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Zabbix vs Nagios Comparison, Which is Better for Network Monitoring?

nagios vs zabbix comparison table

Marc Wilson UPDATED: March 31, 2023

When looking for a complete comparison of the differences between Zabbix vs Nagios, there are some basic functions that we need to take into account and understand why they are necessary for a network monitoring solution.

Both of these Programs have FREE (Open-Source) versions available to Download and Install in Your networks. This makes them less of a burden on the end-user and really cuts down on costs when looking for a free NMS.

Both Zabbix and Nagios have fairly extensive features and rely on config files to keep them configured and updated – If you're not shy with editing config files and manually uploading plugins and such, then these might be suitable for your situation.

Here are some screenshots of each product to get a better understanding of their User Interfaces and how they are laid out:

Zabbix:

Zabbix open-source nms

Pros:

  • Open-source transparent tool
  • Uses both SNMP and ICMP for a broader monitoring range
  • Can detect new devices and configuration changes immediately
  • Offers useful templates for quick insights
  • Robust notification system supports SMS, email, custom script, and webhook

Cons:

  • The interface isn’t as intuitive as solutions such as DataDog or Site24x7
  • Would like to see better-alerting features, specifically related to reducing false positives

Nagios

nagios-xi

Pros:

  • Open-source transparent tool
  • Simple, yet informative interface
  • Flexible alerting options support SMS and email
  • Robust API backend makes it a great option for developers who want to integrate their own custom applications
  • Very generous two-month trial period

Cons:

  • Open-source version lacks quality support found in paid products
  • Installation can be technical and complex

nagios xi

Here is a Comparison of the Zabbix vs Nagios:

Zabbix Nagios
Protocol Monitoring:
(HTTP, FTP, SSH, POP3, SMTP, SNMP, MySQL)
Yes Yes
Alerting/Notifications : Yes Yes
Web/Mobile Interface: Yes Yes
Auto-Discovery and Topology: No Yes
Wizard Setup: No Yes
Per-User Views: No Yes
Network/Custom Maps: No Yes
Advanced Web Config Wizards: No Yes
Import Active Directory Information: Yes Yes
LDAP Information Imports Yes Yes
Advanced Performance Graphs/Charts: No Yes
Time Graphs: Yes Yes
Export Data: Yes Yes
Advanced/Custom Reports Yes Yes
Bandwidth and Executive Summary Reports: via API Yes
Agent/Agentless Monitoring Yes Yes
Multi-tenant/Distributed Monitoring: Yes Yes
Native Solaris and Oracle Extensions: No Yes
Flapping Detection: No Yes
Commercial Support: Yes Yes
Comprehensive Documentation No Yes
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As you can see from the table above, Zabbix doesn't have nearly the amount of features and outright support as Nagios does, and at times, documentation can sometimes be a little spotty and outdated. Many of the questions from the above table were answered throughout their forums or simply where available in their documentation.

One of the major features that we've used in network environments that many admins are looking for is automatic network discovery and topology. Zabbix definitely lacks in that area and we all know that networks evolve daily with the rise of BYOD cultures starting to make their way into every business.

Nagios definitely comes out the clear winner in this comparison guide, as they offer a very good support and some advanced features that Zabbix has not yet been able to offer.

npmZabbix vs Nagios FAQs

What are the key features of Zabbix?

The key features of Zabbix include real-time data collection, a powerful query language, alerting and notification capabilities, and scalability.

What are the key features of Nagios?

The key features of Nagios include real-time data collection, alerting and notification capabilities, and support for a wide range of monitoring plugins.

What are the benefits of using Zabbix?

The benefits of using Zabbix include its open-source nature, scalability, and powerful query language, which allows for efficient data analysis and alerting.

What are the benefits of using Nagios?

The benefits of using Nagios include its open-source nature, support for a wide range of monitoring plugins, and its ability to monitor IT infrastructure, including servers, applications, and network devices.

How does Zabbix compare to Nagios?

Zabbix and Nagios are both open-source monitoring solutions, but Zabbix provides a more comprehensive solution, with a focus on real-time data collection and analysis, while Nagios focuses on monitoring IT infrastructure and provides a wider range of monitoring plugins.