SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is built for enterprise teams that standardize on Microsoft tools and need Visio-native network diagram exports. Its main limitation: requires Windows. These are the best SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper alternatives for network discovery, topology visualization, and living documentation, starting with the one we build, Scanopy.
The best SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 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 →Faddom
Faddom is for enterprise IT teams mapping application dependencies for data center migrations and cloud transitions.
Scanopy vs Faddom, 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 →SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper alternatives compared
How SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SolarWinds NTM | SNMP WMI CDP LLDP ICMP [3] | No | Perpetual ~$1,570 (subscription shift unclear) [44] | 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 | |
| Faddom | NetFlow/sFlow [23] | Basicapp dependencies [23] | Free up to 50 servers then from $19,000/yr [24] | 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 SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper alternative
SolarWinds NTM and Scanopy both scan a network over SNMP, CDP, and LLDP and turn it into topology diagrams, so on the surface they do the same job. The difference is what you get at the end. NTM is a standalone Windows desktop application whose signature output is a Microsoft Visio export — it auto-populates Visio SmartShapes from the scan, and that single feature makes it the default in shops that standardize on Visio for compliance documentation. Scanopy is a web-based tool: one daemon discovers the network and produces an interactive map you open in a browser, share by link, embed via iframe, and export as SVG, PNG, HTML, Confluence, Mermaid, or PDF.
The real trade-off is a web-based living map versus Windows-bound Visio files, plus the product's trajectory. NTM has no web interface, no API, and no embeddable output, and its result is a static file you regenerate each time you rescan. It has also received only maintenance and security updates since roughly 2016 — SolarWinds staff stated on the THWACK forum in 2017 that "there is no current roadmap for the product." If your deliverable is a Visio file for auditors, NTM is the better fit and the export is the whole reason to run it. If you want a shareable, browser-based map that refreshes on a schedule and isn't tied to Windows, Scanopy is the better fit, and it's flat monthly with unlimited hosts, commercially self-hostable, or free under AGPL-3.0.
Where NTM wins is that Visio export. Scanopy exports SVG, PNG, HTML, Confluence, Mermaid, and PDF, but not native Visio SmartShapes — and for an organization whose documentation standard is Visio, that one format can outweigh everything else.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper?
It depends on what you rely on SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 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. SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper itself remains the better choice when you specifically need enterprise teams that standardize on Microsoft tools and need Visio-native network diagram exports.
Is there a free or open-source SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 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 SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper alternative?
The most common reason: requires Windows. 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 SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper.
Comparing just these two? See the focused Scanopy vs SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 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.