Head-to-head · Network Monitoring - Midmarket Software
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor vs Checkmk
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor leads on 0 checks, Checkmk 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 scorePaessler PRTG Network Monitor · 9.2/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialboth
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor scores higher on our rubric for network monitoring - midmarket software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is the better fit for teams needing broad monitoring that scales by sensor count. Checkmk is the better fit for teams needing broad hybrid infrastructure monitoring.
- Paessler PRTG Network Monitor fits best
Teams needing broad monitoring that scales by sensor count
- Checkmk fits best
Teams needing broad hybrid infrastructure monitoring
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Side by side
| Feature | Paessler PRTG Network Monitor 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Checkmk 8.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.9 |
| Ranking | #1 in Network Monitoring - Midmarket Software | #4 in Network Monitoring - Midmarket Software |
| Best for | Teams needing broad monitoring that scales by sensor count | Teams needing broad hybrid infrastructure monitoring |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $200/mo | €190/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free trial length | 30 days | 30 days |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, Linux, Windows |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Docs | Community, Tickets, Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 2,000+ integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Paessler PRTG Network Monitor 0/3 · Checkmk 0/3 | ||
| SNMP monitoring | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Automatic discovery | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Flow analysis | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Alert channels | email, sms, webhook, mobile | Not checked yet |
| Deployment | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Monitored device limit | 50 devices | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is on-premises software for teams monitoring IT, OT, and IoT infrastructure, including devices, applications, services, websites, and network traffic. It runs on Windows servers, with web, desktop, and… Read the review → |
Checkmk is an infrastructure monitoring platform for teams operating mixed environments across data centers, clouds, virtual machines, containers, networks, servers, and applications. It collects states and metrics through agents, APIs,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor — where it wins
- Monitors devices, systems, applications, services, websites, and traffic
- Automatic discovery plus preconfigured sensors and device templates
- Flow analysis, configurable alerts, and live-data dashboards and maps
Where it doesn't
- Runs on Windows servers and is self-hosted
- Pricing scales by sensors, so device estimates are not hard caps
- Sensor tiers can require substantial annual-billed monthly spend
Checkmk — where it wins
- Monitors servers, networks, VMs, clouds, containers, and applications
- 2,000+ pre-built integrations, including AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, and Grafana
- Agentless checks support SNMP, IPMI, WMI, Redfish, and vendor interfaces
Where it doesn't
- Paid self-hosted tiers use annual billing and starting prices require a custom quote
- Monitoring is priced by services rather than hosts, complicating host-based budgeting
- The free Community edition provides community support rather than professional coverage
- Paessler PRTG Network Monitor9.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
Windows-centered, sensor-based monitoring with discovery, flow analysis, and alerting.
Visit PaesslerFull verdict → - Checkmk8.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
Broad hybrid monitoring with self-hosted and managed plans for growing infrastructure teams.
Visit CheckmkFull verdict →
More comparisons
All network monitoring - midmarket software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update