Network performance test tool PRTG
Optimize your network's performance and enhance end-user experience
- Continuously monitor performance data of your entire network infrastructure
- Get automatically alerted when there are dips in performance or downtime
- View key stats from all your network components in one place
Our users give top ratings for monitoring with Paessler PRTG
PRTG network performance test tool: What you’ll find on this page
There's more to business network performance than just network speed
Bandwidth. Latency. Jitter. Packet loss. Throughput. Network traffic analysis. Server load.
Where, at home, we tend to judge network performance by connection speed alone, being a sysadmin is a completely different kettle of fish. Or well… a completely different rack of servers.
Business networks are complex structures with many moving parts. And the stakes are much higher, too. A single faulty switch could mean customers can no longer reach you. Cue a flood of angry calls and social media complaints (and an extremely annoyed CEO).
Paessler PRTG's comprehensive network monitoring tool tracks every single variable that could impact the quality of your network round the clock, and alerts you if they're at risk of falling below your expectations.
That means you can easily spot and proactively address issues at their source, simplifying network troubleshooting and maintaining a high-performing network that helps move your business forward.
PRTG makes network performance testing as easy as it gets
Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent latency, high server load, low throughput, and other performance issues.
Network performance testing that means business: Why Paessler PRTG
All-in-one monitoring
Stop running pointless one-time tests and switching between different tools. PRTG keeps an eye on all your critical network performance stats 24/7, and puts key data at your fingertips. Which means testing and monitoring of your entire network infrastructure are simpler (and more accurate).
Automatic real-time alerts
Solving network problems is easier if you keep them contained. Receive customizable in-app, text, or email notifications as soon as a component or variable is at risk of underperforming, and fix the issue before it disrupts the whole network (and makes you wish you'd called in sick).
A single source of truth
Managing an enterprise network is challenging enough as it is. Why complicate matters by siloing your data? Using PRTG as your sole monitoring environment gives you end-to-end visibility and, so, a far deeper understanding of your network's health.
What network performance monitoring looks like in PRTG
Diagnose network issues by continuously tracking servers, routers, switches, internet connections, workstations, firewalls, and other endpoints. Show latency, network connectivity, data traffic, throughput, and other key network performance metrics in real time. Visualize monitoring data in clear graphs and dashboards to identify problems more easily. Gain the visibility you need to troubleshoot and solve the causes of poor network performance.
Device tree view of the complete monitoring setup
Preconfigured Cloud HTTP v2 sensor in PRTG
Custom PRTG dashboard for keeping an eye on the entire IT infrastructure
Start testing network performance with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
“All-around winning “The real beauty of PRTG is the endless possibilities it offers” “PRTG Network MonitorIT experts agree: Paessler PRTG is a great solution for IT infrastructure monitoring
network monitor”
is very hard to beat”
How to check any network component's performance at a glance
PRTG's powerful, comprehensive network testing tool simplifies performance testing, monitoring, and analysis. Our more than 250 preconfigured sensor types bring all the data together into intuitive, easy-to-understand dashboards, giving you a complete view of your network's performance in real time.
Automatic network discovery
Key in your preferred IP address range, and the Auto-Discovery functionality will add every reachable device to your monitoring environment.
Our performance sensors then track your chosen variables round the clock and notify you as soon as they're at risk of falling below or going above your chosen thresholds.
Website load tests
PRTG continually monitors the load times of your website. This is especially useful if you do business abroad and your website is accessed by users worldwide.
Use the Cloud HTTP v2 sensor for measuring and testing the load times of web pages in your LAN. Or choose the /bandwidth_bottleneck sensor to check website performance from all around the globe.
Bandwidth usage tests
Testing for maximum bandwidth would cause bottlenecks and your network to freeze up. No one wants that... Instead, test your bandwidth by generating small and short spikes in the load.
For example: download a file every few minutes and simultaneously measure your bandwidth using SNMP, WMI, flow (NetFlow, jFlow, sFlow, IPFIX), or packet sniffing.
