threshold-based alerts that notify IT staff when specific conditions are met. Example use cases include CPU usage exceeding a certain percentage, memory usage reaching critical levels, network latency surpassing acceptable limits, or unusual traffic patterns indicating potential security threats.

Network alerting is often part of a more comprehensive IT management platform. For example, Atera’s all-in-one IT management platform offers network monitoring and alerting as part of its RMM software.

Types of network alerting software

The types of network alerting software can be divided into performance, security, and unified monitoring. 

1. Performance monitoring

Performance monitoring software tracks a network’s health and efficiency by collecting data on bandwidth usage, CPU load, memory usage, server performance, and more.

These tools monitor network performance, identify bottlenecks, and alert technicians to any performance issues that impact end users’ experience or operations. Performance monitoring often belongs to a more comprehensive network monitoring tool.

2. Security monitoring

Security monitoring software analyzes system activities in real time for signs of malicious behavior, vulnerabilities, and breaches. These tools can detect potential threats before they cause damage, allowing users to take proactive measures and address them.

As with performance monitoring, security monitoring is often integrated into a network monitoring tool or a more comprehensive IT management platform.

3. Unified monitoring

Unified monitoring software integrates various monitoring capabilities into a single platform to provide a complete view of the network infrastructure. The monitoring capabilities often include network monitoring, server and application monitoring, performance tracking, security monitoring, and real-time alerting.

Unified monitoring solutions like Atera’s eliminate the need to invest in multiple monitoring systems. This simplifies workflows and reduces costs.

Why you need network alerting software

Networking alerting software offers several key benefits, including proactive issue detection, enhanced security, resource optimization, and cost efficiency. Let’s take a closer look at each of these advantages.

1. Proactive issue detection and resolution

Network alerting software continuously monitors networks for any performance issues or security threats. When a potential threat is detected, the best alerting tools often include Atera’s auto-healing capabilities that automatically resolve issues without manual intervention.

A proactive monitoring strategy can prevent major interruptions which lead to costly downtime and security problems.

2. Enhanced security

Network alerting tools can detect potential security threats in real time, allowing users to take proactive measures and fix them. Features such as real-time monitoring and alerting, automated patch management, scripting, and remote access all enhance security.

3. Resource optimization

Network monitoring tools track performance metrics like bandwidth, CPU load, and memory utilization to allocate resources accordingly. This capability helps to prevent overspending on underutilized assets. It also ensures that critical systems have the necessary resources to operate efficiently.

4. Cost efficiency

In addition to proactive network troubleshooting tools, network alerting tools provide real-time monitoring and alerting functionality. These tools help reduce operational costs and minimize repair and recovery expenses, leading to overall savings.

5. Compliance and reporting

Many industries have strict requirements for network security and performance. Network alerting tools often include detailed logs, reports, and alerts that document network activities and incidents. These documents can prove your compliance with industry regulations.

The 10 best network alerting software for IT professionals in 2024

Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals of networking alerting software, let’s review the 10 best solutions on today’s market. For each tool, we will outline key features and pricing plans so you can choose the right network alerting software for your organization.

1. Atera

Network monitoring and alerting is part of Atera’s comprehensive RMM tool, which is designed to help IT departments and MSPs proactively manage their IT infrastructure. Atera’s real-time monitoring and alerting tool automatically notifies users of impending incidents and provides detailed insight to facilitate speedy resolution. 

In addition to network monitoring, Atera’s all-in-one IT management platform includes automated patch management, remote access, network discovery, PSA, IT ticketing, and reporting and analytics. Atera’s integrated feature set reduces the need for multiple software solutions and streamlines the entire IT management process.

Features and capabilities

Atera’s network monitoring tool helps monitor hardware, performance, services, and processes on devices. Its hardware monitoring capabilities include parameters such as motherboard temperatures, motherboard fans, and hard disk usage. Its performance monitoring capabilities include parameters like memory usage, CPU Load, bandwidth usage, and more.

Users can set a threshold for each parameter that triggers an alert when exceeded. These alerts automatically notify IT staff via email or SMS. Threshold-based alerts can be applied to hardware and performance parameters as well as services and processes.

Atera Threshold profiles

Thanks to Atera’s self-healing properties, users can run an automated script to fix an issue after a threshold is reached or a service is stopped.

A few IT management platforms offer network alerting capabilities similar to Atera’s. However, Atera’s AI capabilities differentiate it from its competitors. By utilizing Atera Copilot, IT teams can manage their IT environments in an entirely new and more efficient way. Take, for instance, its scripting capabilities.

