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Nagios Core vs ObserverLIVE comparison

Nagios and Viavi Solutions are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Nagios is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while Viavi Solutions is ranked #122. Nagios holds a 2.8% mindshare in NMS, compared to Viavi Solutions’s 0.1% mindshare. Additionally, 80% of Nagios users are willing to recommend the solution.
Nagios Core
Read 51 Nagios Core reviews
  • 4,590 Views
  • 4,039 Comparison Views
80% willing to recommend
ObserverLIVE
Read 1 ObserverLIVE review
  • 134 Views
  • 133 Comparison Views
0% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Nagios Core and ObserverLIVE based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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To learn more, read our detailed Network Monitoring Software Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Network Monitoring Software
July 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

Nagios Core
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
10th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
51
Ranking in other categories
IT Infrastructure Monitoring (9th)
ObserverLIVE
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
122nd
Average Rating
0.0
Reviews Sentiment
8.3
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Nagios Core is 2.8%, down from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of ObserverLIVE is 0.1%, down from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Monitoring Software
 

Featured Reviews

Nishith-Vyas - PeerSpot reviewer
Valuable reporting and alert system with room for PDF export improvements
The NetEase reporting structure needs improvement, especially the availability report, which is weak. It should be generated automatically with minimal human intervention and should be exportable as a PDF. Besides that, an integrated PDF export feature for reports is necessary. Also, the alert mechanism and graphing mechanism need to be integrated properly into Nagios Core. Currently, integrating these requires advanced Linux knowledge. Integration of more visualization tools like Grafana and Prometheus for better graphing and visualization is also recommended.
Read full review
M
Seamless packet analysis, deep visibility, and end-to-end network monitoring
We have experience with the VIAVI solutions, specifically the ObserverLIVE platform, which we use for network performance monitoring VIAVI helps by providing deep visibility on packet analysis end-to-end, which assists in identifying issues quickly and efficiently. VIAVI is very strong when it…
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 notifications are definitely one of the most valuable features of Nagios Core. We know what to look for and what to expect when things are down."
"The good thing about Nagios Core is it covers everything."
"Our customers like that Nagios Core is an open source solution. It can be customized to our customers' specific needs."
"I would rate the overall solution ten points out of ten."
"Dashboard provides monitor of total assets."
"The application performance monitoring feature is valuable."
"The most valuable feature of Nagios Core is it allows us to develop and add as many plugins as we want."
"The most valuable features are the reports and the way it generates the report in a graphical manner."
More Nagios Core pros
"VIAVI is very strong when it comes to packet analysis, especially with SDN, ACI, and Cx."
 

Cons

"The scalability needs improvement, it's not scalable at this time."
"The user interface could be more interactive because it is pretty basic."
"Nagios Core could improve by adding a user interface. If you want the user interface you have to use Nagios XI."
"Would benefit from aggregations if a particular server goes down."
"There is room for improvement in the graphics."
"The core version is no match for the XI version."
"Making it a little easier to configure and set up from the start would help. There are multiple layers that you have to wade through to be able to set it up, to do it the right way, and to get it to do what you want it to do."
"Cloud monitoring is an area for improvement because there aren't too many plugins available."
More Nagios Core cons
"VIAVI needs to include a Simple Network Monitoring Protocol (SNMP) for end-to-end monitoring solutions."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Lessening the price point would be an improvement."
"The Nagios Core (PNP4Nagios + Core) is free and can be setup by Netadmin within a few hours. The only additional cost is the cloud server."
"We are using the free version."
"It's free."
"Nagios Core is free to use."
"Nagios Core is a cheap solution."
"Most the plugin features are free."
"The solution is expensive."
More Nagios Core pricing and cost advice
Information not available
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Nagios Core?
What I like about Nagios Core is that it helps me ensure everything is running smoothly by checking the status of hosts and services.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Nagios Core?
Nagios Core is a free and open-source product. We don't charge for the product itself, but we charge for the man-hour costs related to installation, configuration, ongoing operation, and maintenance.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Nagios Core?
The dashboard should be improved. It's very simple. I don't have a very clear or specific suggestion. You can change the skin of the dashboard, however, it's good for me.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ObserverLIVE?
The price is reasonable. I would rate it nine out of ten for cost-effectiveness.
See all answers
What needs improvement with ObserverLIVE?
VIAVI needs to include a Simple Network Monitoring Protocol (SNMP) for end-to-end monitoring solutions. Currently, it lacks the ability to measure the health and status of devices such as switches ...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for ObserverLIVE?
We have experience with the VIAVI solutions, specifically the ObserverLIVE platform, which we use for network performance monitoring.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Icinga vs Nagios Core Logo
Icinga vs Nagios Core
Compared 25% of the time
Nagios XI vs Nagios Core Logo
Nagios XI vs Nagios Core
Compared 16% of the time
Zabbix vs Nagios Core Logo
Zabbix vs Nagios Core
Compared 12% of the time
Centreon vs Nagios Core Logo
Centreon vs Nagios Core
Compared 7% of the time
Checkmk vs Nagios Core Logo
Checkmk vs Nagios Core
Compared 5% of the time
More Nagios Core Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Nagios Core
July 2025
Nagios Core reportDownload Nagios Core product report
Buyer's Guide
Network Monitoring Software
July 2025
ObserverLIVE reportDownload ObserverLIVE product report
 

Overview

This is IT infrastructure monitoring's industry-standard, open-source core. Free without professional support services.

Nagios

ObserverLIVE helps IT operations and network teams in hybrid IT environments ensure that their users can access and use the business applications they need – wherever they are hosted.

Viavi Solutions
 

Sample Customers

Airbnb, Cisco, PayPal, FanDuel
Exmark Manufacturing, Foskor, US Deptartment of Veteran Affairs
Buyer's Guide
Network Monitoring Software
July 2025
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We monitor all Network Monitoring Software reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.