Apstra Operating System vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager comparison

Juniper and SolarWinds are both solutions in the Network Automation category. Juniper is ranked #13, while SolarWinds is ranked #6 with an average rating of 7.7. Juniper holds a 1.8% mindshare in NA, compared to SolarWinds’s 9.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Juniper users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.

Apstra Operating System

Read 1 Apstra Operating System review

342 Views
342 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SolarWinds Network Configur...

Read 27 SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager reviews

2,169 Views
1,085 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Apstra Operating System

SolarWinds Network Configur...

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apstra Operating System and SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Cisco, VMware and others in Network Automation.

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Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

July 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Apstra Operating System

Ranking in Network Automation

13th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SolarWinds Network Configur...

Ranking in Network Automation

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Configuration Management (14th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of Apstra Operating System is 1.8%, down from 2.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is 9.6%, down from 11.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Automation

Featured Reviews

Hezio Fernandes

Works at wolterskluwer

Highly secure, useful AB test, and stable

I am using Apstra Operating System for some classes and for my personal use Apstra Operating System's most important features are the security and AB test to define what approach we need to take in my company. Additionally, the solution does not take a lot of maintenance. The report data could…

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RajeshB

Server and Network Monitoring Manager at a consultancy with 1,001-5,000 employees

Offers additional functionality, including warranty management

Setting up a solution involves configuring a server and a web console, which is straightforward. Network team coordination is necessary when applying it to devices. This involves creating device connection profiles and ensuring SNMP is enabled. Initially, there were challenges involved in this process, but once the setup was complete, operations proceeded smoothly. All network devices are automatically added to NPM during auto-discovery in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, including Network Configuration Manager features. Once configuration profile credentials are established in NCM, they are automatically deployed to all network devices. The solution is easy to use and deploy, although initial setup may require coordination and overcoming challenges.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Apstra Operating System's most important features are the security and AB test to define what approach we need to take in my company. Additionally, the solution does not take a lot of maintenance."

"The features we find most valuable is the configuration backup automation, the configuration compliance, the security vulnerability detection and upgrading devices."

"This solution has helped our organization by allowing us to store all the device configurations for the various network devices in NCM and making it easy for us to retrieve and look them over."

"The scanning features have proven to be highly valuable, particularly due to the comprehensive information they provide."

"What's nice with NCM is you can set up policies that you can then check against the configs to ensure that your device configs adhere to a baseline or standard that you've set in place."

"It is a stable solution."

"I use it for monitoring the entire network for the company. We oversee nodes down, we oversee devices heading up to crossing the threshold for CPU usage. We oversee power so power backups on the switches, we oversee if they're down or if they're failing. We oversee any node down or any router from any vendor."

"Its main functionality is highly beneficial as it centralizes the management of configuration items across the network."

"NCM also helps with vulnerability assessment and remediation."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pros

Cons

"The report data could improve in Apstra Operating System."

"It would be great if they include a network service manager, network performance manager, or a privileged assessment in the next release."

"When we run the SolarWinds NCM jobs at the cellular line, it runs in the morning. They're just not finishing. We're getting false processing."

"The only thing that requires some experience, and training doesn't fix, is how to set up your custom policy-based reports to check compliance."

"Its customer service response could be faster."

"There is room for improvement in automation."

"The network logs could be improved. When the error logs come across with those false positive alarms in the error logs."

"Releasing a product compatible with operating systems other than Windows would be advantageous."

"I would like to see more features in terms of wireless reporting and more historical information for client connectivity in SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is competitive."

"You have a base license for 50 devices, and then you can add more licenses as you go."

"I have a yearly subscription."

"Additional costs beyond the standard licensing fee are inevitable."

"Pricing is reasonable and competitive."

"There is a license needed to use SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager."

"We have to pay additionally for its support and maintenance."

"The price of the solution is high compared to other solutions."

"In Africa, the cost is a major factor in decision-making for many companies. As a result, some companies may choose cheaper solutions, even if they are open-source, over more expensive ones, such as SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager. However, as an engineer, I believe that the functionalities and services offered by SolarWinds justify the cost. Nonetheless, many companies in Africa may still view the prices as unaffordable."

More SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

20%

University

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

14%

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The configuration compliance aspect of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager allows for easy comparison of configuration settings across branches, ensuring adherence to security guidelines and b...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

The licensing costs of SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager are expensive, but considering its reliability, feature enhancements, and support, it is worthwhile.

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What needs improvement with SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager?

Further improvements in automation are needed. Currently, there are limitations in performing tasks without logging into routers directly, and we expect more comprehensive device control.

See all answers

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Compared 34% of the time

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Compared 9% of the time

ManageEngine Network Configuration Management vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

July 2025

Download Apstra Operating System product report

Buyer's Guide

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

July 2025

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager report

Download SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager product report

Also Known As

Apstra OS, AOS

SolarWinds NCM

Overview

The Apstra Operating System (AOS) is a turn-key automation solution that dramatically simplifies the process of designing, deploying and operating data center networks. Apstra AOS provides a singular view into the relationships and interdependencies of millions of data center elements. With real continuous validation, Apstra AOS enables you to instantly pinpoint and quickly resolve issues across all infrastructure silos, regardless of vendor or hardware.

Juniper

Before you monitor your network, configure it! A reliable and secure network starts with carefully planned, executed, and monitored network configuration and change management. SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM) saves time and improves network reliability and security by managing configurations, changes, and compliance for routers, switches, and other network devices from Cisco, Juniper, HP, Dell, Brocade, Aruba, Rukus, and more.

SolarWinds

Sample Customers

Bloomberg Television, Energy Corporation, A mid-sized financial services company

United Lincolnshire Hospitals, Air Rarotonga, NetSuite, Thai AirAsia, REA Group, 335th Signal Command, Agilisys, Marine Expeditionary Force

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Cisco, VMware and others in Network Automation. Updated: July 2025.

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