Big Sister
Big Sister: Open-source monitoring for teams needing core reachability, SNMP, history and alarms. Ranked #47 of 54 in Network Monitoring by our editors (4.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small teams wanting free basic SNMP and reachability checks.
At a glance
- Editor score4.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall teams wanting free basic SNMP and reachability checks
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Synthetic checksYes
- Facts checked25 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free GPL software with self-hosted deployment
- Ping, TCP, SNMP and DNS checks with status history
- RRDTool graphs, grouping and email or pager alarms
Where it doesn't
- No topology maps for visual network discovery
- Fewer broader integrations than larger monitoring platforms
- Server-agent deployment requires self-hosted administration
Our verdict on Big Sister
Big Sister is a self-hosted system and network monitoring application for administrators tracking networked systems and services. Agents check local machine status and test neighboring systems and services, while a status collector receives reports, generates web pages and raises alerts. It fits small and mid-market teams that need basic reachability, service and SNMP monitoring across Linux and Windows environments.
Big Sister is free software under the GPL, with no paid tiers described. Deployment uses server and agent components, and the documented packages target Linux and Windows. The collector presents real-time status views, configurable grouping and summarized pages through the web interface. Status-change history, logs and performance data provide a record of conditions over time, while email or pager alarms can notify administrators when states change. Teams choosing it should be prepared to operate the monitoring service themselves rather than relying on a hosted deployment.
Its monitoring depth centers on practical checks: ping, TCP, SNMP and DNS, along with traffic and synthetic checks listed in its category specifications. RRDTool collects and graphs performance data, giving administrators trend views alongside current status. The trade-off is scope: Big Sister does not provide topology maps, and its positioning does not include a broad integration ecosystem. The official site lists stable release 1.12, with the latest version news shown from 2017; organizations evaluating ongoing maintenance should weigh that signal. Big Sister suits teams seeking a focused, free monitor with agent reporting and classic alerting, while teams needing visual topology or extensive integrations should look elsewhere.
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Big Sister pricing
Big Sister fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Synthetic checks | Yes |
| Device limit | Not verified |
| Traffic monitoring | Yes |
| Topology maps | No |
| Alert channels | |
| Deployment | Self_hosted |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, Web |
| Support | |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | bigsister.ch |
| Facts checked | 25 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Big Sister
- ZabbixBroad infrastructure monitoring with a free self-hosted edition and paid cloud options.9.4
- CheckmkA broad hybrid monitoring platform with a capable free edition and costly paid entry.9.3
- ManageEngine OpManagerBroad monitoring, mapping, traffic analysis, automation, and distributed coverage across four editions.9.1
See all Big Sister alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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