Icinga vs PRTG Network Monitor vs Zabbix comparison

Icinga and Paessler GmbH are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Icinga is ranked #27 with an average rating of 7.0, while Paessler GmbH is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.6. Icinga holds a 1.3% mindshare in NMS, compared to Paessler GmbH’s 2.9% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Icinga users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Paessler GmbH users who would recommend it.

Icinga

Read 17 Icinga reviews

6,221 Views
4,852 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

PRTG Network Monitor

Read 113 PRTG Network Monitor reviews

14,738 Views
10,317 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Zabbix

Read 108 Zabbix reviews

29,961 Views
17,977 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Icinga

PRTG Network Monitor

Zabbix

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Icinga, PRTG Network Monitor, and Zabbix based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Zabbix, Auvik, SolarWinds and others in Network Monitoring Software.

To learn more, read our detailed Network Monitoring Software Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

April 2026

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Helped 894,807 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

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

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Icinga is 1.3%, down from 3.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of PRTG Network Monitor is 2.9%, down from 4.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zabbix is 4.1%, down from 13.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Zabbix	4.1%
PRTG Network Monitor	2.9%
Icinga	1.3%
Other	91.7%

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

Harrison Bulley

Senior Infrastructure Engineer at Net Consulting

A stable, scalable and cost-effective solution that helps with inbuilt scripts for easy modification

I think the software is quite good, but we have had problems with getting it to recognize certain areas and amend certain checks, where we needed so we would have to create backend scripts for those checks. Though, being open source, it has the support to create backend scripts, it would be better to have these scripts in-built.

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madhan kumar hs

software engineer at Capgemini

Alerting precision has reduced incident response times and improved department-level network visibility

The auto-pause sensor during the maintenance window is good without any false alerts, and it prevents me from getting flooded with alerts during planned maintenance, helping department heads understand their own network usage better. It has reduced incident response time by giving clearer ownership of each alert, ensuring alerts go to the proper recipient. SNMP testers and auto-pause are among the best features of PRTG Network Monitor, which is particularly useful for different departments such as HR and finance, where alerts can be filtered accordingly. The alerting features and dashboard of PRTG Network Monitor are very helpful, especially in our industry. However, the dashboard can look cluttered on smaller screens, which is one negative aspect. PRTG Network Monitor has impacted us positively; we have stopped getting flooded with alerts during planned maintenance or unplanned outages. Compared to others, this gives specific alerts very quickly and helps department heads understand their own network usage better, thus reducing incident response time so that each alert has clear ownership.

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KamranBhatti

Network Engineer at a computer software company with 11-50 employees

Helps reduce response time but has room to improve customization complexity

We are not working on simple standalone solutions like Kaspersky DDoS Protection or Hybrid Cloud Security. Once you understand Zabbix, then it is easy to customize those web pages and graphs for our customer use. It is fully automated to your requirements. Zabbix is working fine with no issues, and I am satisfied with it. We have combined Zabbix and SolarWinds. The integration works fine, and it is easy to integrate Zabbix with the IT environment. We were trying to purchase MDR (Managed Detection and Response), but we are not working on that. I don't have real experience with MDR. We are using Falcon software for that. We are working with Falcon Complete, not with Sandbox. We are not using Kaspersky for business or cloud protection. For that, we are using Zabbix CrowdStrike Falcon Complete solution. I have given this review an overall rating of 8.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"People should know that it is simple and advanced."

"The best thing about the solution is how it highlights errors, the issues, and what needs my attention. The solution directs me to areas that I should look for first."

"Macros and the ability to connect it to Google Maps are valuable features."

"Icinga has multiple automation and integration features. There is an API for everything and a web UI for configurations. The APIs enable you to automate tasks in Icinga. We can also use plugins to talk to the API. The Icinga Director talks to a database in the background, and you can import settings from the CMDB to all systems in Icinga."

"Icinga2 was designed to delegate, distribute and balance tasks between several nodes."

"The value of Icinga is that it has hundreds of plugins, so it's really easy to monitor pretty much anything."

"I would recommend Icinga; it's an open-source solution, it's quite easy and simple to use, and checks can be run with Python code and Shell Script code."

"The apply rules feature saves a lot of time."

More Icinga pros

"It's great that we can create a dashboard inside software monitoring, and access many other websites, it is a complete monitoring solution."

"The sensors and remote probes are phenomenal. We use them for all of our global sites. The problem with our global sites are that they are all VPNs. If the link goes down, you can't monitor other solutions, as it just goes off the grid. Having remote probes allows them to still carry on and get the information that we need when it comes back up, sending the information to us."

