# PRTG Network Monitor

> Sensor-based network monitoring with a free tier and subscriptions from 200 dollars per month.

PRTG Network Monitor is an infrastructure monitoring platform from Paessler with tiered pricing based on sensor count, starting at 200 dollars per month billed annually for up to 500 sensors. A free 100-sensor version and 30-day trial are available. Listing updated 6 September 2026. Checked by MSP Software 6 September 2026.

- Page: https://mspsoftware.net/software/prtg
- Vendor: Paessler, https://mspsoftware.net/vendors/paessler, website https://www.paessler.com/prtg
- Categories: Network monitoring (primary)
- Free trial: yes. Free version: yes.
- Deployment: cloud, on-premises and hybrid. Platforms: web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. HQ: Germany.
- Support: email, phone, knowledge base and help desk. Training: documentation, videos, webinars and live online.

## From the vendor

PRTG Network Monitor is a sensor-based infrastructure monitoring platform from Paessler for monitoring networks, servers, cloud services and operational technology systems from a single interface. It monitors system availability, device capacity and overall reliability across routers, switches, servers, workstations and printers, using an agent-based and agentless sensor approach. The platform uses a sensor model where each monitoring task is counted as one sensor, allowing flexible scaling from small networks to enterprise deployments with thousands of monitored devices. Pricing is tiered by total sensor allocation rather than per-sensor charges, making costs predictable for infrastructure planning. PRTG starts at 200 dollars per month billed annually for up to 500 sensors, with tiers up to 10,000 sensors at 1,642 dollars per month (checked September 2026). A genuinely free version supports up to 100 sensors without expiration, making it accessible to small MSPs and test environments. A 30-day trial offers unrestricted sensor counts for larger-scale evaluation before commitment. Deployment options include cloud-hosted monitoring via PRTG Hosted Monitor, on-premises installation, and a hybrid approach combining both. The platform supports automatic network discovery, full SNMP monitoring, bandwidth analysis, and configuration change detection. It provides multiple access points: a web-based console, Windows and macOS desktop applications, and native iOS and Android mobile apps for remote monitoring. The HTTP API and custom sensor support enable integration with third-party systems beyond standard SNMP monitoring. Paessler is based in Nuremberg, Germany, and serves over 100,000 customers worldwide. MSPs should confirm which sensor tier aligns with their monitoring scope before selecting a plan, since sensor consumption varies significantly across network sizes and monitoring depth. The free 100-sensor version suits proof-of-concept deployments and limited monitoring use cases.

## Our take

PRTG stands out for offering a permanent free 100-sensor version without trial expiration, which suits small MSPs or those with limited monitoring needs without ongoing costs. Pricing is per-sensor-tier rather than per-endpoint, making infrastructure monitoring costs predictable for capacity planning. It competes directly with SolarWinds NPM and Auvik in comprehensive network monitoring. The primary consideration is confirming your sensor count needs match a pricing tier, since the gap between tiers can be significant and sensor consumption varies by network size and monitoring depth. Test the free version to validate actual sensor usage patterns before committing to a paid subscription, and confirm deployment needs between cloud-hosted and on-premises options.

## Pricing

PRTG Network Monitor starts at US$200.00 per network_device per month, according to the vendor (pricing page: https://www.paessler.com/prtg/pricing).

| Plan | Price | Per | Highlights |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PRTG 500 | US$200.00 | network_device per month | up to 500 sensors, up to 50 devices, email support |
| PRTG 1000 | US$358.00 | network_device per month | up to 1000 sensors, up to 100 devices |
| PRTG 2500 | US$742.00 | network_device per month | up to 2500 sensors, up to 250 devices |
| PRTG 5000 | US$1,300.00 | network_device per month | up to 5000 sensors, up to 500 devices |

