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LibreNMS

LibreNMS

Open-source, auto-discovering network monitoring platform for switches, routers, and servers.

softwareNetwork Monitoringnetwork-monitoringopen-sourcesnmp-monitoring
Our Verdict

Best for

Network admins who want a free, self-hosted NMS with strong auto-discovery and API access.

Skip if

You want a managed SaaS monitoring product and don't want to host or maintain the server yourself.

What is LibreNMS?

LibreNMS is a free, open-source network monitoring system that automatically discovers devices across a network using protocols like CDP, LLDP, OSPF, BGP, SNMP, and ARP, then continuously polls them for health and performance data. It's built to scale horizontally through distributed polling, which lets it handle networks ranging from a handful of switches to large, geographically distributed infrastructure. Alerting is highly configurable and can notify via email, IRC, Slack, and other channels, and the platform ships a full API for pulling monitoring data into other systems or dashboards. It integrates with tools like NfSen, collectd, SmokePing, RANCID, and Oxidized for flow analysis and configuration backup, and includes optional bandwidth billing based on port usage, making it a common choice for ISPs and network administrators who want a self-hosted alternative to commercial NMS products.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentSelf-hosted
open source✅ Yes
api available✅ Yes
key integrationsSlack, SNMP, RANCID, Oxidized

Key Features of LibreNMS

Automatic network discovery uses CDP, LLDP, OSPF, BGP, SNMP, and ARP to map devices without manual entry.
Distributed polling scales horizontally so the platform can monitor large, geographically spread networks.
Alerting supports email, IRC, Slack, and other notification channels with configurable rules.
A full REST API allows monitoring data to be pulled into external dashboards or systems.
Bandwidth billing calculates usage-based costs directly from port traffic data.
Native iOS and Android apps let admins check network health from a phone.
Integrations with NfSen, collectd, SmokePing, RANCID, and Oxidized extend flow analysis and config backup.
Multiple authentication backends are supported, including LDAP, Radius, and Active Directory.

Use Cases for LibreNMS

1

Enterprise network monitoring

Monitor switches, routers, and servers across an organization's network with automatic device discovery.

2

ISP bandwidth billing

Use port-based bandwidth billing to charge customers based on actual network usage.

3

Self-hosted NMS alternative

Replace a commercial network monitoring product with a free, self-hosted platform that admins fully control.

4

Distributed multi-site monitoring

Use distributed polling to monitor network infrastructure across multiple physical locations from one dashboard.

Pros & Cons of LibreNMS

Pros

  • Completely free and open source with an active community and GitHub repo
  • Automatic discovery reduces the manual setup burden common in NMS tools
  • Highly extensible via API and third-party integrations
  • Distributed polling makes it viable for large networks, not just small labs

Cons

  • Self-hosted, so you own the server maintenance and scaling, unlike a SaaS monitoring product
  • Initial setup and SNMP configuration has a learning curve for newcomers
  • No official commercial support plan, relying on community and Discord

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LibreNMS really free?

Yes, LibreNMS is free, open-source software with no licensing cost; you only pay for the infrastructure you host it on.

Does LibreNMS require SNMP on monitored devices?

Most core polling relies on SNMP, alongside discovery protocols like CDP, LLDP, and ARP.

Can LibreNMS scale to large networks?

Yes, distributed polling lets it scale horizontally to handle large or geographically distributed networks.

Does LibreNMS have mobile apps?

Yes, native iOS and Android apps are available for checking network status on the go.

Pricing Overview

View full pricing →
Free

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

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About the Product

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Target AudienceNetwork administrators and IT teams monitoring enterprise or ISP infrastructure

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Tags

network-monitoringopen-sourcesnmp-monitoringnetwork-discoveryself-hosted

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