Side by side
Observium vs Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
Both stand on network performance monitoring software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
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 Observium
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
PRTG combines on-premises infrastructure monitoring with alerts, reports, dashboards, and an API. Check sensor needs and the single-license-per-server limit when choosing a plan.
Visit Paessler PRTG Network MonitorThe facts
| Observium | Paessler PRTG Network Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | PRTG 500: $200 a year |
| Plans published | 3 | 6 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | observium.org | paessler.com |
| On network performance monitoring software | #6 of 27 | #8 of 27 |
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
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor: what it does well
- More than 250 preconfigured sensors
- Customizable alerts and scheduled reports
- API for monitoring data and custom features
- Free iOS and Android monitoring apps
What to know first
- Mobile apps do not support cluster setups
- License sizes cannot be combined on one server
- Paid plans start at $200/mo billed annually
Alternatives to Observium Alternatives to Paessler PRTG Network Monitor The whole list