The debate between PRTG vs MRTG is often spoken among IT professionals and we're here to break down the differences between each software package, as well as their strengths and weaknesses.
Let's jump right into some of the major features and differences of each software and compare them to each other.
MRTG
MRTG, which stands for Multi Router Traffic Grapher is a software tool that helps your monitor and traffic on your network ports and links.
It creates a visually appealing page (HTML) that displays Live information about Traffic levels on any given link.
MRTG works with most Unix/Linux based systems and Windows NT and was written in PERL language.
It supports SNMP to collecting data to visually graph points and charts within the interface via their routines and algorithms that are programmed in C.
Pros:
- Lightweight tools
- Easy to use – simple installation
- Includes support for Netflow analysis
- Offers flexible reporting options
Cons:
- Interface could use an overhaul
- Lacks many monitoring features required by larger networks
You can find more information about MRTG on its official website: https://oss.oetiker.ch/mrtg/doc/mrtg.en.html
Paessler PRTG – FREE TRIAL
Paessler has been refining, developing and expanding their Flagship product, PRTG Network Monitor (which we've reviewed extensively here), to monitor an array of software, hardware and technologies.
PRTG offers a full array of features that can be summed up as comprehensive, some of which include:
- Monitor Server Uptime/Downtime
- Network Devices (Switches, Firewalls, Routers, WiFi, etc) Monitoring features
- Virtual Servers and Machine Monitoring
- SLA Monitoring & Reporting
- Email Server & Backup monitoring (only compatible with certain backup software/solutions)
- Automatic Network Discovery and Inventory
- Bandwidth and Traffic Analysis including sorting by Source/Destination and Content
- QOS & Voip Monitoring
- Hardware (CPU Loads, HDD Disk Space, Memory, etc) Monitoring
- Temperature & Humidity Monitoring with paired with the Right Sensors/Equipment
- Cloud (AWS, Azure, etc) Monitoring
- DB Performance Monitoring
- Easy to Use Web Interface
- SSL Encryption for Accessing Dashboard
- Extension Alerting Options including SMS Text Messages, Push Notifications, Email, Syslog, SNMP traps, HTTP requests, Execute Scripts or Programs, etc.
- Create Reports based on Schedules
- MSP Support
- and More features……… !
Their pricing model is very basic and is not hidden or unavailable, like other products we've reviewed.
Pros:
- Uses a combination of packet sniffing, WMI, and SNMP to report network performance as well as discover new devices
- Autodiscovery reflects the latest inventory changes almost instantaneously
- Drag and drop editor makes it easy to build custom views and reports
- Supports a wide range of alert mediums such as SMS, email, and third-party integration
- Supports a freeware version
Cons:
- Is a very comprehensive platform with many features and moving parts that require time to learn
Related Post: What is Syslog?
Here are the Differences between PRTG vs MRTG:
| PRTG | MRTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Network Scanning and Discovery, Mapping & Topology Diagrams | ✔ | ✔ |
| Monitor via SNMP, WMI, ICMP, etc | ✔ | Only SNMP & ICMP |
| DB Monitoring (SQL, MySQL, etc) | ✔ | ✔ |
| QOS & SLA Monitoring/Reports | ✔ | n/a |
| Computer/Server Hardware Health Monitoring (CPU, Memory, Network Cards, etc) |
✔ | ✔ |
| Web Server Monitoring (IIS, Apache, NGINX, etc) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Active Directory Monitoring | ✔ | n/a |
| Netflow, IPFIX, sFlow, jFlow Monitoring | ✔ | n/a |
| VM HyperVisor Monitoring | ✔ | n/a |
| Application Monitoring features | ✔ | Depends on the Software you want to Monitor |
| Reports and Graphs of Historic Trends | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mobile App (iOS, Android, etc) | ✔ | N/A |
| Download Here | Visit Website |
As with any of the Most Popular Network Monitoring tools, we try to be as unbiased as possible as to which we would choose to run in our environment.
We consider features, options, flexibility, licensing costs, Price of Upgrades/Updates, Mobile accessibility and graphical intuitiveness.
There are upsides and downsides to using both software packages.
For many, its the Price-point –
MRTG is completely open-source thus making it free to use and change as needed. You have the flexibility of creating your own custom scripts and functions that will suit your monitoring needs and requirements.
But with the price of free comes the sacrifice of time and effort you would need to dedicate to understanding the configurations and custom scripts needed to complete some very basic tasks.
On the other hand, PRTG has many features that come installed with the base package and are ready to go out-of-the-box. Network Discovery and configuration is a fast process and can easily be completed within minutes.
The user interface is easily accessible via your iPhone, iPad and/or Android phone. Bandwidth Monitoring and Netflow analysis is part of the package and there is no need to create custom scripts or import that data from any other sources.
Reports are generated from within PRTG instead of exporting them out into another program, as seeing a graph sometimes isn't enough.
The list goes on and on about the Benefits and strength that PRTG has over MRTG, but as many admins and die-hard open-source says – its all about the Price.
PRTG has a Freeware version that gives you the ability to monitor up to 100 Sensors free-of-charge. If your network grows and you need to monitor more sensors, then jump online and order more sensors. Pricing is straightforward and there are no gimmicks or hidden fees.
We suggest you Download a 30-day FREE Trial of PRTG HERE and get it installed on a Test machine or VM to understand how it works and see how quickly and easily it can be installed and configured to start monitoring up to 100 sensors Free.
We hope this breakdown of PRTG vs MRTG was helpful, as well as, enlightening to those looking to compare the two products.
Official Site for PRTG: Paessler.com
Download PRTG Trial for up to 100 Sensors FREE Here!
PRTG vs MRTG FAQs
What is PRTG?
PRTG is a network monitoring tool that helps organizations to monitor their IT infrastructure and identify potential issues.
What is MRTG?
MRTG is a free network monitoring tool that is used to monitor network traffic and bandwidth usage.
How do PRTG and MRTG differ?
PRTG and MRTG differ in that PRTG is a comprehensive network monitoring tool that can monitor a wide range of network metrics and has a more user-friendly interface, while MRTG is focused solely on monitoring network traffic and bandwidth usage.
What are some key features of PRTG?
Key features of PRTG include comprehensive monitoring capabilities, automatic alerting and reporting, and an intuitive web-based user interface.
What are some key features of MRTG?
Key features of MRTG include the ability to monitor network traffic and bandwidth usage, support for SNMP monitoring, and customizable graphs and reports.
How do PRTG and MRTG compare in terms of ease of use?
PRTG is generally considered to be more user-friendly and easier to use than MRTG.
How do PRTG and MRTG compare in terms of scalability?
PRTG is generally considered to be more scalable than MRTG and can support a larger number of monitored devices.
How do PRTG and MRTG compare in terms of cost?
MRTG is a free tool, while PRTG has a cost associated with it. The cost of PRTG varies depending on the number of sensors required for monitoring.
