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I tested the Paessler PRTG Network Monitor – see what I thought of it
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PRTG Network Monitor is a mature workhorse in our best network monitoring tools roundup.
Paessler’s flagship product offers comprehensive visibility across networks, servers, and applications through its signature sensor-based approach. The platform monitors everything from bandwidth usage to hardware health metrics in real-time.
TechRadar reviewers spend several weeks researching each major IT platform in the market. We’ve found PRTG particularly appealing for mid-sized organizations seeking robust monitoring without enterprise complexity.
While LogicMonitor remains our pick for the best network monitoring tool of 2025, thanks to its AI-powered automation suite for IT workflows, PRTG offers compelling value for teams prioritizing quick deployment and comprehensive device support.
Paessler: Pricing
Plan | Starting price (paid annually) | What’s included |
PRTG 500 | $179/month | 500 sensors, monitor ~50 devices, basic support |
PRTG 1000 | $325/month | 1,000 sensors, monitor ~100 devices, basic support |
PRTG 2500 | $675/month | 2,500 sensors, monitor ~250 devices, basic support |
PRTG 5000 | £1,183/month | 5,000 sensors, monitor ~500 devices, basic support |
PRTG XL 1 | $1,292/month | Unlimited sensors, single core server, basic support |
PRTG Enterprise | Custom | Multiple core servers, unlimited sensors, enterprise support |
- Note: Prices converted from perpetual licenses to monthly equivalents based on 3-year depreciation
PRTG’s sensor-based pricing offers flexibility but can become expensive as monitoring requirements grow. The licensing model counts individual metrics rather than devices, with most devices requiring 5-10 sensors for comprehensive monitoring.
While this allows precise control over monitoring scope, costs escalate quickly in large environments.
Support requires additional annual fees ranging from $360-680 after the first year, which adds to the total cost of ownership.
Paessler PRTG: Features
PRTG’s feature depth justifies its position among leading network monitoring platforms. It mostly targets IT professionals managing diverse network environments, with particular strength in multi-vendor networks.
For example, it’s remarkably good at infrastructure monitoring, with over 250 native sensor types covering everything from SNMP devices to SaaS.
However, PRTG lacks the advanced AI/ML capabilities of some competitors like LogicMonitor.
Its pricing remains reasonable for smaller deployments, but sensor-based licensing can become quite expensive as monitoring needs grow.
Automatic network discovery
PRTG’s automatic discovery feature simplifies initial setup by identifying all network devices and creating appropriate monitoring sensors automatically. The system recognizes servers, routers, switches, and printers without manual configuration. This significantly reduces deployment time and ongoing management overhead for IT teams.
Real-Time dashboards and visualization
The platform provides customizable dashboards with live status information and graphical data representation. You can create custom maps using the PRTG map designer to visualize network topology and performance metrics. These visual tools help administrators quickly identify issues and understand network health at a glance.
Multi-protocol monitoring
PRTG supports comprehensive monitoring through multiple protocols, including SNMP, WMI, NetFlow, and HTTP.
The platform can monitor physical network environments, virtual servers, cloud services, and applications from a single interface. This makes it suitable for hybrid infrastructure environments combining on-premises and cloud resources.
Alerting and notification system
The notification system delivers alerts via email, SMS, push notifications, and integrations with third-party tools. Administrators can customize alert thresholds and create escalation procedures to ensure critical issues receive appropriate attention. PRTG has achieved 91% satisfaction ratings for its alerting capabilities.
Reporting and analytics
PRTG generates customizable reports covering performance metrics, availability statistics, and trend analysis. Users can schedule automated reports and create executive summaries for stakeholder communication. The reporting functionality supports compliance requirements and capacity planning initiatives
Paessler PRTG: Ease of use
PRTG’s interface strikes a balance between comprehensive functionality and user accessibility.
The web-based dashboard presents monitoring data through intuitive graphs and visual representations that help newcomers understand network status quickly.
Setup takes just minutes with the automatic discovery feature handling initial device identification.
