OpenMSP
SolarWinds NPM logo

SolarWinds NPM

Network Management and Monitoring

Commercial Vendor
Paid Plans
Paid Plans
OpenMSP Score
48
26
Reddit Impact Score

Alternative Vendors

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Netdata
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Uptime Kuma

Commercial Alternatives

PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG Network Monitor
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Cisco Meraki
Checkmk
Checkmk
ManageEngine OpManager
ManageEngine OpManager
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive network monitoring software that provides advanced network fault, availability, and performance management. It offers multi-vendor network monitoring, detailed network path analysis, and intelligent network maps with automated discovery and mapping.
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Key Features

Real-Time Network Monitoring

SNMP-based monitoring of routers, switches, servers with real-time performance metrics, bandwidth utilization, and availability tracking

Automated Network Discovery

Intelligent network discovery and mapping with automatic device detection, topology visualization, and dependency mapping

Advanced Alerting System

Customizable alerts based on thresholds, dependencies, and network topology with escalation policies and notification management

Performance Analytics

NetPath analysis, PerfStack correlation, and predictive capacity planning with historical trending and forecasting

Pros and Cons

Pros

Comprehensive Network Visibility

Complete monitoring of network devices, servers, and applications with deep performance analytics and root cause analysis

Mature and Proven Platform

Industry-leading network monitoring solution with extensive features and long track record of reliability

Advanced Troubleshooting Tools

NetPath, PerfStack, and network mapping provide powerful diagnostic capabilities for complex network issues

Scalable Architecture

Handles large enterprise networks with thousands of devices and integrates with other SolarWinds modules

Cons

High Licensing Costs

Expensive per-element pricing model can become costly for large network deployments

Resource Intensive

Requires significant server resources and database capacity for large-scale monitoring deployments

Complex Configuration

Initial setup and configuration requires network expertise and can be time-consuming for complex environments

Security Concerns

Previous security incidents have raised concerns about the platform security posture

Feature Comparison

Comments

Alexander ReedDataSync Solutions

Alexander Reed • DataSync Solutions

Jun 18, 2025

Network monitoring essential for MSPs

SolarWinds NPM is indispensable for our MSP practice. We monitor over 200 client networks and the real-time alerts help us catch issues before clients even notice. The hybrid monitoring capability is perfect since most clients have both on-prem and cloud infrastructure.

Daniel ScottTechGuard MSP

Daniel Scott • TechGuard MSP

Jun 8, 2025

Proactive monitoring saves the day

SolarWinds alerts helped us prevent a major outage for one of our biggest clients. The predictive analytics identified a failing switch before it caused downtime. This tool has saved us countless emergency calls and improved our SLA compliance dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

OpenMSP is The MSP Knowledge Hub & Community Platform designed specifically for Managed Service Providers seeking to optimize their technology stack, reduce vendor costs, and discover open-source alternatives. We combine a comprehensive vendor directory, open-source solution catalog, and integrated community discussions to help MSPs make informed decisions.
Yes, completely free. Browse vendors and tools, read comparisons, and join community discussions - no cost, no registration required. OpenMSP is community-supported and focused on empowering MSPs to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency through open-source technology.
We help MSPs identify cost-effective alternatives to expensive commercial solutions, provide transparent vendor information, and connect you with proven open-source alternatives. Our platform enables MSPs to make informed decisions about their technology investments.
No account required for browsing vendors, reading comparisons, or accessing community content. Creating a free account with SSO (Microsoft, Google, or Slack) allows you to participate in discussions and save your favorite tools.

Platform Information

OpenMSP is currently community-supported. We focus on providing value to the MSP community first. Any future monetization will keep the core platform free for MSPs while maintaining our independence and commitment to unbiased information.
We focus exclusively on MSP needs with transparent vendor information and open-source alternatives. No vendor partnerships or sponsored listings - just honest, community-driven information to help MSPs make better technology decisions. Our biggest value is our community where MSPs help each other with questions, setup guidance, and sharing real-world experiences.
Our community of MSP professionals helps verify and update information. We also maintain direct research on tools and vendors to ensure accuracy. Community members can report outdated information, and we work to keep everything current.
OpenMSP was founded by Michael Assraf, who has extensive experience in the MSP industry and product leadership. As the former CEO & Founder of Vicarius, Michael grew a startup from $0 to $9M ARR with 500+ customers and deep experience working with MSPs, partners, and fundraising. OpenMSP represents his commitment to empowering the MSP community through better technology decisions and cost optimization.

Open-Source Tools & Alternatives

We assess tools based on active development, community size, documentation quality, production deployments by MSPs, and available support options. Tools must meet strict criteria for reliability and enterprise readiness.
Many open-source projects offer multiple support options including community forums, commercial support from vendors, professional services, and our community discussions where experienced MSPs share implementation guidance.