Bandwidth Monitor

What Bandwidth Monitor is

Bandwidth Monitor is a free, open-source dashboard for watching network activity on Linux routers and hosts. It runs as a self-hosted daemon with an embedded web interface, showing rates and history for each interface, top traffic sources, host details, and protocol and IP-version breakdowns. Network views also cover conntrack and NAT state, client topology, latency checks, and a live traffic map. Diagnostic tools include server-side speed tests, traceroute, DNS and resolver checks, path MTU discovery, public-address checks, and TCP tests. Optional integrations connect DNS services AdGuard Home, NextDNS, and Pi-hole, as well as UniFi and Omada for WiFi. The daemon is Linux-only and distributed as one Go binary, with packages listed for Debian, Ubuntu, Raspbian, Fedora, RHEL, Arch Linux, OpenWrt, and Nix. Its API offers JSON endpoints under /api and a Server-Sent Events stream for live dashboard data. Companion clients include macOS menu-bar tools, a Windows tray widget, and GNOME/AppIndicator panels. An independently developed iOS client displays live interface rates and supports Lock Screen widgets and Live Activities, but needs access to a running instance. Interface and conntrack/NAT statistics require CAP_NET_ADMIN or root; some capture and diagnostic features require CAP_NET_RAW or root. The project is licensed under GNU AGPL v3.0.

Who it suits

Bandwidth Monitor suits people who administer Linux routers or hosts and want a self-hosted view of traffic, network state, and diagnostics. It can also serve users who want companion panels or clients on macOS, Windows, GNOME, or iOS, provided the Linux daemon is running and reachable where required.

Limits

Bandwidth Monitor is free, with no paid tier listed. Interface statistics and conntrack/NAT require CAP_NET_ADMIN or root, while top-talkers capture and ICMP latency or traceroute need CAP_NET_RAW or root.

Getting started

1. Visit https://github.com/awlx/bandwidth-monitor.
2. Install the Linux daemon using a package listed for your distribution or the Go binary.
3. Run the daemon on a Linux router or host.
4. Connect through its embedded web interface or HTTP API.
5. Optionally connect a documented companion client to the daemon.

Verdict

Pick Bandwidth Monitor if you want a free, self-hosted Linux dashboard with traffic views, network diagnostics, and an API. Look elsewhere if you need a daemon that runs on macOS, Windows, or iOS, or cannot grant the required network permissions for some functions.