MRTG review
A mature free tool for basic SNMP traffic graphs in self-hosted environments.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
MRTG is a free, open-source network monitoring tool for administrators and system operators who need SNMP traffic graphs from network devices. It monitors traffic and arbitrary SNMP variables, then generates HTML pages with PNG graphs for browser-based viewing. The product runs through self-hosted deployments on web, Windows, and Linux environments, making it suited to teams that prefer to manage the installation and configuration themselves.
The published product details show a free open-source model rather than a hosted service or commercial tier structure. MRTG includes cfgmaker for automatic configuration generation, daemon mode, configuration-file operation, and consolidated fixed-size historical log files. Support for SNMPv2c 64-bit counters helps it handle current counter formats, while RRDtool integration hooks provide an option for storage workflows built around RRDtool. Threshold checking with external scripts and email threshold notifications add a practical route for basic alerting. This combination fits teams seeking focused traffic visibility without a subscription-based monitoring service.
MRTG’s main strength is its narrow, established focus: collecting SNMP data and presenting it as straightforward graphs. It is a sensible choice for basic interface traffic monitoring, selected device variables, and manually managed network operations. It is less suitable for teams that need topology maps, synthetic checks, broad alerting, or a wider modern integration ecosystem. Those requirements call for a broader monitoring platform, while MRTG remains a fitting pick for technically comfortable administrators who value open-source software, local control, and simple historical traffic reporting.
MRTG pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free, open-source monitoring for SNMP network devices
- Generates browser-based HTML pages with PNG traffic graphs
- Supports arbitrary SNMP variables, thresholds, and RRDtool hooks
- Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted operation requires administrator-managed deployment
- Does not provide topology maps or synthetic checks
- Alerting and integrations are narrower than broader monitoring platforms
MRTG fact sheet, pricing and score →
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