11 Paessler alternatives IT pros should consider in 2024

Network monitoring tools play a crucial role in maintaining any IT infrastructure’s health, performance, and security. They keep track of network traffic and notify users of unusual occurrences to ensure a network runs smoothly at all times.

Paessler PRTG is a popular choice in the network monitoring tools arena. Its strengths include customizable monitoring capabilities and effective alerting. But like any tool, it also has its drawbacks. The reported negatives include a cluttered user interface, a long learning curve, and a high price point.

To help you choose the network monitoring tool that’s right for you, here are the pros and cons of Paessler PRTG and its IT industry alternatives.

What is Paessler?

Paessler’s flagship product, Paessler PRTG, is a network monitoring solution that monitors the performance, availability, and health of network devices, applications, and IT infrastructure. Paessler offers dedicated network monitoring tools for small and medium-sized IT teams, as well as enterprises that need more advanced capabilities.

But for some Paessler users, the software doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to their organization’s IT and RMM needs, leading them to search for an alternative. And that’s where we step in, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know when it comes to Paessler PRTG and the available alternatives.

Why look for a Paessler alternative?

After evaluating the customer reviews of Paessler users, we found that the platform’s main limitations include its cluttered user interface, long learning curve, and high product cost. Let’s take a closer look at that feedback.

1. A cluttered user interface

One TrustRadius user points out that Paessler’s interface is “polluted” and calls for more simplicity. A Capterra user shares that concern, and points out that a cluttered interface can overwhelm users in a large IT environment. Given the competitive nature of today’s market, a poor user interface is a notable disadvantage.

Here is the other important factor to note: Even though Paessler has a cluttered interface, which should indicate that it’s an all-in one IT solution, it isn’t. For instance, Paessler does not offer PSA functions like some other more well-rounded competitors on the market. In other words, the cluttered interface is not a result of enhanced functionality… making it a tradeoff that doesn’t work out in your favor, in our opinion.

2. Long learning curve

Users on G2 highlight the product’s complex learning curve as a potential drawback. For instance, one G2 reviewer calls out its custom maps as time-consuming to set up. For teams new to network monitoring tools, a steep learning curve can negatively impact the product’s efficacy and efficiency. 

Now, a lengthier learning curve might not be an issue if Paessler had stronger support offerings. If you run into issues getting to know the platform, you may have questions that you’ll want to ask a support team.

As you consider the best networking monitoring solution for your IT team, it’s important to look for a platform that offers around-the-clock support through live agents as well as asynchronous tools. For instance, you might appreciate a platform that has numerous blogs, a knowledge base, and even live and on-demand webinars for you to learn at your own pace and troubleshoot different issues as they arise.

3. High product cost

Paessler’s pricing plan depends entirely on the number of devices and aspects you manage. The more you have, the more expensive it becomes. One Capterra user notes that prices can rise quickly with each addition. For the cost-conscious consumer, this is a major disadvantage—especially when compared to alternatives like Atera, which allows unlimited devices through pay-per-technician pricing.

What are Paessler’s strengths?

Paessler’s two main strengths are its flexibility and effective alerting system. Here’s more information on each of these capabilities.

1. Flexible solution

Paessler is known for being a flexible solution capable of monitoring almost any device. A G2 user shares that its desirable features include network availability, traffic packet loss, and more.

2. Effective alerting system

According to one Capterra user, Paessler effectively alerts an organization when systems go down. Another G2 user highlights Paessler’s email notification feature, which notifies users when a device goes down or goes back online. While Paessler’s alerting features are effective, they’re not a standout feature since most alternatives offer the same functionality.

Paessler pros and cons: Takeaways

According to customer reviews, the pros and cons of Paessler are as follows.

The pros:

• Flexible network monitoring solution
• Provides alerting features for monitoring device uptime

The cons:

• The learning curve is long
• High product cost due to the available pay-per-device pricing
• A cluttered user interface, which is especially problematic for larger IT environments
• Limited developments in the AI-powered IT space, which other competitors have brought to the market.