"It is very easy to set up, SNMP is very easy to set up on Windows and Linux, and you have a lot of options within PRTG, and I have not found something that I have not been able to monitor or that I have not been able to find data for."

"The solution is very easy to use and the web provides information with ease."

"The most valuable feature of PRTG Network Monitor is the dashboards. We can check to see the resources and the uptime."

"PRTG gives us true visibility of the downtime of particular circuit functions, so if a circuit is up but not routing traffic, I will know with this tool and can write a customized script for a sensor to detect specific things."

"Overall it is a very good tool to use."

"The real-time monitoring feature in PRTG is invaluable to me"

More PRTG Network Monitor pros

"Through this approach, and given the level of details, we get friendly dashboards in the output, and at the same time a simple problem of localization tool."

"Overall, I think that Zabbix is an awesome tool and I would use it again, rather than another one."

"The most valuable feature is the protocol to manage anything."

"The pricing of the product is reasonable."

"The flexibility of this solution is amazing."

"Zabbix has a roadmap and they are continuously and frequently adding new features."

"It has good graphs of what is going on within the operating system."

"They've already added extra features, such as noise-canceling and facial recognition, which is great."

More Zabbix pros

Cons

"We have found some problems with Nagios, and support isn't very responsive."

"There is room for improvement in multi-tenancy. It's not perfect, not even really good. It's average, but it should be improved."

"Sometimes, it is very hard to keep an overview of what's happening."

"Network Discovery capabilities would be extremely helpful."

"It is not really adequate for our current needs. It causes additional issues which we have to work around and takes us time that a better solution would not."

"The tool currently fails to provide notifications to users."

"In general, the product does not look good. However, it does what it is supposed to do. So, the improvements should focus on usability and UI."

More Icinga cons

"From time to time, you need to reboot the PRTG probe server."

"PRTG would be improved if it required less memory to run."

"I would like to see more updates available in this solution."

"The licensing policy needs more flexibility."

"Sometimes, our PRTG Network Monitor system crashes and a lot of sensors go down."

"It would be good if there were better graphical interfaces when you have it on multiple monitors... Because we have so many servers, things can get lost in the fog a little bit. Maybe having a better way of showing different geographies, Flash, etc., would help."

"PRTG Network Monitor can improve Layer 2 and Layer 3 network maps and the GUI more user-friendly. Additionally, they should bundle the features so I can monitor everything on one particular device."

"We run it in a cluster, so we have two that run together. The cluster behind it is sketchy at times."

More PRTG Network Monitor cons

"I wish it had more options for personalizing the product, such as being able to include your company's logo without editing text files."

"There are not too much documentation or manuals. We found the tutorials very easy to understand but do not go deep enough in the use of Zabbix."

"Its UI needs to be improved a little bit more so that an end-user is also able to handle it. I can handle it, but others should also be able to handle it in a better way. It becomes complex when we are growing and need to add proxies. We need more scalability features and documentation for different use cases. A lot of articles are available, but they need to be in proper documentation. For example, when you have thousands of servers that have to be monitored in different regions of the world, there should be some kind of documentation to describe how you can create proxies and add them. Sometimes, when you are using the database, it can get overloaded. When the network is growing, the number of transactions becomes very high, and the database gets overloaded. There should be information about how to reduce the load on the MySQL database, which is what Zabbix is using. The market is growing a lot, and it should be enhanced for a lot more things. We are currently bringing enhancements at our end for different use cases. For example, when dockerization is going on, how can we check the logs inside the Dockers. We should also be able to monitor and check the number of logins and add features such as SSO login and two-factor authentication as a protocol. These are the security features and concerns that we have to deal with. Currently, we are developing modules to add features to Zabbix, but they should also work on these features."

"The integration of the product is not so easy, especially when it comes to the application database."

"When using this solution in enterprise monitoring, you are able to see that there are some issues with equipment that could be causing a problem. Sometimes you want to make a root command that you do not want to be executed automatically. What we have tried to do is open an SSH session directly from the solution's interface but it is not possible."

"In terms of user-friendliness, large maps could be more interactive. We should be able to click on some areas and move some objects."

"I really do not like this solution, almost all of its features are awful."

"I think the reporting part of Zabbix can be improved in terms of more user-friendly graphics to display the collected data. Many simple users who don't know how to use Zabbix properly might get confused by the reporting, although at the same time it is very versatile for my company."

More Zabbix cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is inexpensive compared to other DBM products."

"It is cost-effective, and the return on investment can be very interesting because the price is low."

