Cacti
What it is
Cacti is free, open-source software for network graphing and operational monitoring built around RRDtool. It collects information through SNMP object identifiers or scripts, including scripts that query databases or run other code. Availability checks cover SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP. Discovery tools can automate graph and data-source creation, while Remote Data Collectors distribute collection and cache data during network interruptions. Graphs support line, area, stacked, horizontal-rule, vertical-rule, print, and comment items. Device templates connect devices with graph templates and data queries, and plugins can extend collection to other protocols such as WMI. Role-based management covers users, groups, and domains. Cacti supports SNMP versions 1, 2, and 3, with a documented limitation affecting advanced SNMPv3 settings such as SHA224+ or AES192+ when PHP SNMP is used. It is self-hosted for Linux/Unix and Windows. Installation requires MySQL, PHP, RRDtool, Net-SNMP, and a PHP-capable web server such as Apache or IIS. The plan costs nothing.
For and against
For
- SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP checks
- Automated discovery and graph creation
- Distributed collectors with offline caching
- Extensible protocol plugins
- Role-based access management
Against
- Requires self-hosted infrastructure
- Several server dependencies are required
- Advanced SNMPv3 settings have a limitation
- No free trial is listed
The verdict
Cacti provides broad, extensible monitoring and graphing for organizations prepared to manage its server stack. Review the installation requirements and SNMPv3 limitation before deployment.
Who it suits
Cacti suits teams that can self-host network monitoring and need graphing, availability checks, discovery, or distributed data collection. It is intended for Linux/Unix or Windows deployments with the required server components.
Plans and prices
Cacti
Open-source network monitoring and graphing software; requires MySQL, PHP, RRDTool, Net-SNMP, and a PHP-capable web server
Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacti.net
On the record
- Access control
- Cacti includes role-based user, group, and domain management features.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Data collection
- Cacti collects data using SNMP OIDs or scripts, which can retrieve data from databases or run other code.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Device checks
- Cacti supports SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP availability checks.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Discovery
- Cacti provides automation and discovery to control automatic graph and data source creation.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Distributed polling
- Remote Data Collectors support distributed collection and offline caching during network interruptions.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Download availability
- The download page lists Cacti source code for Linux/Unix and Windows.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Graphing
- Graph items support line, area, stacked, horizontal-rule, vertical-rule, print, and comment types.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation requirements
- Cacti requires MySQL, PHP, RRDtool, Net-SNMP, and a web server that supports PHP, such as Apache or IIS.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins can extend data collection to other protocols; the features page gives a WMI plugin as an example.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Cacti is a network graphing and operational monitoring framework built around RRDtool.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security protocol support
- Cacti supports SNMP versions 1, 2, and 3, with a documented limitation for advanced SNMPv3 settings such as SHA224+ or AES192+ when PHP SNMP is in use.docs.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Cacti site directs users seeking help to its support section, but the opened pages do not state a support service level.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Templates
- Device templates can associate one or more graph templates and data queries with devices.cacti.net · read 7 Oct 2026
