Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

vnStat VS Proc Net Monitor

Compare vnStat VS Proc Net Monitor and see what are their differences

vnStat logo vnStat

vnStat is a console-based network traffic monitor for Linux and BSD that keeps a log of network...

Proc Net Monitor logo Proc Net Monitor

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  • vnStat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-16
  • Proc Net Monitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27

vnStat features and specs

  • Lightweight
    vnStat is a lightweight tool that doesn't consume much system resources, making it ideal for systems with limited performance capabilities.
  • Historical Data Collection
    It tracks network traffic and keeps a record of data transfers for long-term analysis without needing to be running continuously.
  • Simple Installation
    vnStat is easy to install and configure on most major Linux distributions, requiring minimal setup effort.
  • Console-Based
    The tool operates from the command line, which ensures low overhead and easy integration into scripts and automation tasks.
  • No Root Privileges Required
    vnStat can be used without requiring root permissions once installed, which can enhance security practices on shared systems.

Possible disadvantages of vnStat

  • Limited Real-Time Monitoring
    vnStat primarily focuses on historical data and provides limited real-time network monitoring capabilities compared to other tools.
  • Basic Data Visualization
    The tool offers text-based statistics, which may not be as visually appealing or detailed as graphical network monitoring solutions.
  • Linux-Centric
    vnStat is primarily designed for Linux systems, which limits its use on other operating systems like Windows and macOS.
  • Single Interface Monitoring
    By default, vnStat monitors a single network interface at a time, necessitating additional configuration to handle more interfaces.

Proc Net Monitor features and specs

  • Comprehensive Monitoring
    Proc Net Monitor provides detailed visibility into network activities and open ports at a per-process level, helping users identify suspicious activities.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool features a straightforward interface that allows even less experienced users to monitor network connections effectively.
  • Portable Application
    Being a portable program, Proc Net Monitor does not require installation, making it easy to use and carry on removable media.
  • Freeware
    Proc Net Monitor is available for free, offering an accessible solution for individuals and organizations without dedicated budgets for network monitoring tools.

Possible disadvantages of Proc Net Monitor

  • Limited Support for Complex Analyses
    While effective for basic monitoring, Proc Net Monitor may lack advanced features necessary for in-depth network traffic analysis and professional cybersecurity applications.
  • Windows Only
    The tool is limited to Windows platforms, excluding users of other operating systems from utilizing its capabilities.
  • No Active Updates or Support
    Proc Net Monitor might not receive regular updates or official support, potentially leading to compatibility issues or security vulnerabilities over time.
  • Basic Functionality
    Compared to more comprehensive network monitoring solutions, Proc Net Monitor offers more fundamental features which might not meet the needs of advanced users.

vnStat videos

HowTo: Monitor and Log Network Traffic on Linux / Unix Using vnStat

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Setup vnStat Network Traffic Monitor on Linux
  • Tutorial - How To Install And Use VNSTAT On A Raspberry Pi

Proc Net Monitor videos

No Proc Net Monitor videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to vnStat and Proc Net Monitor)
Monitoring Tools
76 76%
24% 24
Log Management
75 75%
25% 25
Performance Monitoring
100 100%
0% 0
Network Monitoring
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, vnStat seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

vnStat mentions (4)

  • vnstatd refuses to start | SG-3100 w/23.01
    For more information about vnStat use "man vnstat" or visit: Http://humdi.net/vnstat/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How to easily gather IPv6 VS IPv4 usage on a web server?
    Something similar to vnstat (which monitor the bandwidth usage): https://humdi.net/vnstat/. This tool doesn't necessarily take into account only the ports 80 and 443, it can be generalized to all the traffic flow, but that would be a great if it does. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How to show/record total traffic consumption per interface/vlan?
    Take a look at https://humdi.net/vnstat/ - it should work on *BSD and I think there's a package for pfSense (and by extension should be there for OPNSense as well). Otherwise it's not too hard to setup to run at start up as well. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Bandwidth monitoring?
    If you don't want to run a stack can try something simple and lightweight like vnstat (https://humdi.net/vnstat/). Source: over 4 years ago

Proc Net Monitor mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Proc Net Monitor yet. Tracking of Proc Net Monitor recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing vnStat and Proc Net Monitor, you can also consider the following products

ntop - ntopng High-Speed Web-based Traffic Analysis and Flow Collection ntopng is the next generation version of the original ntop, a network traffic probe that monitorsย network usage. ntopng is based on โ€ฆ

TCPView - TCPView is a Windows program that will show you detailed listings of all TCP and UDP endpoints on...

nload - Monitor network traffic and bandwidth usage in real time

Connections Viewer - Connections Viewer is a useful network software utility with the primary focus of listing (and managing) both UDP and TCP connections inside the host system.

wavemon - wavemon is an ncurses-based monitoring application for wireless network devices.

CurrPorts - CurrPorts displays the list of all currently opened TCP/IP and UDP ports on your local computer.