"This is an open-source solution with paid support."

"We're using the free version of Icinga."

"It's an open-source solution."

"The solution is cheap."

"Even though Icinga's financial cost is low, it is an expensive product regarding the resources required to maintain and operate it."

"The solution is free to use."

"When you have a lot of devices, PRTG Network Monitor can be costly."

"It is about £4,500 for the first year, then about another 15 to 20 percent annually after that. So, we are looking at about £1000 running costs a year. When you think about how much an outage costs per minute, it's negligible."

"Because we are only on the free version, we have a limited number of sensors. Therefore, we are not monitoring as much as we want to be to obtain historical information."

"The pricing for PRTG in our case is reasonable because we have a lot of applications to monitor within PRTG. It is not that expensive."

"We are licensed for 2500 endpoints."

"We are using the premium version of PRTG Network Monitor. The price of the solution is a bit higher than competitors but it is worth the extra money. However, it would be helpful if the price was lower."

"On a yearly basis, I believe it's between £1,200 and £1,500."

"I would like better pricing models for smaller businesses. The free version is fantastic, but it's too restrictive. If they could just get up to 200 sensors for a reasonable fee for on-premise, I would give PRTG my credit card right now."

More PRTG Network Monitor pricing and cost advice

"There is a license required for this solution and we pay annually for our license."

"The product is an open source and free solution."

"We were searching for an open source solution and Zabbix fit the bill because it is free and open source under the GPL license."

"Zabbix is free but if you use it in production then you have to pay for it."

"Zabbix is a free solution but the support contact costs money."

"If you have 20,000 hosts, the support costs around €95,000 for a year."

"The tool's licensing is good."

"The tool's licensing costs are yearly."

More Zabbix pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user174738

IT Developer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

May 31, 2015

Nagios vs. Zabbix vs. PRTG vs. Spiceworks vs. Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor

I have researched a quite a few network monitoring tools which can be used for various monitoring purposes of not only the servers, but the intermediate routers as well. There are majorly three types of these softwares. Ones which are completely open-source, you can do almost anything you want…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

14%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

10%

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	8

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	59
Midsize Enterprise	19
Large Enterprise	50

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	56
Midsize Enterprise	23
Large Enterprise	34

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Icinga?

It is cost-effective, and the return on investment can be very interesting because the price is low. If you want to i...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Icinga?

There is room for improvement in multi-tenancy. It's not perfect, not even really good. It's average, but it should b...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Icinga?

We use Icinga as a monitoring solution to monitor customers' infrastructures. We work as a managed service provider, ...

See all answers

What is the best network monitoring software for large enterprises?

PRTG network monitor is one of the best tool i have ever used for the monitoring. It have auto discovery option. it a...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for PRTG Network Monitor?

The pricing was higher at the beginning, but the recurring licensing cost is affordable and reasonable. Overall, the ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with PRTG Network Monitor?

The reporting features look very technical and that can be improved. If they can change the report so everyone can un...

See all answers

What do you like most about Zabbix?

The template system in Zabbix is very beneficial as it saves time in configuration.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zabbix?

I think Zabbix is economical, whereas SolarWinds is expensive. SolarWinds has a lot of secure features, but Zabbix is...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Zabbix?

The potential and customization is a little difficult because you have to learn scripts. I think Zabbix needs to impr...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 7% of the time

Nagios Core vs Icinga

Compared 5% of the time

Nagios XI vs Icinga

Compared 5% of the time

SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor vs Icinga

Compared 5% of the time

Centreon vs Icinga

Compared 2% of the time

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Centreon vs PRTG Network Monitor

Compared 4% of the time

SolarWinds NPM vs PRTG Network Monitor

Compared 3% of the time

WhatsUp Gold vs PRTG Network Monitor

Compared 3% of the time

Splunk AppDynamics vs PRTG Network Monitor

Compared 3% of the time

SCOM vs PRTG Network Monitor

Compared 3% of the time

More PRTG Network Monitor Competitors

Checkmk vs Zabbix

Compared 4% of the time

Nagios XI vs Zabbix

Compared 3% of the time

LibreNMS vs Zabbix

Compared 3% of the time

Centreon vs Zabbix

Compared 2% of the time

SolarWinds NPM vs Zabbix

Compared 2% of the time

More Zabbix Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Icinga

May 2026

Download Icinga product report

Buyer's Guide

PRTG Network Monitor

May 2026

Download PRTG Network Monitor product report

Buyer's Guide

Zabbix

April 2026

Download Zabbix product report

Also Known As

Icinga Cloud Monitoring

No data available

Overview

Icinga is a robust tool for monitoring IT infrastructure, known for its distributed monitoring capabilities and seamless integration with multiple platforms. It efficiently observes servers, network devices, and environments like Linux and Windows, enabling proactive issue identification and resource management.

