Bandwidth Monitor

Bandwidth Monitor is a free, open-source, self-hosted dashboard for real-time network visibility on Linux routers and hosts. It displays per-interface traffic rates and history, top talkers, host details, and protocol and IP-version breakdowns. The dashboard also covers conntrack and NAT state, client topology, latency checks, and a live traffic map.

Built-in diagnostics include server-side speed tests, traceroute, DNS and resolver checks, path MTU discovery, public-address checks, and TCP tests. Optional DNS integrations include AdGuard Home, NextDNS, and Pi-hole; WiFi integrations include UniFi and Omada. The Linux daemon is distributed as one Go binary with an embedded web interface, with packages listed for several Linux distributions. It provides JSON endpoints and a Server-Sent Events stream for live data.

The daemon itself runs on Linux. Companion clients include macOS menu-bar tools, a Windows system tray widget, GNOME/AppIndicator panels, and an independently developed iOS client that requires a reachable running instance. Some network statistics and diagnostics require elevated capabilities or root access. The project says it has no telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, or update checks, though configured integrations and built-in features can make outbound requests.

Bandwidth Monitor offers extensive network visibility and diagnostics for Linux-hosted deployments, with optional integrations and companion clients. Users should account for its Linux-only daemon and the elevated permissions required by some functions.

Bandwidth Monitor suits users who administer Linux routers or hosts and want a self-hosted view of traffic, clients, and network diagnostics. It can also serve people using its documented companion clients or API.

Overview

Bandwidth Monitor is a self-hosted dashboard for watching network traffic and diagnosing connectivity on Linux routers and hosts. It is a strong fit for administrators who want detailed, real-time visibility under their own control rather than a hosted monitoring service. The breadth of its monitoring and diagnostic toolkit is impressive, but deployment depends on a Linux daemon and permissions that some environments will not want to grant.

Key features

The dashboard combines per-interface rates and history with top talkers, host details, and protocol and IP-version breakdowns. Conntrack and NAT state, client topology, latency checks, and a live traffic map add operational context, so it can help explain where traffic is going rather than merely show that a link is busy. Interface statistics and conntrack/NAT inspection require CAP_NET_ADMIN or root, while top-talker capture and ICMP latency and traceroute require CAP_NET_RAW or root; that permission model may be unsuitable for tightly restricted hosts.

Diagnostics cover server-side speed tests, traceroute, DNS and resolver checks, path MTU discovery, public-address checks, and TCP tests. This makes Bandwidth Monitor useful for investigating slow or unreliable connections without assembling several separate utilities. Optional DNS connections to AdGuard Home, NextDNS, and Pi-hole, plus WiFi integrations for UniFi and Omada, extend its usefulness in mixed home-lab and small-network setups. The project reports no telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, or update checks, although configured integrations and built-in functions can make outbound requests.

The daemon supplies JSON endpoints under /api and a Server-Sent Events stream for live data. That API supports SwiftBar and xbar on macOS, a Windows system-tray widget, and GNOME or AppIndicator panels. An independently developed iOS client adds live interface rates, Lock Screen widgets, and Live Activities, but it needs a reachable running instance. The separately packaged bandwidth-top terminal viewer supports Linux and macOS; the main dashboard daemon itself remains Linux-only.

Pricing

Bandwidth Monitor is free and open source, with no trial or subscription tier. There are no seat, quota, renewal, or free-plan caps to budget for, which suits self-hosters who can provide and maintain the underlying infrastructure. The trade-off is operational: setup, permissions, updates, and any integration configuration remain your responsibility.

Platforms

The daemon is distributed as a single Go binary with an embedded web interface. Packages are provided for Debian, Ubuntu, Raspbian, Fedora, RHEL, Arch Linux, OpenWrt, and Nix. Web access, the JSON API, and companion clients broaden the viewing options across macOS, Windows, GNOME, iOS, and terminal environments, but they do not remove the requirement for a Linux host running the daemon.

Who it's for

This is aimed at Linux router operators, home-lab administrators, and network troubleshooters who value local control, protocol-level detail, and built-in tests. It is less appropriate for teams that need a turnkey hosted service, cannot grant network capabilities, or require a non-Linux monitoring server. Organizations distributing modified network-accessible versions should also review the GNU AGPL v3.0 terms, which require source availability in that circumstance.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad visibility: Rates, history, hosts, protocols, NAT state, topology, and traffic mapping support investigation as well as monitoring.
• Useful diagnostics: Speed tests, path MTU, DNS, TCP, traceroute, and address checks are gathered in one dashboard.
• Flexible access: API, live event streaming, desktop panels, an iOS client, and a terminal viewer accommodate different workflows.
• No service fees: The open-source, free model avoids subscription and usage limits.

Cons

• Linux daemon requirement: Other platforms can view data or run companion tools, but cannot replace the Linux deployment.
• Elevated privileges: Several core views and tests need CAP_NET_ADMIN, CAP_NET_RAW, or root.
• Outbound-request considerations: Integrations and some diagnostics can contact external services, despite the absence of telemetry.
• AGPL obligations: Network-delivered modified versions must make source code available under the license terms.

Alternatives

GlassWire is the better choice for a Windows, Android, or web-focused experience with a freemium model and a paid Personal Plan; its free tier is limited to one day of bandwidth usage and 24 hours of network history.

ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer suits organizations needing a commercial, multi-platform NetFlow product, with a free edition capped at two interfaces and paid editions starting at $172 a month.

ntopng is an alternative open-source network monitor for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted web deployments, with a community edition aimed at smaller networks.

bwmon is a simpler free, MIT-licensed self-hosted monitor for a single Linux host.

SoftPerfect Bandwidth Manager is a cross-platform option with free and paid plans, including a Lite tier limited to five rules or streams.

Nagios XI is a broader paid monitoring platform with a self-supported free tier limited to seven nodes or 100 services.

SparrowIQ is a paid, subscription-based alternative with a free trial and quoted plans.

Download Navi is an Android download manager rather than a network dashboard.

Verdict

Choose Bandwidth Monitor if you operate Linux network infrastructure and want unusually deep traffic context and diagnostics without a subscription.