Plixer Scrutinizer Reviews

Name: Plixer Scrutinizer
Brand: Plixer
Rating: 4.3 (15 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

15 reviews
92% willing to recommend

What is Plixer Scrutinizer?

The Scrutinizer incident response system leverages network traffic analytics to provide active monitoring, visualization, and reporting of network and security incidents. The system quickly delivers the rich forensic data needed by IT professionals to support fast and efficient incident response.

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Plixer Scrutinizer is the #10 ranked solution in Network Traffic Analysis tools and #57 ranked solution in best Network Monitoring Tools. PeerSpot users give Plixer Scrutinizer an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Plixer Scrutinizer is most commonly compared to Darktrace: Plixer Scrutinizer vs Darktrace. Plixer Scrutinizer is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 67% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 12% of all views.

Helped 831,265 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Ronald Jansen

Owner/President at Abraxax

In terms of additional features I'd like to see in the next release of Plixer Scrutinizer, I can't think of any because you can do some integration with other monitoring tools that are not strong in NetFlow or don't have NetFlow at all. There are also some integration possibilities in the product, plus there are alerts, too. Plixer Scrutinizer is a pretty complete product. There was a price lift because previously the product was privately owned, and now there is some external capital in the organization, so pricing could be lower, though, for Plixer Scrutinizer, there is almost no competition at this price point.

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AdrianGrant

Network Manager at IOOF Holdings Ltd

There is room for improvement around the data that they have on the website about solutions. I understand that putting a particular appliance into any given organization is going to bring its own challenges — and Plixer does do a good job of blogging it — but they should have more templated solutions on their website. Going out and identifying how to do RTP performance with a Cisco router, or how to do application response times in an Arrista data center deployment was where most of the work was. We had to identify the end-vendor's configuration where Scrutinizer worked. They should spend some more time documenting solutions and putting together white papers.

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it_user845487

Sr. Network Engineer at Kitsap Credit Union

It's agnostic as far as what your network gear is. As long as it supports an sFlow, JFlow, NetFlow, some kind of flow monitoring, Plixer will support it very well. It also facilitates the enrichment of the data context of network traffic because you get a very clear picture of what's going on across your wires. I gave my managers the following example: If I can't see into the wires regarding what's going on across them, then I can't really manage them or troubleshoot things. Scrutinizer allows me to do a little bit of both. It allows me to analyze things — not to the point of being a packet analyzer; it doesn't do that and that's not its function — and can give me an idea and point me in the right direction if I'm troubleshooting something. It can also be what I would call a "projection tool." If you do daily or weekly or even monthly reports, it'll keep pretty good track of how much your bandwidth utilization goes up or down, allowing you to do predictive analysis via some of their reports. It's helped me know whenever I've had a circuit that was heading towards saturation. The insight the solution provides as a result of its correlation of traffic flows and metadata is unique. It provides you with a unique perspective that I've only found with a couple of other tools. There are other tools out there that will do what Scrutinizer does. But what I have found with Scrutinizer is that it does it very quickly. I've taken 25 million individual data fragments from the different sensors, and it has graphed that and mapped it and presented a picture within 30 seconds. It has a very efficient database algorithm that I am really impressed with. I do believe, if you ask the CEO of Plixer, that speed is one of their guiding milestones. They have a goal of being able to present data to the user, whenever it's requested, within 30 seconds or 60 seconds. In comparison to what I had previously, I could start a report, go to lunch for an hour or hour-and-a-half, come back, and it would still be grinding away on the database and not have generated the report. When I do that same type of analysis with Scrutinizer, I'm able to see that report within 30 seconds.

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Plixer Scrutinizer mindshare

Product category:

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Plixer Scrutinizer in the Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) category stands at 3.2%, up from 2.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)	Jan 22, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Plixer Scrutinizer vs Darktrace	Jan 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Plixer Scrutinizer vs Auvik Network Management (ANM)	Jan 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Plixer Scrutinizer vs Cisco Secure Network Analytics	Jan 22, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Darktrace	4.1	32.7%	94%	77 interviews Add to research
Cisco Secure Network Analytics	4.1	20.1%	87%	59 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

The most valuable features of Plixer Scrutinizer include the ability to track device activities historically, detailed traffic identification, 100% network activity reporting, and security enhancement. It integrates with Active Directory and security products, providing enriched data context. Users appreciate its real-time traffic visualization, efficient reporting, ease of use, and rapid data analysis. It supports various flow monitoring, offers customizable reports, facilitates bandwidth management, and helps in predictive analysis and troubleshooting. Users also value the user-friendly interface and seamless deployment.

"Plixer Scrutinizer is an affordable product. Plixer Scrutinizer is a tool that allows for customization, especially in scenarios where customers need new product features."
"One of the most valuable features of Plixer Scrutinizer is the reporting, particularly how easy it is to drill down into the reports. Another valuable feature of the solution is its overall visibility. It's great. I also liked Plixer Scrutinizer in terms of deployment time and that it's very simple to set up. Once you get the appliance set up and connected, the customer starts to see results immediately, versus other solutions where that could take a while."
"One feature I found most valuable in Plixer Scrutinizer is the very extensive reporting. Reporting is very flexible, though sometimes you need a little bit of support from Plixer Scrutinizer to create custom-made reporting in a very short time. Reporting is a very strong feature of the product."

Room for Improvement

Plixer Scrutinizer needs better database management, a more intuitive GUI, and improved map creation. The update process is complex, requiring direct assistance, and the current method of extracting data is labor-intensive. There are concerns about its ability to handle high traffic volumes and its scalability. Users would like a more straightforward backup configuration, better documentation, security enhancements, and a SaaS option for smaller businesses and educational institutions. Additionally, data representation and reporting need to be more user-friendly.