With a focus on task delegation and clustering, Icinga offers an intuitive interface through its GUI and Icinga Director, simplifying configuration. The extensive plugin library supports diverse technologies, while the API allows automation with tools like Terraform and Ansible. Despite its strengths, users report challenges with data display in the GUI, a need for improved dashboards, and complex configuration processes. Users benefit from its SNMP alerts, email notifications, and automated incident handling, making it essential for managed service environments and enterprises.

What are the key features of Icinga?

Task Delegation: Streamlines monitoring tasks across distributed systems.
Event Handler: Enables automatic service recovery with minimal intervention.
Plugin Library: Offers extensive support for integrating diverse technologies.
API Accessibility: Facilitates automation with popular tools like Terraform.
Custom Plugins: Allows easy creation and personalization for monitoring needs.

What benefits should you consider in Icinga reviews?

Flexibility: Tailors monitoring to specific requirements with community support.
Scalability: Successfully manages growing infrastructure demands.
Proactivity: Enhances issue identification and resource allocation.
Integration: Seamlessly works with existing IT operations platforms.

Icinga is widely adopted in IT environments for monitoring servers, networks, and applications across industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology. Its ability to integrate with various operating systems and automation platforms makes it a versatile choice for industries prioritizing comprehensive surveillance and proactive management of their infrastructure.

Icinga

PRTG Network Monitor offers seamless network health tracking with flexible alerting and robust scalability. Its real-time monitoring and compatibility across diverse technologies enhance operational efficiency.

PRTG Network Monitor stands out by providing intuitive dashboards and detailed reporting to efficiently monitor network health, significantly reducing manual checks. Its quick setup and comprehensive compatibility cater to diverse environments. The alert system and real-time monitoring enable proactive maintenance, while custom scripting and a broad range of sensors allow for personalized monitoring options. Enhancements are suggested in database management, integration capabilities, Unix support, pricing, application performance, and dashboard customization. Users benefit from enhanced error messaging, flexible licensing, and better training resources.

What are the key features of PRTG Network Monitor?

Ease of Use: Intuitive dashboard makes network monitoring straightforward.
Flexible Alerting: Provides prompt notifications for proactive maintenance.
Scalability: Adapts to various network sizes and complexities.
Compatibility: Works across diverse technologies and environments.
Custom Scripting: Allows tailored monitoring options for specific needs.

What benefits should users seek in PRTG Network Monitor reviews?

Operational Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual network checks.
Real-Time Monitoring: Enables instant response to potential issues.
Enhanced Infrastructure Oversight: Facilitates comprehensive management of network devices.
Proactive Maintenance: Alerts help prevent potential disruptions.
Central Dashboard: Manages infrastructure across multiple locations effectively.

In industries like IT, telecommunications, and healthcare, PRTG Network Monitor is employed for comprehensive monitoring of systems, servers, and networks. It assists in tracking uptime, connectivity, and alerts for potential issues, offering tailored options like monitoring traffic flows and hardware health through custom sensors and scripts.

Paessler GmbH

Zabbix is an open-source monitoring software that provides real-time monitoring and alerting for servers, networks, applications, and services.

It offers a wide range of features including data collection, visualization, and reporting.

With its user-friendly interface and customizable dashboards, Zabbix helps organizations ensure the availability and performance of their IT infrastructure.

Zabbix

Sample Customers

Puppet Labs, Audi, Spacex, Debian, Snapdeal, McGill, RIPE Network Coordination Centre

Jameson Bank, Sidnix, RungeICT, MedicalAnimal, Truck-lite, GamingGrids, The Covell Group, Forsythn County Schools, NetMass, Musgrove Park Hospital, Lanes Health, Columbia Southern University, Vodafone, Intrust Bank

1. IBM 2. Dell 3. Cisco 4. HP 5. Oracle 6. Microsoft 7. Amazon 8. Google 9. Facebook 10. Twitter 11. LinkedIn 12. Netflix 13. Adobe 14. VMware 15. Salesforce 16. SAP 17. Intel 18. AT&T 19. Verizon 20. T-Mobile 21. Vodafone 22. Ericsson 23. Nokia 24. Siemens 25. General Electric 26. Honeywell 27. Philips 28. Sony 29. Samsung 30. LG 31. Panasonic 32. Toshiba

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

April 2026

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