11 Best Free Bandwidth Monitoring Software for Tracking Network Traffic Usage (2023)

Bandwidth monitoring software is a tool that allows you to keep an eye on the incoming and outgoing bandwidth on your network and identify hosts that are consuming the most bandwidth.

If you work as a network engineer or administrator, bandwidth monitoring is an important aspect to consider. Due to network problems and errors. Therefore, let me give you some recommendations for the best free bandwidth monitoring software to use in your work.

11 Best Free Bandwidth Monitoring Software for Network Traffic Usage

1. NetFlow Analyzer von ManageEngine

NetFlow Analyzer von ManageEngineis a comprehensive, flow-based, highly scalable bandwidth monitor and network traffic analyzer. It offers a wide range of monitoring, reporting and analysis functions to get insights into monitoring devices, interfaces, applications and users in your network. It supports all major devices and flow formats like NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow, IPFIX and AppFlow.

The tool helps you analyze network traffic patterns and bandwidth usage trends, 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 has strong intrusion detection capabilities. 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.

It comes with a transparent license plan that can be customized to suit small, medium, and large businesses. NetFlow Analyzer is also available asFree downloadwith unlimited access to all features for 30 days. After 30 days, it returns to a free version that allows you to monitor and analyze traffic from up to two interfaces, which you can use forever. You can upgrade to a paid license at any time.

2.FreeMeter bandwidth monitoring

Lightweight and straightforward, this app provides an easy-to-use system for analyzing network speed as well as monitoring the system. Bandwidth monitoring software for Windows allows you to see the real-time representation of data, whether it's downloading or uploading. Thanks to this app, you can see the graphical representation of all network usage data - right on the panel.

The ability to be portable is nice because you have the freedom to run it from anywhere as long as it's on a USB flash drive or hard drive. And then you can run it on computer immediately. And after you remove it, it leaves no trace in your Windows registry or hard drive. 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

It's a front-end graphics and open-source tool designed for system data, although you can use it for data collection as well. It implements RRDTool, 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 in different graphical formats.

The app also supports SNMP polling and covers a wide range of network devices. Thanks to this feature, you can monitor bandwidth usage by creating a graph about it on the user interface. The line charts are simple yet quite effective and powerful as you can see the dips and spikes in traffic as well.

However, the downside is the fact that the app cannot show you the thorough and comprehensive performance analysis of the charts and graphs. But on the whole, this app is free and smart for those who want to enjoy a high-quality bandwidth view. It works fine for Windows or Unix.

4.NetWorx bandwidth monitor

NetWorx's bandwidth monitor is not only free, but also easy to use with many good advantages. This app can collect the network data as well as calculate the speed of your network (or any other connection) - and you don't even have to spend a penny for it! This app can help you uncover the possible reasons for network problems, such as: B. Hacking attempts, online attacks, Trojans or the bandwidth limit of the ISP.

As a user, you have the ability and flexibility to monitor either mobile or wireless broadband networks, as well as customize visual or audible notifications. You can set up the notification to alert you when there is any suspicious activity (sudden excessive traffic) or the internet goes down.

You can view network data usage based on daily needs or even monthly needs. Would you like to export these reports? Feel free to choose HTML, Excel, Word or MA formats. It supports different languages ​​and works well on Windows XP, Windows 2012 and Windows 10.

5.Cucusoft Net Guard

As a bandwidth monitoring software for Windows, this app can track and monitor your broadband usage and consumption quite efficiently. This app is free but has tons of great features to help you with monitoring and tracking. Not only is it able to track and monitor bandwidth, but it can also increase (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 still enjoying the ability to prevent virus, spyware and adware intrusions.

The app has a real-time floating window that shows the download and upload speed of the internet. Feel free to hide it or adjust the opacity to make it transparent. It has a forecasting feature that is useful for capping monthly traffic. It automatically calculates the (predicted) bandwidth for a month. This will let you know if you have exceeded the monthly limit or not. This app works well with all Windows versions including 8.

6.BandbreiteD

The tool is simple and free too, but it's super useful for monitoring your bandwidth usage. It works by tracking TCP/IP network subnet usage to provide stable traffic data and networks. HTML files are then created along with the charts to show the utilization.

The only downside is that you need to have background knowledge, at least basic knowledge, how to manage manual configuration setting. But once you get used to it, it would be easy to use and manage. It is also a simple and free solution to help you in your online activities.

Another thing that I like about the app is its ability to run on most operating systems or platforms including Windows. However, you need LIBPCAP or WinPcap if you are using Unix or Linux.

