Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems have a reputation as some of the most high-maintenance systems in networking. VoIP phone systems have minimal tolerance for poor performance as just a little latency and packet loss can have a devastating impact on audio quality.

Crucially, VoIP monitoring software will allow you to see how much latency and packet loss is present on your network.

Here is our list of the best VoIP monitoring tools:

  • SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager EDITOR’S CHOICE Comprehensive package of VoIP monitoring software and analysis utilities. Runs on Windows Server.
  • Site24x7 VoIP Monitoring (FREE TRIAL) Part of an application performance monitor, this cloud-based tool measures VoIP traffic delivery quality.
  • ThousandEyes VoIP monitoring tools that includes connection testing and call simulation features
  • ExtraHop A VoIP monitoring package that observes live call statuses and accumulates metrics on overall network call performance
  • dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring Focused on server performance, this package also monitors applications, such as VoIP protocols
  • Paessler PRTG Network Monitor An infrastructure monitoring system that’s great for VoIP management because it watches network, server, and application performance. Can spot any resource problem that would impair VoIP quality
  • Riverbed SteelCentral UCExpert Network monitoring system that includes VoIP data gathering and status checking
  • VoIP Spear Specialized VoIP monitor that includes call quality grading and status checks
  • Colasoft Capsa Network monitor with a VoIP analysis module. This is available in free and paid versions
  • VoIPmonitor Free, open source specialized VoIP monitor that includes live monitoring and analysis modules

The best tools for VoIP monitoring

1. SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager (FREE TRIAL)

Our methodology for selecting a VoIP monitoring tool

We reviewed the market for VoIP monitoring software and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:

  • Connection stability monitoring with live visual feedback in the system dashboard
  • Measures to indicate QoS issues, such as jitter and packet loss
  • Capacity and performance thresholds that trigger alerts
  • An analysis function to assess historical performance statistics
  • Assistance to implement traffic shaping measures to improve VoIP performance
  • A free trial for assessment or a free tool
  • A comprehensive paid system that is worth the price or a free tool that is worth using

First up on this list we have SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager. SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager allows you to monitor VoIP call performance and WAN performance. VoIP metrics that you can track include jitter, latency, Mean Opinion Score (MOS), and packet loss. These metrics tell you if VoIP calls are being delivered with poor voice and telephony quality.

Key Features:

  • Visual call path tracing
  • IP SLA
  • QoS factors
  • SIP and CUBE trunk monitoring
  • WAN performance

In the event that you need to run extensive troubleshooting, you can go through your call records to find information that can show you what is causing poor performance. You can search for calls by call origination, call destination, call manager, call time, call status, and call quality. This helps to move the troubleshooting process along quickly.

SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager is accessible to organizations because it offers a simple user interface and it can be deployed in less than an hour. Deployment is fast-tracked because the platform automatically discovers Cisco IP SLA-enabled devices. Autodiscovery means that the user doesn’t have to configure everything manually.

SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager starts at a price of $1,602 (£1,225). You can download a 30-day free trial.

Pros:

  • Enterprise-focused solution for VoIP management, highly detailed
  • Can easily monitor multiple sites and key quality metrics from a single customizable dashboard
  • Features a network map that helps teams visualize VoIP issues, great for troubleshooting complex deployments
  • Can automatically discover VoIP device, making on-boarding a simple process
  • Supports SLA monitoring measuring packet loss, jitter, MOS, and latency

Cons:

  • The tool is specifically designed for enterprise use, fully exploring all features and options will take time

2. Site24x7 VoIP Monitoring (FREE TRIAL)

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Overall SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager is a choice that is suitable for organizations of all sizes looking for a VoIP monitoring tool and that is why it is our first choice on this list.

Start 30-day Free Trial: solarwinds.com/voip-network-quality-manager/

OS: Windows Server; on-premises server or cloud deployment. Requires Cisco IP SLA compatible routers or switches

Site24x7 VoIP Monitoring is part of the APM module of this cloud-based system monitoring service. Site24x7 APM is able to measure the progress of VoIP traffic, recording a list of important traffic delivery indicators.

  • Line conditions monitoring
  • QoS metrics
  • Performance alerts

Among the attributes of VoIP traffic that Site24x7 APM measures are jitter (positive and negative), latency, packet loss, roundtrip time (Ping), Mean Opinion Score, and packet sequence errors. These factors are contributions to a Quality of Service (QoS) status check.

