Azure Network Watcher vs ClearSight Analyzer comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Microsoft and NETSCOUT are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #46 with an average rating of 8.0, while NETSCOUT is ranked #92. Microsoft holds a 0.5% mindshare in NMS, compared to NETSCOUT’s 0.4% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of NETSCOUT users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 13 Azure Network Watcher reviews

2,673 Views
2,620 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

ClearSight Analyzer

Read 2 ClearSight Analyzer reviews

1,817 Views
1,726 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

ClearSight Analyzer

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

ClearSight Analyzer and Azure Network Watcher are competing in the network monitoring tools category. Azure Network Watcher stands out for its advanced features, making it a compelling choice despite higher costs.

Features: ClearSight Analyzer offers comprehensive traffic analysis, real-time monitoring tools, and detailed diagnostics essential for in-depth examination. Azure Network Watcher provides integration with Azure services, automated network monitoring, and a broad range of features beneficial for users in the Azure ecosystem.

Room for Improvement: ClearSight Analyzer could improve by integrating more closely with cloud services, enhancing user interface intuitiveness, and expanding automated capabilities. Azure Network Watcher may benefit from reducing costs, offering better offline support options, and making its features more accessible to non-Azure users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Azure Network Watcher's seamless integration with Azure platforms supports easier deployment, particularly for existing Azure users, and features knowledgeable customer service that aids in problem resolution. ClearSight Analyzer requires more configuration, and though it provides satisfactory support, it lacks the integration seen with Azure services.

Pricing and ROI: ClearSight Analyzer is typically more cost-effective with lower setup fees, leading to a faster ROI due to its specific functionalities. Azure Network Watcher, while requiring a higher initial investment, offers significant long-term value with its robust features suitable for extensive cloud environments.

To learn more, read our detailed Network Monitoring Software Report (Updated: September 2026).

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Network Monitoring Software

September 2026

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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

Azure Network Watcher

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

46th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

ClearSight Analyzer

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

92nd

Average Rating

10.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Azure Network Watcher is 0.5%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of ClearSight Analyzer is 0.4%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Azure Network Watcher	0.5%
ClearSight Analyzer	0.4%
Other	99.1%

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

PrashantSarmalkar

Enterprise Architect at ATOS

Monitoring traffic has improved cost control and threat visibility across network flows

The main area for improvement is AI-based features. Currently, many intelligent tools are coming from third parties, and Azure Network Watcher needs to improve in this area. The focus should be on getting better analytics and foundation models for proactive monitoring through AI models. While these capabilities exist, they are still in beta version. Azure Network Watcher should improve to match the capabilities that Google is targeting from an analytical point of view. Azure Network Watcher needs to improve foundation models in terms of AI-specific features and analytics, which are still evolving. This may take some time, but within one or two years, these improvements should reach a nine rating.

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DAVID-TAYLOR

Senior Network Engineer at Montgomery College

Shows question being asked, breaks it down and it'll just show you who's not answering

I wouldn't want the interface to go towards the web because they did have a version that was inside of the TruView product. It was more web-based and, to me, the web-based applications lose the robustness of the intimacy of a true character interface. I liked that they were on that path and I hope that they stay on that path because it just looks like it's a better product. I would like to see a multi-user version where you can have a launch platform and, potentially, instead of buying six licenses you buy 12 seats or something like that. From a centralized platform, you could have multiple users using that particular product in a series of different ways. That's what I'd like to see, rather than having everybody running a standalone one on their own workstation.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Azure Network Watcher is the cloud-native application firewall, which is helpful for securing databases."

"It provides good visibility."

"I like the visibility."

"The solution is stable, there are no bugs or glitches and it doesn't crash or freeze, it's reliable."

"We use the solution to monitor network services. It helps to capture any network issues."

"The most valuable feature of Azure Network Watcher is using the gateways with the connections. The monitoring is useful for the logs and application insights into the data. The traffic filtering issues when it comes to deploying those applications are helpful."

"Azure Network Watcher provides valuable features based on your specific requirements and use cases, helping you monitor network bandwidth, throughput, data flow consumption, and control costs by giving insight into egress and ingress traffic, total input and output operations, bandwidth, and threats through IP identification."

"My advice to others looking into using Azure Network Watcher is to go for it, as you'll have the tool by default when you're subscribed to Azure VNet."

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"This is the best protocol analyzer I've used and I've used some from WildPackets and quite a few other places."

"What ClearSight will do is it actually maps out the conversation for you."

Cons

"Lacks sufficient security features."

"Azure Network Watcher needs to have better documentation and it needs to capture information accurately."

"I still use Wireshark and Azure Network Watcher to get the required data. My team captures the traffic from Azure Network Watcher, downloads it, then imports that traffic into Wireshark to get more details on the number of hits and replies, for example. If you can do that on Azure Network Watcher and have Wireshark built-in, that would make Azure Network Watcher better. If Azure Network Watcher has that functionality where you won't need a third-party tool to get what you need, that would be helpful. I'm also expecting more from Azure Network Watcher. It's more complex than knowing how the IP flows from its source to the destination. The tool also needs more open-source features, such as having some built-in Wireshark that improves monitoring for customers. Sometimes, you encounter a VPN tunnel, network, or routing issue, but finding out more about the blockage is challenging. Is it one hundred percent an Azure issue? Is it a peer issue? You don't get complete information from Azure Network Watcher, so you must use other tools and depend on your strategies to resolve a specific issue. If more features could be added in the next release of Azure Network Watcher, specifically ones you can find on open-source tools, then that would be a plus point for the tool."

