As networks evolve and become more complex, having the right network monitoring tool becomes an essential part of every business. Constant monitoring of the network is essential to proactively avoid security risks and network failures.
There are many different network monitoring tools available today, and each comes with its own share of advantages and disadvantages. So, it is important to zero in on the one that best fits your needs.
In this guide, we will be comparing two well-known network monitoring solutions – Paessler PRTG vs Progress WhatsUp Gold. We will give you the pros and cons of each tool followed by direct comparison to help you decide if either of the two would work for you.
Here’s a Quick Rundown of Each software package and some of their Pros and Cons.
Paessler PRTG – FREE TRIAL
Paessler PRTG is a popular network monitoring tool that helps to monitor thousands of devices, so you get real-time information in the event of failures or problems.
Why do we recommend it?
Paessler PRTG offers real-time monitoring and accurate alerts, helping you focus on genuine issues rather than false alarms. Its ease of use combined with powerful API integrations and graph/report generation make it an outstanding tool in its category.
Who is it recommended for?
We recommend Paessler PRTG for mid to large-sized organizations looking for a robust and versatile network monitoring solution. Its feature set also makes it compatible with most popular network equipment, making it a great choice for diverse IT environments.
Pros:
- Accurate bandwidth monitoring
- Powerful API integrations
- Can be deployed within just a few minutes
- Easy to use
- Accurate alerts, so you don’t waste your time fixing the wrong issues
- Comes with a web-based GUI and a dedicated client, that gives more flexibility
- Generates excellent graphs and reports
- Ideal for mid and large-size organizations
- Works well with the most popular equipment available in the market today
- Auto updates make it easy for administrators
Cons:
- Sensor allocations get used quickly, so you’ll have to spend more money to monitor a wide range of devices
- Sometimes, it is too much work to setup specific alarms, like monitoring high CPU usage
- SNMP usage is a little technical
You get free unlimited use of up to 100 sensors with PRTG. The full package is available on a 30-day free trial.
Progress WhatsUp Gold
WhatsUp Gold is a popular network monitoring tool from a company called Progress that aims to simplify troubleshooting and monitoring of IT environments.
Why do we recommend it?
WhatsUp Gold provides comprehensive monitoring of both networks and specific endpoints, generating detailed reports for performance analysis. Its user-friendly interface and quick alerts make it efficient for IT teams to address issues before they escalate.
Who is it recommended for?
We recommend WhatsUp Gold for businesses that require both network and endpoint monitoring, especially those that prioritize ease-of-use and fast alerting. Its features are beneficial for IT teams that handle complex infrastructures and need granular insights into network performance.
Pros:
- Monitors the complete network as well as specific endpoints
- Generates excellent reports that reflect the performance of the network and its endpoints
- User-friendly and intuitive
- Quick alerts help IT people to fix problems, so it doesn’t impact users in a big way
- Supports remote monitoring
- Creates maps for end-users to simplify monitoring
- Excellent backup configuration and archiving
Cons:
- Layout maps can include more visibility for devices
- Add-on plug-ins cost extra
- SNMP tuning requires in-depth knowledge
- Training classes are expensive
Now that we’ve seen the pros and cons of each product, let’s see how they stack up against each other.
Paessler PRTG vs WhatsUp Gold Differences & Comparison:
Features |
WhatsUp Gold |
Paessler PRTG |
MIB Compiler | No | Yes |
Web App | Available | Available |
Support for QR codes | No | Yes |
Sensor-Based | No | Yes |
Auto Discovery | Yes | Yes |
SNMP | Yes | Yes |
Support for Plugins | Yes | Yes |
Distributed Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Trend Prediction | Yes | Yes |
Free Trial | Yes | First 100 sensors are free then 30-day free trial |
Request More Info | Download FREE |
Conclusion
To conclude, both Paessler PRTG and Progress WhatsUp Gold are good monitoring tools with a ton of positive user feedback. The exact choice depends on what you exactly want, budget, network layout and model, and other pertinent factors.
Overall though, WhatsUp Gold is perfect for organizations that need to be notified of any particular event whereas PRTG is more of an all-round monitoring tool that will Scale up when your Business Grows!
Related Post: Best Bandwidth Monitoring Software