## Features

| Feature | Supported | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Automatic network discovery | yes | Network discovery included for automatic device detection |
| Topology mapping | yes | Network maps for topology visualization included |
| Device configuration backup | yes | Device configuration backup supported via SNMP and custom sensors |
| Uptime and outage alerting | yes | Alert management with custom thresholds and notifications via email and push |
| Bandwidth monitoring | yes | Bandwidth monitoring included in core features |
| SNMP support | yes | Full SNMP support for network device monitoring |
| Wireless and access point monitoring | yes | Wireless and access point monitoring via SNMP sensors |
| Configuration change detection | yes | Configuration change detection through custom sensors |
| Multi-site dashboard | yes | Multi-site dashboard through web console and mobile apps |
| Hardware probe option | yes | PRTG UVexplorer hardware probe option available for network discovery |

## Integrations

- Microsoft 365, https://www.paessler.com/prtg
- Slack, https://www.paessler.com/prtg

## Alternatives

- WhatsUp Gold: Network monitoring with topology mapping and multi-site visibility, flexible licensing models. https://mspsoftware.net/software/whatsup-gold. Compare: https://mspsoftware.net/compare/prtg-vs-whatsup-gold
- ManageEngine OpManager: Network monitoring for routers, switches and firewalls with automatic discovery and alerting. https://mspsoftware.net/software/manageengine-opmanager. Compare: https://mspsoftware.net/compare/manageengine-opmanager-vs-prtg
- Checkmk: Infrastructure monitoring for hybrid environments, Community free or from €190 per month. https://mspsoftware.net/software/checkmk. Compare: https://mspsoftware.net/compare/checkmk-vs-prtg
- Auvik: Cloud network monitoring with automated topology mapping and device configuration backup. https://mspsoftware.net/software/auvik. Compare: https://mspsoftware.net/compare/auvik-vs-prtg

## FAQ

### How much does PRTG Network Monitor cost?

PRTG Network Monitor starts at US$200.00 per network_device per month, according to the vendor, checked September 2026.

### Does PRTG Network Monitor offer a free trial?

PRTG Network Monitor offers a free trial. There is a genuinely free version.

### What does PRTG Network Monitor integrate with?

PRTG Network Monitor lists integrations with Microsoft 365 and Slack.

### Is PRTG Network Monitor cloud or on-premises?

PRTG Network Monitor can be run in the cloud or on-premises. PRTG Network Monitor supports a hybrid deployment.

### Who is PRTG Network Monitor for?

MSPs report using PRTG Network Monitor at sizes of 1-5, 6-15, 16-50, 51-200 and 200+ technicians.

### Is PRTG Network Monitor free?

PRTG Network Monitor offers a genuinely free version limited to 100 sensors, which does not expire and suits small deployments or proof-of-concept testing. PRTG also provides a 30-day trial with unrestricted sensor capacity, allowing evaluation of larger sensor counts before committing to a subscription. Paid subscriptions start at 200 dollars per month billed annually.

### How is PRTG Network Monitor priced?

PRTG Network Monitor is priced per sensor tier rather than per monitored device. Subscriptions are billed annually and cost 200 dollars per month for up to 500 sensors, 358 dollars per month for up to 1,000 sensors, 742 dollars per month for up to 2,500 sensors, 1,300 dollars per month for up to 5,000 sensors, and 1,642 dollars per month for up to 10,000 sensors. MSPs should confirm their sensor count needs match a tier, since pricing steps are significant between tiers.

### What platforms does PRTG Network Monitor run on?

PRTG Network Monitor provides multiple user interfaces: a web-based console accessible from any browser, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and native mobile apps for iOS and Android. The monitoring backend can be deployed on premises, as a cloud-hosted service via PRTG Hosted Monitor, or in a hybrid configuration combining both approaches.

### Does PRTG Network Monitor support SNMP monitoring?

Yes, PRTG Network Monitor includes full SNMP support for monitoring network devices, routers, switches and other infrastructure. It also supports custom sensors for extensibility, allowing integration with devices and systems beyond standard SNMP capabilities through HTTP API calls and custom scripts.

### What support does Paessler provide for PRTG?

PRTG Network Monitor includes email support and phone support from Paessler, along with extensive online documentation and a knowledge base. Training options include video tutorials, webinars, and live online training sessions, with optional consulting services available through Paessler's service team for custom deployments or complex monitoring scenarios.