Head-to-head · Network Topology Mapping Software
Forward Enterprise vs Auvik Network Management
Forward Enterprise leads on 0 checks, Auvik Network Management on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreForward Enterprise · 8.4/10
- Free trialonly Auvik Network Management
- Most featuresForward Enterprise · 2 of 2
Forward Enterprise scores higher on our rubric for network topology mapping software: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.
On deployment, Forward Enterprise gives you Hybrid where Auvik Network Management offers Cloud.
Forward Enterprise is the better fit for enterprises needing a network digital twin. Auvik Network Management is the better fit for IT teams and MSPs needing live network visibility.
- Forward Enterprise fits best
Enterprises needing a network digital twin
- Auvik Network Management fits best
IT teams and MSPs needing live network visibility
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Side by side
| Feature | Forward Enterprise 8.4/10 Visit ↗ | Auvik Network Management 8.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Ranking | #6 in Network Topology Mapping Software | #8 in Network Topology Mapping Software |
| Best for | Enterprises needing a network digital twin | IT teams and MSPs needing live network visibility |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | Pricing on request · 14-day trial |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | — |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Phone, Community | Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs, Community |
| Compliance | SOC 2 | SOC 2, 2FA |
| Integrations | 9 integrations | 9 integrations |
| Built for | Enterprise, Mid-market | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Forward Enterprise 2/2 · Auvik Network Management 0/2 | ||
| Automated discovery | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Dependency mapping | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Topology views | Mixed | Not checked yet |
| Deployment | Hybrid | Cloud |
| Device limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Network data sources | Device configuration and state; forwarding tables; security rules; routers; switches; firewalls; load balancers; AWS; Azure; GCP; IBM Cloud | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Forward Enterprise builds a network digital twin for enterprise network, security, cloud, and compliance teams. It ingests configuration and state from routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and public-cloud environments to model… Read the review → |
Auvik Network Management is a cloud-based service for corporate IT teams and managed service providers that need to discover, map, monitor, and manage network infrastructure. It automatically builds and updates topology maps across Layer… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Forward Enterprise — where it wins
- Maps physical and logical topology with end-to-end path analysis
- Shows dependencies across on-premises and cloud environments
- Tests change impact and verifies policy and intent continuously
Where it doesn't
- Modular pricing is per modeled device and requires a sales conversation
- Its broad network-modeling focus may exceed simpler mapping needs
- 24/7 support is not offered
Auvik Network Management — where it wins
- Automatically discovers devices and updates Layer 1–3 topology maps
- Combines performance monitoring with traffic-flow and bandwidth insights
- Tracks configuration backups and history, with alert-routing integrations
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires a tailored quote rather than published plan prices
- No free plan; evaluation is limited to a 14-day trial
- Cloud deployment and a collector may not suit teams seeking another model
- Forward Enterprise8.4/10 · Pricing on request
A modeled view of network behavior for topology analysis, policy checks, and change planning.
Visit siteFull verdict → - Auvik Network Management8.2/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial
Live Layer 1–3 maps combine discovery, traffic insights, monitoring, and configuration history.
Visit AuvikFull verdict →
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All network topology mapping software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





