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iftop vs PingPlotter

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

iftop icon
iftop
PingPlotter icon
PingPlotter

iftop vs PingPlotter: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

iftop: iftop is an open source command-line tool used to monitor network usage and bandwidth in real-time. It displays a table of current TCP/IP connections using bandwidth over a specified interface.

PingPlotter: PingPlotter is a network diagnostic software that monitors connectivity to analyze performance and troubleshoot issues. It tracks response times between your computer and an endpoint, plotting the results on easy-to-read graphs.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature iftop PingPlotter
Sugggest Score
Category Network & Admin Network & Admin
Pricing Open Source Open Source

Product Overview

iftop
iftop

Description: iftop is an open source command-line tool used to monitor network usage and bandwidth in real-time. It displays a table of current TCP/IP connections using bandwidth over a specified interface.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

PingPlotter
PingPlotter

Description: PingPlotter is a network diagnostic software that monitors connectivity to analyze performance and troubleshoot issues. It tracks response times between your computer and an endpoint, plotting the results on easy-to-read graphs.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Key Features Comparison

iftop
iftop Features
  • Displays bandwidth usage on selected network interface
  • Shows both inbound and outbound traffic
  • Can filter by IP address or network port
  • Real-time monitoring and stats
  • Text-based interface for terminal/CLI use
PingPlotter
PingPlotter Features
  • Traceroute visualization
  • Latency and jitter monitoring
  • Packet loss tracking
  • Alerts for network outages
  • Trend analysis
  • Hop-by-hop analysis
  • Automatic testing 24/7
  • Customizable interface
  • Detailed network topology mapping
  • Exportable reports

Pros & Cons Analysis

iftop
iftop

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Lightweight and low resource usage
  • Easy to use with no configuration needed
  • Good for identifying bandwidth hogs and monitoring network usage
  • Works on Linux, Unix, and BSD systems

Cons

  • Terminal-only, no GUI
  • Can only monitor one interface at a time
  • Not as feature-rich as commercial bandwidth monitors
  • Requires some Linux/Unix command line knowledge to use
  • Does not work on Windows
PingPlotter
PingPlotter

Pros

  • Easy to use interface
  • Powerful diagnostic capabilities
  • Identifies exact locations of network issues
  • Continuous monitoring
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • Limited number of endpoints in free version
  • Can be resource intensive
  • Steep learning curve for some advanced features

Pricing Comparison

iftop
iftop
  • Open Source
PingPlotter
PingPlotter
  • Open Source

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