ThousandEyes vs SolarWinds: Network Monitoring Tool Comparison

Quick Answer: The choice between ThousandEyes and SolarWinds depends on your specific needs. ThousandEyes excels in network visibility and real-time internet health monitoring and is ideal for businesses relying on cloud services. SolarWinds offers a comprehensive suite of IT management tools, covering network performance, system management, and security, making it perfect for organizations looking for an all-in-one platform.

In world performance monitoring, IT professionals often find themselves choosing between ThousandEyes and SolarWinds. Both tools offer a suite of features that target the same niche but are vastly different. So, what’s the confusion? 

That’s exactly what we intend to find out in this ThousandEyes vs SolarWinds comparison. We’ll begin by covering the key features, followed by a head-to-head comparison and a bit of coverage on specific use cases. 

ThousandEyes Features Breakdown

If you’ve ever dabbled in network security or network monitoring, ThousandEyes is a known name in the field. They’re renowned for allowing organizations to monitor both internal and external traffic, focusing on: 

• Network visibility: The software lets you detect and diagnose network performance issues across a vast array of environments.

• Internet health monitoring: Provides real-time insights into the health and performance of the internet, enabling organizations to address potential disruptions proactively.

• Application delivery insights: Deep visibility into application performance from the end-user perspective, which is essential for businesses relying on cloud services.

• Integration capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with various platforms, from Google Chat, Microsoft Teams, and Big Panda, to OpsRam and OpsGenie, providing a unified view of network performance.

SolarWinds Features Breakdown

While SolarWinds, just like ThousandEyes, has its hand in the network monitoring jar, its scope of services is slightly wider. 

SolarWinds is a prominent name in the network and application monitoring space, offering a robust suite of tools designed to manage and optimize IT infrastructure. These can be divided into:

• Network performance monitoring: Detailed insights into network traffic, device performance, and overall network health. In this regard, they’re a direct competitor to ThousandEyes

• System management: SolarWinds also offers comprehensive tools for managing servers, storage, and virtualization environments. Hence, they’re the preferred choice of organizations looking to improve their data management. 

• Security: In addition, SolarWinds provides features such as threat detection, log analysis, and compliance monitoring, advertising a full cybersecurity suite for business and enterprise customers. 

ThousandEyes vs SolarWinds: Performance Evaluation

How does each platform compare when it comes down to getting things done? Let's compare the two based on scalability, accuracy, and real-time monitoring. 

Scalability and Accuracy

• ThousandEyes: Known for its scalability and accuracy in monitoring diverse environments, including cloud services and on-premises infrastructure. This ensures that businesses can maintain consistent and precise monitoring regardless of network complexity.

• SolarWinds: Provides robust performance monitoring across networks, systems, and applications, ensuring reliable data as businesses expand. Its comprehensive suite of tools allows for seamless integration and efficient management.

Real-time Monitoring

• ThousandEyes: Offers real-time insights into internet health and application delivery, enabling quick detection and resolution of issues. This capability is crucial for minimizing downtime and maintaining high service quality.

• SolarWinds: Allows for rapid identification and resolution of problems through instant alerts and detailed performance metrics. Its user-friendly interface enhances the efficiency of IT teams in managing performance anomalies.

ThousandEyes excels in providing visibility into external factors impacting network performance, such as ISPs and cloud providers. This external visibility helps in proactively managing and mitigating potential disruptions.

On the other hand, SolarWinds addresses performance issues across the entire IT infrastructure, including security and compliance aspects. Its integrated approach ensures comprehensive monitoring and optimization of all IT components.

How Much Do ThousandEyes and SolarWinds Cost?

Understanding the cost structures of ThousandEyes and SolarWinds is crucial for making an informed decision:

ThousandEyes

• Pricing model: Annual subscription-based.

• Costs: Pricing is calculated based on the number, type, and frequency of monitoring tests, including network and application synthetics, end-user monitoring, and internet insights. Specific quotes require contacting ThousandEyes directly.

• Value: High value for businesses needing extensive and granular monitoring across various network environments​.

SolarWinds

• Pricing model: Offers both perpetual licenses and subscription-based plans.

• Costs: Pricing tiers vary based on the number of nodes and features required. For instance, the Network Performance Monitor starts at around $2,955 for the first year. Additional modules, such as those for security and compliance, come at extra costs.

• Additional modules: These are available for specific functionalities like security and can be integrated to enhance the overall monitoring capabilities​​.

Both ThousandEyes and SolarWinds offer flexible pricing models tailored to the specific needs and scales of different organizations. This ensures businesses can choose a plan that fits their budget and monitoring requirements.

What Are the Best Use Cases for ThousandEyes vs SolarWinds?

ThousandEyes is particularly beneficial for organizations that rely heavily on cloud services and require detailed visibility into external network performance. For example, a global e-commerce company can leverage ThousandEyes to monitor internet health and ensure seamless application delivery across different regions. 

The platform's ability to provide real-time insights into network issues allows businesses to proactively address potential disruptions and maintain a high level of performance.

SolarWinds, with its comprehensive suite of IT management tools, is ideal for businesses looking to streamline their IT operations. A large enterprise with a complex IT infrastructure can use SolarWinds to monitor network performance, manage servers, and ensure robust security measures. 

Choosing the Right Network and Application Monitoring Tool

ThousandEyes excels in providing external network visibility and real-time internet health monitoring, making it ideal for businesses that rely on cloud services and require detailed insights into external network performance. 

On the other hand, SolarWinds offers a comprehensive IT management solution that covers network performance, system management, and security. This solution is perfect for organizations looking for an all-in-one platform to streamline their IT operations.

You should also consider factors such as the scale of your network, the complexity of your IT infrastructure, and your budget. 

Both platforms bring significant value, but the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. Evaluate the key features, performance, costs, and use cases discussed in this article to make an informed decision. Investing in the right monitoring tool is crucial for maintaining optimal network performance and ensuring the smooth operation of your IT infrastructure.

Want to learn more about network and application performance monitoring? Consider diving into Networking Basics or Cisco certification online training.