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Cisco DNA Center vs PRTG Enterprise Monitor comparison

Cisco and Paessler GmbH are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Cisco is ranked #13 with an average rating of 8.0, while Paessler GmbH is ranked #36 with an average rating of 7.3. Cisco holds a 1.4% mindshare in NMS, compared to Paessler GmbH’s 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of Paessler GmbH users who would recommend it.
Cisco DNA Center
Read 41 Cisco DNA Center reviews
  • 1,823 Views
  • 1,148 Comparison Views
89% willing to recommend
PRTG Enterprise Monitor
Read 9 PRTG Enterprise Monitor reviews
  • 411 Views
  • 305 Comparison Views
87% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Cisco DNA Center and PRTG Enterprise Monitor compete in network management. Cisco DNA Center is favored for its comprehensive visibility and advanced automation, while PRTG's extensive integration and sensor coverage suggest a feature-rich experience. Pricing and support give Cisco an edge, though PRTG's diverse features may justify higher costs.

Features: Cisco DNA Center offers advanced automation tools, intelligent insights, and enhanced security, with a focus on managing Cisco networks efficiently. PRTG Enterprise Monitor provides versatile sensor offerings, excellent customization options, and support for varied IT environments, making it suitable for diverse network types.

Room for Improvement: Cisco DNA Center could enhance compatibility with non-Cisco devices, improve user interface intuitiveness, and offer more flexible pricing tiers. PRTG Enterprise Monitor may benefit from streamlining its interface, improving reporting features, and offering enhanced scalability for larger enterprises.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco DNA Center integrates seamlessly into existing Cisco environments with comprehensive support, ensuring effective management. PRTG Enterprise Monitor provides a straightforward deployment process for various network types with supportive customer service tailored to personalized configurations.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco DNA Center requires a significant upfront investment offering favorable long-term returns for organizations focused on Cisco infrastructure. PRTG Enterprise Monitor offers flexible pricing models with attractive ROI through comprehensive functionalities across various budget frameworks.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco DNA Center vs. PRTG Enterprise Monitor Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco DNA Center vs. PRTG Enterprise Monitor
April 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

Cisco DNA Center
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
13th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
41
Ranking in other categories
Network Management Applications (1st), Network Automation (2nd)
PRTG Enterprise Monitor
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
36th
Average Rating
7.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
9
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 1.4%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of PRTG Enterprise Monitor is 0.5%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Monitoring Software
 

Featured Reviews

AvrahamSonenthal - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficiently manages our wireless network and provides valuable monitoring features
The platform's biggest benefit has been in managing our wireless network. Having a single pane of glass to control all wireless controllers and access points and to monitor activity has been a significant advantage. We're a small federal agency with around 300 network devices, so automation is a minor focus. It's more relevant for larger networks. The main benefits we've seen are in inventory management and the potential for configuration automation. However, I recommend using the DNA Centre only for larger networks with over a thousand devices; otherwise, it may not be cost-effective. Before proceeding, ensure that your devices are compatible with DNA Center, as not all Cisco devices are supported. Also, investing in proper training is different from plug-and-play. I rate it an eight.
Read full review
Moshiur-Rahman Khan - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers perfect real-time bandwidth monitoring and SNMP functionality
The licensing policy needs to change. The current model requires customers to purchase a minimum of two thousand licenses, which is not flexible for all customers. They should consider a more flexible licensing approach. Furthermore, alignment with customer expectations rather than offering numerous features that are not requested would be beneficial.
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

"The product's most valuable feature is the visual representation of the switch's front panel."
"DNA Center is scalable."
"I like the visibility, instant build, network, policies, and the ability to control access. I also like that you can visualize your whole network."
"The product gives a consolidated view."
"The most valuable features of Cisco DNA Center are wireless assurance and visibility."
"The best feature of Cisco DNA Center is the visibility page, where you can see everything on the dashboard, and you don't have to be a technical person to view the issues."
"The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it gives some kind of ease in operations, especially since our company is moving from CLI to GUI-based configuration."
"Cisco DNA Center provides operational support, compliance support, security vulnerability detection, and automatic scheduling."
More Cisco DNA Center pros
"It provides a vast array of options for dashboard creation and monitoring of the activities within the environment."
"The product is easy to understand."
"The solution's ability to monitor each and every aspect of our devices, such as memory utilization and port connectivity, is valuable."
"From a technical perspective, the product's most valuable feature is SNMP, an open standard monitoring protocol that works across various network devices and operating systems, including UNIX and Windows."
"The product's most valuable feature is network analysis."
"The product is easy to use and you don't need to have any training. You can use it even if you don't have an IT background."
"PRTG is good and very easy to use."
"It can identify downtimes and disruptions."
More PRTG Enterprise Monitor pros
 

