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Head-to-head · Network Traffic Analysis Software

ntopng vs ElastiFlow

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score ntopng #2 in Network Traffic Analysis Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit ntopng
ElastiFlow #7 in Network Traffic Analysis Software 7.9/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ElastiFlow

ntopng leads on 0 checks, ElastiFlow on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorentopng · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly ElastiFlow
  • Most featuresElastiFlow · 3 of 3

ntopng scores higher on our rubric for network traffic analysis software: 9.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

ntopng is the better fit for broad, self-hosted traffic analysis with a free tier. ElastiFlow is the better fit for flow analytics with enrichment and ML detections.

  • ntopng fits best

    Broad, self-hosted traffic analysis with a free tier

  • ElastiFlow fits best

    Flow analytics with enrichment and ML detections

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Side by side

Feature ntopng 9.2/10 Visit ↗ ElastiFlow 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.9
Ranking #2 in Network Traffic Analysis Software #7 in Network Traffic Analysis Software
Best for Broad, self-hosted traffic analysis with a free tier Flow analytics with enrichment and ML detections
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ntopng 0/3 · ElastiFlow 3/3
Application visibility Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Conversation analysis Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Bandwidth monitoring Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Flow protocols Not checked yet NetFlow, IPFIX, sFlow
Deployment Not checked yet Hybrid
Monitored device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines packet capture, flow collection, and Layer-7 application detection
  • Includes active checks, topology discovery, alerts, and historical analysis
  • Supports NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, SNMP, APIs, and security integrations
  • Free Basic plan includes dashboards, metadata enrichment, and ML detections
  • Collects and normalizes NetFlow, IPFIX, and sFlow data
  • Connects with Elastic, OpenSearch, Kafka, Splunk, and Cribl Stream
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure and operational ownership
  • Historical data and reports are available in Enterprise tiers
  • LDAP authentication and extended behavioral checks require Pro
  • Basic is limited to 4,000 records per second
  • Basic supports up to 25 devices for SNMP polling and traps
  • Premium and Enterprise subscriptions use customized pricing
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, then analyzes…

Read the review →

ElastiFlow is a network observability and traffic-analysis platform for network, security, and DevOps teams. It collects NetFlow, IPFIX, and sFlow data, then decodes, transforms, normalizes, and enriches flow records with application,…

Read the review →
  1. ntopngNetwork Traffic Analysis Software 9.2Free plan
  2. ElastiFlowNetwork Traffic Analysis Software 7.9Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ntopng — where it wins

    • Combines packet capture, flow collection, and Layer-7 application detection
    • Includes active checks, topology discovery, alerts, and historical analysis
    • Supports NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, SNMP, APIs, and security integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires infrastructure and operational ownership
    • Historical data and reports are available in Enterprise tiers
    • LDAP authentication and extended behavioral checks require Pro

  • ElastiFlow — where it wins

    • Free Basic plan includes dashboards, metadata enrichment, and ML detections
    • Collects and normalizes NetFlow, IPFIX, and sFlow data
    • Connects with Elastic, OpenSearch, Kafka, Splunk, and Cribl Stream

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic is limited to 4,000 records per second
    • Basic supports up to 25 devices for SNMP polling and traps
    • Premium and Enterprise subscriptions use customized pricing

More comparisons

All network traffic analysis software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update