No one likes having to repeat themselves, but when packet jitter rears its ugly head, you don’t have much choice! Thankfully, you can put a stop to the disruptions with VoIP monitoring tools. VoIP monitoring software allows you to monitor the performance of VoIP phone calls for issues like packet loss, latency, and jitter so you can resolve them before they affect your users.
Here is our list of the six best VoIP monitoring tools:
- SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager (FREE TRIAL) Real-time VoIP and WAN monitoring platform that monitors jitter, latency, packet loss, and MOS. It includes a visual call path trace feature. Start a 30-day free trial.
- SolarWinds Call Detail Record Tracker (FREE TOOL) A free VoIP performance monitor that can measure jitter, latency, packet loss, and MOS. It filters through Cisco CallManager Call Detail Records. Start a 30-day free trial.
- ManageEngine OpManager (FREE TRIAL) Network monitoring tool that can monitor packet loss, delay, jitter, round trip time, and MOS. It includes graphing and reporting features. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Site24x7 APM (FREE TRIAL) An application performance monitor that includes the capability of monitoring VoIP traffic. This is a cloud-based service. Start a 30-day free trial.
- Paessler PRTG Network Monitor Network monitoring tool with VOIP QoS monitoring. Range of sensors for VoIP monitoring including QoS Round Trip Sensor, QoS One Way Sensor, Cisco IP SLA Sensor, and more.
- ExtraHop Real-time infrastructure monitoring software with a VoIP bundle that can show Call/Session Status And Volume, Load Balancing and Routing, Call Quality, and more. It includes a SIP VoIP Call Dashboard with performance graphs.
- ThousandEyes Infrastructure and VoIP monitoring tool that can be used to measure latency, loss, jitter, discards, and MOS. It simulates VoIP calls from over 175 Cloud Agent locations.
Our methodology for selecting VoIP monitoring tools
We’ve broken down our analysis for you based on these key criteria:
- Ability to monitor and report on key metrics like jitter, latency, and packet loss.
- Ease of setup and use, including automatic discovery of network devices.
- Features for troubleshooting, such as call path tracing.
- Support for monitoring a wide range of network devices and VoIP standards.
- Cost-effectiveness and availability of trial versions for evaluation.
The Best VoIP Monitoring Tools
1. SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager (FREE TRIAL)
SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager is a real-time VoIP monitoring platform that can monitor the performance of VoIP calls. With this tool, you can monitor jitter, latency, packet loss, and Mean Opinion Score (MOS). The software is easy to set up and automatically discovers Cisco IP SLA-enabled devices in your network.
Key Features:
- Real-time VoIP monitoring
- Call path trace feature
- Automatic device discovery
- PerfStack dashboard
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager is highly recommended for its comprehensive, real-time monitoring capabilities, particularly for its efficient tracing of call paths, which is crucial in diagnosing network issues.
To speed up the resolution of call performance issues, the tool uses a call path trace. The path trace shows you the entire network path (from origin to destination), which can help you to discover the cause of latency, and jitter, much easier.
Monitoring with VoIP & Network Quality Manager is easy. Through the PerfStack dashboard, you can monitor call availability and activity. Then, you can search VoIP Calls and filter for calls classified as Failed, Successful, Without Zero Duration, Call with Issue, and Conference Call.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is ideal for businesses that require detailed and immediate insights into their VoIP call performance, especially those using Cisco IP SLA-enabled devices.
Pros:
- Efficient real-time monitoring of VoIP calls.
- Easy setup with automatic discovery of devices.
- Call path trace aids in quick issue resolution.
- PerfStack dashboard for easy monitoring.
Cons:
- Can take time to explore all features
If you’re looking for a VoIP management tool with lightweight deployment then SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager is worth considering. The software starts at $1,695 (£1,285). You can download the 30-day free trial.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager stands out as our top VoIP monitoring tool because it excels in real-time monitoring and troubleshooting of VoIP call performance. Its automatic discovery of Cisco IP SLA-enabled devices makes setup a breeze. The call path trace feature is particularly useful for quickly identifying the root cause of issues like latency and jitter. The PerfStack dashboard enhances its usability, offering a comprehensive view of call availability and activities.
Download: Download a 30-Day Free Trial
Official Site: https://www.solarwinds.com/voip-network-quality-manager
OS: Windows
2. SolarWinds Call Detail Record Tracker (FREE TOOL)
SolarWinds Call Detail Record Tracker is a free VoIP monitoring tool that lets you monitor network jitter, latency, packet loss, and MOS. The platform is easy to navigate with a filtering system that allows you to sort calls by call time, status, termination reason, phone number, and phone IP.
Key Features:
- Free VoIP monitoring tool
- Easy filtering system
- Stores 48 hours of CDR data
- User-friendly interface
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds Call Detail Record Tracker is an excellent choice for its no-cost, effective VoIP performance monitoring, especially for those using Cisco systems.
The user interface is easy to install and configure. All you need to do is enter the FTP Server that has the CDR files produced by your Cisco call manager, the directory name, and login details. You can then choose the time period you want to investigate. Options include the last 15 minutes, 30 minutes, hour, two hours, 12 hours, day, and two days.