The tool checks the consistency and delivery times of both inbound and outbound VoIP traffic at an endpoint data collection node. The live monitoring dashboard is tabbed with each tab representing a different device that is activated for traffic monitoring. That means that the supervisor can switch between device views to get a full report on current VoIP performance. This is a better perspective than a single viewpoint because it enables systems administrators to identify the exact location of traffic problems.

The 24×7 VoIP monitoring service includes a system of performance thresholds that will alert a technician if performance metrics start to drop. This gives system managers time to investigate the location and causes of traffic problems and prevent service impairment from becoming noticeable by users.

The Site24x7 APM service is charged for by subscription. Customers have the option of taking out a base package and then adding on extra services. That base plan is called Pro and it costs $28 per month for a service that monitors five network interfaces – that number can be expanded with add-on fees. You can get a 30-day free trial of the Site24x7 APM Pro plan.

  • Can support both small and enterprise-size VoIP deployments

  • Platform makes it easy to transition into other areas of monitoring such as network, application, or real user monitoring

  • Easy to customize dashboard and monitoring interface

  • Can monitor all key VoIP metrics including custom QoS thresholds

  • The Site24x7 is highly detailed and may take time to fully explore all options and features

Site24x7 VoIP Monitoring Start 30-day FREE Trial

3. ThousandEyes

ThousandEyes is a network monitoring platform that doubles up as one of the best VoIP monitoring tools on the market. ThousandEyes correlates VoIP performance with the core performance metrics like latency, packet loss, and jitter. These are the basic indicators for seeing how well VoIP services are functioning.

  • Latency, packet loss, and jitter
  • SIP connectivity checks
  • VoIP traffic simulator

One of the things that makes ThousandEyes special is that you can simulate VoIP calls between agents and offices. This allows you to put your VoIP service provider to the test. There is also a voice test feature, which allows you to test for SIP connectivity before you initiate a TRP call.

The ThousandEyes platform has been designed with troubleshooting firmly in mind. For instance, you can track infrastructure faults down to link and interface with SIP and RTP network paths.

ThousandEyes operates a pricing model based on annual subscription. The pricing structure is customizable based on a number of factors like test units, endpoints, and devices. You need to contact the sales team to receive a complete quote. If you’d like to contact the ThousandEyes sales team then you can do so here.

  • Clean and easy-to-use interface, makes great use of visualizations

  • Offers VoIP traffic simulation, excellent for replicating issues and capacity planning

  • Designed to streamline the troubleshooting process

  • Lacks integrations into other popular platforms

  • More customization options in the dashboard and reporting section would be a welcomed change

4. ExtraHop

If you’re looking for VoIP monitoring tools designed for troubleshooting, then ExtraHop is at the top of the industry. With ExtraHop you can view the performance of VoIP calls across your entire network through the ExtraHop VoIP-SIP calls dashboard. Through the dashboard, you can see how many calls are successful or failing.

  • Live call statuses
  • Monitors load balancing and routing
  • Device discovery

There are a range of metrics that you can monitor with ExtraHop. By installing the SIP VoIP Call Dashboard you can monitor call session status, call volume, load balancing, routing call quality, and Non-VoIP protocols. With regards to metrics you can monitor, you can view active calls, call attempts, call failures, 5xx error codes, short calls, call length, and call failures.

ExtraHop is also one of the most convenient VoIP monitoring tools because it allows the user to automatically discover devices within the network. The advantage of this is that you can sidestep the inconvenience of configuring your entire network from scratch.

To get the most out of VoIP monitoring on ExtraHop you’ll need to download the SIP VoIP Call dashboard here. You can also try out the free trial of ExtraHop.

  • Great use of visualizations for tracking VoIP metrics

  • Simple interface – uses color accents well

  • Tracks high-level stats like active calls as well as 5XX errors and call length

  • Could use more thorough documentation

  • Would benefit from integration support into traffic analysis tools like Wireshark

  • Retired devices still show up in the dashboard after being removed

5. dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring

Dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring offers premium VoIP Monitoring and SIP protocol monitoring. The core focus of this product is monitoring the availability of VoIP infrastructure. In the ServerView display, you can view outgoing call success, inbound call routing, internal extension connectivity, and voicemail availability.

