Although a popular network monitoring tool that has helped countless organizations to troubleshoot their networks, it does have its limitations, like:

  • Limited features
  • Outdated graphics
  • Communication is limited to using TCP port 9636
  • No map interface

Here is our list of the best PingPlotter Alternatives:

  • SolarWinds TraceRoute NG – EDITOR’S CHOICE (FREE TOOL) Live network path analysis using TCP and ICMP that runs on Windows. Great for detecting path changes and continuous probing. 100% Free Download.
  • WinMTR Free Ping and Traceroute tool for Windows.
  • GPing This tool gives a graphical representation of Ping results and it is better than PingPlotter because it is free.
  • PRTG Network Monitor A software suite of network management tools that includes Traceroute and Ping monitors. Runs on Windows Server.
  • Path Analyzer Pro A handy pack of traceroute, DNS resolutions, whois resolutions and ASN/ISP resolutions for Windows and Mac OS.
  • Open Visual TraceRoute This free traceroute tool plots communication paths on a real-world map. Runs on Windows, Mac OS, and OpenSUSE Linux.
  • CountryTraceRoute A free traceroute that shows paths live and runs on Windows.
  • NetScanTools Basic Ping, Traceroute, Whois, and DNS tools in a simple interface. This tool runs on Windows and is free to use.
  • SmokePing A free open source ping tool that runs on Linux and BSD Unix.
  • Multiping A Ping-based network scanner and device discovery tool that runs on Windows.
  • Bping A free command-line Ping variant that is available for Windows.

The best PingPlotter alternatives

1. SolarWinds TraceRoute NG (FREE TOOL)

Our methodology for selecting a PingPlotter alternative

We reviewed the market and analyzed PingPlotter alternatives based on the following criteria:

  • A system that matches the functions in PingPlotter or exceeds them
  • A better way to choose which ports to use than PingPlotter offers
  • A good interface with illustrative graphics that show live results
  • The integration of other tools, such as DNS tests and WHOIS reports
  • Options to test the availability of one destination or scan an entire network
  • A free tool or a free assessment period
  • A set of services that is worth installing and, if charged for, worth the price tag

TraceRoute NG is SolarWind’s network path analysis solution and PingPlotter alternative for Windows. TraceRoute NG offers support for IPv4 and IPv6 and can detect path changes when they occur. Path changes are monitored on TCP and ICMP to ensure maximum visibility.

Key Features:

  • Free to use
  • Works with IPv4 and IPv6
  • Identifies path changes
  • ICMP and TCP
  • Writes to a log file

Once live, TraceRoute NG can be used to identify details like IP addresses and hostnames. In addition, you can also monitor for performance issues like packet loss and latency. All of this is monitored through the simple user interface which provides a graphical display of network usage.

Overall TraceRoute NG is a free alternative to PingPlotter, that provides everything you need to monitor network performance and troubleshoot for key issues. Though it is not as sophisticated as a tool like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, it provides all the basics necessary to monitor a network. You can download TraceRoute NG for free.

Pros:

  • Lightweight tool allows you to run it on virtually any network off of any machine
  • Supports both IPv4 and IPv6, making it flexible or larger networks utilizing more modern protocols
  • Acts as a troubleshooting tool to detect packet loss, jitter, and latency
  • Offers simple visual representations of network traffic
  • Is completely free

Cons:

  • Advanced features such as alerting and network monitoring are not supported but can be found in SolarWinds flagship tool – Network Performance Monitor

EDITOR’S CHOICE

SolarWinds TraceRoute NG is our top pick for a PingPlotter alternative because it offers a well-laid out console that is easy to use and supplies all of the route information that you could need. A nice feature of this tool is that it can detect when a path has changed. It is also able to work with both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. This tool will give you the IP addresses of all of the routers that manage the connection to a given destination..

