Azure Network Watcher vs NetBrain comparison

The compared Microsoft and NetBrain solutions aren't in the same category. Microsoft is ranked #44 in NMS , with an average rating of 8.3, and holds a 0.4% mindshare in the category. NetBrain is ranked #14 in NT , and holds a 2.9% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 75% of NetBrain users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 11 Azure Network Watcher reviews

813 Views
651 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

NetBrain

Read 6 NetBrain reviews

116 Views
73 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

NetBrain

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Azure Network Watcher and NetBrain based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Zabbix, Auvik, Datadog and others in Network Monitoring Software.

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Network Monitoring Software

April 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

Azure Network Watcher

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Monitoring Software (44th)

NetBrain

Average Rating

7.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Troubleshooting (14th), Network Automation (6th)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Network Management solutions, they serve different purposes. Azure Network Watcher is designed for Network Monitoring Software and holds a mindshare of 0.4%, down 0.9% compared to last year.
NetBrain, on the other hand, focuses on Network Troubleshooting, holds 2.9% mindshare, up 1.9% since last year.

Network Monitoring Software

Network Troubleshooting

Featured Reviews

Emanuel Kjellin

Cloud Analyst at Cloud2Go

An affordable solution to block and analyze the situation with VPN troubleshooting feature

If Azure Network Monitor is part of the solution, it's a comprehensive tool. For example, during cloud migration, the workload on the cloud can be significant. However, the Ethernet solution is low cost and provides a fast return on investment. In larger scenarios, such as a major deployment, the return on investment might take three months to a year. The solution involves managing workloads, machine storage, and network modes.

Read full review

Deborah Gamelin

Vice President at Asset Track for Cloud, LLC

Good monitoring and troubleshoot capabilities, improves overall network traffic visibility

In my organization, we had 130,000 network devices that needed to be brought into the solution and mapped. NetBrain can handle the scale but the engineers that manage those devices have to go in and update all of them to allow NetBrain permission to poll them. It can get a little stressful for everybody when you're trying to roll out new stuff when you've got other issues that have to be addressed with other devices. In some cases, our devices had no automation at all. One example is the Cisco 3650. Right now, if you went through the inventory list, you see that we have different versions running. Some are on one version, whereas others are on another version. The problem with upgrading them is that they need to be done overnight because we don't want to disrupt any network traffic during business hours. Consequently, it could take us years to upgrade the versions before we can even get them onto these new tools. This may be an internal issue but it's a big one when you have a lot of devices. Even if you had 10,000 devices, it's still an issue. You have to consider the compatibility of the device against the tool, and being able to use certain commands to upgrade it.

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

"The solution is stable."

"The most valuable features I have found are typology, visualization, and capture."

"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."

"The stability is very good. I rate it a ten out of ten."

"What I like most about Azure Network Watcher is that it's focused more on the architecture. I also like that it has a packet capture feature that tells you how the packet travels and whether it's exiting Azure, etc."

"The solution is good for monitoring device behavior."

"It provides good visibility."

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

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"Enables maps to be drawn out."

"NetBrain is a very simple tool."

"A reliable, time-saving tool for providing accurate layer 2 and layer 3 network mappings."

"Chain management is a good feature. I don't get it on other solutions."

"This product has good network monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities."

Cons

"The initial setup and deployment could be improved to be simplified."

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

"The initial setup and initial learning curve could be improved to be easier."

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

"User experience could be improved."

"The solution could improve by limiting the need to clarify the logs. When the clarification is minimized, it is better for everyone involved."

"I would like to see in the future if we can troubleshoot as a firewall because it is equipment as a network player and some diagnostics."

"Lacks sufficient security features."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"Each device needs to be configured to allow NetBrain to poll for the information it needs, which can be very time-consuming for a large network."

"The IP interface brief isn't consistent."

"The solution could integrate more automation."

"Support needs to improve for the installed product and some of the reporting could be more flexible to provide more complete cataloging."

"It would be nice if the setup was a little simpler. Also, if the solution could provide more training materials for new people coming into our company so they can quickly learn how to use the functionalities."

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

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

"The product is expensive, but less expensive than some of the competition and worth the price."

"Licensing is based on a per-device basis, which means that it can get very expensive if you have a large number of devices."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

19%

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Government

11%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Azure Network Watcher?

I like the visibility.

See all answers

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

It is affordable.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Azure Network Watcher?

User experience could be improved.

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Comparisons

Microsoft Network Monitor vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 32% of the time

ThousandEyes vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 27% of the time

Nmap vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 21% of the time

SolarWinds NPM vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 20% of the time

More Azure Network Watcher Competitors

ThousandEyes vs NetBrain

Compared 19% of the time

SolarWinds Network Automation Manager vs NetBrain

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco DNA Center vs NetBrain

Compared 13% of the time

Forward Enterprise vs NetBrain

Compared 10% of the time

NetBox.dev vs NetBrain

Compared 7% of the time

More NetBrain Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

May 2025

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Buyer's Guide

NetBrain

April 2025

Download NetBrain product report

Overview

Azure Network Watcher is a comprehensive network monitoring and diagnostic service offered by Microsoft Azure. It provides a range of tools and capabilities to help users monitor, diagnose, and gain insights into their Azure network infrastructure. With Network Watcher, users can capture and analyze network traffic, monitor network performance, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and gain visibility into network topology. It also offers features like packet capture, flow logs, connection monitoring, and VPN diagnostics to ensure the smooth operation of Azure networks. Network Watcher enables users to proactively identify and resolve network issues, optimize network performance, and enhance the overall reliability and security of their Azure network environment.

Microsoft

Managing today’s networks with yesterday’s manual processes is no longer a viable solution. NetBrain’s network automation platform provides actionable insights into your network to help you make better and faster decisions - particularly when you’re troubleshooting, securing, and making changes to the network.

NetBrain

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

CompuCon, TD Ameritrade, Move Inc.

Buyer's Guide

Network Monitoring Software

April 2025

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We monitor all Network Monitoring Software reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.