SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer Reviews

Name: SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer
Brand: SolarWinds
Rating: 3.8 (43 reviews)

3.8 out of 5

43 reviews
83% willing to recommend

What is SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer?

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer enables you to capture data from continuous streams of network traffic and convert those raw numbers into easy-to-interpret charts and tables that quantify exactly how the corporate network is being used, by whom, and for what purpose.

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SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is the #3 ranked solution in Network Traffic Analysis tools. PeerSpot users give SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer an average rating of 7.6 out of 10. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is most commonly compared to Darktrace: SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer vs Darktrace. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 57% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 14% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer

June 2025

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Featured SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer reviews

Raja Xabi

Technical Manager at APRAL

There is always room for improvement in SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer, such as implementing instant reporting based on business intelligence reports and more granular filters in their dashboard to improve the GUI view and reporting. The licensing model of SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is always an issue for users because competitors offer unlimited and perpetual licenses, and SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer's model is quite costly compared to other brands. If users are comfortable with SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer, they have to make the hard decision to invest, and it's suggested from a user's perspective that SolarWinds should improve their financial model and licensing to become competitive, especially for small to medium businesses.

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DeepakVyas

Global-Manager Network & communications at Secure Meters Limited

The tool itself is very complicated, so training is required to handle it effectively. Configuration and the streamlining process are very complex. In my view, it is a good product if properly configured and streamlined according to your IT infrastructure. For enterprise-level organizations, SolarWinds is more appropriate than for small and medium enterprises. I would rate the solution eight out of ten.

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Dr. SureshHungenahally

Chief Executive Officer at a consultancy with 1-10 employees

We conduct network traffic analysis for a couple of key reasons. First, we look for traffic anomalies, such as unexpected increases or decreases in network traffic within specific segments. This helps us determine if the network needs to be re-architected. We also analyze peak bandwidth and bandwidth consumption across various network segments, which is crucial if someone is planning to transition to software-defined networks. The network traffic analyzer tool allows us to simulate scenarios and compare before-and-after results. Additionally, it supports traffic sources like NetFlow and SFlow, and we regularly check the quality of service using NetFlow. The tool handles a variety of protocols, such as NetFlow version 5 and version 9, JFlow, and SFlow, making it independent of the underlying technology.

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SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer mindshare

As of July 2025, the mindshare of SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer in the Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) category stands at 5.6%, down from 6.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)

PeerResearch reports based on SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer vs Darktrace	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer vs Auvik Network Management (ANM)	Jul 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer vs Cisco Secure Network Analytics	Jul 20, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Darktrace	4.1	25.8%	94%	82 interviews Add to research
Cisco Secure Network Analytics	4.1	15.0%	88%	61 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer excels in network monitoring and traffic analysis. Users value bandwidth assessment, customizable dashboards, real-time alerts, and proactive issue identification. Its capability to manage and analyze bandwidth usage, detect network anomalies, and provide detailed reports is beneficial. Integration with other SolarWinds tools is smooth, enhancing network visibility. Application recognition aids in managing bandwidth-intensive apps. NCM module, user-friendly interface, and ease of deployment are also frequently mentioned highlights.

"It provides proactive monitoring, rather than waiting for applications to go down due to heavy bandwidth or latency."
"I rate the support in SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer as 10 out of 10 because whenever I open a tech ticket, they respond instantly, and their engineer is well-equipped to resolve the issues."
"The support is excellent."

Room for Improvement

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer could have better integration with third-party tools, licensing flexibility, enhanced AI and application visibility, user-friendly dashboards, and improved technical support. Users experience expensive pricing, complex setup, and limited automation features. Reporting, data granularity, and mapping accuracy need refinement. Security features, training resources, documentation, and performance require improvement. The system could benefit from better traffic analysis, monitoring capabilities, and responsiveness to high-priority issues, reducing the response time from technical support.

"The licensing model of SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is always an issue for users because competitors offer unlimited and perpetual licenses, and SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer's model is quite costly compared to other brands."
"Deployment needs improvement. The process is complicated, requiring attention to infrastructure settings and installation of components like the origin application server, platform, close storage, and policy agents."
"Currently, it shows only the top ten applications or ports in use, while the remaining data appears as 'remaining traffic,' causing confusion."

ROI

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer increases efficiency by saving time, showing a return on investment, particularly for improved cost management, such as reducing bandwidth usage by eleven to twelve Mbps. Some consider the return low, citing alternative options that are cheaper or free. Primarily used for monitoring, it indicates device and site statuses. Though beneficial over the long term, organizations with tight budgets may hesitate, impacting further acquisition.

Pricing

Enterprise users find SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer's pricing fair though costly compared to alternatives. The licensing model, based on the number of nodes or ports, can escalate expenses, especially when scaling the infrastructure or adding functionality. Yearly licensing typically around $25,000 USD can be manageable for some but prohibitive for those lacking budget for required components like SolarWinds NPM. Some users find competitors like ManageEngine or PRTG more affordable, especially given bundled requirements.

"The pricing is really good."
"The solution's licensing is high-priced."
"NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is reasonably priced."

Popular Use Cases

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is primarily used for network monitoring, traffic analysis, and bandwidth utilization. Organizations utilize it for overseeing both LAN and WAN environments, gaining visibility into network endpoints, identifying high traffic paths, and preemptively addressing potential issues. It enables teams to monitor bandwidth, generate traffic reports, and analyze connections, ensuring optimal performance across various devices and regions within their infrastructure. Users frequently integrate it with other tools for comprehensive network supervision.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer receives mixed feedback. Many find the service responsive, knowledgeable, and quick to assist, often rating it positively. However, some point out delays, insufficient expertise among first-level support, and a lack of satisfying experiences. There are concerns about slow responses, especially for non-premium users, and region-specific limitations. Users frequently rely on self-managed processes or implementation partners to bridge these gaps, seeking faster and more informed support services.

Deployment

Many users report that SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer's initial setup is straightforward and user-friendly, often taking a couple of hours to deploy. Some mention complexities in configuration and monitoring, requiring more time and expertise. Larger deployments involving logistics or advanced configurations may extend setup time, especially in extensive networks. Users familiar with the tool find it easier, while some deploy with the help of professional consultants, indicating diverse experiences based on organizational needs and infrastructure requirements.

Scalability

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer offers strong scalability for various organizational sizes, depending on licensing. It adapts well to environments with significant node numbers but incurs high costs when expanding, especially for additional pollers. Users find it suitable for medium to large enterprises, with some experiencing complexity in managing hardware limits. Licensing flexibility is key for adapting scalability. The system displays stability but may face minor dashboard issues, rated between 7 to 8 out of 10 for scalability.

Stability

Many users describe SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer as stable, with ratings between eight to ten. However, some mention occasional issues, particularly with large databases or core module crashes. It's deemed more reliable compared to other options like ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer. Stability may depend on environment factors, and while some users find it perfectly stable, others feel it could improve. It remains a favored choice due to its established reliability.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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