Side by side
Cacti vs Observium
Both stand on network monitoring. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1
Cacti combines network data collection, availability checks, graphing, and distributed polling in a self-hosted package. Plan for its listed software requirements and the stated advanced SNMPv3 limitation when using PHP SNMP.
Visit Cacti
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Observium offers a free Community edition and paid editions with additional alerting, traffic accounting, or support features. Buyers should compare the release cadence and edition-specific capabilities against their deployment needs.
Visit ObserviumThe facts
| Cacti | Observium | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | cacti.net | observium.org |
| On network monitoring | #4 of 55 | #18 of 55 |
Cacti: what it does well
- Supports SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP checks.
- Remote collectors cache data during network interruptions.
- Plugins can extend collection to other protocols.
- Available for Linux/Unix and Windows.
What to know first
- Requires MySQL, PHP, RRDtool, and Net-SNMP.
- Requires a PHP-capable web server.
- Advanced SNMPv3 options have a documented PHP SNMP limitation.
Observium: what it does well
- Unlimited monitored devices, ports, and sensors
- Automatic discovery and network mapping support
- RESTful API for custom integrations and automation
- Professional subscriptions are free for registered charities and open-source projects
What to know first
- Community updates and features follow a 6-to-12-month cycle
- Community releases are distributed every six months
- Enterprise includes 10 hours of support
Alternatives to Cacti Alternatives to Observium The whole list