The tool pulls data captured from your network’s CDR files and displays it in a format that’s easier for you to make sense of (with a grid to monitor performance). The software stores up to 48 hours of CDR data.
It’s an excellent option for enterprises looking for a free VoIP monitor to go alongside a network monitoring solution. However, the features are quite limited, so if you want a more comprehensive monitoring experience you’re better off with a tool like SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager.
Who is it recommended for?
It’s best suited for enterprises needing a basic, cost-effective solution to monitor VoIP calls, particularly useful alongside other network monitoring tools.
Pros:
- Simple and intuitive user interface.
- Efficiently filters and sorts call data.
- Captures up to 48 hours of CDR data.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to premium tools.
SolarWinds Call Detail Recorder Tracker is available for download as a free tool.
3. ManageEngine OpManager (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine OpManager is a network monitoring tool that can monitor VoIP calls for packet loss, latency, jitter, MOS, and Round Trip Time. It uses Cisco IP SLAs to monitor the Quality of Service (QoS). The software allows you to monitor the performance of calls and view paths in a WAN environment.
Key Features:
- Customizable dashboards
- Threshold-based alerts
- Supports Cisco IP SLAs
- Monitors various VoIP metrics
Why do we recommend it?
ManageEngine OpManager is recommended for its comprehensive and customizable monitoring capabilities, making it a versatile tool for diverse VoIP environments.
The bulk of the monitoring experience in ManageEngine OpManager is happening through customizable dashboards. Here users can monitor performance data. For instance, you can monitor the Top 10 Call Paths by latency, packet loss, jitter, and MOS. Pulling these metrics up allows you to quickly find the biggest problems affecting your service.
You can also set threshold-based alerts. You can configure thresholds for VoIP performance so that you only receive an alert when a performance value matches certain parameters. Notifications are sent through email, SMS, and modem so that you can react to evolving incidents promptly.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is ideal for businesses that require flexible and detailed monitoring of their VoIP systems, especially those operating in WAN environments.
Pros:
- Highly customizable monitoring dashboards.
- Effective threshold-based alerts for proactive monitoring.
- Supports a wide range of VoIP metrics.
Cons:
- Can be complex for new users.
ManageEngine OpManager is available for Windows and Linux devices. There are three versions available to purchase: Standard Edition, Professional Edition, and Enterprise Edition. Prices start at $245 (£183) for 10 devices up to 1,000 devices. You can download the 30-day free trial.
4. Site24x7 APM (FREE TRIAL)
Site24x7 APM, which I also called APM Insight, is a cloud-based monitoring service that is part of a wider platform of system administration tools. One of the functions built into this tool is a VoIP monitor.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based monitoring
- Traffic analysis for QoS
- Alerting system
- Performance threshold settings
Why do we recommend it?
Site24x7 APM is recommended for its cloud-based, comprehensive monitoring capabilities, especially effective in analyzing VoIP traffic for quality service.
The VoIP monitor is particularly concerned with the Quality of Service (QoS) statistics that can be derived from traffic analysis. These factors include the speed and regularity (jitter) of VoIP traffic patterns and also the amount of dropped packets. All of these factors can impair sound quality on VoIP connections.
The Site24x7 system is resident in the cloud. All of the processing for the service is performed on the Site24x7 servers and the console is also found there. Technicians access the dashboard through any standard web browser. There is, however, an element of the system that needs to be installed on-premises. This is a data collector and it transfers collected performance statistics up to the Site24x7 server for processing. The results of this data processing are displayed in the dashboard of the VoIP monitor.
The VoIP monitor works with thresholds that denote acceptable performance. If any of these levels get crossed, the monitor generates an alert. This is shown in the system dashboard, but it can also be forwarded to technicians by SMS or email. The notification draws staff to the VoIP monitor and gives them time to take action before performance issues become noticeable to the user community.
Who is it recommended for?
It’s suitable for organizations looking for a cloud-based solution to monitor VoIP traffic, with a focus on Quality of Service (QoS).
Pros:
- Cloud-based, accessible from anywhere.
- Detailed traffic analysis for QoS.
- Customizable alerting system.
- Performance thresholds for proactive monitoring.
Cons:
- Requires on-premises data collector installation.
Site24x7 APM is a subscription service and is offered as a base package with add-on services available. Useful additions available include a network monitoring tool and a log management service. You can get a free trial of Site24x7 APM.
5. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a network monitoring tool that can monitor the quality of VoIP calls. PRTG’s QoS Round Trip Sensor enables you to run the quality of service monitoring. The sensor measures latency, jitter, packet loss, MOS, and duplicate packets.
Key Features:
- QoS Round Trip Sensor
- Cisco IP SLA Sensor
- Comprehensive graphs and tables
- Alert configuration options
Why do we recommend it?
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is recommended for its detailed and user-friendly approach to VoIP call quality monitoring, supported by a range of sensors.
