IPNetwork Monitor vs Datadog

Criteria	IPNetwork Monitor	Datadog
Platform	On-premises Windows-based monitoring with unified desktop & web UI.	Requires several separate components to achieve full-stack visibility.
Agents	Remote Network Agent for distributed networks.	Dependence on numerous agents adds setup and maintenance complexity.
Pricing	Simple per-monitor licensing with a free 50-monitor tier.	Module-based pricing can result in unexpected overage charges.
Scalability	Scales from small sites to distributed networks via agents.	Host-based licensing grows costly as environments scale.
Integrations	Open protocols (SNMP, WMI, syslog, SSH, HTTP/S, ODBC) and custom scripts instead of heavy proprietary plug-ins.	Many integrations depend on additional add-ons or modules.
Alerts	Flexible alert rules with multiple delivery and script actions.	Does not provide built-in AI-driven root-cause analysis.
Visibility	Full-stack view from basic uptime to traffic, databases, system resources and synthetic web transactions.	Application-centric focus with limited coverage of hybrid infrastructure.
Dashboards	Clear status views in desktop and web consoles.	Often needs intricate custom dashboards to expose key insights.
Logs / Search	Central event log and monitor logs with time-range filters, state change history and sortable web reports.	Log correlation is largely manual, increasing operational overhead.
Adoption / Training	Quick Start guides, discovery wizards and application templates make initial setup fast even for small teams.	Typically requires formal training and dedicated staff time.
Monitoring	40+ monitor types covering network devices, Windows/Linux servers, databases, web apps, traffic, syslog and more.	Agent-heavy design can consume substantial system resources.
Deployment	Installs on Windows with optional remote agents and a built-in web UI – no external database or SaaS tenancy required.	Configuration can be complex, resource-intensive and time-consuming.
Retention	Flexible history retention for reports and analysis.	Extended data retention usually demands higher-tier subscriptions.
Analytics	Built-in graphs, trend analysis and issue reports provide practical performance analytics without extra modules.	In-depth traffic analytics often rely on complementary third-party tools.
Distribution	Remote Network Agents enable secure monitoring of remote subnets, including those without Windows hosts.	Full APM capabilities are reserved for premium, top-tier plans.
Experience	Single monitoring server with integrated Windows and web interfaces, reports and admin tools in one place.	SaaS-only interface split across multiple views and consoles, giving a less unified experience.
Value	Rich monitoring, alerting and reporting at SMB-friendly pricing plus a perpetual free tier for smaller environments.	Premium pricing oriented toward larger enterprises, with costs rising as data volume and host count grow.
Support	Email support with comprehensive documentation.	Support offerings prioritize enterprise tiers, with faster response times tied to higher-priced plans.
Noise reduction	Monitor dependencies and state conditions reduce alert storms.	High alert volumes can require extensive manual tuning to control noise.
Security	Supports protocols like SNMP v3, SSH and HTTPS plus syslog and Windows Event Log monitoring for security-relevant events.	Security depends on shared SaaS infrastructure and internet access, with credentials and data stored in vendor-hosted systems.
API Support	HTTP/SSH integrations; MCP API coming next release.	Powerful APIs are available but meaningful automation typically requires engineering effort and custom scripting.
Sensitive Data Protection	On-premises solution storing all credentials and configuration data locally in a secure RDBMS under full user control.	Cloud-hosted service where configuration, metadata and telemetry reside outside the customer’s own environment.

DISCLAIMER: This comparison reflects the latest versions offered by each vendor as of November 2025. Details are compiled from publicly available websites, forums, and customer reviews.

Choose IPNetwork Monitor for simpler, more complete network monitoring

65+ prebuilt Application Templates

10+ notification/alert delivery methods

40+ monitor types

Per-monitor licensing that stays simple — plus a free 50-monitor tier

IPNetwork Monitor helps you achieve practical infrastructure monitoring without relying on a maze of add-ons. It covers core protocols and integrations—SNMP/WMI for Windows and network gear, SSH for Linux/Unix, HTTP(S) for web endpoints, ODBC for database checks, and script-based monitors for everything else.

Where many tools lean heavily toward APM-first use cases, IPNetwork Monitor emphasizes end-to-end infrastructure visibility and the operational workflows network teams depend on.

Trusted by teams—see why they choose IPNetwork Monitor

Accelerated time to value

Roll out quickly and begin generating meaningful alerts and insights with minimal ramp-up.

Local-first security

Credentials and configuration data are stored locally on your machine, maintaining full ownership and control.

All-in-one monitoring

Monitor servers, SNMP-enabled devices, services, and HTTP(S) checks in a unified interface.

Frequently Asked Questions about IPNetwork Monitor vs Datadog

Check out our Knowledge Base where we answer questions regarding various topics

When should I choose IPNetwork Monitor instead of Datadog?

Choose IPNetwork Monitor if you want an on-premises solution you fully control (data, credentials, retention) with a unified desktop + web experience and straightforward per-monitor licensing. Datadog is often a fit for cloud-first teams that can invest in multiple modules and agent-based instrumentation, but costs and operational complexity can grow as you add hosts, logs, and features. To see what IPNetwork Monitor looks like in practice, visit IPNetwork Monitor Demo.

How does setup complexity differ between the two products?

IPNetwork Monitor typically starts with discovery wizards and templates, so you can get meaningful uptime and performance monitoring quickly without deploying lots of agents. Datadog usually requires installing and maintaining agents across many hosts and enabling separate components for full visibility. For a quick, guided start with IPNetwork Monitor, follow Quick Start: Monitor a Small Network and Network Discovery.

Can IPNetwork Monitor provide full-stack visibility without buying extra modules?

Yes—IPNetwork Monitor covers core infrastructure and service monitoring (SNMP/WMI/SSH/HTTP(S)/ODBC, syslog, scripts), plus built-in reporting, trends, and web transaction monitoring for end-user experience checks. You can apply application templates for common systems and still customize monitors as needed. Start with Monitor Types and Application Monitoring Templates.

How can I reduce alert noise and build reliable alerting in IPNetwork Monitor?

Use monitor dependencies and state conditions to prevent cascades when an upstream device fails, and add spike filters and thresholds to avoid alerts from brief blips. Then attach multiple “simple actions” (email, scripts, HTTP requests, etc.) with schedules to support escalations and recoveries. See Monitor Dependencies and State Conditions.

What are the security and sensitive-data advantages of IPNetwork Monitor compared to a SaaS platform?

IPNetwork Monitor keeps configuration, credentials, and monitoring history on-premises under your control, and supports secure protocols like SNMPv3, SSH, and HTTPS (plus syslog and Windows Event Log for security-relevant events). With SaaS monitoring, telemetry and configuration live outside your environment and depend on internet connectivity and vendor-hosted storage. For hardening guidance, review Security Considerations and configure an Access Password.