Atera’s AI-script generator automatically generates a script to fix issues like slow device performance or concurrent application crashes. The tool automatically generates the correct script upon receiving a simple set of instructions.

Atera AI script generator

To learn more about Atera’s AI capabilities, read about them here.

User interface and usability

Atera is well-renowned for its ease of use, including its intuitive navigation between different user interfaces. Atera’s customers back this up: The platform received a G2 award for both ease of use and implementation.

Atera’s admin dashboard

Anyone who needs assistance navigating the platform can access live chat support 24/7. Atera also offers copious self-help materials including an extensive knowledge base, blog articles, webinars, and an active IT community.

Pricing and value for money

Atera is well known for its transparent pay-per-technician pricing model and offers tailored pricing plans for MSPs and IT departments. The MSP pricing plans range from $129 to $209 per month. The IT department pricing plans range from $149 to $199 per month. For Enterprise customers, Atera offers customized quotes tailored towards specific needs.

Atera’s pay-per-technician pricing model differs from the industry norm of a pay-per-endpoint pricing model. Atera allows users to add unlimited endpoints at a fixed price. For an additional cost, users can also access Atera’s premium services, including Atera Copilot and Network discovery.

Atera G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (500+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on G2:

An MSP owner on G2 uses Atera daily to support customer IT systems. He appreciates Atera’s ease of use and the frequent addition of new features. He shares that the platform makes creating customer profiles for new clients easy, and integrates seamlessly with other products. He describes Atera’s 24/7 customer support as excellent and highly responsive. 

Atera Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (300+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on Capterra:

A Capterra user details several reasons for switching from N-sight to Atera. They mention its user-friendly interface, strong RMM capabilities, and real-time alerts that track an IT environment’s status. The reviewer values Atera’s RMM tool, which offers strong remote configuration capabilities and command and script capabilities. Atera’s 24/7 customer support and robust integration options are also highlighted.

Atera pricing:

Atera’s pricing plans for IT departments:

• Professional: $149 per month, per technician
• Expert: $169 per month, per technician
• Master: $199 per month, per technician
• Enterprise: Custom quotation. Contact sales for pricing.

Atera’s pricing plans for MSPs:

• Pro: $129 per month, per technician
• Growth: $179 per month, per technician
• Power: $209 per month, per technician
• Superpower (Enterprise): Custom quotation. Contact sales for pricing.

Get started with Atera on a free 30-day trial, no credit card required.

2. SuperOps

SuperOps is an IT management solution for MSPs. Its RMM tool includes network monitoring and alerting capabilities. Other key capabilities include automated network scans, asset management and summaries, reports and analytics, and different automation options. Alerts can be converted into tickets and solved within SuperOps’ service desk tool.

Similarly to Atera, SuperOps uses transparent pay-per-technician pricing. The downside of SuperOps pricing is that it charges extra when users exceed the plan’s endpoint limit of 150. Conversely, Atera allows users to add unlimited devices/endpoints at no additional cost.

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (100+ reviews)

Capterra rating: N/A

SuperOps pricing:

• Starting at $119, per month for the unified PSA and RMM package

3. ManageEngine OpManager

One of ManageEngine’s products, OpManager is a network monitoring tool for IT departments and MSPs. Users can monitor routers, servers, switches, printers, storage devices, and more. The tool includes a fault monitoring system that continuously monitors the network for potential faults.

As with Atera, users can set thresholds for alerts that automatically notify technicians when the threshold is exceeded. OpManager integrates with other ManageEngine products, such as RMM Central, for increased functionality. 

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (80+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (90+ reviews)

ManageEngine OpManager pricing:

• Custom quotation. To get the pricing, contact ManageEngine’s sales team on their website.

4. SolarWinds NPM

SolarWinds NPM is a network monitoring solution for IT organizations. Its alerting system notifies users of any performance issues within the network. Users can configure the alerts to activate when specific baselines are reached. SolarWinds also has a network device scanner that discovers network devices automatically.

SolarWinds NPM is a strong solution for network monitoring. However, it lacks other key features IT teams may need such as strong RMM, PSA, and patch management. Users seeking these features will need to integrate with other SolarWinds products or invest in an all-in-one IT management solution.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (200+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (70+ reviews)

SolarWinds NPM pricing:

• Custom quotation. Prices start at $1,856. To find out the exact price, request a custom quotation from their website.

5. N-able N-central

N-able N-central is an RMM solution for IT departments and MSPs. Its RMM functionality includes network alerting (which N-able refers to as notifications). These notifications can be set to alert users when the status of a monitored device changes. In addition to alerting, N-central includes device management, patch management, MDM, and IT automation capabilities.