The platform also offers IP SLA monitoring capabilities through the Cisco IP SLA (Service Level Agreement) Sensor. With the Cisco IP SLA Sensor, you can monitor Cisco device data. Measurable metrics include average jitter, average latency, average/minimum/maximum round-trip time, MOS, number of lost packets, percentage of lost packets, percentage of late packets, and more.
All of your performance data is displayed through graphs, dials, and tables making it easy to read and discover performance issues. For example, if calls are cutting out then you can look up the minimum, average, and maximum jitter to find out if this is a constant issue. You can also configure alerts so that you receive notifications about call performance via email, SMS, push notification, Slack, and more.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is ideal for businesses needing a comprehensive network monitoring solution with a strong focus on VoIP QoS.
Pros:
- Detailed QoS monitoring with various sensors.
- User-friendly interface with clear visualizations.
- Flexible alerting options for timely notifications.
Cons:
- Paid versions can be costly for more sensors.
PRTG is free for the first 100 sensors. If you require over 100 sensors then you can purchase a paid version. Paid versions range from 500 sensors to unlimited sensors. Paid versions start at $1,600 (£1,199). You can download the 30-day free trial.
6. ExtraHop
ExtraHop is a performance monitor that can measure VoIP call performance. The tool monitors VoIP and video traffic in real-time to discover performance issues. It’s also easy to deploy, with an autodiscovery feature that discovers devices throughout your network.
Key Features:
- Real-time traffic monitoring
- VoIP monitoring bundle
- Anomaly detection
- SIP VoIP Call Dashboard
Why do we recommend it?
ExtraHop is highly recommended for its real-time monitoring and anomaly detection capabilities, making it an efficient tool for diagnosing VoIP issues.
There is a VoIP monitoring bundle that you can download from the Bundle Library to monitor Call/Session Status and Volume, Load Balancing and Routing, Call Quality, and Non-VoIP Protocols.
When using ExtraHop, you can capture SIP sessions and monitor them through the SIP VoIP Call Dashboard, making the tool suitable for users with Cisco Call Manager, Avaya Call Manager, MiTel, and Skype for Business. The dashboard displays information such as Call attempts, Successful Calls, Call Failures, Active Calls, and Status Codes.
One of the most useful features included by ExtraHop is Anomaly Detectio, which automatically detects performance issues that deviate from normal VoIP performance. Detecting issues early helps you to respond quickly before service disruption.
ExtraHop is one of the top VoIP monitoring tools for diagnosing performance issues. The software correlates traffic across users and devices to help diagnose issues early and minimize the impact on your end-users.
Who is it recommended for?
The tool is best suited for organizations that need in-depth, real-time monitoring of VoIP and video traffic, especially those using SIP sessions.
Pros:
- Effective real-time monitoring.
- Specialized VoIP monitoring bundle.
- Advanced anomaly detection feature.
- Detailed SIP VoIP Call Dashboard.
Cons:
- Pricing information not readily available.
To view the pricing information you will need to contact the sales team directly. You can check out the demo.
7. ThousandEyes
ThousandEyes is a network monitoring platform with VoIP monitoring that can capture metrics including latency, jitter, loss, discards, and MOS. It can simulate the VoIP call lifecycle, from the SIP handshake to authentication. Simulating your VoIP environment allows you to discover performance issues before and after deployment.
Key Features:
- Simulates VoIP calls
- Over 175 Cloud Agent locations
- Path Visualization
- Monitors entire VoIP system
Why do we recommend it?
ThousandEyes stands out for its ability to simulate VoIP calls and provide comprehensive network insights, which is vital for preemptive performance management.
To use the tool you can run a SIP monitoring test. Monitoring tests allow you to monitor the availability and performance of SIP servers in a virtual environment. You can also simulate calls between Enterprise agents across WAN, with over 175 Cloud Agent locations.
More broadly, ThousandEyes aims to monitor VoIP systems and the conditions of the network (which can have a substantial impact on call performance). To do this, the tool correlates VoIP performance with the latency, loss, and jitter of the network. Use Path Visualization to find the root-cause of performance issues and view your network from a hop-to-hop perspective.
It’s great for enterprises that want to not only scrutinize call performance but an entire VoIP system. Simulating VoIP calls helps you to find performance issues that you might have missed with other more reactive tools.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is particularly beneficial for enterprises that need to scrutinize their entire VoIP system, not just call performance.
Pros:
- Call simulation for in-depth analysis.
- Path Visualization for clear network insights.
- Focuses on overall VoIP system performance.
Cons:
- May require contact for pricing details.
If you want to know the pricing information for ThousandEyes you will need to contact the company directly. However, you can start the 15-day free trial.
VoIP Monitoring Tools: Talk Freely!
There’s nothing more frustrating than communicating over a phone call and being cut off by packet loss. Using VoIP monitoring tools makes sure that employees can communicate with each other and customers. Monitoring network and VoIP performance reduce the chance of disruption to your network.
SolarWinds VoIP & Network Quality Manager, Paessler PRTG Network Monitor, and ManageEngine OpManager are all affordable options for monitoring VOIP performance. However, what tool is right for you comes down to your environment so we recommend you try at least one free trial before you buy.
