Built for real-world scale, NetCrunch delivers faster discovery, broader monitoring coverage, smarter alerting, and effortless configuration — all without the complexity and limits of PRTG's sensor-based model.
Whether monitoring dozens of systems or managing thousands of devices across hybrid environments.
NetCrunch gives you enterprise-grade power
without the enterprise-grade headaches and price.
As networks continuously expand across hybrid environments, monitoring must keep pace. NetCrunch is engineered for real-time observability and resilient scalability without hidden costs or manual sprawl.
Modern monitoring must be scalable, real-time, and proactive — spotting patterns, not just reacting to failures.
Yet too many tools, like PRTG, hit hard limits: 10,000 sensors per server, soaring license costs, and painful performance drops.
We built NetCrunch to break those limits.
No sensor micromanagement. No hidden costs. No struggling at scale.
Just fast, real-time observability — built to grow with you.
Because you can't monitor what you can't scale.
Monitor servers, switches, virtual machines, services, and apps with 670+ monitoring targets.
Monitor 50 or 5,000 nodes in real time, with live maps, dashboards, and event processing that keeps up.
Import your PRTG configuration and start monitoring with less effort and more automation.
Full-Stack Monitoring Without Sensor Limits
Advanced Network Interface Monitoring with NetCrunch
Automated Discovery, Smarter Monitoring
Context-Rich Alerts That See Ahead
Live Maps, Dashboards, and Instant Search
Scale Freely With Node-Based Licensing
Built to Scale and Adapt.
Easy Sizing and Seamless Migration
NetCrunch uses a powerful target-based monitoring model that provides out-of-the-box coverage for over 670 types of services, systems, and applications.
| Feature | ✅ NetCrunch | ⚠️ PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring Model | ✅ Target-based: Services, Packs, Sensors | ⚠️ Sensor-based only |
| Built-in Monitoring Coverage | ✅ 680+ monitoring targets | ⚠️ 250+ sensor types |
| Interface Monitoring Capabilities | ✅ Single object per interface: traffic, utilization, errors, discards, VLANs, and port mapping | ⚠️ Requires 2–3 sensors per interface to match functionality |
| VMware Monitoring | ✅ Full vSphere & vCenter coverage | ⚠️ Partial VMware monitoring only |
| Hyper-V Host Monitoring | ✅ Full host overview with real-time health data | ✅ Available with Hyper-V Host Server sensor |
| Hyper-V VM Monitoring | ✅ Comprehensive VM view with CPU, memory, checkpoints | ⚠️ Basic VM metrics only |
| Hardware & Software Inventory | ✅ Automatic inventory collection | ❌ Not available |
| Device Configuration Monitoring | ✅ Backup & change detection for network device configuration | ❌ Not available |
| Cloud Monitoring | ✅ Native AWS, Azure, hybrid cloud services | ⚠️ Basic AWS/Azure sensors only |
| Log Monitoring & Parsing | ✅ Built-in flexible log parsing & alerting | ⚠️ Limited (basic syslog/snmp traps) |
| External Data Integration | ✅ REST, file parsers, telemetry (OTLP) support | ❌ Not available |
| Telemetry (OTLP) Support | ✅ Native logs and metrics ingestion | ❌ Not supported |
| Windows System Views | ✅ Live views for Services, Processes, Sessions, Tasks, Hardware, Software, Hotfixes, Windows Updates, Virtual Machines with full control | ⚠️ Limited basic views (no live control, about 4 categories) |
| Advanced Process Monitoring | ✅ Identifies processes by full path and parameters (supports Java, Node.js identification) | ❌ Process name only; cannot reliably distinguish similar processes |
| Flow Monitoring Model | ✅ Multi-source aggregation, NBARv2 support, full analyzer views for protocols, apps, top talkers | ⚠️ Single-source per sensor, basic traffic summaries, no NBAR support |
| Scripted Custom Monitoring | ✅ Local (server) and remote (SSH) script execution | ✅ Local (server) and remote (SSH) script execution |
| External Data Ingestion | ✅ Native REST Data Receiver Sensor | ⚠️ Limited push integration |
Unlike PRTG, which requires users to configure and count individual sensors manually, NetCrunch organizes monitoring into clear, scalable targets across your environment.
While PRTG originated as a traffic graphing tool, inspired by MRTG, it still primarily focuses on basic bandwidth usage. NetCrunch, however, takes interface monitoring to a new level — offering automatic port mapping, VLAN discovery, Layer 2 physical diagrams, error and discard tracking, and real-time traffic visualization.
