EVERYTHING XIAOMI
Get listed

Cacti

Cacti is a free, self-hosted framework for network graphing and operational monitoring, built around RRDtool.

Place
#14 of 33
Score
6.4

What Cacti is

Cacti is a free, self-hosted framework for network graphing and operational monitoring, built around RRDtool. It collects data through SNMP OIDs or scripts, which can retrieve database information or run other code. Availability checks support SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP. Discovery tools automate graph and data-source creation, while Remote Data Collectors distribute collection and cache data during network interruptions. Graphs can include line, area, stacked, horizontal-rule, vertical-rule, print, and comment items. Device templates associate devices with graph templates and data queries, and plugins can extend collection to other protocols. Cacti includes role-based user, group, and domain management. It supports SNMP versions 1, 2, and 3, with a documented limitation for advanced SNMPv3 settings such as SHA224+ or AES192+ when PHP SNMP is used. Cacti is available for Linux/Unix and Windows. Installation requires MySQL, PHP, RRDtool, Net-SNMP, and a PHP-capable web server such as Apache or IIS.

Good

  • Free and self-hosted
  • Checks availability over SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP
  • Automates graph and data-source creation
  • Remote collectors cache data during network interruptions
  • Includes role-based access management

Watch out

  • Requires MySQL, PHP, RRDtool, Net-SNMP, and a PHP-capable web server
  • Advanced SNMPv3 settings have a documented PHP SNMP limitation
  • No support service level is stated

Who it suits

Cacti suits teams that want to self-host network monitoring and graphing, and can provide the required server components. Its distributed collectors may suit environments that need collection across locations or caching during network interruptions.

Verdict

Cacti offers network data collection, graphing, and access controls as self-hosted software. Its installation requirements and SNMPv3 limitation are important to weigh before deployment.

Plans and prices

From Cacti's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
CactiFreeOpen-source network monitoring and graphing software; requires MySQL, PHP, RRDTool, Net-SNMP, and a PHP-capable web server

The facts

Each one read from Cacti's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Access control
Cacti includes role-based user, group, and domain management features.checked 7 Oct 2026
Data collection
Cacti collects data using SNMP OIDs or scripts, which can retrieve data from databases or run other code.checked 7 Oct 2026
Discovery
Cacti provides automation and discovery to control automatic graph and data source creation.checked 7 Oct 2026
Distributed polling
Remote Data Collectors support distributed collection and offline caching during network interruptions.checked 7 Oct 2026
Download availability
The download page lists Cacti source code for Linux/Unix and Windows.checked 7 Oct 2026
Graphing
Graph items support line, area, stacked, horizontal-rule, vertical-rule, print, and comment types.checked 7 Oct 2026
Installation requirements
Cacti requires MySQL, PHP, RRDtool, Net-SNMP, and a web server that supports PHP, such as Apache or IIS.checked 7 Oct 2026
Plugins
Plugins can extend data collection to other protocols; the features page gives a WMI plugin as an example.checked 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
Cacti is a network graphing and operational monitoring framework built around RRDtool.checked 7 Oct 2026
Security protocol support
Cacti supports SNMP versions 1, 2, and 3, with a documented limitation for advanced SNMPv3 settings such as SHA224+ or AES192+ when PHP SNMP is in use.checked 7 Oct 2026
Support
The Cacti site directs users seeking help to its support section, but the opened pages do not state a support service level.checked 7 Oct 2026
Templates
Device templates can associate one or more graph templates and data queries with devices.checked 7 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Device checks
Cacti supports SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP availability checks.checked 7 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
2001checked 28 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Cacti

All alternatives
  1. 1ntopng logo

    ntopng

    Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS
    8.3€299.95 one-time
    Visit
  2. 2

    GlassWire

    Free planAndroidWebWindows
    7.9From $2.99 a month
    Visit
  3. 3

    NetBalancer

    Free planWebAPIWindows
    7.5$34.95 one-time
    Visit
  4. 4

    Sniffnet

    Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows
    7.4Free plan
    Visit
  5. 5ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer logo

    ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer

    Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux
    7.1From $172 a month
    Visit
  6. 6

    sFlowTrend

    Free planWebAPILinuxmacOS
    7.1Free plan
    Visit