7.Bit Meter 2

Not only is this tool free, but it's also simple and straightforward - especially if you want to monitor network bandwidth. The floating chart can help you monitor Internet speed by showing download and upload network connection speed, which also comes with easy-to-understand instructions and plain (as well as straightforward) text. You don't have to worry about the time limit either, so you can use the app whenever you want.

The software can also help you deal with adware and spyware. Users are allowed to customize screen transparency and color. Despite its small size, the app offers nice and practical information and functions. It is able to display summary analysis (within hourly, daily and monthly) of network activity.

The app can also collect audio alerts, which can be arranged by transmission direction and dimension. It has its own built-in calculator that allows you to measure (and also calculate) upload and download speed and size. Feel free to use the automatic or manual backups to help activity settings and history restore. It works well with Windows Vista, XP, 7, Server 2008 and 2000.

8.Real-time bandwidth monitoring

This is another free bandwidth monitoring software for Windows that allows you to check server bandwidth usage in real time. You can also use it to monitor multiple systems and interfaces at the same time. Data usage is shown through the charts, giving you an idea of ​​performance. Feel free to customize the setting, including setting up an alert when usage exceeds the limit.

What I like about this app is the direct and uncomplicated operation. All you have to do is enter the IP address (thenetwork device) and the associated SNMP credentials. After that, you can select the interfaces you want to monitor and then you will see the chart along with thatbandwidth usage.

Everything is managed in real-time, but you don't have to worry about complicated processes or anything like that. The only downside is that the app can't give you any information about which app is dominating the bandwidth or how it's consuming the bandwidth. If you're looking for a simple app, this should do the trick.

9.BitMeterOS

This is basically an open source software that allows you to monitor internet connection speed and usage, which is available for various operating systems including Linux, Mac OS X and also Windows. This tool allows you to monitor internet usage and get the visual representation from a web browser or command line tool. Thanks to this app, you should be able to view internet connection usage through various charts and graphs displayed on the (website) interface.

The charts themselves update once a second to help you understand where the network is being used. It also has its own query window that gives you detailed information and insights into network usage - and you can manage it for the specified date. Do you want to get the table results? Feel free to have it.

The app has various features including alerts and notification settings. You can also view and track the changes in internet usage and update hourly, daily or monthly.

Feel free to manage your bandwidth usage limit - the alert will notify you if you exceed it. It also comes with Settings panel, Calculator utility and History panel - all designed to make it easier to use and even fun!

10.Ntopng

Formerly known as Ntopng, this tool represents the next generation of network traffic measurement and monitoring. Simple and straightforward, this app is used to monitor and track online traffic. The app works with the libpcap tool, which is typically used for packet capture, so it can generate network usage and traffic reports. This app allows users like you to sort network traffic based on the criteria you want, including autonomous systems, L7 protocol, port, IP address and more.

The tool would show active hosts and network traffic in real-time, so you should stay informed while generating historical reports - which can be helpful in identifying trends and reviewing data. This one might not be overly robust or solid compared to the paid services, but it's not bad after all.

This one is free, but there is a paid version known as Ntopng Pro. Of course, the paid service has more exclusive features and offers. But the free version alone is enough if you want simple yet effective data and insights, especially when it comes to traffic behavior. Another thing that I like about this app is its ability to integrate with other external monitoring apps like Nagios that can provide monitoring data and alert the system.

11.PRTG Bandbreitenmonitor

As one of the best bandwidth monitoring software for Windows,This app can be downloaded up to 30 sensors. It is part of PRTG Network Monitor. Feel free to use it to evaluate your network traffic and then give you thorough information in the form of charts and graphs. It also comes with a great download speed that forces Network Monitor to work within minutes.

There are several benefits that you can enjoy from the app such as: B. the ability to avoid (network) congestion, smooth server performance (even to improve it) and also the ability to monitor the added frameworks, such as: B. Response time, upload time, and so much more.

This app is not only free but also powerful and solid. It supports around 200 different sensor variants (and more), monitors bandwidth usage and performs network analysis. Navigating the app is pretty easy. Go to "Devices" and then select "All" from the bar menu at the top. There you only have to select the desired sensor. In short, the app can give you bandwidth details in tables, graphs and charts. This app is compatible with Citrix, Linux, Windows, Oracle and more.

Hopefully, these apps can help you have a smoother online experience. Just choose any of these bandwidth monitoring software for Windows and you should be fine.