Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Spiceworks Inventory VS BackBox

Compare Spiceworks Inventory VS BackBox and see what are their differences

Spiceworks Inventory logo Spiceworks Inventory

Download Free Network Inventory Software & PC Inventory Software. Spiceworks is 100% Free Software: No Trials, Support Fees, or Upsells.

BackBox logo BackBox

BackBox is a Linux distribution based on ...
  • Spiceworks Inventory Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-08
  • BackBox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-06

Spiceworks Inventory features and specs

  • Cost
    Spiceworks Inventory is completely free, making it a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses looking to manage their network inventory without incurring significant software costs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface, which simplifies the process of tracking and managing network devices for users with varying levels of technical expertise.
  • Comprehensive Inventory Management
    Spiceworks Inventory provides a comprehensive overview of your network, including detailed information about hardware, software, and network devices, which helps in keeping track of assets effectively.
  • Integration with Spiceworks Ecosystem
    It integrates seamlessly with other Spiceworks tools and the larger community, allowing users to leverage additional features like help desk support and community-driven advice.
  • Real-Time Monitoring
    Spiceworks offers real-time monitoring of networked devices, which helps in identifying and resolving issues promptly before they escalate.

Possible disadvantages of Spiceworks Inventory

  • Limited Scalability
    While suitable for small to medium-sized networks, Spiceworks Inventory may not scale well for larger enterprises requiring more robust features and support.
  • Dependence on Local Network
    The software requires installation on a local server or PC, which may be inconvenient in environments where cloud-based solutions are preferred or where remote access is necessary.
  • Performance Issues
    Users have reported performance slowdowns when managing a large number of devices or when handling extensive data sets within the application.
  • Limited Customization Options
    Spiceworks Inventory offers limited customization options compared to some other inventory management solutions, potentially limiting its adaptability to specific business needs.
  • Support Limitations
    As a free tool, it does not provide dedicated customer support, which may result in slower problem resolution times compared to paid solutions with dedicated support.

BackBox features and specs

  • Lightweight
    BackBox is designed to be a lightweight operating system, which makes it ideal for use on older hardware or in virtual machines with limited resources.
  • User-Friendly
    The user interface is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users who may not be as experienced with Linux systems.
  • Security Tools
    BackBox comes pre-installed with a suite of security and penetration testing tools, catering specifically to network security professionals.
  • Community Support
    The BackBox community offers robust support through forums, documentation, and an active user community, which can be incredibly helpful for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Regular Updates
    The distribution receives regular updates that include the latest security patches and feature improvements, ensuring a secure environment.
  • Ubuntu-Based
    Being based on Ubuntu, BackBox inherits all the stability and compatibility benefits associated with Ubuntu and its vast repository of software packages.

Possible disadvantages of BackBox

  • Niche Focus
    BackBox is specifically designed for security and penetration testing, which may not make it suitable as a general-purpose operating system.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the specialized tools and functionalities might still present a learning curve for users unfamiliar with network security.
  • Limited Software
    The default software selection is geared toward security tasks, so users may need to spend extra time installing additional software for other purposes.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    While generally good, there may still be some hardware compatibility issues, especially with very new or very old hardware.
  • Performance Overhead
    Some of the pre-installed security tools can be resource-intensive, which might affect performance on lower-end systems.

Spiceworks Inventory videos

Installing SpiceWorks Inventory & First Run

BackBox videos

BackBox Linux Review 2017 - Is It Any Good?

More videos:

  • Review - BackBox Linux Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Spiceworks Inventory and BackBox)
Monitoring Tools
31 31%
69% 69
Network Scanning
47 47%
53% 53
Log Management
42 42%
58% 58
Security
100 100%
0% 0

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Reviews

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BackBox Reviews

The 22 Best Linux Distros for Hackers (Pentesting)
BackBox is a Linux distribution for pentesting on Ubuntu. It provides targeted intrusion testing and security assessment, providing a toolkit for analyzing network and computer systems, as well as a complete set of other tools needed for ethical hackers and security testing.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Spiceworks Inventory and BackBox, you can also consider the following products

Cisco DNA Center - Find and resolve network issues with Cisco DNA Center. Provides software-based network automation and assurance. Control and manage intent-based networks.

Auvik - Auvik’s network infrastructure RMM gives IT service providers better visibility, documentation, and...

Cisco Network Assistant - Cisco Network Assistant simplifies wired and wireless network management, and provides critical product information using Cisco Active Advisor.

Nmap - Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.

ManageEngine OpManager - Monitors routers, switches, firewalls, load-balancers, wireless LAN controllers, servers, VMs, printers, storage devices, and everything that has an IP and is connected to the network.

Ivanti Unified Endpoint Manager - Consolidate & supercharge your endpoint security with desktop management software from Ivanti. Discover how to gain greater visibility into your devices while boosting productivity with Ivanti Unified Endpoint Manager.