Bandwidth Monitor Software is a tool that will help you to keep an eye on inbound and outbound bandwidth within your network and allow you to identify any hosts that are consuming the most bandwidth.
If you work as a Network engineer or administrator, Bandwidth Monitoring is an important aspect you should attend to. Due to find out network problems and errors. For that, let me share some recommendations for the best free Bandwidth Monitor software for you to try to apply to your work.
What is Bandwidth Monitor Software?
Bandwidth monitoring software tracks and logs the volume of data flowing into and out of all devices connected to your network over specific time periods. This provides real-time visibility and historical reporting to analyze traffic volumes and usage trends. Functions typically include:
- Real-time monitoring – Shows current network traffic loads.
- Historical reporting – Logs bandwidth usage data over time to identify trends.
- Usage by device – Shows which devices are using your network and how much.
- Bandwidth allowances – Set and monitor usage caps.
- Alerting and notifications – Get notified when usage exceeds set limits.
Why Should You Use Bandwidth Monitoring Software?
There are several key reasons to implement bandwidth monitor software:
- Track Overall Usage to Manage Costs Monitoring overall bandwidth usage can prevent surprise overage costs from ISPs by pinpointing heavy usage and allowing you to adjust activity.
- Identify Bandwidth Hogs
Drill down into device-level insights to see which applications, users, or devices are responsible for congestion so throttling can be implemented. - Guarantee Critical Application Performance Get visibility into which applications are utilizing the most bandwidth so that mission-critical apps get the throughput they require.
- Comply with Internet Usage Policies Many organizations have policies around internet use. Monitoring ensures compliance with these guidelines.
Key Features to Look For
All good commercial and free bandwidth monitors should provide a centralized dashboard interface with visual tools and offer the following core feature set:
- Easy to use and install – Intuitive navigation and setup wizards.
- Customizable overview dashboard – Tailor monitoring views as needed.
- Ability to set caps and limits – Establish usage policies.
- Reporting and export options – Report on collected usage data.
- Device identification – Break down per device and application.
- Alerts and notifications – Get alerts when thresholds are exceeded.
- Remote access capabilities – Manage the tool from anywhere.
Implementation Considerations
There are several factors to evaluate when selecting and deploying bandwidth monitoring software:
- Software vs Hardware Solutions: Software is generally more affordable but may offer less accuracy. Hardware typically provides precision via network taps and packet inspection.
- On-Premise vs Cloud-Based: On-premise allows full control behind your firewall but requires internal infrastructure. Cloud-based is easier to manage but less customizable.
- Support and Training: Look at available customer support levels and self-help options as well as training resources.
- Budget and Costs: Prices can range from free to thousands per year depending on features.
- Scalability Needs: Ensure the solution can grow with your expanding network.
- Security and Privacy: Verify the application leverages transport encryption and offers permission controls.
11 Best Free Bandwidth Monitor Software for Network Traffic Usage
1. ManageEngine’s NetFlow Analyzer
ManageEngine’s NetFlow Analyzer is a comprehensive, flow-based, highly scalable bandwidth monitor and network traffic analyzer. It offers a huge range of monitoring, reporting, and analysis capabilities to provide visibility into monitors devices, interfaces, applications, and users in your network. It supports all major devices and flow formats such us NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow, IPFIX, and AppFlow.
The tool helps you analyze network traffic patterns and bandwidth usage trends, as well as customize and automate multi-level reports and threshold-based alerts. It also helps you prioritize critical applications and traffic using various traffic shaping techniques.
NetFlow Analyzer comes with strong intrusion detection features. It helps identify internal and external security threats including but not limited to DDoS, botnets, and port scans.The tool can also be used to forecast bandwidth usage and plan capacity based on historical usage trends and application growth.
2. FreeMeter Bandwidth Monitor
FreeMeter Bandwidth Monitor
This app is lightweight and straightforward, offering a user-friendly system to analyze the network speed as well as monitoring the system. The bandwidth monitor software for Windows allows you to view the real-time representation of data, whether it is downloaded or uploaded. Thanks to this app, you can view the graphic display of the entire network usage data – right on the panel.
