Azure Network Watcher vs OmniPeek comparison

Microsoft and BlueCat are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #42 with an average rating of 8.5, while BlueCat is ranked #47 with an average rating of 8.0. Microsoft holds a 0.5% mindshare in NMS, compared to BlueCat’s 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of BlueCat users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 13 Azure Network Watcher reviews

1,082 Views
1,039 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

OmniPeek

Read 8 OmniPeek reviews

2,133 Views
1,216 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

OmniPeek

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

OmniPeek and Azure Network Watcher compete in the network monitoring category. Azure Network Watcher seems to have the upper hand due to its cloud integration and scalability.

Features: OmniPeek offers real-time monitoring, protocol analysis, and detailed packet-level insights, ideal for complex networks. Its troubleshooting tools are also a highlight. Azure Network Watcher integrates with Azure services, providing native cloud diagnostics and network performance monitoring. It supports virtual network analytics, security assessments, and cloud-focused features that are advantageous in cloud environments.

Room for Improvement: OmniPeek could benefit from a simpler deployment process to match cloud-based offerings and enhanced user support for configuration. Its on-premises nature may act as a limitation in a cloud-centric era. Azure Network Watcher might improve by expanding support for non-Azure environments and more detailed granular controls. It could also refine its user interface for better usability and consider providing more in-depth training resources for users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: OmniPeek's on-premises deployment can be challenging to set up, requiring specialized support for optimal configuration. Azure Network Watcher's deployment is streamlined, integrating with Azure's built-in tools and documentation. Azure's customer service supports its clients extensively, smoothing the monitoring process for those within the Azure ecosystem.

Pricing and ROI: OmniPeek involves a higher initial setup cost due to its comprehensive features and diagnostic capabilities, which can yield significant ROI for organizations requiring in-depth analysis. Azure Network Watcher's pay-as-you-go pricing model offers flexibility and potentially lower costs, particularly advantageous for Azure users. This strategy enhances ROI for businesses focused on optimizing cloud network monitoring expenses.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Network Watcher vs. OmniPeek Report (Updated: March 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. OmniPeek

March 2026

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Helped 885,376 peers since 2012

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

42nd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

OmniPeek

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

47th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Performance Monitoring (APM) and Observability (37th)

Mindshare comparison

As of March 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 OmniPeek is 0.5%, up from 0.3% 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%
OmniPeek	0.5%
Other	99.0%

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

Bijoyendra Roychowdhury

Program Manager at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

Network monitoring provides comprehensive analytics while the interface requires further development

The quality of Azure Network Watcher is quite good in terms of the in-depth analysis you can create from these matrices. There are other monitoring tools such as New Relic, AppDynamics, and Dynatrace which provide very detailed network tracing. Cloud providers such as Azure or AWS do not have that kind of GUI-based capability at this point, but using PowerShell or Python, you can develop it yourself. From the GUI perspective, it still needs to evolve in terms of quality and standard, though overall, it is quite good for troubleshooting. Regarding areas for improvement, when comparing to other network tools beyond Azure Monitor or Azure Network Watcher, those tools can identify single failed packets. This level of granularity is not currently possible with cloud providers as they only go to a certain level rather than the granular level needed for deep troubleshooting, though they do provide hints with available matrices.

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Vinal-Patel

Network Architect, internally known as Network Transformation Lead at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees

Real-time analytics and alerts improve application performance and network operations

OmniPeek's ability to convert application visibility into flow helps me quickly understand application performance over LAN, WAN, or wireless. Its real-time analytics, integrated with LiveNX, allow me to monitor business-critical applications and set up alerts for application performance issues. This centralized dashboard and alert system is highly valuable for maintaining network operations.

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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

"It provides good visibility."

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

"The solution is good for monitoring device behavior."

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

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

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

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

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

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"OmniPeek shows the entire packet flow and structure, particularly in security-related scenarios, whereas Wireshark sometimes fails to capture all packets."

"The most valuable feature of OmniPeek is the ability to assign custom color codes to the different packets easily."

"The most valuable feature is OmniPeek is user-friendly."

"The most valuable features are the voice bot, which checks the quality of service for voice, and the expert view that gives me insight on what and where to troubleshoot."

"I believe the most crucial feature of OmniPeek search is the ability to sniff packets based on channel switching."

"The most valuable feature of OmniPeek was the ability it gave us to see the connection procedure."

"OmniPeek is a good product, but you should know its purpose for your organization."

"It's a solid piece of software. It's stable."

More OmniPeek pros

Cons

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

"The solution could use some additional components of the network culture, not only VMs. I'd like to see some additional security features because what they currently have concentrates only on the network."

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

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

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

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

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

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"I would like to see the saving feature improved. We have had issues if you do not save your progress then you have to start from the beginning."

