Monitoring the network bandwidth is crucial for broadband operators and network administrators to identify bottlenecks, distinguish legitimate network usage from malicious or suspicious activity, and determine if additional hardware or bandwidth is needed.
Here are top 11 free/freemium tools for monitoring network bandwidth that provides basic features to visually display the amount of data transmitted and received on your network and help identify sources of internet usage within your network.
· Openvault
OpenVault’s Broadband Network Traffic Bandwidth Monitor is one of the monitoring software that is used to monitor and measure the real-time data over and across broadband networks and presents their insights in the form of graphs and charts. It offers business to identify network congestion, bottlenecks, and providing valuable insights into network performance. OpenVault also offers various other broadband management solutions for the operators and network administrators to work-on, offering data-driven insights regarding broadband consumption pattern across networks. OV tools offer free demonstration of their tools to allow users to explore their features.
· Net Speed Monitor
Net Speed Monitor is a compact tool that resides in the Windows Taskbar, providing real-time monitoring of network interface activity. It measures the speed and volume of data being uploaded and downloaded, while also maintaining a record of this information for reporting purposes.
· BitMeter OS
BitMeter OS operates silently in the background, tracking the volume of data being downloaded and uploaded. The recorded data is then presented on a graphical web interface. The History section offers a comprehensive breakdown and the ability to export the results to a CSV file, while the Alerts section enables users to configure notifications.
· FreeMeter Bandwidth Monitor
FreeMeter Bandwidth Monitor is a portable software tool that offers a real-time data of downloads and uploads on a system. It effortlessly connects to all network interfaces available and includes additional networking utilities like ping and traceroute. Furthermore, it has the capability to send email notifications for IMAP/POP3 accounts.
· SolarWinds Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor
SolarWinds Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor is an SNMP-enabled device monitoring tool that displays real-time results with the help of graphs. To begin monitoring, enter the device details and choose the interfaces and thresholds to set before launching the graph.
· PRTG Bandwidth Monitor
PRTG Bandwidth Monitor is a component of PRTG Network Monitor, which offers a free option that includes up to thirty sensors. Once a sensor has been set up to monitor a network interface, it begins collecting data, which is visually represented in the Overview section displaying information on the flow of network traffic.
· ManageEngine Bandwidth Monitor
ManageEngine Bandwidth Monitor is a part of the OpUtils network tools suite, providing a free option to monitor two interfaces of any SNMP-supported network device. The web interface requires adding an SNMP device and its corresponding interfaces for monitoring. Clicking on the interface allows the user to view real-time or daily, monthly, and yearly statistics.
· NetWorx
NetWorx is a versatile application available as a portable tool or an installed software. It supports multiple network interfaces and includes a notifier that alerts users when network activity surpasses a predefined threshold. Additionally, it offers the ability to export usage reports in different file formats. Once users have selected the desired connections to monitor through the configuration wizard, an icon is placed in the system tray for convenient monitoring.
· BandwidthD
BandwidthD is a background service designed to monitor TCP/IP network usage and present the findings through visually appealing graphs and tables using color-coding. To access the bandwidth statistics, users need to follow a few steps: install Winpcap version 3.0 or a newer version, extract the BandwidthD files, make necessary edits to the ../etc/bandwidthd.conf file, run the ‘Install Service’ batch file, and finally start the BandwidthD service using the services.msc console.
· Rokario Bandwidth Monitor
Rokario Bandwidth Monitor provides a free version featuring a real-time bandwidth graph and logging functionality. When launching the tool, users are prompted to select an interface to bind to, and the graph is displayed instantly. To access the settings related to interface, data, and appearance, users can simply right-click on the tray icon.
· tbbMeter
tbbMeter is an Internet bandwidth monitor that enables users to track their Internet usage. It offers real-time visibility of download and upload speeds, the flexibility to set alarms for specific thresholds, background tests to measure performance, and a historical view of bandwidth information. The tool provides various options such as changing the visual style, launching download tests, accessing statistics, and settings alarms.
Bottom Line
If you are looking to monitor your network bandwidth usage available across United States and/or United Kingdom, check out the above-mentioned broadband network traffic bandwidth monitor software list, including OpenVault, Net Speed Monitor, BitMeter OS, and more. Keep track of data transmission and identify sources of internet usage within your network with these easy-to-use tools and improve your network performance, increase revenue, and enhance subscriber satisfaction today.