"There are some occasional downtimes, but these were based on Azure-specific issues."

"It's not the most friendly or straightforward to set up. I don't see the value versus the way you have to set it up at first."

"Azure is good, however, the Fortinet GUI is more intuitive and I like it more than anything else."

"Azure Network Watcher could improve by having other built-in applications, for example, an application to log activities for inbound and outbound traffic."

"Technical support from Microsoft needs significant improvement compared to other product vendors."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"I would like to see a multi-user version where you can have a launch platform and, potentially, instead of buying six licenses you buy 12 seats or something like that."

"I was upset when they sold the product to NETSCOUT."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"The pricing is good. It's not too expensive."

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

"Price-wise, I have no information on how much Azure Network Watcher costs."

"It was pretty modest because you could get it in different ways. I think the six licenses, at that time, were about $1,000 each. But then again, I work for a school and educators tend to get discounts on things. So maybe it cost us about five or six hundred a copy."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

23%

Construction Company

12%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Construction Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

14%

Healthcare Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Large Enterprise	7

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure Network Watcher?

I do not have the exact setup cost information on hand, but it is available in the public Azure portal. You can access the calculator there to get detailed pricing information.

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What needs improvement with Azure Network Watcher?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Azure Network Watcher?

Azure Network Watcher is used for monitoring network traffic. It provides insight into egress and ingress traffic, which helps determine whether consumption can be controlled. Most Azure services c...

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Compared 14% of the time

NETSCOUT nGeniusONE vs ClearSight Analyzer

Compared 13% of the time

Wireshark vs ClearSight Analyzer

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco Secure Network Analytics vs ClearSight Analyzer

Compared 5% of the time

Observium vs ClearSight Analyzer

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

October 2026

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

September 2026

Download ClearSight Analyzer product report

Overview

Azure Network Watcher provides advanced network monitoring capabilities including packet capture, cloud-native firewall, and traffic diagnosis, aiding in VPN troubleshooting and security enforcement with enhanced visibility and alerting features.

Azure Network Watcher is essential for monitoring, diagnosing, and analyzing network traffic. It efficiently handles VPN connection issues and enhances network security by capturing and analyzing traffic to assess performance or latency problems. The tool facilitates traffic flow control, security rule verification, and bandwidth monitoring. Users benefit from its capabilities in diagnosing service connections, offering insights into network activity, and identifying potential threats, crucial for maintaining compliance and efficient network management.

What are the key features of Azure Network Watcher?

Packet Capture: Enables detailed network traffic inspection to troubleshoot issues.
Cloud-Native Application Firewall: Provides enhanced protection for applications running in the cloud.
Traffic Monitoring: Allows for real-time analysis and troubleshooting of network traffic.
NSG Flow Logs & AI-Based Monitoring: Enhances flow control and threat detection.
Alerting & Threshold Configuration: Offers customizable alerts via Azure Monitor for proactive management.

What benefits can users look for in reviews?

Improved Network Security: Helps in identifying and mitigating threats efficiently.
Enhanced Visibility: Provides clear insights into network operations and potential issues.
Compliance Support: Assists in maintaining regulatory compliance with thorough monitoring capabilities.
Effective Bandwidth Management: Facilitates control and optimization of network bandwidth.

In industries like finance and healthcare, Azure Network Watcher is implemented to ensure robust security and compliance, crucial for safeguarding sensitive data. It aids retail and manufacturing sectors in optimizing network performance and maintaining seamless connectivity, supporting their digital infrastructure needs.

Microsoft

ClearSight Analyzer offers comprehensive analytics designed for insightful data processing and interpretation. Its use spans across network performance analysis and traffic monitoring, enabling businesses to enhance efficiency and problem-solving capabilities.

Providing a competitive edge in data-driven environments, ClearSight Analyzer stands out with its robust technology, allowing users to dissect complex data streams. It significantly aids in the optimization of network systems, ensuring seamless operations. With its intuitive design and powerful analytics tools, this service facilitates detailed examinations, promoting informed decision-making. Its compatibility with a range of data sources further enhances its utility, making it ideal for tailored applications in different sectors.

What are the standout features of ClearSight Analyzer?

Advanced Data Visualization: Offers intuitive visuals for easier data interpretation.
Real-Time Monitoring: Ensures up-to-date network status insights.
Comprehensive Protocol Analysis: Delivers in-depth examination of network protocols.
Scalability: Adaptable to different network sizes and complexities.

How can ClearSight Analyzer benefit users?

Improved Efficiency: Streamlines data handling and boosts system performance.
Cost-Effective: Reduces operational costs through optimized resource management.
Enhanced Decision-Making: Supports accurate data analysis for better business strategies.

In industries like telecommunications, finance, and healthcare, ClearSight Analyzer aids high-volume data processing, supporting critical operational tasks. Its ability to identify bottlenecks and optimize resources makes it a valuable tool for maintaining high standards of performance and reliability.

NETSCOUT

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute

Buyer's Guide

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September 2026

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