  • Server checks
  • Call status log
  • Performance alerts

Similar to all the best VoIP monitoring tools, dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring has a complete alerts system. Alerts keep you notified when VoIP calls are not performing when they should. Users receive notifications when error messages are received from the server and the expected call result isn’t received.

Once you’ve established VoIP calls are performing poorly dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring helps you point to the root cause. SIP Monitoring error detection records properties of the error so that you can address the root cause. You can also generate SIP monitoring reports to evaluate performance from a distance.

There are many different pricing options available for dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring depending on the number of targets set and the check frequency. Prices start from $79.00 (£60) for 10 targets and 15-minute check frequency. You can download the 30-day free trial of dotcom-monitor Server Monitoring.

  • Monitorings VoIP traffic as well as its supporting infrastructure

  • Great alert templates, highly customizable

  • Can monitor SIP errors and alert to SLA breaches

  • Reports can be time-consuming and difficult to set up and execute

  • Price is high compared to other tools in the market

  • Interface can feel cluttered, especially at scale

6. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network Monitor is a network monitoring tool that offers a VoIP monitoring experience with free QoS and IP SLA monitoring. QoS monitoring with PRTG Network Monitor takes place with the PRTG Round Trip Sensor which measures latency, jitter, packet loss, duplicate IP packets, and Mean Opinion Score. Likewise, there is a Cisco IP SLA Sensor for monitoring Cisco device data.

  • QoS statistics
  • IP SLA tracking
  • Round trip monitor
  • Free option

The wider monitoring experience is completely personalizable according to your requirements. The dashboard can be personalized to include widgets and metrics of your choosing. You have complete control over the data that you see on the dashboard. For VoIP monitoring, we recommend that you use the PRTG Round Trip Sensor to give you a snapshot of your VoIP call performance when you log in.

The performance of your VoIP calls doesn’t need to be tracked manually all the time either. Instead, you can use the notifications system to keep you updated when VoIP calls experience poor voice quality. PRTG Network Monitor sends notifications by email, SMS, and push notifications. These are great because they ensure that you know the moment VoIP calls decline in quality.

Paessler PRTG is an alert-based system that allows technicians to head off VoIP performance threats. PRTG covers the entire stack of services that contribute to successful VoIP delivery so there will be no overlooked resource when fine-tuning infrastructure optimization for successful service.

PRTG Network Monitor is available as a free and a paid tool. You can use the PRTG Round Trip Sensor and the Cisco IP SLA Sensor completely free of charge. However, if you want to monitor a network with more sensors then you can purchase anywhere from 500 sensors for $1,384 (£1,057) and $13,226 (£10,104) for unlimited sensors.

  • Utilizes SNMP, NetFlow, and other a variety of other protocols to create the most accurate picture of network and VoIP traffic

  • Comes with pre-configured VoIP sensors

  • The dashboard is customizable through a series of widgets and feels intuitive out of the box

  • Supports a completely free version for up to 100 sensors, making this a good choice for both small and large networks

  • Pricing is based on sensor utilization, making this a flexible and scalable solution for larger networks as well as budget-conscious organizations

  • PRTG is a feature-rich platform that requires time to fully learn all of the features and option available

7. Riverbed SteelCentral UCExpert

Riverbed SteelCentral UCExpert is a unified communications monitoring platform designed to monitor Cisco, Microsoft and Avaya environments but offers a solid VoIP monitoring experience. With this tool, you can search for calls and phones in a variety of ways. For example, you can search for previous calls that have failed or performed badly. This provides you with a reference point through which you can run further troubleshooting.

  • Searchable call log
  • Call status analysis
  • Connection path analysis

All of the activity on your network is monitored through the dashboard. The dashboard allows you to see an overview of your calls showing total call number, short call number, percentage of good quality streams, number of call failures, and all completion percentage. Seeing your call performance in this way allows you to tell immediately if there are any problems.

One of the strongest features of Riverbed SteelCentral UCExpert is the hop-by-hop media path. The hop-by-hop path shows you the path of media traffic so that you can visualize the network path of the voice traffic. This is useful for finding the cause of any problems with your network performance.

To view the price of Riverbed SteelCentral UCExpert you’ll need to contact the sales team directly. There is also a free trial of this product which you can download from this link here.

