Cacti vs PRTG: What are the differences?

Introduction

Cacti and PRTG are network monitoring tools that help administrators track and analyze the performance of their networks. While both tools serve the same purpose, they have distinct differences that cater to different needs and preferences.

1. Data Collection Methods: Cacti mainly uses Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for data collection. It retrieves data from network devices and stores it in a MySQL database. On the other hand, PRTG supports multiple data collection methods, including SNMP, Windows Performance Counters, and NetFlow/sFlow.

2. User Interface: Cacti requires some technical knowledge to set up and configure effectively. It has a more complex user interface and requires manual configuration of data sources, templates, and graphs. Meanwhile, PRTG offers a user-friendly and intuitive web interface, making it easier for users to set up and deploy monitoring quickly, without extensive technical expertise.

3. Alerting and Notifications: In terms of alerting and notifications, Cacti offers limited options. It lacks built-in alerting features, and users need to rely on external plugins to set up alerts. PRTG, on the other hand, provides robust and customizable alerting capabilities. It allows users to create complex alert rules, define thresholds, and send notifications via various channels such as email, SMS, and push notifications.

4. Scalability and Deployment: Cacti is better suited for small to medium-sized networks due to its resource-intensive nature. It requires manual configuration of each device and can become challenging to manage in large-scale deployments. In contrast, PRTG is designed to handle large and distributed networks effortlessly. It supports auto-discovery, enabling automatic detection and configuration of network devices, making it more scalable and suitable for enterprise environments.

5. Monitoring Capabilities: Cacti primarily focuses on graphing and trending network data, providing detailed historical information about network performance. It offers extensive graphing capabilities, which are highly customizable. PRTG, on the other hand, offers a wider range of monitoring capabilities beyond just network performance. It can monitor servers, applications, virtual environments, and even cloud services, providing a more comprehensive monitoring solution.

6. Pricing Model: Cacti is an open-source tool, available for free, making it a budget-friendly option. However, its open-source nature means that it might lack professional support and regular updates. PRTG follows a freemium pricing model, offering a free version with limited sensors for smaller networks. For larger networks, a paid license is required, which provides access to a higher number of sensors and premium support.

In summary, Cacti mainly focuses on graphing and trending network data, requires manual configuration, and lacks advanced alerting features. PRTG, on the other hand, offers a user-friendly interface, diverse data collection methods, robust alerting capabilities, scalability, and a broader scope of monitoring beyond just network performance.