Replace SolarWinds NTA with Modern Traffic AnalysisVisualize NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX data at per-second resolution. Discover bandwidth hogs, map traffic sources down to the street level, and explore interactive Sankey diagrams—all without the heavy Windows/Orion footprint or 5-minute polling delays.
Netdata transforms how you analyze traffic flows, offering deeper context and faster answers without the legacy overhead.
Instantly visualize traffic origins on a 3D globe or country map, zooming all the way down to the exact city and street level.
Slice and dice flow data dynamically. Reorder Sankey diagrams by any column—source, destination, protocol, or TCP flags.
Stop guessing with 5-minute averages. Catch microbursts and short-lived congestion exactly as they happen, second by second.
Install the agent and immediately start receiving flow data. No complex Orion templates to build or manual polling schedules.
Unsupervised ML runs natively on all network metrics, instantly flagging unusual traffic patterns and potential issues.
Per-node pricing means you never get penalized for high traffic volume or flow cardinality. No hidden egress or ingestion fees.
Trusted by modern engineering and network teams
High-Level Architecture
A fundamentally different approach to network traffic visibility.
Capability
Netdata
SolarWinds NTA
Resolution
Default data collection frequency
✅ Per-Second
Catch microbursts and short congestion
⚠️ 5-Minute Polling
Misses brief, high-impact spikes
Setup Complexity
Time required to see flow data
✅ Automated
Install agent and view flows instantly
⚠️ Template-Driven
Requires Orion setup and node discovery
Visualization
Charting and mapping capabilities
✅ Reorderable Sankey & Maps
Interactive, street-level traffic maps
⚠️ Standard Charts
Top talkers and basic conversations
Anomaly Detection
Automated traffic baseline analysis
✅ ML on Every Metric
18 models per metric at the edge
❌ Static Thresholds
Manual tuning required for alerts
Architecture
Platform footprint and requirements
✅ Edge-Native Agent
Lightweight, runs anywhere
⚠️ Windows/Orion Server
Heavy footprint, centralized database
Pricing Model
How costs scale with usage
✅ Per Node
No penalties for flow volume or interfaces
⚠️ Volume / Tier Based
Costs scale with polled nodes and interfaces
Dynamic
Explore NetFlow Analyzer
Street-Level
See the Maps
Unified View
View Network Dashboard
Capabilities
A direct comparison of network monitoring capabilities to help you plan your migration.
Feature
Netdata
SolarWinds NTA
Flow Protocols
Supported ingestion formats
✅ NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX
Comprehensive protocol support
✅ NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow
Standard protocol support
SNMP Interface Metrics
Bandwidth and port utilization
✅ Included
Auto-discovery across 800+ vendors
✅ Included
Requires separate NPM module
Network Topology
Layer 2/3 topology maps
✅ Included
Dependencies and dependants drill-down
✅ Included
Requires separate NPM module
Deep Packet Inspection
Application-level payload analysis
❌ Not Available
Focuses on metadata and flow stats
⚠️ NBAR Support
Available for specific Cisco devices
Anomaly Detection
Automated traffic baselining
✅ ML on All Metrics
Unsupervised ML at the edge
❌ Not Available
Relies on static thresholds
Data Retention
How long flow data is kept
✅ Tiered Storage
Years of retention in gigabytes
⚠️ Database Dependent
Requires scaling SQL database
Dynamically reorder Sankey diagrams by any flow column. Break down traffic by Source AS, Destination AS, Protocol, TCP flags, and more to find exactly what you're looking for.
Interactive flow analysis on your terms.
Learn MoreUse Cases
Understanding where Netdata excels and where complementary tools are needed.
Use Case
Netdata
SolarWinds NTA
Bandwidth Hog Identification
Finding top talkers and listeners
✅ Ideal
Real-time, interactive Sankey filtering
✅ Good
Standard top talkers reporting
Microburst Detection
Catching sub-minute traffic spikes
✅ Ideal
Per-second resolution catches everything
❌ Not Available
5-minute polling hides short bursts
SNMP Device Monitoring
Interface and hardware stats
✅ Ideal
Fully integrated, no extra modules
✅ Good
Requires NPM license
Deep Packet Inspection
Application payload analysis
❌ Not Available
Requires a dedicated DPI tool
⚠️ Limited
NBAR support on specific gear
Device Config Backups
Pushing and backing up configs
❌ Not Available
Requires a dedicated NCM tool
✅ Good
Requires NCM module
June 24, 2026
Netdata has added NPM-class network monitoring: live topology maps, NetFlow and sFlow traffic analysis, SNMP device and trap monitoring, and a dedicated network dashboard, all unified with your full-stack observability and processed at the edge.
September 26, 2023
Ensuring Quality of Service with Advanced Network Insights
April 12, 2023
Extending Reach: Effective Monitoring Across Networks
Explore More Alternatives
If you are migrating away from SolarWinds, explore how Netdata replaces or complements other modules in the Orion platform:
Ready to see the platform in action? Get started for free or book a demo with our team.
