PRTG Network Monitor
8.0/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- Free tier available
- Reviews
- 4.6/5 (~250 G2 reviews)
- Free trial
- Free tier + 30 days
- Deployment
- On-prem + cloud
- Best for
- Teams wanting sensor-based monitoring with a free tier
Best Network Monitoring Software · 2026
PRTG Network Monitor vs 
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted PRTG Network Monitor vs SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted: on our data-weighted scoring, PRTG Network Monitor edges ahead (8.0 vs 7.8/10). PRTG Network Monitor starts at Free tier available and is best for teams wanting sensor-based monitoring with a free tier; SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted starts at $7.42/node/mo and is best for enterprises wanting deep, self-hosted network + infrastructure observability (formerly hybrid cloud observability). Choose PRTG Network Monitor for the stronger overall track record; consider SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted
8.2/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- $7.42/node/mo
- Reviews
- 4.3/5 (~835 G2 reviews)
- Free trial
- 30 days
- Deployment
- Cloud + on-prem
- Best for
- Enterprises wanting deep, self-hosted network + infrastructure observability (formerly Hybrid Cloud Observability)
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Strengths at a glance
Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →
| Criterion | PRTG Network Monitor | SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| User reviews | 9.2 | 8.6 |
| Adoption | 6.4 | 7.7 |
| Affordability | 9.5 | 5.1 |
| Feature breadth | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Ease of trial | 10.0 | 6.0 |
PRTG Network Monitor vs SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted: head-to-head
| PRTG Network Monitor | SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free tier available | $7.42/node/mo |
| Pricing model | per sensor | per device |
| Free trial / tier | Free tier + 30 days | 30 days |
| Best for | Teams wanting sensor-based monitoring with a free tier | Enterprises wanting deep, self-hosted network + infrastructure observability (formerly Hybrid Cloud Observability) |
| Deployment | On-prem + cloud | Cloud + on-prem |
| G2 rating | 4.6/5 (250) | 4.3/5 (835) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 8.0 | 7.8 |
Choose PRTG Network Monitor if…
You need teams wanting sensor-based monitoring with a free tier.
Pros
- Free up to 100 sensors
- Mature and flexible
- Broad protocol support
Cons
- Sensor model can get costly
- On-prem core
- Dated UI
Choose SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted if…
You need enterprises wanting deep, self-hosted network + infrastructure observability (formerly hybrid cloud observability).
Pros
- Deep
- mature feature set
- Strong on-prem/hybrid control
- Broad device + vendor coverage
Cons
- Pricey at scale
- Steep learning curve
- Multi-year subscription commitment
In depth
Pricing: PRTG Network Monitor vs SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted
PRTG Network Monitor bills on a per sensor model from Free tier available (free tier available), while SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted uses a per device model from $7.42/node/mo (30 days trial). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.
Features & deployment
PRTG Network Monitor ships 5 headline capabilities (Sensor-based monitoring, SNMP/flow/packet, Custom dashboards, Alerting) and deploys On-prem + cloud. SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted ships 6 (Network performance monitoring (NPM), Server + application management, NetFlow + bandwidth analysis, Config + IP address management), deploying Cloud + on-prem.
Ratings & verdict
PRTG Network Monitor holds 4.6/5 (~250 G2 reviews); SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted holds 4.3/5 (~835 G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, PRTG Network Monitor edges ahead (8.0 vs 7.8/10). Pick SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted instead when enterprises wanting deep, self-hosted network + infrastructure observability (formerly hybrid cloud observability). See PRTG Network Monitor alternatives or SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
- PRTG Network Monitor vs SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted: which is better?
- PRTG Network Monitor vs SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted: on our data-weighted scoring, PRTG Network Monitor edges ahead (8.0 vs 7.8/10). PRTG Network Monitor starts at Free tier available and is best for teams wanting sensor-based monitoring with a free tier; SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted starts at $7.42/node/mo and is best for enterprises wanting deep, self-hosted network + infrastructure observability (formerly hybrid cloud observability).
- Is PRTG Network Monitor cheaper than SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted?
- PRTG Network Monitor starts at Free tier available and SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted starts at $7.42/node/mo (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of June 16, 2026. Sources: paessler.com, solarwinds.com. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.