11 best Paessler alternatives for network monitoring in 2024

Now that we’ve reviewed Paessler’s functionalities, let’s discuss its alternatives. Here are the key features, user compatibility, and pricing options for 11 other network monitoring tools. You can use this information to choose the right Paessler alternative.

1. Atera

Atera vs. Paessler: Key differences

Atera is an all-in-one IT management solution for MSPs and IT departments, enabling complete IT infrastructure management. Paessler’s primary purpose is network monitoring. It enables users to monitor the status and health of their devices.

Atera is renowned for its intuitive user interface, which allows users to quickly get up and running. Atera customers laud this ability—we have won a G2 award for ease of use and implementation. For contrast, reviews related to Paessler’s interface often report that it’s cluttered, making the platform difficult to learn.

Features and capabilities

Atera enables network monitoring of SNMPs (laptops, Mac devices, Windows devices, printers, servers, routers, Linux machines, ports, and websites). You can set up alerts for three different network statuses: informational, warning, and critical. The alerts can be sent to you by email so you’re always up-to-date on any critical situations.

Paessler provides similar network monitoring capabilities, but since its sole focus is on network monitoring, it excludes other essential IT management features.

In addition to network monitoring, Atera’s all-in-one IT management platform includes features such as remote monitoring and management (RMM), patch management, PSA, helpdesk, Network Discovery, and more. 

We are also proud of our large suite of third-party integrations, which we have helpfully categorized into groups like security, remote access, SSO, documentation, networking monitoring, and more. Some of our fan-favorite integrations include remote access options like Splashtop and AnyDesk, big-name security players like Keeper and Ironscales, and classic IT favorites such as Chocolatey and IT Glue. These integrations further enhance the versatility and functionality of our already impressive platform.

Atera’s features are powered by AI, making nearly all aspects of IT management easier, including network monitoring and troubleshooting. For example, suppose you notice an issue within your network, such as slow device performance or consistent application crashes. In these instances, you can use Atera’s AI script generator to generate the correct script to fix the issue. The only action required by you is to input the script’s details.

You can also set thresholds for various parameters, and the system will create an alert when they are exceeded. Using Atera’s automated scripting, you can then schedule an automated script to run and fix an issue automatically.

Recently, our Atera development team has been enhancing our AI-powered functions even further. Our brand-new AI Copilot product is further revolutionizing the world of AI-powered IT by helping users automate mundane tasks like remote session summarization, command-line generation, ticket summarization, script writing (as discussed above), real-time device troubleshooting, and so much more. Explore the full suite of use cases for our AI Copilot here.

User interface and usability

Atera is widely regarded as an easy-to-use and intuitive IT management platform. MSPs can quickly set up new customer profiles, and new users are up and running within minutes.

When comparing Atera’s interface to Paessler, users on different review platforms, including G2, have reported that it is cluttered, which is particularly problematic in large IT environments.

Part of our usability and quick learning curve also boils down to customer support. We give our users the ultimate collection of resources to fully take advantage of our platform and ensure they can get help whenever they need it. In addition to asynchronous resources like our knowledge base, blog posts, and webinar collection, we have also expanded our commitment to IT education with our exciting new game, Apollo IT. 

Apollo IT is an IT game set in outer space. As an IT pro onboard on a spaceship, you need to help your fellow intergalactic explorers resolve some pesky IT challenges plaguing the ship. You will correspond with our specially programmed AI bot to resolve these challenges using logic, problem-solving skills, and IT intuition. This game is the perfect way to train new hires and even sharpen the skills of seasoned IT veterans.

Pricing plans and value for money

Despite offering similar network monitoring capabilities, Atera and Paessler price their services differently. 

Atera uses pay-per-technician pricing, where you pay a fixed price regardless of how many endpoints/devices you manage. The pricing plans range from $149 to $199 per month for IT departments, and from $129 to $209 per month for MSPs. With all available plans, you can manage unlimited devices/endpoints.

Conversely, Paessler’s pricing plans are based on pay-per-device/aspect, where the price rises as you manage more aspects of a device. This can quickly get expensive, especially if you have a small team but still manage large amounts of devices.