Cons

"The product has many features that do not work properly."
"The product doesn’t have good monitoring capabilities."
"They should include UTM features in the product."
"I would like is to have a small information pointer available. It could be a plus feature that I want to implement. When I hover my mouse over the user interface, it should provide a brief explanation. It would be helpful to have it incorporated into the UI."
"Cisco DNA Center should improve its configuration management. It is better to have a dev version before pushing it."
"The solution's technical support is an area with which my company's clients have a problem. Cisco doesn't provide good technical support unless a user has a big account that Cisco wants to retain."
"Requires more focus on the digital side of things."
"Technical support could be better. The price could be better, and it could be more stable."
More Cisco DNA Center cons
"They should work on minimizing false positives by sending alerts promptly and confirming errors with minimal troubleshooting requirements."
"The solution could be improved by including a processing monitor, possibly with a language interface like Lua, allowing for writing custom sensors and processing outcomes of inputs."
"There is no unified monitoring in PRTG. It needs a lot of improvement in terms of integration."
"The solution could be improved by introducing security features similar to those available in Teams, as the current version only monitors devices and does not integrate IoT or OT devices."
"The licensing policy needs to change. The current model requires customers to purchase a minimum of two thousand licenses, which is not flexible for all customers."
"The support must be improved."
"In my opinion, one area that could be improved in PRTG Enterprise Monitor is the capability to send SMS notifications. Notifications are crucial for alerting us to areas that require attention."
"PRTG Enterprise Monitor should include more functionalities and features that are similar to SolarWinds."
More PRTG Enterprise Monitor cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Licensing for Cisco DNA Center is a little bit expensive, just like any Cisco solution. Its cost could still be improved."
"The price could be better. It's a very expensive tool."
"The licensing cost for Cisco DNA Center is not more than that of other solutions."
"Our licensing agreement is for three years."
"We have a three-year license with them."
"The solution is a little bit expensive but depends a lot on the customer's usage. If you use it in the right place, you can easily pay for it."
"It is an expensive solution."
"The tool is medium-priced."
More Cisco DNA Center pricing and cost advice
"The pricing is $2,149 for software without maintenance, and licenses are sold in the minimum bundle of 500 interfaces."
"I rate the product's pricing an eight to seven out of ten."
"PRTG Enterprise Monitor is an expensive product."
"PRTG Enterprise Monitor's pricing is reasonable."
"The solution is affordable."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
6%
University
13%
Computer Software Company
13%
Educational Organization
11%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco DNA Center?
The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it gives some kind of ease in operations, especially since our company is moving from CLI to GUI-based configuration.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco DNA Center?
The cost is very high.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco DNA Center?
The system is working fine for me currently.
See all answers
What do you like most about PRTG Enterprise Monitor?
If an event is detected, such as a resource running low on storage or RAM, the product will notify you via email. Upon receiving the notification, action must be taken to address and resolve the is...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for PRTG Enterprise Monitor?
I have no idea about the pricing as I am not the sales person. The sales team coordinates these matters.
See all answers
What needs improvement with PRTG Enterprise Monitor?
The solution could be improved by introducing security features similar to those available in Teams, as the current version only monitors devices and does not integrate IoT or OT devices.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 11% of the time
Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 7% of the time
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 6% of the time
Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 6% of the time
Meraki Dashboard vs Cisco DNA Center Logo
Meraki Dashboard vs Cisco DNA Center
Compared 5% of the time
More Cisco DNA Center Competitors
PRTG Network Monitor vs PRTG Enterprise Monitor Logo
PRTG Network Monitor vs PRTG Enterprise Monitor
Compared 100% of the time
More PRTG Enterprise Monitor Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco DNA Center
May 2025
Cisco DNA Center reportDownload Cisco DNA Center product report
Buyer's Guide
Network Monitoring Software
April 2025
PRTG Enterprise Monitor reportDownload PRTG Enterprise Monitor product report
 

