Prtg [updated] Freeware Limitations [VERIFIED]

Another hidden limitation is that the freeware license is tied to the physical server (or the MAC address of the host). You cannot install PRTG Freeware on two different servers to get 200 sensors. If you want to scale out, you have to pay.

★★★★☆ (4/5) for the software, ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) for the free tier's scalability prtg freeware limitations

| Aspect | Limitation | | :--- | :--- | | | 100 (hard limit) | | Max Devices | No fixed limit, but effectively ~10-20 devices depending on sensor density | | Clustering | Not allowed | | Remote Probes | Only 1 (the free version allows the main probe + 1 remote) | | User Accounts | No LDAP/Active Directory integration | | Scheduled Reports | Maximum 3 | | Dashboards (Maps) | Maximum 5 | | Cost | $0 (perpetual) | Another hidden limitation is that the freeware license

Paessler allows the freeware version to be used in commercial environments. However, organizations must not manipulate the system to bypass the sensor limit. Technical Support Limitations Freeware users do not receive priority technical support. No phone support is available. Ticket responses are not guaranteed. Support relies heavily on the Paessler Knowledge Base. Users must troubleshoot via community forums. Impact on Advanced Features No phone support is available

A common misconception is that 100 sensors equals 100 devices. In reality, a standard server deployment utilizes sensors rapidly. Device Type Monitored Metrics Average Sensors Needed Ping, CPU, Memory, Disk C:, Disk D:, Network Traffic 24-Port Switch Ping, Uptime, Traffic per active port (e.g., 15 ports) 17 sensors Core Router Ping, WAN Traffic, CPU, Memory, IPFIX/NetFlow Firewall Ping, VPN Tunnels, CPU, Session Count, Interface Traffic

This is a brilliant sales tactic by Paessler, but a frustrating user experience. It allows you to fall in love with the product, only to force you to gut your monitoring setup a month later. For many admins, the psychological toll of deleting working sensors leads them to swipe the credit card just to avoid the work.

In PRTG, a "sensor" is a single monitoring aspect on a device (e.g., CPU load, disk space, or one switch port's traffic).