Here’s how NetCrunch outperforms traditional bandwidth monitoring tools, such as PRTG.
| Feature | NetCrunch | PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Auto Port Mapping | ✅ Automatic | ❌ Manual |
| VLAN Discovery | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Missing |
| Layer 2 Topology Views | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Interface Error and Discard Monitoring | ✅ Full tracking (In/Out) | 🟡 Basic SNMP counter only |
| Physical Segment Traffic Analysis | ✅ Visual + Graphs | ❌ No |
| Dynamic Traffic Heatmaps | ✅ Integrated | ❌ No |
| Interface Auto-Discovery Optimization | ✅ Interface Schemas | ❌ Manual effort |
PRTG doesn’t do automatic network topology visualization or deep Layer 2 discovery without tons of manual setup or expensive add-ons.
NetCrunch automates configuration through discovery, Monitoring Packs, and dynamic grouping. PRTG requires manual setup of individual sensors, increasing both effort and complexity.
NetCrunch meets enterprise security standards today — not someday.
| Feature | ✅ NetCrunch | ⚠️ PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | ✅ Fast, Full network, AD, SNMP, VMware | ⚠️Slow, limited network discovery |
| Monitoring Logic | ✅ Monitoring Packs (built-in & custom) | ⚠️Manual sensors per device |
| MIB Compiler & Library | ✅ 8,700 MIBs, 300,000+ OIDs precompiled | ❌ No compiler, manual setup |
| Multi-Selection Bulk Changes | ✅ Mass update of nodes and settings | ⚠️ Pause/Resume only |
| Node Templates | ✅ Configure by device type or role | ❌ Not available |
| Dynamic Groups/Folders | ✅ Automatic based on filters | ❌ Manual group setup only |
| PRTG Migration Tool | ✅ Built-in migration script | ❌ Not available |
| Kerberos Authentication | ✅ Native support since 2019 | ❌ Still not supported (planned only) |
| Custom Node Fields | ✅ Custom fields for nodes; usable in dynamic views, policies, and filters. | ❌ No custom fields support. |
| Node Attachments | ✅ Ability to attach files (contracts, manuals, diagrams) to nodes. | ❌ No support for device or sensor attachments. |
| Node Notes System | ✅ Full notes system: categories, subjects, due dates, attachments, comments. | ❌ No native notes or comments for devices. |
| REST API | ✅ Powerful automation API for inventory sync, integration with systems like NetBox | ⚠️ Limited sensor CRUD only |
Managing a handful of devices is simple. Managing thousands devices, demands NetCrunch’s automation and scale.
NetCrunch integrates multi-trigger alerts, real-time correlation, and actionable event logs to provide comprehensive situational awareness. Conversely, NetCrunch offers a complete alerting and analytics framework designed for high-volume environments.
| Feature | ✅ NetCrunch | ⚠️ PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger Types | ✅ 11+ advanced types including predictive | ❌ 4 basic (threshold, state) |
| Alert Correlation | ✅ Traps, syslog, web messages | ❌ Not supported |
| Event Log | ✅ Full event log with search and filters | ❌ None (only ticketing) |
| Custom Event Views | ✅ Query/filter-based | ⚠️ Limited ticket filters |
| Event Analytics | ✅ Top alerts, nodes, trends | ❌ Not available |
| Alert Details View | ✅ Root cause, value graph, conditions log, alert frequency chart | ⚠️ Sensor status only |
| Alerting Actions | ✅ 40+ alerting actions including remote command execution on Windows and Linux. | ⚠️ Basic alert actions; no native remote execution capabilities. |
| Alerting Flexibility | ✅ Multiple trigger types, escalation policies, and event suppression by dependency. | ⚠️ Limited thresholds and notifications, simple escalation only. |
| External Integrations | ✅ 25+ Two-way integration with Help Desk (ServiceNow, JIRA) and Messaging (Slack, MS Teams). | ⚠️ Limited one-way notifications. |
PRTG offers only basic alert conditions and a limited ticket-style history.
NetCrunch offers a single modern interface that updates instantly and supports visual, searchable network awareness. PRTG splits features across old/new UIs with slow refresh and sensor clutter.
