FlowViewer vs SparrowIQ
FlowViewer
flowviewer.netSparrowIQ
sparrowiq.comSide by side
| Figure | FlowViewer | SparrowIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 4 |
| Spec score · Network Traffic Analysis Software | 8.1 (#5) | 7.2 (#18) |
| Spec score · Bandwidth Monitoring Software | 8.2 (#8) | 7.3 (#27) |
| Deployment | FlowViewer can be installed on a dedicated Unix server or virtual appliance. | The network can be monitored through a switch SPAN or mirror port, or through a network tap. |
| Purpose | FlowViewer is free software for analyzing Netflow data exported from an organization's network devices. | SparrowIQ provides network traffic analysis and visibility alongside existing network management systems. |
| Reports | FlowViewer offers over 30 reports and lets users save reports and filters. | It generates historical daily, weekly, or monthly reports, from executive summaries to individual user activity. |
| Support | The maker offers installation, router Netflow configuration, training, and custom hourly support. | Technical support is available by email, and customers with an active maintenance package can open a support ticket. |
Plans
FlowViewer
- FlowViewerFree
- Custom SupportPriced on request
- FlowViewer Training$500, paid once
- Router Netflow Config$500, paid once
- FlowViewer Install$750, paid once
SparrowIQ
- SparrowIQ 15Priced on request
- SparrowIQ 30Priced on request
- SparrowIQ 30+Priced on request
- SparrowIQ 7Priced on request
In their own words
FlowViewer
FlowViewer is free software for analyzing NetFlow data exported by an organization’s network devices. Its interface works with Carnegie Mellon’s SiLK software and also supports the older flow-tools collector. The toolset combines FlowViewer for text reports, FlowGrapher for charts, and FlowMonitor for longer-term traffic monitoring. It supports NetFlow versions 5 and 9, including IPv6, and offers filtering by address, port, interface, autonomous system, TOS, TCP flags, protocol, and next hop. More than 30 reports are available, and reports and filters can be saved. FlowGrapher charts bits, flows, and packets per second over a selected period; FlowMonitor provides RRD graphs for filtered traffic, with views from 24 hours to 3 years. Dashboards can give groups such as Security and Operations separate live views. FlowViewer is listed for Linux and web use and can be installed on a dedicated Unix server or virtual appliance; the software requires a Unix server. The free plan is free. Paid options include hourly support at a price agreed with the maker, router configuration at $500, paid once, training at $500, paid once, and installation at $750, paid once.
SparrowIQ
SparrowIQ analyzes network traffic and adds visibility alongside existing network management systems. Its dashboard updates automatically with summaries of bandwidth use, applications, destinations and timing, with interactive drilldowns. Users can set email alerts when a user, group or application exceeds its share of network resources, and generate daily, weekly or monthly reports, from executive summaries to individual activity. Monitoring uses a switch SPAN or mirror port, or a network tap. SparrowIQ examines traffic headers rather than payload data and stores analyzed information in a database on the local PC. It is installed on a Windows PC, with a browser interface accessible from a PC, Mac or mobile device, including remotely through the installation machine. The product is aimed at smaller businesses with limited technical resources, time and budget. Paid plans require a quote and can be billed monthly or annually; plan limits vary by throughput, concurrent users, reporting history and alerts. A free 15-day trial is available without a credit card.