Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 6, 2025
PRTG Network Monitor and Splunk Observability Cloud compete in the network monitoring and observability category. PRTG Network Monitor seems to have the upper hand for small to medium environments due to its ease of deployment and cost-effective pricing, while Splunk Observability Cloud offers superior advanced performance monitoring capabilities, making it better suited for enterprise-level applications.
Features: PRTG Network Monitor is praised for its rapid deployment, reliable alert systems, and flexible sensor deployment that allows for customized monitoring capabilities. It requires no separate licenses for different features, providing an all-in-one solution. Splunk Observability Cloud stands out with its robust log searching, comprehensive dashboards, and ability to analyze large datasets for advanced performance monitoring. It offers extensive tools for monitoring cloud-native applications.
Room for Improvement: PRTG Network Monitor could improve its template management, make map creation more intuitive, and enhance distributed monitoring capabilities. Users find its advanced cloud monitoring features limited and its email-based support slow. Splunk Observability Cloud may benefit from better log navigation, enhanced automation, improved endpoint protection, and reduced pricing to compete more effectively. Its setup is complex and resource-intensive.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: PRTG Network Monitor provides straightforward deployment focused on on-premises environments but lacks support during non-Europe business hours, relying on forums and online resources. Its one-stop setup facilitates quick implementation. Splunk Observability Cloud supports cloud and hybrid environments with a flexible licensing model. However, its customer support involves manual configurations and lacks the simplicity of PRTG’s deployment. Users find Splunk’s tech support helpful but encounter complex setup procedures, especially with multiple data sources.
Pricing and ROI: PRTG Network Monitor offers cost-effective pricing for small to medium businesses, providing good ROI by reducing downtime and managing resources efficiently, although scalable licensing can escalate costs in larger environments. Splunk Observability Cloud has higher costs, justified by its extensive features and integration capabilities, but is perceived as expensive compared to alternatives, especially for smaller deployments. PRTG provides an affordable entry, while Splunk offers more comprehensive, albeit costlier, observability solutions.