Most IT teams will benefit more from Atera’s pay-per-technician pricing structure, which is more predictable and makes scaling more cost-effective. Numerous Capterra users report significant cost savings when switching to Atera.

Atera’s G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (600+ reviews)

Paessler’s G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (80+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on G2:

One G2 user has been using Atera for over a year without any complaints. He cites Atera’s installation package as tiny and easily distributed to all clients. The reviewer also mentions using Atera to manage patches for Windows and MacOS clients. Atera’s ability to integrate with Splashtop for remote connection to clients’ devices is also celebrated.

Atera’s Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (300+ reviews)

Paessler’s Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (230+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on Capterra:

A Capterra user utilized Atera to bring network monitoring fully in-house. This led to a significant reduction in operating costs and increased the efficiency of their IT teams’ troubleshooting. Atera’s AI capabilities are also mentioned, which can be used for IT ticketing and automated script creation.

Atera Pricing:

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 to get pricing

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 30-day free trial with no credit card required.

2. Domotz

Domotz is a network monitoring software designed to help IT departments and MSPs monitor, manage, and troubleshoot any network remotely. Its real-time alerting system constantly monitors device changes and alerts IT technicians when changes or new devices appear, ensuring network security.

Domotz is known for its user-friendly software. However, its features are limited to network monitoring—an understandable drawback. That said, it can be integrated with third-party software for more functionalities. If you’d like to use Domotz alongside an all-in-one IT management solution, Atera directly integrates with Domotz.

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

Capterra Rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (100+ reviews)

Domotz Pricing:

• Online Customers: $35 per month, licensed by collector
• Channel Partners: $100 per month, licensed by collector or device
• IT Departments: $500 per month, licensed by device

3. ConnectWise RMM

ConnectWise RMM allows IT professionals and MSPs to monitor and manage IT environments remotely. It offers features such as real-time alerting and monitoring, patch management, remote access, reporting and analytics, and more. To enhance its functionality, ConnectWise RMM can be integrated with other ConnectWise products, such as ConnectWise PSA.

If you want a solution capable of more than network monitoring, ConnectWise is a suitable option. According to G2 users, ConnectWise’s major drawback is its complexity, which stems from its large number of features that small businesses do not need.

G2 Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (20+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.1 out of 5.0 (130+ reviews)

ConnectWise RMM Pricing:

• Custom quotation: ConnectWise RMM does not make its pricing publicly available; however, you can request a quote from their team. 

4. NinjaOne

NinjaOne’s RMM offers a broad range RMM capabilities, including built-in network monitoring. This allows IT departments and MSPs to monitor and manage networks in real time, follow hardware performance data, and uncover network issues through the available alerting conditions. NinjaOne also has patch management functionality that helps deploy patches to devices automatically. However, NinjaOne does not offer PSA functionality natively, so if you are looking for a true all-in-one solution, it may be best to consider an alternative like Atera. 

Similarly to Paessler, NinjaOne uses a pay-per-device pricing model. The price increases with the addition of devices. Many consumers consider this a drawback, and prefer a pay-per-technician model like Atera’s. 

G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (1,400+ reviews)

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

NinjaOne Pricing:

• Pricing is based on custom quotation. To learn more, visit their website.

5. N-able

N-able’s flagship product, N-sight, provides real-time monitoring and management of network devices. It aims to be an all-in-one IT management solution and offers features such as RMM, patch management, mobile device management, remote access, ticketing and billing, and more.

N-sight uses a pay-per-endpoint pricing model–which unfortunately can add up. G2 users also mention difficulties with N-sight’s onboarding process, citing it as counterintuitive and laborious. Users who are looking for a solution with easy integration will want to explore other modern IT management options.

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 (300+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 stars (70+ reviews)

N-able pricing:

• Pricing based on custom quotation. Visit their website to learn more.

6. ManageEngine OpManager

OpManager is ManageEngine’s network monitoring tool. Users can track device health in real time and gain visibility into the performance of servers, VMs, printers, storage devices, routers, switches, and firewalls. OpManager also has built-in troubleshooting capabilities with configuration management and planning.