  • Simple highly customizable dashboard

  • Has autodiscovery for Cisco, Microsoft, and Avaya

  • Can makes historical searches for calls that experienced poor quality

  • Reporting is highly customizable and detailed

  • Can be complicated to use, especially during onboarding

  • Could benefit from more tools aid the troubleshooting process, such as automation support

  • Price is higher than similar tools on the market

8. VoIP Spear

VoIP Spear is a VoIP monitoring tool that is used to track the quality and performance of voice communications. VoIP Spear has testing servers located worldwide across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. This ensures that no matter where you are, you have the most accurate VoIP call quality profile.

  • Launches line test calls
  • Mean Opinion Score
  • No software download

This VoIP monitoring solution tests your VoIP call quality and evaluates call performance using Mean Opinion Score (MOS). All of this can be monitored online so that you don’t have to install any software on your device. This makes it accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

VoIP Spear is one of the most competitively-priced VoIP monitoring tools on the market. There are six versions to purchase; Lite, Plus, Premium, Carrier, Carrier Plus, and Carrier Grande. The Lite version is the cheapest which costs $10 (£7.64) per month for one endpoint. The most expensive version is the Carrier Grande package which costs $250 (£190) per month for 100 endpoints. There is also a free personal plan; you can contact the company about pricing.

  • An intuitive interface is easy to navigate

  • Uses a web portal, can monitor from any browser

  • Pricing options for any size VoIP deployment make it more flexible than most tools

  • Could use more one-click fix features

  • Reports can feel canned for those wanting more granular reporting options

9. Colasoft Capsa

Colasoft Capsa is a network monitoring tool that has its own VoIP analysis module that can be used to track the quality of VoIP phone systems. With Colasoft Capsa you can analyze VoIP calls and view the results through the GUI in graph format. In the VoIP view, you can view metrics such as jitter, loss, mean opinion score (MOS), control flows and media flows.

  • Network monitoring
  • Mean Opinion Score
  • Call status log

The majority of VoIP analysis is conducted through the VoIP Summary View. The VoIP Summary View is split into an upper and lower pane. In the upper pane, you can view the MOS_A distribution, MOS-V distribution, call codec type, call status distribution, and call event distribution. In the lower pane, you can view traffic statistics, SUP statistics, and call statistics.

There are three different versions of Capsa; Capsa Free, Capsa Standard, and Capsa Enterprise. Capsa Free is available free of charge and can monitor up to 10 IP addresses. Capsa Standard can be purchased for $295 (£225) and can monitor up to 50 IP addresses. Capsa Enterprise can be purchased for $995 (£759) and covers unlimited IP addresses. You can download Colasoft Capsa here.

  • Tracks all key VoIP metrics very well, including call codec type and event distribution

  • Can support unlimited IP addresses

  • Can monitor more VoIP metrics than similar tools

  • Interface feels clunky and outdated

  • Free version includes banner ads for the Ultimate Edition

  • Visualizations aren’t as customizable as similar tools on the market

10. VoIPmonitor

Finally, we have VoIPmonitor. VoIPmonitor is an open-source packet sniffer designed for VoIP call analysis. This tool is suitable for organizations of all sizes and has supported up to 20,000 calls on a single server. You can use VoIPmonitor as a Web-GUI and monitor metrics such as delay and packet loss.

  • Free to use
  • Online service
  • High volume

VoIPmonitor also has an alerts system that allows you to keep track of metrics automatically. For example, if Mean Operating Score, Jitter or Packet loss indicate a problem then an alert will be generated to keep you up-to-date.

As an open source VoIP monitoring tool, VoIPmonitor is available free of charge. You can host VoIPMonitor on a server or in the cloud depending on your needs. You can also download VoIPmonitor as source code. You can download the free trial of VoIPmonitor here.

  • Completely open-source and free

  • Has deployment options for both on-premise and in the cloud

  • Can support 20,000 calls, making it an option for high call volume networks

  • Interface is cluttered and confusing

  • Uses very few visual features to display VoIP data

  • Lacks the support options found in paid solutions

Choosing a VoIP Monitoring Tool

There is plenty of competition in the VoIP monitoring software space, but based on usability alone SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager has to be the best on the market. The setup process is simple enough that you can be up and running in less than an hour by auto discovering devices. From then on the user interface is kept simple enough for you to find everything you need.

VoIP call performance metrics like latency and packet loss are readily accessible and can be tracked through the notifications system. Whether you’re working within an SME or a larger organization SolarWinds VoIP and Network Quality Manager has the core monitoring capabilities to assist you.