Download 100% FREE Tool: solarwinds.com/free-tools/traceroute-ng

OS: Windows

2. WinMT

WinMTR is a Windows-based ping and Traceroute tool. To use WinMTR all you need to do is enter the hostname or destination IP address of two points you wish to monitor. The tool will then monitor the connection quality between the two points and relay the results to you for analysis.

  • Ping and Traceroute
  • Ongoing availability tests
  • Reports in text or HTML format
  • Good for small networks

Once your ping scan is complete, you can view the results as an HTML or .txt file. You can then use this information to look for any issues that you might have missed. For instance, you can see how many hops there are between the two points to see if packet transfers are efficient or not.

This tool is available in all 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows making it ideal for any network using that operating system. WinMTR is all-in-all a reliable alternative for those looking for network diagnostics monitoring within small networks. The main limitation is its lack of graphical features. WinMTR can be downloaded for free.

  • Lightweight tool, great to throw on a USB for onsite visits

  • Can count hops, network drops, and output network averages

  • Can identify both IP addresses and hostnames

  • Interface is simple, but very limited and outdated looking

  • Lacks any form of network visualization

  • Only available for Windows

3. GPing

GPing is a free tool that runs on Windows and gives a live representation of a recursive Ping run. The tool has a no-fuss appearance, but it has some nice extras to help make the tracking of connection performance an easier task. It has an integrated DNS lookup so it can give hostnames for given IP addresses. It is possible to perform a ping sweep, looking at addresses in a range and it is also able to upload a list of IP addresses to use a multiple host tracking feature.

  • Repeated ping tests
  • Graph for results
  • DNS lookup

The display statistics can be altered by configuring the ICMP features that you want to deploy. For example, you can adjust the packet size of the request message, the polling interval, and the timeout period. It is also possible to adjust the display, capitalizing on stored historical data to get graphs showing hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly time horizons. You can also adjust the aesthetics of the graphs, choosing colors and font for the display.

GPing is a good substitute for PingPlotter.

  • Provides simple but informative network performance graphing

  • Simple recursive ping checks with easy to read outputs

  • Can track and monitor multiple hosts

  • Allows you to adjust packet size during testing

  • Could use better export options for reporting

4. PRTG Network Monitor

Next up on the list, we have PRTG Network Monitor. PRTG Network Monitor is a network monitoring tool that offers a diverse range of features beyond those provided by PingPlotter. With PRTG Network Monitor you can run ping scans and Traceroute with configurable sensors.

  • A comprehensive network monitor
  • Includes Ping and Traceroute
  • Constant device availability testing

For Traceroute monitoring, there is a dedicated Traceroute Hop Count Sensor which is used to monitor the number of hops a probe sensor needs before reaching another device. With the Traceroute HopCount Sensor you can view the following metrics: Execution time and Number of Hops.

In addition, there is a Ping sensor dedicated to measuring the availability of connected devices. With PRTG Network Monitor’s Ping Sensor you can monitor the following metrics: Ping time, Minimum Ping time when using more than one Ping per interval, Maximum Ping time when using more than one Ping per interval and packet loss as a percentage.

PRTG Network Monitor is one of the best PingPlotter alternatives on account of its modern user interface. The monitoring experience stands out amongst other similar network management tools in this list. There is a free version of PRTG Network Monitor which allows the monitoring of up to 100 sensors free of charge. If you require more, the paid plans of PRTG start at $1,750 (£1,303) for 500 sensors. There is also a 30-day free trial you can download below.

  • Provides significantly more functionality than competing products

  • Detailed graphing and reporting provide enterprise-level reports for larger networks

  • Integrates well into the PRTG product ecosystem

  • All monitors are highly configurable and designed to scale

  • Great option for businesses of all sizes who are looking for more proactive monitoring

  • Very feature-rich – requires time to truly master

Paessler PRTG Download 30-day FREE trial

5. Path Analyzer Pro

Path Analyzer Pro is a network monitoring tool that can run traceroute, DNS resolutions, whois resolutions and ASN/ISP resolutions. In other words, you can use this tool to find IP addresses, email addresses, network paths and monitor network availability. All of this information can be viewed further by creating reports.