Server performance tests
PRTG is not a server performance testing tool per se, but it can be used to simulate a server performance test.
For example, you can write a script, let it run in short intervals with the help of a custom EXE/Script Advanced sensor, then measure the corresponding hardware parameters.
Your network performance analyzer at a glance – even on the go
Set up PRTG in minutes and use it on almost any mobile device.
Find the root cause of the problem with our PRTG network performance monitoring solution
Real-time notifications mean faster troubleshooting so that you can act before more serious issues occur.
PRTG is compatible with all major vendors, products, and systems
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s partners
Partnering with innovative vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
“Excellent tool for detailed monitoring. Alarms and notifications work greatly. Equipment addition is straight forward and server initial setup is very easy. ...feel safe to purchase it if you intend to monitor a large networking landscape.”
Infrastructure and Operations Engineer in the Communications Industry, firm size 10B - 30B USD
PRTG makes network performance testing as easy as it gets
Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent latency, high server load, low throughput, and other performance issues.
Test network performance: FAQ
What is a network performance test tool?
A network performance test tool is a software or hardware solution used to measure, analyze, and troubleshoot the performance of a network. These tools help network administrators and engineers evaluate various aspects of network health, such as bandwidth, latency, throughput, packet loss, jitter, and overall connectivity.
Key features of network performance test tools include:
- Bandwidth testing: Measures the maximum data transfer rate of the network.
- Latency measurement: Determines the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another.
- Throughput analysis: Evaluates the actual data transfer rate under specific conditions.
- Packet loss detection: Identifies the percentage of packets lost during transmission, which can indicate network issues.
- Jitter analysis: Measures variations in packet arrival times, crucial for real-time applications like VoIP and video conferencing.
- Connectivity testing: Ensures that network devices are properly connected and communicating.
- Protocol analysis: Examines traffic based on different protocols to identify potential bottlenecks or misconfigurations.
- Load testing: Simulates heavy traffic to see how the network performs under stress.
What is PRTG network performance testing?
PRTG is a proprietary software tool that tracks the health and performance of every component on your network. Available for Windows-based on-premises servers or as a cloud-hosted SaaS solution, it's capable of monitoring unlimited local, remote, and virtual network devices, bringing critical system data together in one simple, intuitive interface you can access from anywhere: at the office, at home, or on the go.
How do I test network performance with PRTG?
You can use PRTG to test network performance in several ways:
- Download files at regular intervals to generate spikes in traffic and measure your bandwidth
- Simulate a server performance test by running a custom script at short intervals and measuring the hardware parameters
- Regularly ping servers and network devices, and set up an automatic alert for long response times
- Monitor network traffic to identify bottlenecks and recurring usage spikes
- Keep an eye on Windows devices via WMI or Windows performance counters
Ping vs SNMP vs Flow technologies: What's the difference?
Ping, SNMP, and Flow are all useful techniques for testing, monitoring, and managing network performance, but they serve different purposes:
- Ping sends a data packet to the target device and waits for a response, so it's ideal for checking reachability, measuring latency, and detecting connectivity issues.
- SNMP tracks specific metrics like CPU load, memory usage, and even environmental conditions, so it's great for monitoring the health and performance of individual network components, managing configurations, and troubleshooting
- Flow technologies – NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow, and IPFIX – monitor and analyze traffic in more detail, so it's useful for spotting suspicious patterns, performance optimization, and capacity planning.
PRTG has preconfigured sensors for all three techniques, giving you the flexibility to tailor your monitoring to suit your network's exact requirements.
What is a sensor in PRTG?
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive.
On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
PRTG: The multi-tool for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
Paessler conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins. We asked: would you recommend PRTG?
Over 95% of our customers say yes!
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier. Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network. Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free.Still not convinced?
More than 500,000
sysadmins love PRTG
Monitor your entire IT infrastructure
Try Paessler PRTG
for free
Start testing network performance with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
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PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 24.4.102.1351 (November 12th, 2024) |
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Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |
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