"In Plixer Scrutinizer, scalability is an area with minor concerns where improvements are required."
"Though Plixer Scrutinizer has network detection and response, it's an area that needs just a little more rounding out. Another room for improvement in the solution is its lack of SaaS offering which some customers were looking for. My company deals in small to medium businesses, mid-market, and some customers wanted the SaaS feature which Plixer Scrutinizer doesn't offer.What I'd like to see in the next release of the solution is for it to have a SaaS offering because my company also deals with educational spaces and smaller businesses that just don't have the staff that can implement this. If there's either a managed service or SaaS-based offering to just make it a little easier for those types of customers, it would be a great addition to Plixer Scrutinizer."
"There was a price lift because previously the product was privately owned, and now there is some external capital in the organization, so pricing could be lower, though, for Plixer Scrutinizer, there is almost no competition at this price point."

ROI

Plixer Scrutinizer significantly improves resolution speed and productivity for users. It offers cost savings compared to alternatives like SolarWinds. Plixer Scrutinizer helps in quickly identifying and addressing network issues, leading to better business continuity. Users experience a reduction in resolution time for security events by 50 percent. Plixer Scrutinizer aids in capacity management and forensic analysis, demonstrating its value. Users also save substantial time monthly and see a positive return on investment.

Pricing

The pricing for Plixer Scrutinizer is in the middle range, not the cheapest nor the most expensive. It is based on the number of exporters and devices that export information to the system.

Additional modules, such as the security module, come at an extra cost. The licensing is subscription-based and depends on the amount of traffic pulled in. Unlike some competing products, the licensing is not based on the amount of storage needed.

"I rate Plixer Scrutinizer's price a three on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price or affordable, and ten is high price or expensive."
"The licensing cost for Plixer Scrutinizer is in the middle. It's not the cheapest, but it's not the most expensive. Its licensing model is based on how many exporters, how many devices export information to the system. Plixer Scrutinizer has different modules you could add such as the security module which would cost extra."
"Currently, the license for Plixer Scrutinizer is subscription-based and at a yearly fee. The price would depend on the amount of traffic you pull in. For example, there are several blocks from a 10K flow, a 40K flow, and a 100K flow, and based on the number of devices that you receive the flows from, that's the license, and it is not a per-interface pricing model, so that is a very strong, very competitive pricing feature of Plixer Scrutinizer. Licensing for the product is also not based on the number of storage, compared to some competing products that are priced based on the amount of storage you need, particularly based on the retention and the amount of data. Plixer Scrutinizer licensing is based on the device, and it's more in the direction of $10,000 because, with just $1,000, you don't have anything."

Popular Use Cases

The primary use case of Plixer Scrutinizer is to monitor bandwidth usage and network traffic. Organizations utilize it for tracking utilization flows, troubleshooting, security purposes, capacity planning, and analyzing network statistics. It helps to identify bandwidth consumption, detect security issues, and understand network usage patterns. Users deploy it both on-premise and plan to extend to cloud monitoring.

Service and Support

Plixer Scrutinizer customers consistently highlight the exceptional customer service and support. The support team is knowledgeable, responsive, and effective at resolving issues quickly, often within minutes. They are praised for their willingness to assist with complex tasks, including remote upgrades. Plixer Scrutinizer support is described as stellar, with prompt responses and thorough problem-solving, easily accessible even during non-standard hours. Some users suggest additional training for better utilization of Plixer Scrutinizer’s features.

Deployment

Users found Plixer Scrutinizer's initial setup straightforward, often requiring minimal time for base unit installation. Most noted that while setting up the main appliance was quick, configuring additional devices took longer. Documentation and support were useful, and familiarity with networking and NetFlow facilitated the process. Initial deployment times varied, but many completed setup within a week. Challenges arose mainly from network configurations rather than Scrutinizer itself. Users appreciated the ease of basic deployment and ongoing updates.

Scalability

Plixer Scrutinizer is praised for its scalability. Users manage extensive networks and praise its ability to handle multiple log collectors and database points. It supports substantial data, whether for large enterprise deployments or smaller footprints. Some report reaching performance limits due to hardware, yet others note it fits their needs perfectly and is easily manageable. Despite some challenges with high-flow environments, it generally meets various scalability expectations across different organizational sizes and uses.

Stability

Plixer Scrutinizer is very stable. It can run for years without rebooting and handles daily use well. Most issues are rare and quickly resolved by support. Users typically find it extremely reliable and rarely encounter problems. Stability is rated eight out of ten by some, with minor performance hiccups noted. Some users mention needing a reboot due to heavy data influx, but these instances are uncommon. Plixer Scrutinizer's performance is mostly praised by its users.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Plixer Scrutinizer Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Government

University

Real Estate/Law Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Media Company

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Construction Company

Retailer

Security Firm

Outsourcing Company

Photography Company

Wellness & Fitness Company

Logistics Company

Marketing Services Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Local Government

Recruiting/Hr Firm

Transportation Company

Leisure / Travel Company

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Plixer Scrutinizer customers

Oxford Networks, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, UltiSat, Wipro, West Aurora School District 129, SUNY Geneseo College, Bloomington Public Schools, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Kitsap Credit Union, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Houston Texas, Carilion Clinic, Banner Health, IDEXX Laboratories, Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Goodwill Industries, Parmalat, Armstrong Coal Company, Flybe, James Walker