However, the sensor-based licensing model can confuse new users who expect traditional per-device pricing.
And while the platform’s learning curve remains manageable for IT professionals, customization requires a deeper understanding of both the infrastructure and the platform’s capabilities.
Advanced features like custom sensors and complex alerting rules demand more technical expertise.
Most users praise the straightforward approach to adding devices and configuring basic monitoring, but note that fine-tuning alerts and managing large sensor deployments requires careful planning to avoid notification fatigue.
Paessler PRTG: Customer support
Paessler provides multiple support channels, including email, phone, and an integrated help desk accessible through the PRTG interface.
The company offers comprehensive documentation, video tutorials, and an active community forum for troubleshooting assistance. Premium support includes priority response times and direct access to technical specialists for complex issues.
Support quality varies by license tier, with basic plans receiving standard email support and enterprise customers getting dedicated account management. Response times typically range from 1-2 business days for standard inquiries, though critical issues receive faster attention.
The company charges additional fees for extended support beyond the first year, which some users find frustrating compared to competitors offering inclusive support packages.
Paessler PRTG: The competition
PRTG occupies a strong position in the network monitoring market as a feature-rich solution for mid-sized organizations.
The platform competes directly with SolarWinds NPM, ManageEngine OpManager, and Progress WhatsUp Gold in the traditional enterprise monitoring space.
PRTG’s strength lies in its comprehensive device support and reasonable pricing for smaller deployments, making it particularly attractive for organizations managing diverse network environments.
For enterprises seeking advanced analytics and automation, LogicMonitor’s AI-powered platform offers superior predictive capabilities and automated remediation.
Cloud-native organizations might prefer DataDog or New Relic for their modern architectures and developer-focused features.
PRTG remains the better choice for traditional IT teams managing on-premises infrastructure who value proven reliability over cutting-edge automation capabilities.
Paessler PRTG: Final verdict
PRTG Network Monitor delivers solid value for organizations seeking comprehensive network monitoring without excessive complexity.
The platform’s extensive sensor library, intuitive interface, and quick deployment make it an excellent choice for IT teams managing traditional network infrastructures.
While the sensor-based licensing model may surprise newcomers, the flexibility to monitor specific metrics provides precise control over costs and monitoring scope.
However, PRTG falls behind newer competitors in AI-driven automation and predictive analytics capabilities. Organizations prioritizing modern features like intelligent alerting, automated remediation, or advanced machine learning should consider alternatives like LogicMonitor.
For traditional IT environments where proven reliability and comprehensive device support matter most, PRTG remains a compelling choice that balances functionality with accessibility.
Paessler PRTG: FAQs
How does PRTG’s sensor-based licensing work?
PRTG licenses are based on the number of individual metrics (sensors) rather than devices. Each sensor monitors one specific aspect of a device, such as CPU usage or network traffic. Most devices require 5-10 sensors for comprehensive monitoring, so a 1000-sensor license typically covers about 100 devices.
Can PRTG monitor cloud environments?
Yes, PRTG supports cloud monitoring for major providers including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. The platform can monitor cloud services, virtual machines, and hybrid environments through various protocols and APIs. However, cloud-native monitoring solutions may offer better integration with modern cloud services.
What’s included in the free version of PRTG?
Paessler’s free edition of PRTG includes monitoring for up to 100 sensors permanently, which typically covers 10-20 devices depending on monitoring requirements. It includes all core features like dashboards, alerting, and reporting — making it suitable for small networks and for evaluation purposes.
How difficult is PRTG to set up and configure?
PRTG offers quick deployment with automatic network discovery that identifies devices and creates appropriate sensors automatically. Basic setup takes minutes, though advanced customization and large-scale deployments require more planning and technical expertise to optimize sensor configurations and alert management.
Does PRTG integrate with other IT management tools?
PRTG provides various integration options, including REST APIs, webhooks, and support for ITSM platforms like ServiceNow and Jira. The platform can send alerts to ticketing systems and supports integration with security tools for comprehensive IT management workflows.
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