"Sometimes setting up the filters for the product is difficult, and I can't quickly sharpen them from the home screen."

"OmniPeek doesn't support Linux or Unix installations, which prompted the shift to Wireshark."

"I don't see a clear roadmap in the future for improving this software."

"Making it more clear on how to configure the filters, or really automating them, would be an improvement."

"OmniPeek needs to improve its performance level."

"The solution's automation has room for improvement."

"I am not using OmniPeek for automation, we only do manual testing. Automation testing is tedious to do."

More OmniPeek cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

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

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"We have only purchased the add-on once and have not paid for any subsequent versions as it was too costly for us."

"There are different types of licenses available."

"The pricing for this solution could be improved, as it is a very expensive product."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

16%

University

Government

Construction Company

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Large Enterprise	7

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	7

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.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Azure Network Watcher?

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 ...

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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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What needs improvement with OmniPeek?

There isn't anything specific that needs improvement in OmniPeek, as it performs better than Wireshark for our requirements. However, OmniPeek could benefit from supporting different platforms. Pla...

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What is your primary use case for OmniPeek?

I have been working with the OmniPeek product for almost two years at the start of my career, primarily using it for wireless 802.11 Wi-Fi packets, sniffer, and analysis. My experience with OmniPee...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering OmniPeek?

I didn't explore much about OmniPeek beyond its basic features. OmniPeek is user-friendly and easy to start working with, especially on the Windows platform. For beginners, it is very easy to handl...

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

March 2026

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Buyer's Guide

OmniPeek

March 2026

Download OmniPeek product report

Also Known As

No data available

Savvius OmniPeek

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

Omnipeek is a top-rated suite of network analytics software that offers full transparency and trusted forensics for immediate resolution of application and network performance anomalies and security issues. Omnipeek is part of the LiveAction family of quality trusted products. They specialize in packet intelligence with adaptable workflows and complete visibility throughout numerous network segments to facilitate a better understanding of network performance and dependability concerns in real time.

Omnipeek combines intuitive geolocation, usability, security, and performance to deliver a robust user experience that facilitates immediate discovery and problem-solving of wireless and wired networks.

Omnipeek is user friendly and offers many different intuitive dashboards, display options, graphs, peer maps, and packets. There are several different capture options, such as TCP dump, multiple adapters, local captures, and Capture Assistant. Omnipeek integrates well with Snort and Suricata intrusion and detection prevention solutions, allowing users to import events easily. The comprehensive analysis tools, such as Expert Flow Analysis, Web Traffic Analysis, Multi-Segment Analysis, and Local File Analysis combine to make Omnipeek a solid, complete solution.

Omnipeek is effective for small offices to large enterprise data centers.

Omnipeek Benefits

Omnipeek delivers unmatched transparency into applications, networks, and classification of layer 7 workflows.
Intuitive GUI presents a clear, intuitive view of packet-based analytics by conversation pairs.
Ability to capture and dissect 802.11n and 802.11ac wireless traffic from currently deployed points from third-party vendors such as Aruba, Cisco, and others.
Investigate traffic from all remote network segments, such as voice and video over IP, 802.11,1/10/40/100 Gigabit, Ethernet using the LiveCapture features and appliances.
Audit voice and video over IP traffic in real time using call back play, thorough signaling and media analyses, and high-level multi-media summary statistics.
Improve the average time to resolve failure with super fast intuition and interconnection with packet data, metadata, flows, and files.

Omnipeek Features

WiFi monitoring: Using Omnipeek LiveCapture 1100, users are able to thoroughly monitor wired packet traffic and gather wireless traffic from WLAN controllers. Users can easily monitor, dissect, log, and diagnose multi-Gigabit speed 802.11ac traffic.
Improved LiveAction appliance support: LiveAction update appliances and software uses the innovative Del architectures and Intel capabilities to improve network packet capture-to-disk to 20Gbps in a 2RU system, with up to 128 TB of storage.
Improved VOIP processes: Now offering updates to performance and in synthesizing DTMF audio tones, Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), and Asserted Identity (caller ID), makes Omnipeek a very robust, complete solution.
Improved financial transaction support: The solution provides updated support for ISO8583 protocol necessary for financial and banking organizations. Users have the ability to dissect critical data more thoroughly than with previous iterations.
Expert improvements: Users have access to several more Expert events, enhanced latency calculations, and many other improvements to the Expert views in Omnipeek.
3rd party authentication improvements: Efficient workflow for 3rd party authentication results in enhanced performance for Access Control Lists (ACL).

BlueCat

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Apcon, Aruba Networks, Avaya Inc., Cisco Systems, Ekahau, Gigamon Systems, HP, IBM, IXIA, Meru Networks, Napatech, NextComputing, Procera Networks, Qualcomm Atheros, Ralink Technology Corporation, Telchemy

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. OmniPeek

March 2026

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