  • Ping and Traceroute
  • DNS and whois resolution
  • Measures latency and jitter

This tool is an ideal solution for users looking for a more visual experience, as you can create graphs that display problems like latency and jitter. Being able to use these graphs is extremely useful for keeping on top of events as they occur and making sure that you don’t miss anything important.

Path Analyzer Pro is available on Mac OS and Windows (although the Windows version is limited to Windows XP, Vista and Windows 2003 Server. The price of Path Analyzer Pro starts at $29.95 (£22.59) for an individual personal license and $89.95 (£67.84) for a business user. There is also a limited free version.

  • Available for Mac and Windows

  • Can detect network drops, latency, and jitter, making it a solid option for troubleshooting VoIP networks

  • Features simple network graphing

  • Interface can be clunky, especially around the protocol and tracing mode options

  • Reporting lacks customization options and isn’t as user friendly as some of the leading tools

6. Open Visual Traceroute

If you’re looking for an open-sourced Traceroute tool then you should look no further than Open Visual Traceroute. Open Visual Traceroute allows you to view a 3D map of the world to see how data is travelling from your computer to the server. You can also use 2D maps if your hardware can’t support the 3D map.

  • Free to use
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Whois lookup

Open Visual Traceroute has a packet sniffer as well. With the packet sniffer you can see what data is being sent through your network. The packet sniffing function is useful because it can help you see if there are any services that are hogging bandwidth or if any attackers have breached the network. There is also a Whois lookup feature so that you can find more information about specific domains.

For smaller organizations that want a more visual Traceroute experience, Open Visual Traceroute is ideal. On Windows, Open Visual Traceroute is available for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10. You can also use Open Visual Traceroute on OpenSUSE and Mac OS as well. You can download this tool for free.

  • Offers more in-depth testing such as DNS resolutions, whois lookups, and geolocation for IP addresses

  • Offers a much more visual experience than competing tools

  • Available for both Windows and Mac

  • Includes a packet sniffer tool for live packet analysis

  • Is an older tool, with a more limited interface

  • Better suited for smaller networks, lacks enterprise functionality

7. CountryTraceRoute

CountryTraceRoute is a fast-paced lightweight Traceroute application from Nirsoft. The GUI may not look as fancy as some other tools on this list but that doesn’t slow it down during live use. All you need to do is enter a URL into the search bar, press Go and you can view the number of hops, IP address, host name, country and average milliseconds of the connection length.

  • Free to use
  • Light on processor power
  • DNS resolution

Anyone looking for a basic Traceroute utility will be completely supported by CountryTraceRoute. However, if you want a more visual experience you should definitely choose an alternative tool.

CountryTraceRoute is available from every version of Windows 2000, up to Windows 10. You can download CountryTraceRoute for free.

  • Extremely lightweight scanning tool

  • Older interface, but it does the job

  • Provides a better verbose look into traceroute than the command-line interface

  • Lacks reporting capabilities

  • Not good for long term monitoring

8. NetScanTools Basic

NetScanTools Basic is a barebones ping and Traceroute tool available for Windows. With NetScanTools Basic you can run ping scans, traceroute, whois lookups, and IP/hostname resolution. The user interface is incredibly simple to navigate with each tool listed on the left-hand side so that it can be accessed.

  • Free to use
  • Light on processor power
  • DNS and whois lookup

When you click on Ping and Traceroute tools you are asked to enter a Target Hostname or IPv4 Address before pressing Do Ping to run a ping scan. You are then shown a table of the results detailing Ping #, Responding IPv4, Time (ms), TTL and Status. You can then right-click on the results to print or save a copy.

There is also a graphical ping tool included that displays a graph of ping scan results. You can configure what information will be shown by entering the Delay Between Pings, Response Timeout, and Max Hop Count. The graph then shows you Ping RTT and Missing Replies.

