PRTG Freeware — A Starter Pack for Monitoring
General Information
PRTG Freeware is basically the same engine as the commercial PRTG, just capped at 100 sensors. For a small network that usually means monitoring a handful of servers, switches, or key services. It runs only on Windows, but the setup is quick and that’s why many admins use it for branch offices, labs, or as an easy test before going for a full license.
How It Works
PRTG builds everything around sensors. One sensor equals one metric — say ping time to a router, CPU load on a server, or bandwidth through an interface. With the free version, you get to pick which 100 checks matter most. The system auto-discovers devices, and from there you attach sensors. Results go into its internal database and show up in graphs, dashboards, or reports.
Functions You Get
Feature | Why It Helps |
Auto-discovery | Finds devices on the subnet without manual typing. |
Built-in sensors | CPU, disk, uptime, bandwidth already ready to use. |
Protocol support | SNMP, WMI, SSH, NetFlow, HTTP checks. |
Dashboards & graphs | Useful for quick status or wall screens. |
Alerts | Sends mail or push notifications when something breaks. |
Free tier | Stays free forever with 100 sensors. |
Installation Notes
Installing is straightforward:
1. Grab the installer from Paessler’s site.
2. Run it on a Windows Server.
3. After install, open https://server:8443 in a browser.
4. Drop in SNMP or WMI credentials and let it discover devices.
Remote probes can also be added if there are branch sites to monitor.
Everyday Use
Most admins use the Freeware edition to keep tabs on a couple of WAN links, some virtual machines, and maybe a firewall. It’s good for getting quick visibility without building a whole stack of open-source tools. Reporting helps for capacity checks, and the dashboards are often put up on a second screen in a small NOC.
Weak Points
The 100-sensor cap is the biggest wall you’ll hit. Once you want more, you have to move to the commercial version. Also, because it’s Windows-only, Linux-focused shops often skip it. Compared to open-source tools, customization is more limited.
Comparison
Tool | Platforms | Strengths | Best Use |
PRTG Freeware | Windows | Simple setup, 100 sensors free | Labs, branch offices, small networks |
PRTG Full | Windows | Scales with license, same engine | Larger enterprises |
Zabbix | Multi-platform | Free, flexible, strong automation | Enterprises with admin expertise |
Nagios Core | Linux | Plugin-driven, modular | Teams that want full DIY control |