NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

AppDynamics vs SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Comparison

Last updated:

AppDynamics

4.2(473 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises

AppDynamics is a provider of application performance monitoring products that help companies deliver quality applications and services to customers. AppDynamics focuses on its key differentiators: application intelligenc…

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

4.5(194 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) provides a powerful and budget friendly solution for network monitoring. Detect and resolve network performance issues and outages without delay. An ideal choice for both onli…

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 194 reviews.

AppDynamics vs SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor — at a glance

FeatureAppDynamicsSolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
Rating4.2 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews473194
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge EnterprisesLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryApplication Performance Monitoring (APM) ToolsNetwork Monitoring Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modes24/7 (Live rep)Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between AppDynamics and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

  • User satisfaction: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: AppDynamics supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows; SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

AppDynamics vs SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

AppDynamics - Application Performance Monitoring (APM) Tools
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

AppDynamics

Best for large enterprises needing end-to-end cloud application performance monitoring.

Choose if
  • You require powerful diagnostic tools to identify and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks.
  • Your organization demands real-time monitoring to proactively resolve issues before customer impact.
  • You need a cloud-native, open multivendor platform supporting diverse technologies.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business or startup with limited budget and infrastructure resources.
  • You want a quick, simple setup without significant time and resource investment.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

AppDynamics typically suits Large Enterprises. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

AppDynamics is a provider of application performance monitoring products that help companies deliver quality applications and services to customers. AppDynamics focuses on its key ... Read More about AppDynamics

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) provides a powerful and budget friendly solution for network monitoring. Detect and resolve network performance issues and outages without ... Read More about SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.5/10

8.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

500-10,000 employeesLarge Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

AppDynamics

  • Gain real-time visibility into application performance, so you can quickly identify and resolve issues before they impact end-user experience.
  • AppDynamics provides intuitive dashboards that clearly show business transactions and user interactions, enabling your team to make informed, proactive decisions.
  • I appreciate how it seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure—whether cloud-based or on-premises—making implementation straightforward and minimizing disruption to your daily operations.
Best fit

Best fit

AppDynamics

  • 500 - 10,000 employees
  • Financial Services, Fintech, SaaS, Retail, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Technology, Consulting
  • IT Operations Managers, Application Performance Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Software Developers, System Administrators, IT Directors, CTOs
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

AppDynamics

  • Users may explore alternatives if AppDynamics' pricing structure becomes too costly, particularly for smaller businesses or startups looking for more affordable monitoring solutions.
  • Organizations seeking simpler user interfaces or easier onboarding processes might consider alternatives offering more intuitive dashboards and streamlined user experiences.
  • Companies requiring greater flexibility and customization options may look into alternative platforms that provide broader integration capabilities and tailored monitoring solutions.

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do AppDynamics and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Compare on Features?

Total Features

19 Features

3 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare AppDynamics and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      AppDynamics pricing
      SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Small Business
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Small Business
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🇺🇸 US

      AppDynamics User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      68

      53

      6

      2

      0

      145

      57

      8

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyers appreciate AppDynamics for its powerful diagnostics and real-time monitoring but note concerns about pricing, setup complexity, and resource usage.

      What buyers like

      • Diagnostic capabilities
      • Real-time performance monitoring
      • Cloud integration

      Common complaints

      • Pricing cost
      • Complex setup

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 210 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Powerful network monitoring
      • Budget-friendly solution
      • Quick issue resolution

      Common complaints

      • May require technical expertise
      • Limited advanced features
      • Setup can be time-consuming

      Pros and Cons

      • Powerful diagnostic tools for identifying and troubleshooting performance bottlenecks

      • Real-time monitoring to proactively resolve issues before impacting customers

      • Open multivendor platform supporting a wide range of technologies

      • Pricing structure is expensive and may not be cost-effective for smaller businesses

      • Resource-intensive monitoring can cause performance issues on limited infrastructure

      • Comprehensive monitoring capabilities

      • Quick detection of network issues

      • User-friendly interface for easy navigation

      • Technical expertise may be needed for setup

      • Limited advanced features compared to competitors

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Adept

      Adept

      Agero

      Agero

      Accenture

      Accenture

      Nielsen

      Nielsen

      NTT

      NTT

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Business Transaction

      2 Screenshots

      Network  Insights for Cisco

      6 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to AppDynamics and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, AppDynamics or SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor?
      SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do AppDynamics and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor offer a free trial?
      Yes, both AppDynamics and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of AppDynamics vs SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor?
      AppDynamics starts at Contact for pricing. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to AppDynamics?
      Top alternatives to AppDynamics include Prometheus, Retrace, Scout APM, Datadog APM, New Relic APM.
      What are the top alternatives to SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor?
      Top alternatives to SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor include Nagios XI, Ne.Mo. Network Monitoring, PRTG Network Monitor, Spiceworks Network Monitor, Nagios Network Analyzer.

      Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

      254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.