OpManager is entirely focused on network monitoring, but it can be integrated with other ManageEngine products and third-party apps for more features. The downside of this capability is the increased cost compared to an all-in-one solution, such as Atera.

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

Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (100+ reviews)

ManageEngine OpManager Pricing:

• Custom quotation. Contact ManageEngine’s sales team for pricing options.

7. SolarWinds NPM

SolarWinds NPM is a network monitoring and management solution for IT professionals and network administrators. It enhances the performance and availability of a network infrastructure by providing insight into its health. Key features include network mapping, a device poller, advanced alerting, reporting, and a syslog and SNMP trap server.

SolarWinds NPM is focused on network monitoring in IT management, but it can be integrated with other third-party software for more features.

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 with prices starting at $1,856. Visit their website for an exact quote.

8. LogicMonitor

LogicMonitor is cloud-based network monitoring software providing real-time information on network device performance. With features such as network logs, metrics, and threshold alerts, LogicMonitor makes it easy to troubleshoot network issues.

LogicMonitor is a highly capable network monitoring solution, but it does have some drawbacks. G2 users complain about interface challenges similar to those exhibited by Paessler, such as a cluttered dashboard view that isn’t streamlined.

G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (600+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (100+ reviews)

LogicMonitor Pricing:

• Infrastructure monitoring: Starting from $22/month, per resource
• Cloud IaaS monitoring: Starting from $22/month, per resource

9. Auvik

Auvik is a network monitoring and management tool for MSPs and IT departments. It helps users gain network visibility through real-time maps that update automatically. Auvik aims to simplify network management by providing automated network discovery, real-time monitoring, and troubleshooting tools (such as pre-configured alerts and logs).

A Capterra user praises Auvik as ideal for mapping out networks and providing a tool for monitoring client networks. However, the review also cautioned that Auvik takes a long time to configure against receiving false positive alerts.

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. Contact Auvik’s sales team via their website for exact pricing.

10. Dynatrace

Dynatrace provides network monitoring solutions for IT environments. Its cloud monitoring tool paints a full picture of your IT environment’s health in order to eliminate blind spots. Users can observe all cloud and on-premise tiers, including critical network metrics and OS-level metrics.

Numerous Dynatrace customers mention that the software is highly customizable, a capability reflected in its high pricing. On that note, one G2 user said the customer support options—email only, and no live chat—didn’t measure up to Dynatrace’s price point. Many other solutions provide 24/7 live chat, including Atera, so this is a noticeable limitation.

G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (1,200+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (50+ reviews)

Dynatrace Pricing:

• Pricing is determined by the amount of usage. Initial price points begin at $0.08 per hour for an 8 GiB host for full-stack monitoring.

11. SysAid

SysAid is an IT service management platform with network monitoring, help desk, IT automation, asset management, and problem/incident management capabilities. By creating monitoring configurations, SysAid allows users to proactively monitor computer and SNMP assets. Users can extend SysAid’s functionality with third-party integrations.

Like Atera, SysAid uses AI to power its platform. Currently, SysAid’s AI is mainly used to assist with the help desk, and itcomes with features such as AI-based summarization and suggestions. additional functionality like AI scripting and troubleshooting.

G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (600+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (400+ reviews)

SysAid Pricing:

• Based on custom quotation. Book a demo call with SysAid to receive pricing.

All-in-one IT management with Atera

Atera’s network monitoring tool allows you to monitor the status and health of devices and networks. In addition to network monitoring, Atera offers many other desirable IT features, including strong remote monitoring and management (RMM), PSA, IT ticketing, patch management, remote access, and more.

Instead of spending money on various software solutions, Atera provides an all-in-one solution to managing your IT infrastructure. Its AI-powered capabilities shine in Atera’s AI Copilot, which enables IT technicians to be 10X more efficient and maximize cost savings.

If you want to try Atera, you can contact our sales team for a demo or sign up for a 30-day free trial—no credit card required.