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Bandwidth Monitor

github.com

WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAPI
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Spec score 7.5 #23 of 33 in Bandwidth Monitoring Software

What it is

Bandwidth Monitor is a free, open-source, self-hosted dashboard for real-time network visibility on Linux routers and hosts. It shows interface rates and history, top talkers, host details, protocol and IP-version breakdowns, conntrack and NAT state, client topology, latency checks and a live traffic map. Diagnostics include speed tests, traceroute, DNS and resolver checks, path MTU discovery, public-address checks and TCP tests. Optional integrations connect AdGuard Home, NextDNS and Pi-hole for DNS, plus UniFi and Omada for WiFi. The Linux daemon is one Go binary with an embedded web interface and packages for several distributions. It exposes JSON endpoints under /api and a Server-Sent Events stream. Companion clients include macOS menu-bar tools, a Windows tray widget, GNOME/AppIndicator panels and an independently developed iOS client; bandwidth-top supports Linux and macOS. The daemon is Linux-only. Some statistics require CAP_NET_ADMIN or root, while capture and diagnostics require CAP_NET_RAW or root.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Bandwidth Monitor is a self-hosted, real-time network dashboard for Linux.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deployment
The dashboard daemon supports Linux, while the separately packaged bandwidth-top terminal viewer supports Linux and macOS.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
API
The dashboard exposes JSON endpoints and a Server-Sent Events stream used by the browser dashboard and companion clients.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
Optional DNS integrations include AdGuard Home, NextDNS, and Pi-hole; WiFi integrations include UniFi and Omada.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker
The GitHub account awlx identifies its owner as Annika Wickert and lists Munich.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Companion clients
The project documents SwiftBar and xbar clients for macOS, a Windows system tray widget, and GNOME/AppIndicator panels; clients consume the daemon's HTTP API.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Desktop clients
Companion clients are available for SwiftBar or xbar, Windows tray, and GNOME or AppIndicator panels.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Diagnostics
Diagnostics include server-side speed tests, traceroute, DNS and resolver checks, path MTU discovery, public-address checks, and TCP tests.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
iOS client
An independently developed iOS app shows live traffic and supports Lock Screen and Dynamic Island Live Activities.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Network visibility
Features include conntrack and NAT state, client topology, continuous latency checks, and a live traffic map.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Permissions
Interface statistics and conntrack/NAT require CAP_NET_ADMIN or root, while top talkers and ICMP latency or traceroute require CAP_NET_RAW or root.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security and privacy
The project says it has no telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, or update checks; configured integrations and built-in functions can make outbound network requests.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Terminal viewer
The separately packaged bandwidth-top terminal traffic viewer supports Linux and macOS, while the dashboard daemon is Linux-only.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Traffic monitoring
It shows per-interface traffic rates and history, top talkers, host details, protocol and IP-version breakdowns, reverse DNS, and optional GeoIP data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free open-source AGPL v3.0 software
  • Real-time rates, history and traffic map
  • Built-in network diagnostic tools
  • JSON API and live event stream
  • Optional DNS and WiFi integrations

Limits

  • Dashboard daemon is Linux-only
  • Some functions require elevated capabilities or root
  • Configured features can make outbound requests
  • Self-hosted deployment is required

Who it suits

Operators managing Linux routers or hosts who want self-hosted traffic visibility and diagnostics. It also suits users wanting companion desktop, terminal or iOS views.

Verdict

Bandwidth Monitor provides broad, self-hosted network monitoring with diagnostics, APIs and companion clients. Linux deployment and elevated permission requirements are central constraints.

Where Specifiction places it

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