GridNMS vs Auvik
Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring platform known for automated network mapping and a strong following among managed service providers. GridNMS covers the same network-monitoring ground and goes further into detection, logs, and dependency-aware correlation, with the option to self-host the exact same product.
Below is a fair look at how the two compare, plus an honest note on where Auvik may still be the better fit today. Pick the tool that fits your network, even if that turns out not to be GridNMS.
How GridNMS is different
Where GridNMS extends past cloud network monitoring into a full observability graph.
- Topology on a real graph, with blast radius. Both tools map your network, but GridNMS stores devices and links in a graph database and uses it for impact analysis: when a device fails you see the upstream root cause and every affected downstream device, not just the map.
- Unified detection and log management. GridNMS pairs monitoring with a logs plane and a YARA-L detection engine that runs the same rules over logs and telemetry, then correlates the resulting events into cases. It is monitoring and lightweight SIEM in one platform.
- Self-hosted or cloud, same product. Auvik is delivered as a cloud service. GridNMS runs fully managed in our cloud, or self-hosted on your own hardware with Docker, with an identical feature set either way.
- Outbound-only collectors. Collectors connect out over an authenticated tunnel with no inbound ports to expose, and multi-tenant, multi-site RBAC scopes access down to the site level.
Side by side
Capabilities most teams weigh when choosing a network monitoring platform.
| Capability | GridNMS | Auvik |
|---|---|---|
| Automated network mapping | Discovery plus a live graph model | A core strength; well-regarded auto-mapping |
| Graph-native blast radius / impact analysis | Root cause and downstream impact from the graph | Rich mapping; not a dependency-based blast-radius model |
| Log management & detections (SIEM-style) | Logs plane, YARA-L, events, cases | Syslog collection; not a full detection/SIEM engine |
| Unified detections over logs and metrics | One YARA-L language across both | Alerting on metrics; separate approach for logs |
| Automatic case correlation | Case rules group flapping and related events | Alerting available; correlation is lighter-weight |
| Cloud delivery | Fully managed cloud option | Cloud-native SaaS |
| Self-hosted option (same product) | Docker self-host, identical features | Delivered as a cloud service |
| Multi-tenant, multi-site RBAC | Site-level roles, hard tenant isolation | Multi-client model popular with MSPs |
| MSP-focused tooling & billing workflows | Multi-tenant and metered billing; not MSP-specialized yet | Built with MSP workflows in mind |
| NetFlow / flow-based traffic analysis | On the roadmap; not shipped yet | Traffic-analysis capabilities available |
| Track record & ecosystem maturity | Early Access — new product, small vendor | Established SaaS with a broad user base |
A dash means "partial, different approach, or not the product's focus" — not "can't do it." Auvik's exact capabilities depend on your plan and configuration.
Where Auvik may fit better today
We would rather be straight with you than oversell. Auvik is likely the safer choice if:
- You are an MSP that wants purpose-built multi-client tooling now. Auvik is popular with managed service providers and has years of workflow polish for that model. GridNMS is multi-tenant, but it is not yet specialized around MSP billing and client-management workflows.
- Flow-based traffic analysis is central to how you work. NetFlow / flow analytics is on the GridNMS roadmap but is not shipped yet. If that is a hard requirement today, it is a real gap.
- You want a mature product with a long track record. GridNMS is in Early Access. Auvik has a larger install base and a more established ecosystem, which lowers adoption risk if that matters to you.
- You rely on a specific integration we don't have yet. Our third-party integration library is smaller than a mature incumbent's. If a particular PSA, ticketing, or vendor hook is non-negotiable, check our list before switching.
If none of those are dealbreakers, GridNMS adds graph-based impact analysis, unified detection over logs and metrics, and a self-hosted option on top of the network mapping you would expect, in one platform.
More than a map of your network.
Mapping, detection, and impact analysis on one graph. From $49/month.
Comparison based on publicly available information; GridNMS is in Early Access. Last reviewed July 2026. Auvik is a trademark of its respective owner and is not affiliated with GridNMS.