Faddom is built for enterprise IT teams mapping application dependencies for data center migrations and cloud transitions. Its main limitation: ADM-only scope. These are the best Faddom alternatives for network discovery, topology visualization, and living documentation, starting with the one we build, Scanopy.
The best Faddom alternatives
Scanopy Our pick
A dedicated network documentation tool: one scan produces four switchable views (L2 physical, L3 logical, workloads, and applications) plus per-host service detection, at flat pricing regardless of host count, with a free, self-hostable Community edition.
NetBrain
NetBrain is for large enterprises that need network maps integrated with automation and troubleshooting workflows.
Scanopy vs NetBrain, head to head →SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is for enterprise teams that standardize on Microsoft tools and need Visio-native network diagram exports.
Scanopy vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper, head to head →Auvik
Auvik is for MSPs who need monitoring, alerting, and network maps in one cloud-managed platform.
Scanopy vs Auvik, head to head →Domotz
Domotz is for cost-conscious MSPs who need monitoring, remote access, and basic network maps at a transparent price.
Scanopy vs Domotz, head to head →ManageEngine OpManager is for mid-market IT teams that want monitoring and visualization at a lower per-device cost.
Scanopy vs ManageEngine OpManager, head to head →PRTG Network Monitor is for teams already invested in the Paessler ecosystem who want built-in topology mapping alongside monitoring.
Scanopy vs PRTG Network Monitor, head to head →LibreNMS
LibreNMS is for teams with Linux skills that want free, self-hosted monitoring with basic topology visualization.
Scanopy vs LibreNMS, head to head →NetDisco
NetDisco is for network teams that want free, open-source Layer 2 topology discovery and device tracking.
Scanopy vs NetDisco, head to head →NetBox
NetBox is for network and automation teams building a structured source of truth to drive Ansible, Nornir, or Terraform.
Scanopy vs NetBox, head to head →Faddom alternatives compared
How Faddom and each alternative compare on discovery, the four topology views (L2, L3, workloads, applications), service detection, pricing, and licensing.
| ToolProduct name and link to vendor site | DiscoveryProtocols used to find devices and map connections | Network ViewsWhich topology views the tool produces from discovery. L2 Physical switch ports and links L3 Subnets, VLANs, routing Workload VM/container host nesting Application Service-dependency / app grouping Yes supported Tag ? unverified Greyed not supported | ServicesNo No service awareness Basic Common port detection Yes Application-level fingerprinting | PricingStarting price or pricing model | Open SourceOSI OSI-approved open source license Source available Source code available, restricted license No Proprietary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faddom | NetFlow/sFlow [23] | Basicapp dependencies [23] | Free up to 50 servers then from $19,000/yr [24] | No | |
| Scanopy | SNMP LLDP CDP ARP TCP/UDP | Yes240+ types | Starts at $11.99 monthly, unlimited hosts | OSI AGPL-3.0 | |
| NetBrain | SNMP CDP LLDP ARP SSH/CLI | No | Enterprise (contact sales) | No | |
| SolarWinds NTM | SNMP WMI CDP LLDP ICMP [3] | No | Perpetual ~$1,570 (subscription shift unclear) [44] | No | |
| Auvik | SNMP CDP LLDP ARP [1] | Basic [2] | Per-device (contact sales) | No | |
| Domotz | SNMP ARP ICMP CDP LLDP mDNS NetBIOS [5] | Basic [6] | $1.50/device/mo [7] | No | |
| ManageEngine OpManager | SNMP CDP LLDP ARP [8] | No | From $95/yr (10 devices) [9] | No | |
| PRTG | SNMP WMI ICMP [13] | No | Free up to 100 sensors then tiered [4] | No | |
| LibreNMS | SNMP CDP LLDP [10] | No | Free | OSI GPL-3.0 | |
| NetDisco | SNMP CDP LLDP ARP [12] | No | Free | OSI BSD | |
| NetBox | ICMP SNMP SSH/CLI | No | Cloud and Enterprise: contact sales [42] | OSI Apache-2.0 |
Why Scanopy is a strong Faddom alternative
Faddom and Scanopy sit in the same broad category — both can map application dependencies — but they get there from opposite directions, and they don't fully overlap. Faddom is a dedicated agentless application dependency mapping (ADM) platform: it observes network traffic (NetFlow, sFlow, or a packet copy) and automatically infers which servers and services depend on each other, aimed at data-center migrations and cloud moves. It does no Layer 2/3 network topology at all — there are no switch-port or subnet maps. Scanopy comes at it from the other side: it maps L2 and L3 network topology, workloads, and applications, with the application view being user-defined grouping on top of automatic service discovery.