| Feature | ✅ NetCrunch | ⚠️ PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Web Console | ✅ Modern, responsive, fast (SPA-like) | ⚠️ Basic, slower, clunky |
| Trend Analyzer | ✅ Interactive metric comparison across multiple nodes. | ❌ Only static, basic charts; no multi-node comparisons. |
| Map & Diagram Editor | ✅ Panel-based, Figma-style, light/dark themes | ❌ Pixel-based, cumbersome drag & drop |
| Map Layout Adaptation | ✅ Aspect-ratio aware, auto-fitting to screen | ❌ Fixed pixel sizes, not responsive |
| Map Theme Support | ✅ Dual-palette color themes; automatic light/dark mode adaptation | ❌ Single fixed color set; no theme switching |
| Live Updates | ✅ Real-time UI updates from data streams | ⚠️ Static updates, 30+ sec refresh delays |
| Global Search | ✅ Instant search across nodes, services, doc, views, settings... | ⚠️ Slow, basic keyword search only |
| Event Log Access | ✅ Built-in, detailed, searchable event log | ❌ No centralized event log |
| Multi-Window Management | ✅ Multiple independent views and windows | ⚠️ Limited to main screen and tabs |
| UX for Large Networks | ✅ Optimized for thousands of devices | ⚠️ Performance and usability degrade quickly |
| Multi-Selection & Bulk Actions | ✅ Configure settings across many nodes at once | ⚠️ Limited (pause/resume only) |
| Secure View Sharing | ✅ Share dashboards, diagrams via secure links without login | ❌ Not available |
| Automated Screens & Rotations | ✅ Full-screen view rotation with automatic scrolling | ⚠️ Basic map slideshow, no auto-scrolling |
Real-time updates, responsive design, instant search, seamless sharing, and effortless customization.
No clutter. No delays. No compromises.
NetCrunch uses node-based licensing, allowing unlimited sensors per device. PRTG’s sensor-based model inflates costs and creates management complexity as environments scale.
| Feature | ✅ NetCrunch | ⚠️ PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing Model | ✅ Node & interface based, unlimited sensors per device | ❌ Sensor-based (each metric group (i.e disk) = separate sensor) |
| Interface Licensing | ✅ One license per interface, includes traffic, errors, discards, VLANs, and port mapping | ⚠️ Typically 1–3 sensors per interface (traffic, errors, discards, optional VLAN), multiplying license usage |
| Cost Predictability | ✅ Transparent, scalable pricing | ⚠️ Cost rises with complexity |
| Expansion Flexibility | ✅ Add packs modularly (50/100 nodes or interfaces) without reinstall | ⚠️ Only large tier upgrades (500, 2500, 5000 sensors) — double price |
| Incremental Growth Support | ✅ Small, affordable add-ons without disruption | ❌ Must purchase next full license tier |
| Operational Overhead | ✅ Low (automated, fewer config hours) | ❌ High (manual sensor setup per node) |
| Included Tools | ✅ Maps, flows, dashboards, alert engine included | ⚠️ Some features require add-ons |
Grow your monitoring your way
without paying double at every step.
We designed NetCrunch for real-world growth. It supports virtual clusters, flexible cloud deployments, dynamic load balancing, and secure remote connectivity without complex configuration.
| Feature | ✅ NetCrunch | ⚠️ PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Environment Support | ✅ Full VMware and Hyper-V cluster support | ⚠️ Partial; complex configuration needed |
| Distributed Probes | ✅ Easy deployment across multiple locations | ✅ Remote probes supported |
| Node Mobility Between Probes | ✅ Seamless node migration between probes | ⚠️ Possible but complex/manual |
| Load Balancing | ✅ Built-in node redistribution across probes | ⚠️ Manual redistribution required |
| High Availability Setup | ✅ Designed for cluster failover (VMware, Hyper-V) | ⚠️ Limited clustering (manual setup) |
| Scaling Beyond 10K Metrics | ✅ Scales without redesign, thousands of nodes supported | ❌ Hard limit (~10K sensors/server) |
| Cloud Deployment Flexibility | ✅ Installable on any cloud platform (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc) | ⚠️ SaaS only (AWS hosted) |
| Secure Cloud Connection | ✅ Built-in HTTPS tunnel — no VPN, proxy, or cert setup | ❌ Requires VPN, reverse proxy, or manual networking |
In contrast, PRTG is having trouble keeping up. It has hard sensor limits, requires manual clustering, and limits cloud deployment to a single-hosted platform.
Whether you're adding a new site, doubling your devices, or moving to hybrid cloud, NetCrunch stays ready.
NetCrunch Sizer is a free Windows desktop application designed to help PRTG users understand how their existing setup maps to NetCrunch’s node-based licensing.
You can connect directly to your live PRTG server or manually enter your monitoring data. The tool will analyze your configuration and recommend the appropriate NetCrunch version and license — including the number of nodes and interfaces.
Whether planning a migration or just exploring alternatives, NetCrunch Sizer helps you make an informed decision transparently.
Ready to find out how simple your transition can be?
👉 Download NetCrunch Sizer or contact us for a personalized assessment.
Explore why NetCrunch is the best all-in-one monitoring alternative.
Looking for more than just a SolarWinds comparison? See how NetCrunch stands against other legacy monitoring platforms, and why it's the smarter choice for modern networks.