Also Known As

DNA Center
No data available
 

Overview

Cisco DNA Center offers a comprehensive platform for network automation and management, providing detailed analytics, enhanced security, and streamlined operations for both wired and wireless networks.

Cisco DNA Center integrates with Cisco infrastructure to deliver efficient network automation and management, helping organizations improve network visibility, security, and control. It supports AI-driven analytics and automated workflows to enhance operational efficiency and reduce errors. Challenges include compatibility with third-party systems, steep learning curve, and complex deployment. Its interface facilitates centralized control, vital for troubleshooting, policy management, and configuration management, with support for zero-touch provisioning and SD-Access.

What are the key features of Cisco DNA Center?
  • Robust Analytics: Provides detailed insights into network health with AI-driven analytics.
  • Centralized Security: Integrates with ISE for comprehensive security management.
  • Automated Device Management: Simplifies device provisioning and configuration transfers.
  • Wi-Fi Analytics: Offers deep insights into wireless network performance.
  • Zero-Touch Provisioning: Streamlines new device deployments with minimal human intervention.
  • Scalable Segmentation: Efficiently segments network traffic ensuring security and performance.
What benefits should users consider?
  • Operational Efficiency: Automation reduces potential errors and streamlines workflow.
  • Enhanced Security: Integration with Cisco ISE bolsters security capabilities.
  • Network Visibility: Comprehensive dashboards and analysis tools enhance monitoring.
  • Troubleshooting: Real-time monitoring aids in identifying and resolving issues swiftly.

In sectors such as healthcare, finance, and retail, Cisco DNA Center is utilized for its ability to enhance security and compliance, manage large-scale networks, and provide detailed analytics for better operational decision-making. Its support for location tracking and policy automation ensures efficient network management across diverse environments.

Cisco

PRTG Enterprise Monitor serves enterprises by ensuring comprehensive monitoring of servers, services, and applications, empowering users to track sensor data effectively and detect performance or security issues across their networks.

PRTG Enterprise Monitor is widely recognized for its capability to efficiently monitor technical sensors such as ping, uptime, CPU load, and memory usage. It supports users in tracking network resource performance, detecting malicious activity, and preventing failures. Its custom frameworks enable monitoring of certificate expirations and process availability. The intuitive interface requires no specialized IT background, featuring agentless operations that enhance responsiveness and SNMP monitoring valued across platforms. The tool is appreciated for its anomaly detection and notification features, allowing users to address issues proactively. Installation is straightforward and support is robust, although users seek enhancements in real-time SMS alerts, SAP system integration, fault management, and more flexible manual configurations.

What are the key features of PRTG Enterprise Monitor?
  • Network Analysis: Offers in-depth insights into network performance.
  • Custom Dashboards: Provides a library for tailored dashboard creation.
  • Alerting System: Effective user notifications prevent escalation of issues.
  • Agentless Monitoring: Enhances response times without installing agents.
  • SNMP Monitoring: Useful for monitoring multiple platforms.
What benefits and ROI should users consider?
  • Easy Installation: Simplifies the setup process for companies.
  • Proactive Anomaly Detection: Identifies and resolves issues swiftly.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Ensures efficient fault detection and management.
  • User Support: Strong support capabilities aid troubleshooting.

Enterprises in industries such as IT services, finance, and healthcare rely on PRTG Enterprise Monitor for monitoring critical infrastructure. This includes ensuring internet connectivity, monitoring mail services, and tracking network performance and security, thereby maintaining operational efficiency and service availability.

Paessler GmbH
Buyer's Guide
Cisco DNA Center vs. PRTG Enterprise Monitor
April 2025
Free Report: Cisco DNA Center vs. PRTG Enterprise Monitor
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