The ability to be portable is nice because you are given the freedom to run it from anywhere, as long as it is on a USB flash drive or hard drive. And then, you can execute it right away on the computer. And after you remove it, it won’t leave any trace in your Windows or hard drive’s Registry. The interface is also small, and you can easily move it around. It works well with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, NT, Me, and also Windows 98.
3. Cacti bandwidth monitoring
Bandwidth Monitor Software for Windows
It is a front-end graphing and open-source tool that is designed for system data although you can also use it for data collection. It implements RRDTool, which is a data graphing and logging system that allows you to collect data from any infrastructure element. It includes routers and switching systems, load balancers and servers, firewalls, and more. Then, the app would display it within various graphical formats.
The app also supports SNMP polling, covering a various and wide range of network devices. Thanks to this feature, you can monitor the bandwidth usage by creating a graphic about it on the interface. The line graphs are simple and yet it is pretty effective and powerful because you can see the dips and also spikes within the traffic.
The downside, however, is the fact that the app can’t show you the thorough and overall performance analysis of the charts and graphs. But in an overall sense, this app is free and smart for those who want to enjoy a high-quality bandwidth view. It works well for Windows or Unix.
4. NetWorx bandwidth monitor
NetWorx bandwidth monitor
NetWorx bandwidth monitor isn’t only free but it is also simple with tons of good perks. This app can collect the network data as well as computing your net’s speed (or other connections) – and you won’t even have to spend a dime for it! This app can help you reveal the potential reasons for network problems, such as hack attempts, online attacks, Trojan horses, or ISP’s bandwidth limit.
As a user, you are given the option and flexibility to monitor either mobile or wireless broadband networks as well as customizing the visual or sound notification. You can set up the notification to alert you whenever there is dubious activity (sudden excessive data flow) or when the internet is down.
You can view the network data usage based on daily needs or even monthly needs. Want to export these reports? Feel free to choose HTML, Excel, Word, or MA formats. It supports different languages and it works well on Windows XP, Windows 2012, and Windows 10.
5. Cucusoft Net Guard
cucusoft net guard
As a bandwidth monitor software for Windows, this app can track and monitor your broadband use and consumption pretty efficiently. This app is free, but it offers tons of great features that will help you with monitoring and tracking. Not only it is able to track and monitor the bandwidth, but it can also boost the (internet) speed while removing other suspicious software that is probably using your internet connection discreetly. You can also enjoy the monthly report – also free while enjoying its ability to eliminate the entry of viruses, spyware, and adware.
The app comes with a real-time floating pane showing the internet’s download and upload speed. Feel free to hide it or to adjust the opacity so it will be transparent. It has a Forecast feature that is useful for limiting the monthly traffic. It will automatically calculate the (predicted) bandwidth for one month. By using this, you know whether you have exceeded the monthly limit or not. This app works well with all Windows versions, including 8.
6. BandwidthD
BandwidthD
The tool is simple and also free, but it is super useful for monitoring your bandwidth use. It works by tracking the TCP/IP network subnets usage to deliver steady traffic data and networks. It will then build HTML files, along with the graphs to show the utilization.
The only downside is that you will need to have background knowledge, at least the base knowledge, of how to manage the manual configuration setting. But once you are used to it, operating and managing it would be easy. It is also effective for a straightforward and no-cost solution to help you with your online activity.
Another thing to like about the app is its ability to run on most operating systems or platforms, including Windows. However, you will need LIBPCAP or WinPcap if you are using Unix or Linux.
7. BitMeter 2
BitMeter II
This tool isn’t only free, but it is also simple and easy – especially if you want to monitor the network bandwidth. The floating graph can help you monitor the internet speed by displaying the download and upload network connection speed, which also comes with easy-to-follow instructions and simple (and also straightforward) text. You won’t have to worry about the time limit either so you are free to use the app anytime you like.
The software can also help you deal with adware and spyware. Users are allowed to customize the screen transparency and color. Despite its small size, the app offers nice and handy info and features. It is able to display a synopsis of analysis (within hourly, daily, and monthly) of the network activity.