Netscantools Basic is one of the most versatile alternatives to PingPlotter on this list. If you’d like to download NetScanTools Basic for Windows then you can do so for free.

  • Can run whois, DNS lookups, and simple queries with a simple push of a button

  • User friendly, even for non-technical users

  • Supports hostname resolution

  • Interface feels unnecessarily crowded at times

  • Lacks visualization capabilities

  • Available only for Windows

9. SmokePing

SmokePing is an open-source ping and latency measurement tool that has proven popular amongst network administrators. SmokePing has live latency charts to tell you how the network is performing. Setting up this tool is incredibly easy and you can use it to schedule pings at certain time intervals so that your network is monitored when you want.

  • Free to use
  • Runs on Linux and Unix
  • Creates performance charts

When the system detects unusually high latency you are sent an alert. Alerts are triggered with thresholds so that you only receive notifications when you need to take action. However, if you want to monitor performance more closely there are lots of visualization options to support you. For example, you can generate graphs to view ping scans and the effect of performance issues like packet loss.

SmokePing is an ideal choice for organizations looking for a free latency measurement tool on Linux and BSD. You can download SmokePing here.

  • Open-source tool makes SmokePing highly customizable

  • Simple but impactful charting and visualizations

  • Supports threshold-based alerting

  • Only available for Linux and BSD

10. MultiPing

MultiPing is a Windows-based ping monitor which offers a network discovery feature. You can scan a list of IPs and automatically add devices to your network monitoring environment. Metrics you can monitor with MultiPing include packet loss percentage and latency (minimum, maximum, and average). The platform also has support for IPv4 and IPv6 so that you have all the information you need to monitor network performance.

  • Network discovery
  • Works with IPv4 and IPv6
  • Packet loss and latency

Your monitoring efforts are supported via an alert system that sends a notification to your email if a problem is identified. With MultiPing you aren’t limited to monitoring real-time events. You can browse through the network’s performance history to see if there are any key trends that you might have missed.

MultiPing is also a good choice if you’re still using PingPlotter because of its integration options. You can purchase MultiPing for a price of $39.99 (£30.16). This price purchases for you a year of free upgrades and the option to monitor unlimited targets. You can also download the MultiPing trial for free on Windows.

  • Allows for network discovery and testing across multiple hosts

  • Can measure packet loss, jitter, and latency across IPv4 and IPv6

  • Good fit for smaller tech support teams or quick onsite scans

  • Only for Windows operating systems

  • Paid tool, competing tools offer similar features for free

11. Bping

Finally we have Bping (beeping!) which is a Windows ping tool that lets out an auditory beep every time it gets a reply. You can also configure it to beep when it doesn’t receive a reply as well. You can choose custom wav files to play if you want to change the default sounds to something more familiar.

  • Command line utility
  • Free to use
  • Makes a beep sound

Bping also checks your internet connection and highlights available IP addresses within a network. While the system is a little rudimentary the auditory beeps is excellent for keeping you in the loop over changes on your network.

Bping can be downloaded for free on Windows.

  • Extremely lightweight tool

  • Provides audible alerts when hosts lose connectivity

  • Good for small businesses and home networks

  • Option for custom .wav files to play when network connection is lost

  • Lacks reporting capabilities

  • No visualization options

  • Not ideal for more in-depth troubleshooting scenarios

Choosing a PingPlotter alternative: TraceRoute NG and WinMTR

No matter what Traceroute tool you use, there are plenty of alternatives to PingPlotter. Old school Traceroute tools like TraceRoute NG and WinMTR provide you with the essentials needed to monitor your network. If you need a tool that is more versatile and modern, then a tool like PRTG Network Monitor would be a better choice. Likewise, for enterprises that require more visualization, a tool like Open Visual Traceroute would be a good fit.

No two environments are the same, so if one tool doesn’t work for your environment, try another. The biggest consideration is whether you want a simple tool or one that incorporates visualization.