For increased functionality, users can integrate N-central with other N-able products. For example, integration with N-able MSP Manager grants MSPs access to PSA capabilities such as ticketing and contract management. The downside of this system is the increased cost compared to using an all-in-one solution, such as Atera.

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 stars (250+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 3.9 out of 5.0 stars (40+ reviews)

N-central pricing:

• The company does not publicly disclose its pricing; it is based on a custom quotation. To obtain the pricing, request a quote from N-able’s website.

6. Paessler PRTG

Paessler has three network monitoring solutions: PRTG Network Monitor, PRTG Enterprise Monitor, and PRTG Hosted Monitor. Most IT teams benefit from PRTG Network Monitor, which provides visibility into the health and status of IT infrastructure. The tool has real-time alerting built in. Users can set custom thresholds, choose from different notification channels, and schedule alerts to be sent at specific times.

Paessler PRTG is a network monitoring tool. If you need additional IT management features—such as advanced RMM, remote access, and PSA—the platform requires third-party tool integrations.

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (80+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (200+ reviews)

Paessler PRTG pricing:

• Based on pay-per-device/aspect. Contact Paessler’s sales team to get the exact pricing.

7. Domotz

Domotz is a network and infrastructure monitoring tool for IT departments. Users can monitor IT assets and troubleshoot network and performance issues. Domotz has a customizable alerting system built-in. In addition, the tool’s network monitoring features include reporting and analytics, network topology mapping, and remote control.

Atera integrates with Domotz, making it ideal for users seeking a comprehensive IT management solution. Combining the two grants users access to Domotz’s network monitoring capabilities and Atera’s powerful RMM, PSA, remote access, patching, and other features.

G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (80+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 (85+ reviews)

Domotz pricing:

• Pro: $35 per month, per site
• Enterprise: Starting at $1,000 per month

8. Auvik

Auvik is a network monitoring and troubleshooting tool for MSPs and IT departments. As soon as users onboard, they receive 50+ preconfigured alerts that automatically monitor a network. These alerts are also customizable according to user preferences. Similarly to Atera, Auvik automatically generates reports based on network activity.

One of Auvik’s main drawbacks is its steep learning curve, according to users on a G2 report. One reviewer says setup and configuration are cumbersome, thus requiring a lot of skill to master. For IT teams new to network monitoring tools, this initial hurdle can be a dealbreaker.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (300+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (70+ reviews)

Auvik pricing: Custom quotation. To obtain the exact pricing, contact the Auvik sales team on their website.

9. NinjaOne

NinjaOne is an IT management platform for IT departments and MSPs. Its endpoint management tool allows users to monitor Windows, macOS, and Linux servers. The platform includes a built-in alerting system that notifies users when their endpoints require attention. Users can choose from 100+ alerting templates when they begin setup.

NinjaOne is a popular option for endpoint management. It has many strengths but also contains drawbacks—including its pricing. NinjaOne uses a pay-per-endpoint pricing model, meaning users are charged based on how many endpoints they manage. Atera’s pay-per-technician pricing model may work better for IT teams managing dozens of endpoints.

G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (1,000+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews)

NinjaOne pricing:

• NinjaOne states its prices per endpoint but does not make its pricing available publicly; pricing is based on custom quotation. To learn more, visit their website.

10. Zabbix

Zabbix is an open-source IT monitoring solution for IT teams. Users can monitor a variety of network metrics such as bandwidth usage, link status, incoming and outgoing traffic, and more. It has a built-in alerting system that notifies users when an issue is detected in their network infrastructure.

Zabbix is free to use, with premium services available at a fixed price. These include customer service, consulting, template building, integration, and more. Since Zabbix is an open-source platform, users may have issues with platform usability, security, and customer support. Those who don’t pay for premium customer support will have to figure things out on their own.

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 stars (180+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (80+ reviews)

Zabbix pricing: 

• Free of charge; however, additional services such as customer support come at an additional cost.

Network alerting accompanied by comprehensive IT management

Atera’s network monitoring and alerting capabilities are part of its comprehensive IT management solution. The platform’s additional features include RMM, PSA, remote access, network discovery, and more. This integrated approach allows for streamlined management of IT services, enhancing efficiency and productivity for IT teams. 

Atera distinguishes itself from other solutions with its AI-powered features. Atera Copilot enhances an IT team’s efficiency with remote session summaries, instant ticket summaries, a command line and script generator for fixing issues, and more. Atera Copilot reinvents IT management and allows organizations to manage their IT environments in an entirely new way.