The trade-off is automatic app-dependency inference versus network topology and price. Faddom's free tier covers 50 servers, but paid plans start at $19,000/year, which puts it out of reach for SMB and mid-market budgets, and it needs NetFlow/sFlow or port mirroring to capture traffic. Scanopy is flat monthly with unlimited hosts, commercially self-hostable, or free under AGPL-3.0, needs no traffic-capture setup, and adds the network-layer views Faddom lacks. If you need automatic, traffic-derived application dependencies for a migration and can fund the price floor, Faddom is the better fit. If you need network topology plus application grouping in one affordable tool, Scanopy is.
On the application view itself, Faddom's automation is the stronger of the two, and it's worth saying plainly: Faddom builds the dependency map automatically from observed traffic, where Scanopy has you define the application grouping yourself on top of automatic service discovery. If you want the app map to draw itself — and you'll set up traffic capture — that's a real Faddom advantage. Scanopy's case isn't that it's uniquely four-view; it's that it covers all four views and stays affordable and self-hostable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Faddom?
It depends on what you rely on Faddom for. If you want automatic network discovery with living L2, L3, workload, and application views and per-host service detection, Scanopy is the closest dedicated alternative — flat pricing regardless of host count, plus a free, self-hostable Community edition. Faddom itself remains the better choice when you specifically need enterprise IT teams mapping application dependencies for data center migrations and cloud transitions.
Is there a free or open-source Faddom alternative?
Yes. Scanopy, LibreNMS, NetDisco, and NetBox are open-source (OSI-licensed). Scanopy's Community edition is free to self-host under AGPL-3.0 and produces the full L2, L3, workload, and application views; the paid plans add cloud hosting and support at flat pricing.
Why do teams look for a Faddom alternative?
The most common reason: ADM-only scope. Teams that need an up-to-date visual map of what is actually on the network — without standing up additional tooling — tend to compare dedicated documentation tools like Scanopy alongside Faddom.
Comparing just these two? See the focused Scanopy vs Faddom head-to-head. For all 13 tools side by side, see the full comparison of automated network diagram tools.
Sources
[2] Auvik - Can Auvik discover services on my network?
[3] SolarWinds - Network Topology Mapper
[4] Paessler - PRTG Pricing
[5] Domotz - Agentless Network Discovery for MSP Client Onboarding
[6] Domotz - Device TCP/UDP Ports/Services Discovery
[7] Domotz - Pricing
[8] ManageEngine - Discover Networks
[9] ManageEngine - OpManager Editions
[10] LibreNMS - Auto-Discovery
[12] NetDisco - Documentation
[13] Paessler - PRTG System Requirements
[23] Faddom - Agentless Application Dependency Mapping
[24] Faddom - Pricing
[42] NetBox Labs - Pricing (Cloud and Enterprise contact sales)
[44] SolarWinds NTM - Pricing (TrustRadius)
Try Scanopy
Scanopy deploys a lightweight daemon that discovers your network and builds a live topology map. No per-device fees, unlimited hosts. It pairs with whatever monitoring tool you already use.
Started as a homelabber, now deep in SNMP MIBs, Layer 3 topology, and service fingerprinting - building the network documentation tool I wished existed.