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Best Ethr Alternatives in 2026

Free#14 of 37 in Network Diagnostic Software

The top Ethr alternatives are Globalping, RIPE Atlas and PingPlotter: 15 network diagnostic software our editors would look at instead of Ethr, in our ranking order.

7.6/10Editor score
Ethr7.6 Visit Ethr

Ethr: A focused open-source toolkit for active network performance testing. Where it falls short: does not provide verified integrations.

Switching from Ethr? For most network diagnostic software buyers the best Ethr alternative is Globalping, built for global, automated network diagnostics. On a budget, PingPlotter starts at $6.99/mo. GRC DNS Benchmark offers the most target limit (500 targets).

Why People Look for an Ethr Alternative

  • Does not provide verified integrations
  • Does not include DNS or path visualization features
  • Command-line operation may require technical network knowledge

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 Ethr Alternatives, Ranked

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.

  1. Best forGlobal, automated network diagnostics

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 9.4 vs 7.6

    A broad, open-source toolkit for diagnosing network behavior across global locations.

    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    • Command-line interface
    9.4/10★★★★★
    Visit Globalping
  2. Best forDistributed measurement and path analysis

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 9.2 vs 7.6

    A free platform for distributed measurements, path analysis, and public Internet reachability data.

    • Path visualization
    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Visit RIPE Atlas
  3. Best forContinuous path and connection monitoring

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 9.0 vs 7.6

    A focused tool for tracking latency, packet loss, jitter, and network paths.

    • Path visualization
    Free plan · 14-day trial Our PingPlotter verdict → Visit PingPlotter
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit PingPlotter
  4. Nmap

    Best forFree network discovery and security diagnostics

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.9 vs 7.6

    A mature, open-source toolkit for discovering hosts, services, paths, and network behavior.

    • Path visualization
    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    Free plan Our Nmap verdict → Visit Nmap
    8.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit Nmap
  5. Best forFree Windows network troubleshooting

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.7 vs 7.6

    A free Windows desktop toolkit covering scanning, monitoring, DNS, Wi-Fi, and discovery.

    • Path visualization
    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit NETworkManager
  6. Best forCross-platform network inventory

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.6 vs 7.6

    A broad network inventory toolkit for administrators who need scanning, monitoring and automation.

    • Path visualization
    • Packet-loss analysis
    • Command-line interface
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit SoftPerfect
  7. Best forComprehensive professional Windows diagnostics

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.4 vs 7.6

    A broad Windows diagnostic suite for professionals who need deep network visibility.

    • Path visualization
    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Try NetScanTools Pro
  8. Best forVisual Windows route investigations

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.3 vs 7.6

    A Windows-focused diagnostic suite for mapping, comparing, and investigating network paths.

    • Path visualization
    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit Visualware
  9. Best forFree Windows traceroute monitoring

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.2 vs 7.6

    A free Windows command-line tracer for continuous path, latency, and packet-loss analysis.

    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    • Command-line interface
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit SolarWinds
  10. iperf2

    Best forCross-platform throughput testing

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.1 vs 7.6

    A free, open-source CLI for detailed cross-platform network performance testing.

    • Packet-loss analysis
    • Command-line interface
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit iperf2
  11. DNSViz

    Best forVisual DNSSEC and delegation analysis

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 8.0 vs 7.6

    A focused open-source toolkit for tracing DNS behavior, errors, delegations, and DNSSEC chains.

    • Path visualization
    • DNS diagnostics
    • Command-line interface
    Open source Our DNSViz verdict → Visit DNSViz
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit DNSViz
  12. Best forDNSSEC diagnostics and pre-deployment testing

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 7.9 vs 7.6

    Open-source DNS and DNSSEC diagnostics with CLI, graphs, JSON, Docker, and web access.

    • Path visualization
    • DNS diagnostics
    • Command-line interface
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit DNSViz
  13. Best forDNS resolver performance benchmarking

    • Better than Ethr:
    • Editor score 7.7 vs 7.6

    A focused DNS benchmarking utility for comparing resolver performance from your network.

    • Packet-loss analysis
    • DNS diagnostics
    • Command-line interface
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit GRC
  14. iperf3

    Best forEmbedded and Linux/macOS throughput testing

    A focused, scriptable throughput tester for Linux and macOS network work.

    • Packet-loss analysis
    • Command-line interface
    7.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit iperf3
  15. WinMTR

    Best forSimple free Windows route monitoring

    A focused, portable route monitor for straightforward Windows connectivity troubleshooting.

    • Packet-loss analysis
    • Command-line interface
    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit WinMTR

Ethr Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to Ethr?

Globalping: #1 in our Network Diagnostic Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad, open-source toolkit for diagnosing network behavior across global locations.

Is there a free alternative to Ethr?

Yes. Globalping, RIPE Atlas, PingPlotter, Nmap and NETworkManager have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Why do people look for Ethr alternatives?

Does not provide verified integrations; Does not include DNS or path visualization features; Command-line operation may require technical network knowledge.

Which Ethr alternative has the most target limit?

GRC DNS Benchmark, with 500 targets.

How do I switch from Ethr?

Export your data from Ethr (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Ethr.

How to Switch from Ethr

  1. Export your data from Ethr (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Ethr.

Ethr vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromDeploymentPath visualizationDNS diagnosticsPacket-loss analysisScore
14EthrFreeDesktopYes7.6
1GlobalpingYesHybridYesYes9.4
2RIPE AtlasFreeHybridYesYesYes9.2
3PingPlotterYes$6.99/moHybridYes9.0
4NmapYesFreeDesktopYesYesYes8.9
5NETworkManagerYesFreeDesktopYesYesYes8.7
6SoftPerfect Network ScannerNoDesktopYesYes8.6
7NetScanTools ProNo$299 one-timeDesktopYesYesYes8.4
8VisualRouteNoDesktopYesYesYes8.3
9SolarWinds Traceroute NGYesFreeDesktopYesYes8.2
10iperf2YesFreeDesktopYes8.1
11DNSVizFreeHybridYesYes8.0
12DNSViz ToolkitYesFreeHybridYesYes7.9
13GRC DNS BenchmarkYesDesktopYesYes7.7
14iperf3YesFreeDesktopNoNoYes7.5
15WinMTRYesFreeDesktopNoNoYes7.4

Guides on Network Diagnostic Software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update