PRTG vs Uptime Kuma: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between PRTG and Uptime Kuma comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: PRTG is our overall pick for monitoring workflows. Pick Uptime Kuma if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
PRTG
All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues.
Best for you if:
- • Monitors all IT infrastructure components: networks, servers, applications, databases, and cloud services.
- • Provides real-time visualization, customizable dashboards, and alerts for proactive issue resolution.
Uptime Kuma
Self-hosted uptime monitoring with beautiful status pages
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Uptime Kuma is a self-hosted monitoring tool for websites and services
- • It provides uptime monitoring with a beautiful dashboard
| At a Glance |  PRTG |  Uptime Kuma |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Monitoring | Monitoring |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose PRTG or Uptime Kuma?
Choose PRTG if
All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues.
- Good network monitoring
- Comprehensive
- Good for enterprise
Choose Uptime Kuma if
Self-hosted uptime monitoring with beautiful status pages
- Self-hosted uptime monitoring
- Clean UI
- Many check types
- You want a fully free tool (PRTG requires payment)
| Feature | PRTG | Uptime Kuma |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 467 reviews | ★4.6/5 400 reviews |
| Categories | MonitoringCloud & Infrastructure | MonitoringStatus Pages |
In-Depth Analysis
PRTG
All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues.
Strengths
- +Good network monitoring
- +Comprehensive
- +Good for enterprise
- +Active development
- +Free tier available
Weaknesses
- -Windows only
- -Per-sensor pricing
- -Complex configuration
- -UI dated
- -Better alternatives exist
Key features
Value 75/100. PRTG offers a genuinely useful free tier, 100 sensors covering roughly 10 devices is enough for a small office or homelab.
Watch out: Sensor count can balloon quickly, each device typically needs 5-10 sensors for meaningful monitoring. A 100-device network may need 500-1,000 sensors, pushing you into the $325-675/month range.
Uptime Kuma
Self-hosted uptime monitoring with beautiful status pages
Strengths
- +Self-hosted uptime monitoring
- +Clean UI
- +Many check types
- +Free and open source
- +Easy Docker setup
Weaknesses
- -Requires self-hosting
- -Single instance only
- -Limited scalability
- -No team features
- -Basic compared to paid
Key features
Value 100/100. Uptime Kuma's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free.
Watch out: Requires user's own server infrastructure
Pricing: PRTG vs Uptime Kuma
| Plan | PRTG | Uptime Kuma |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Freeware | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | $1800 PRTG 500 | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $3200 PRTG 1000 | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on PRTG pricing and Uptime Kuma pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Uptime Kuma is free. PRTG is freemium.
Go with: Uptime Kuma
Want the highest-rated option?
PRTG: 4.6/5 (467 reviews). Uptime Kuma: 4.6/5 (400 reviews).
Go with: PRTG
Value user reviews?
PRTG: 467 reviews (4.6/5). Uptime Kuma: 400 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: PRTG
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
PRTG is freemium. Uptime Kuma is free. Go with Uptime Kuma if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are monitoring tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
PRTG
- Larger review base (467 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Uptime Kuma
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
PRTG is our pick. That said, Uptime Kuma is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PRTG or Uptime Kuma better?
PRTG is rated in our evaluation. PRTG is freemium and Uptime Kuma is free.
What are PRTG and Uptime Kuma used for?
PRTG: All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues.. Uptime Kuma: Self-hosted uptime monitoring with beautiful status pages.
What does PRTG cost vs Uptime Kuma?
PRTG is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Uptime Kuma is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.