The licensing costs of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager are expensive, but considering its reliability, feature enhancements, and support, it is worthwhile.
With the new licensing model, NCM offers a significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO). The node-based licensing now includes all features for each node, delivering greater value.
This new model covers over 10 individual modules, including NCM, NPM, NTA, IPAM, UDT, VNQM, LA, SAM, SCM, and VMAN, ensuring comprehensive functionality under a single license.
Learn what your peers think about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2026.
Senior Network Engineer at a government with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Jan 31, 2024
SolarWinds may initially appear cheaper than it is. Additional costs beyond the standard licensing fee are inevitable. Naturally, the greater the number of nodes, the higher the expense. I would rate it seven out of ten.
Senior System Engineer at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Jan 29, 2024
The licensing process wasn't particularly smooth. It required the machine to be connected to the internet for activation, which was a bit inconvenient.
Technical Support Specialist at a consultancy with 11-50 employees
Real User
Apr 18, 2023
SolarWinds is sitting between two out of ten, where one is a high price and ten is a low price. Because they are quite expensive compared to other products in the market, it's like Cisco - it's a good product but comes at a premium, and you pay the price for it, and it's not the cheapest option out there.
Team Leader - Telecom & Network at 2B Operating Co.
Real User
Apr 14, 2023
I don't remember the pricing because we bought it a long time ago, more than eight years ago, to be specific. The price of the solution is high compared to other solutions. Most of the local market prefers low-price solutions.
Lead Infrastructure Domain Architect (Systems) at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Mar 20, 2023
I would say that the pricing is pretty good as we have an on-premises model and we don't have a subscription. We have a very old perpetual legacy license.
Senior Technical Consultant at ADE Technology Group
Consultant
Jan 3, 2023
In Africa, the cost is a major factor in decision-making for many companies. As a result, some companies may choose cheaper solutions, even if they are open-source, over more expensive ones, such as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. However, as an engineer, I believe that the functionalities and services offered by SolarWinds justify the cost. Nonetheless, many companies in Africa may still view the prices as unaffordable. The cost of the license for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager starts at $1,000 annually. Whatever the functionalities that you need, there are licenses for it, and every license comes with its own price. There was a time when we wanted to use one particular SolarWinds functionality, and the license to unlock it was approximately $10,000. The cost depends on the functionality you choose. I rate the price of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a four out of ten.
Chief Technology Officer at Leystel Nigeria Limited
Reseller
Sep 13, 2020
The NCM is licensed per device. You have a base license for 50 devices, and then you can add more licenses as you go. It scales from 50 to a hundred and so on. Also, they have an annual fee that covers upgrades. You have a 12-month license to download new updates.
Business Consultant. at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Dec 23, 2019
With a minimal bundle, we pay about $3000 a year in licensing costs. If you have multiple devices in your network, you must buy the bundle, which is 100% identical for your infrastructure. If you have 15 devices, you need 15 licenses, for example. That's one bundle. You don't pay for anything over and above that.
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager provides essential tools for network performance monitoring, configuration compliance, and vulnerability management, ensuring streamlined operations for network administrators with real-time change detection and backup automation capabilities.SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager offers extensive features that empower network management through integration with platforms like Microsoft Teams and ServiceNow. It manages network devices effectively,...
The licensing costs of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager are expensive, but considering its reliability, feature enhancements, and support, it is worthwhile.
With the new licensing model, NCM offers a significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO). The node-based licensing now includes all features for each node, delivering greater value.
This new model covers over 10 individual modules, including NCM, NPM, NTA, IPAM, UDT, VNQM, LA, SAM, SCM, and VMAN, ensuring comprehensive functionality under a single license.
The pricing is okay. Overall, I would rate the pricing a three on a scale of one to ten, with ten being most expensive and one being cheap.
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is available at a moderate price.
Pricing is reasonable and competitive.
We are paying nearly 50,000 euros/year. It has a reasonable pricing for that level of service.
SolarWinds may initially appear cheaper than it is. Additional costs beyond the standard licensing fee are inevitable. Naturally, the greater the number of nodes, the higher the expense. I would rate it seven out of ten.
The licensing process wasn't particularly smooth. It required the machine to be connected to the internet for activation, which was a bit inconvenient.
SolarWinds is sitting between two out of ten, where one is a high price and ten is a low price. Because they are quite expensive compared to other products in the market, it's like Cisco - it's a good product but comes at a premium, and you pay the price for it, and it's not the cheapest option out there.
I don't remember the pricing because we bought it a long time ago, more than eight years ago, to be specific. The price of the solution is high compared to other solutions. Most of the local market prefers low-price solutions.
I would say that the pricing is pretty good as we have an on-premises model and we don't have a subscription. We have a very old perpetual legacy license.
The cost is fair.
In Africa, the cost is a major factor in decision-making for many companies. As a result, some companies may choose cheaper solutions, even if they are open-source, over more expensive ones, such as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. However, as an engineer, I believe that the functionalities and services offered by SolarWinds justify the cost. Nonetheless, many companies in Africa may still view the prices as unaffordable. The cost of the license for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager starts at $1,000 annually. Whatever the functionalities that you need, there are licenses for it, and every license comes with its own price. There was a time when we wanted to use one particular SolarWinds functionality, and the license to unlock it was approximately $10,000. The cost depends on the functionality you choose. I rate the price of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager a four out of ten.
I'm not from the sales team. I don't handle licensing. The cost structure might be available on their website.
I have a yearly subscription.
There is a license for the use of this solution and it is priced well, there is a lot of value for the money.
The NCM is licensed per device. You have a base license for 50 devices, and then you can add more licenses as you go. It scales from 50 to a hundred and so on. Also, they have an annual fee that covers upgrades. You have a 12-month license to download new updates.
I would highly recommend SolarWinds Network Configuration Management to other customers. I rate this product at a nine out of ten.
With a minimal bundle, we pay about $3000 a year in licensing costs. If you have multiple devices in your network, you must buy the bundle, which is 100% identical for your infrastructure. If you have 15 devices, you need 15 licenses, for example. That's one bundle. You don't pay for anything over and above that.