SolarWinds vs PRTG: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between SolarWinds and PRTG 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
SolarWinds
Drive operational resilience with unified visibility and AI-powered insights across your IT environment.
Best for you if:
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Provides unified visibility and AI-powered insights for IT operations.
- • Offers solutions for monitoring, database management, incident response, and IT service management.
PRTG
All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.9/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need real-time analytics features specifically
- • Monitors all IT infrastructure components: networks, servers, applications, databases, and cloud services.
- • Provides real-time visualization, customizable dashboards, and alerts for proactive issue resolution.
| At a Glance |  SolarWinds |  PRTG |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | Real-Time Analytics |
Rating | —/100 | 89/100 |
| Feature | SolarWinds | PRTG |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 89 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringIncident Management | Real-Time AnalyticsMonitoring |
How SolarWinds and PRTG Compare
SolarWinds
Drive operational resilience with unified visibility and AI-powered insights across your IT environment.
Paid
PRTG
All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues.
Free tier available · 89/100 score
SolarWinds is a monitoring tool. PRTG is in real-time analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
PRTG has a free tier. SolarWinds is paid only.
Go with: PRTG
Want the highest-rated option?
PRTG scores 89/100. SolarWinds is unrated.
Go with: PRTG
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: PRTG
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
SolarWinds is paid. PRTG is freemium. PRTG lets you start free.
What's your use case?
SolarWinds is a monitoring tool. PRTG is in real-time analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
PRTG
- Higher score: 89/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
SolarWinds
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
PRTG (89/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SolarWinds or PRTG better?
PRTG scores 89/100 in our evaluation. SolarWinds is paid and PRTG is freemium.
What are SolarWinds and PRTG used for?
SolarWinds: Drive operational resilience with unified visibility and AI-powered insights across your IT environment.. PRTG: All-in-One Network Monitoring Software to stay ahead of IT infrastructure issues..
What does SolarWinds cost vs PRTG?
SolarWinds is a paid tool. PRTG is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.