Apstra Operating System vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager comparison

Juniper and SolarWinds are both solutions in the Network Automation category. Juniper is ranked #14, while SolarWinds is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.7. Juniper holds a 2.0% mindshare in NA, compared to SolarWinds’s 10.0% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Juniper users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.

Apstra Operating System

Read 1 Apstra Operating System review

370 Views
15 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SolarWinds Network Configur...

Read 27 SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager reviews

1,188 Views
90 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Apstra Operating System

SolarWinds Network Configur...

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apstra Operating System and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Cisco, VMware and others in Network Automation.

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Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

May 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Apstra Operating System

Ranking in Network Automation

14th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SolarWinds Network Configur...

Ranking in Network Automation

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Configuration Management (14th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of Apstra Operating System is 2.0%, down from 2.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is 10.0%, down from 10.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Automation

Featured Reviews

Hezio Fernandes

Works at wolterskluwer

Highly secure, useful AB test, and stable

I am using Apstra Operating System for some classes and for my personal use Apstra Operating System's most important features are the security and AB test to define what approach we need to take in my company. Additionally, the solution does not take a lot of maintenance. The report data could…

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RajeshB

Server and Network Monitoring Manager at a consultancy with 1,001-5,000 employees

Offers additional functionality, including warranty management

Setting up a solution involves configuring a server and a web console, which is straightforward. Network team coordination is necessary when applying it to devices. This involves creating device connection profiles and ensuring SNMP is enabled. Initially, there were challenges involved in this process, but once the setup was complete, operations proceeded smoothly. All network devices are automatically added to NPM during auto-discovery in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, including Network Configuration Manager features. Once configuration profile credentials are established in NCM, they are automatically deployed to all network devices. The solution is easy to use and deploy, although initial setup may require coordination and overcoming challenges.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Apstra Operating System's most important features are the security and AB test to define what approach we need to take in my company. Additionally, the solution does not take a lot of maintenance."

"Configuration pushing, upgrade capabilities, job backup, configuration backup, and real-time configuration change monitoring are highly beneficial features of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."

"It is pretty straightforward to set up."

"We push all our configurations to the servers with ease and the logs capture almost all the transactions needed for an internal audit."

"NCM also helps with vulnerability assessment and remediation."

"The most valuable Real-time fault detection is beneficial as it enables the identification of changes made to a device's configuration through the SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. This makes it easy to pinpoint which configurations were added or removed, potentially causing network issues. Such changes are saved in logs for future reference."

"It is a stable solution."

"Compared to other vendors, like NetBrain, managing the solution is easy. They made it very user-friendly."

"The installation is straightforward."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pros

Cons

"The report data could improve in Apstra Operating System."

"For each device, when you open the network performance monitor, it will give you all of the information about the device, but many of the natural configuration management features are not on that page."

"The solution could have better integration."

"It would be great if they include a network service manager, network performance manager, or a privileged assessment in the next release."

"Its customer service response could be faster."

"The AI features do not work well."

"The only thing that requires some experience, and training doesn't fix, is how to set up your custom policy-based reports to check compliance."

"Improvements are needed in the automatic network mapping function."

"On NCM, reporting could be a bit better. It's completely become just one report. When I try to create a custom report, the solution just commits old server data."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is competitive."

"With a minimal bundle, we pay about $3000 a year in licensing costs. If you have multiple devices in your network, you must buy the bundle, which is 100% identical for your infrastructure. If you have 15 devices, you need 15 licenses, for example. That's one bundle. You don't pay for anything over and above that."

"The pricing is good."

"You have a base license for 50 devices, and then you can add more licenses as you go."

"Pricing is reasonable and competitive."

"There is a license needed to use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."

"We have to pay additionally for its support and maintenance."

"I have a yearly subscription."

"Additional costs beyond the standard licensing fee are inevitable."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

22%

University

12%

Government

10%

Financial Services Firm

Government

13%

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The configuration compliance aspect of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager allows for easy comparison of configuration settings across branches, ensuring adherence to security guidelines and b...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The licensing costs of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager are expensive, but considering its reliability, feature enhancements, and support, it is worthwhile.

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What needs improvement with SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

Further improvements in automation are needed. Currently, there are limitations in performing tasks without logging into routers directly, and we expect more comprehensive device control.

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco DNA Center vs Apstra Operating System

Compared 67% of the time

VMware NSX vs Apstra Operating System

Compared 33% of the time

More Apstra Operating System Competitors

Cisco DNA Center vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compared 27% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compared 8% of the time

ManageEngine Network Configuration Management vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compared 7% of the time

VMware NSX vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compared 6% of the time

NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compared 5% of the time

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

May 2025

Download Apstra Operating System product report

Buyer's Guide

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

May 2025

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager report

Download SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager product report

Also Known As

Apstra OS, AOS

SolarWinds NCM

Overview

The Apstra Operating System (AOS) is a turn-key automation solution that dramatically simplifies the process of designing, deploying and operating data center networks. Apstra AOS provides a singular view into the relationships and interdependencies of millions of data center elements. With real continuous validation, Apstra AOS enables you to instantly pinpoint and quickly resolve issues across all infrastructure silos, regardless of vendor or hardware.

Juniper

Before you monitor your network, configure it! A reliable and secure network starts with carefully planned, executed, and monitored network configuration and change management. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) saves time and improves network reliability and security by managing configurations, changes, and compliance for routers, switches, and other network devices from Cisco, Juniper, HP, Dell, Brocade, Aruba, Rukus, and more.

SolarWinds

Sample Customers

Bloomberg Television, Energy Corporation, A mid-sized financial services company

United Lincolnshire Hospitals, Air Rarotonga, NetSuite, Thai AirAsia, REA Group, 335th Signal Command, Agilisys, Marine Expeditionary Force

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Cisco, VMware and others in Network Automation. Updated: May 2025.

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