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Head-to-head · Bandwidth Monitoring Software

ntopng vs Cacti

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score ntopng #1 in Bandwidth Monitoring Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit ntopng
Cacti #6 in Bandwidth Monitoring Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cacti

ntopng leads on 0 checks, Cacti on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorentopng · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

ntopng scores higher on our rubric for bandwidth monitoring software: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

ntopng is the better fit for comprehensive self-hosted network visibility. Cacti is the better fit for free open-source network monitoring.

  • ntopng fits best

    Comprehensive self-hosted network visibility

  • Cacti fits best

    Free open-source network monitoring

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ntopng 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Cacti 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Bandwidth Monitoring Software #6 in Bandwidth Monitoring Software
Best for Comprehensive self-hosted network visibility Free open-source network monitoring
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ntopng 0/4 · Cacti 0/4
Application monitoring Not checked yet Not checked yet
User monitoring Not checked yet Not checked yet
SNMP monitoring Not checked yet Not checked yet
Bandwidth alerts Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Flow protocol support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Monitored device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Historical data retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines packet capture, flow collection, SNMP, application, and topology monitoring
  • Open-source Community plan includes real-time visibility, alerts, and discovery
  • Supports Linux, Windows, macOS, REST API, and extensive integrations
  • Covers SNMP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, graphing, discovery, and alerts
  • Supports distributed collectors, aggregate graphs, and automated onboarding
  • Extends monitoring through plugins, including NetFlow and network mapping
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires organizations to manage the monitoring environment
  • Historical data and reports are limited to Enterprise tiers
  • LDAP authentication and network matrix timeseries require the Pro tier
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure and ongoing administration
  • Advanced flow monitoring depends on plugins
  • SMS alerting and network mapping are plugin-based
Our verdict

ntopng is a self-hosted, web-based network traffic monitoring application for network administrators, security teams, and service providers. It combines passive packet capture with NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX collection, Layer-7 application…

Read the review →

Cacti is an open-source network monitoring and graphing platform for teams that want to collect and visualize performance data from network devices and other hosts. Built around RRDtool, it supports SNMP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, scripts, and…

Read the review →
  1. ntopngBandwidth Monitoring Software 9.4Free plan
  2. CactiBandwidth Monitoring Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ntopng — where it wins

    • Combines packet capture, flow collection, SNMP, application, and topology monitoring
    • Open-source Community plan includes real-time visibility, alerts, and discovery
    • Supports Linux, Windows, macOS, REST API, and extensive integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires organizations to manage the monitoring environment
    • Historical data and reports are limited to Enterprise tiers
    • LDAP authentication and network matrix timeseries require the Pro tier

  • Cacti — where it wins

    • Covers SNMP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, graphing, discovery, and alerts
    • Supports distributed collectors, aggregate graphs, and automated onboarding
    • Extends monitoring through plugins, including NetFlow and network mapping

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure and ongoing administration
    • Advanced flow monitoring depends on plugins
    • SMS alerting and network mapping are plugin-based
  • ntopng9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad self-hosted toolkit for real-time, historical, and infrastructure visibility.

    Visit ntopngFull verdict →
  • Cacti8.5/10 · Free plan

    A broad, self-hosted monitoring suite for teams comfortable managing their own infrastructure.

    Visit CactiFull verdict →

More comparisons

All bandwidth monitoring software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update