The app can also collect audio alerts that can be arranged by transfer direction and dimension. It has its own in-built calculator to help you measure (and also calculate) the upload and download speed and size. Feel free to make use of the automatic or manual backups to help the activity settings and history recovery. It works well with Windows Vista, XP, 7, Server 2008, and 2000.
8. Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor
real-time bandwidth monitor
This is another free bandwidth monitor software for Windows that enables you to check the bandwidth usage of the server within a real-time manner. You can also use it to monitor multiple systems and interfaces at the same time. The data usage would be shown through the graphs so you have ideas about the performance. Feel free to customize the setting, including setting up an alert when the usage is exceeding the limitation.
One thing to like about this app is its direct and straightforward operation. You only need to provide the IP address (of the network device) as well as the associated SNMP credentials. Afterward, you can choose the interfaces you are about to monitor and then you will see the graph along with the bandwidth usage.
Everything is managed in a real-time manner but you won’t have to worry about the complicated processes or whatsoever. The only downside is that the app won’t be able to give you information about which app is dominating the bandwidth or how it consumes the bandwidth. If you are looking for a simple app, then this one should be enough.
9. BitMeterOS
BitMeterOS bandwidth monitor
This is basically an open-source software that allows you for monitoring internet connection speeds and usage available for various operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS X, and also Windows. With this tool, you can monitor how much internet usage consumption as well as getting the visual representation through a web browser or a command-line tool. Thanks to this app, you should be able to view the use of internet connection through different charts and graphs that would be displayed on the (website) interface.
The graphs themselves would be updated once every second so you can understand where the network is used. It also has its own query window providing you with in-depth info and insight about network usage – and you can manage it for the specified date. Want to get the spreadsheet results? Feel free to have it.
The app comes with various features, including alerts and notification settings. You can also view and track the internet consumption changes and update in hourly, daily, or monthly.
Feel free to manage your bandwidth usage limit – the alert will notify you when you exceed it. It also comes with the Preferences window, calculator utility, and History window – everything is designed to make the operation easier, and even fun!
10. Ntopng
Ntopng bandwidth monitor
This tool was formerly known as Ntopng is short for the next generation to measure and monitor network traffic. This app is simple and direct, used to monitor and track online traffic. The app works with libpcap tool, which is usually used for packet capture so it can generate network usage and traffic report. This app enables users like you to sort out the network traffic according to the criteria that you want, including autonomous systems, L7 protocol, port, IP address, and more.
The tool would display the active hosts and network traffic in a real-time manner so you should be stay updated while producing historical reports – which can be useful in identifying trends and reviewing data. When compared to the paid services, this one may not be overly robust or solid, but it isn’t bad, after all.
This one is free, but it has the paid version, known as Ntopng Pro. Naturally, the paid service has more exclusive features and offers. But the free version alone is enough if you want to have simple and yet effective data and insight, especially concerning the traffic behavior. Another thing to like about this app is its ability to integrate with other external monitoring apps, like Nagios – which can provide monitoring data and alerting the system.
11. PRTG Bandwidth Monitor
prtg bandwidth monitor
As one of the best bandwidth monitor software for Windows, this app can be downloaded up to 30 sensors. It is a part of PRTG Network Monitor. Feel free to use it to evaluate your network traffic and then gives you thorough information in the form of charts and graphs. It also comes with great download speed too, compelling the network monitor to operate within minutes.
There are several benefits that you can enjoy from the app, such as the ability to avoid (network) congestion, smooth server performance (even making it better), and also the ability to monitor the added frameworks, such as response time, upload time, and so much more.
This app isn’t only free, but it is also powerful and solid, supporting around 200 different sensor variants (and even more) as well as monitoring bandwidth use and performing network analysis. Navigating the app is pretty easy. Go to ‘Devices’ and then opt for ‘All’ from the bar menu on the top side. From there, you only need to choose the desired sensor. In short, the app can give you details of the bandwidth in tables, graphs, and charts. This app is compatible with Citrix, Linux, Windows, Oracle, and even more.
With these apps, hopefully, you can have a smoother online experience. Simply choose one among these bandwidth monitor software for Windows and you should be fine.
