Azure Network Watcher vs SCOM comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Azure Network Watcher and SCOM are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Azure Network Watcher is ranked #46 with an average rating of 8.0, while SCOM is ranked #24 with an average rating of 7.7. Azure Network Watcher holds a 0.5% mindshare in NMS, compared to SCOM’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Azure Network Watcher users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 86% of SCOM 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

SCOM

Read 83 SCOM reviews

11,676 Views
7,823 Comparison Views

86% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

SCOM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

SCOM and Azure Network Watcher compete in the IT monitoring category. Azure Network Watcher seems to have an edge in cloud environments due to its robust network diagnostics and analysis features, whereas SCOM is preferred for comprehensive on-premises monitoring.

Features: SCOM provides extensive monitoring for Microsoft ecosystems with seamless integration for Windows and Linux servers, SQL, and Exchange. It comes with numerous management packs and offers a customizable platform through Visual Studio. Azure Network Watcher specializes in network diagnostics through packet capture and traffic analysis, providing a cloud-native solution with detailed network logs.

Room for Improvement: SCOM can improve scalability concerning hardware needs in large-scale setups and requires significant configuration. Entry barriers are high due to licensing costs. Azure Network Watcher could enhance its user experience and documentation, and might also benefit from incorporating open-source integrations for in-depth insights and improved error diagnostics.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SCOM necessitates on-premises installation, demanding considerable infrastructure investment. Customer service experiences vary, yet Microsoft offers comprehensive technical support. Azure Network Watcher, leveraging a cloud-first strategy, ensures straightforward deployment and provides good value in cloud environments. Customer support consistency exists across Microsoft's products, though outcomes depend on specific cases and agreements.

Pricing and ROI: SCOM’s licensing, included in the System Center suite, means higher upfront costs but aligns well with enterprises deeply embedded in Microsoft products, enhancing potential ROI. Azure Network Watcher has enterprise-level pricing, delivering competitive value for organizations within Azure, supporting cost-effective cloud service integration.

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

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. SCOM

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

SCOM

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

24th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Event Monitoring (4th)

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 SCOM is 1.4%, down from 1.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
SCOM	1.4%
Azure Network Watcher	0.5%
Other	98.1%

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.

Read full review

Akshita Kukreja

Assistant Manager at SMS group GmbH

Have integrated effective monitoring and seamless alerting with improved visualization capabilities

The most valuable feature of SCOM is its monitoring capability, and we have integrated SCOM with Grafana, which is a dashboarding tool. We have implemented and integrated this to create dashboarding of the SCOM monitoring system for the database, SQL, and the Linux servers we have configured in SCOM. We have created separate dashboarding for it, and the monitoring and creating rules and monitors in the management servers and management packs that SCOM provides are very useful for us. The alerting mechanism of SCOM has benefited our operations because we have modified the thresholds as per our internal requirements. We have configured threshold modifications for the CPU, memory, and especially for disk space. For routine disk space usage on the system, we have provided a separate threshold configuration.

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

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

"It provides good visibility."

"The solution is good for monitoring device behavior."

"This will help the company or the administrator, by helping them see how the traffic moves, to make sure that no entities are having any communication issues or different endpoints with task 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."

"I like the visibility."

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

"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 main monitoring system for our company; we use it for monitoring, reporting, and analytics."

"It's easy to use."

"In every case so far we managed to move from a slow reactive type of non-monitoring toward a proactive monitoring for different layers within the organization and real insights into their IT environment from different angles."

"I like the historical reporting of observer metrics, and it's a fairly user-friendly solution."

"Ticket Automation has taken a considerable load from the NOC."

"We've had outages at two am and three am that was automatically resolved by SCOM saving us time and money."

"SCOM should be a good choice for fresh IT environments based on Windows servers or switching from open-source monitoring tools."

"It discovers the components automatically, which is a fantastic thing."

More SCOM pros

Cons

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

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

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

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Sometimes, you encounter a VPN tunnel, network, or routing issue, but finding out more about the blockage is challenging."

"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."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"Microsoft SCOM is an old fashion beast of a monitoring solution that offers basic monitoring out of the box and for a dime because it comes with licenses they forced on us anyway."

"SCOM server needs periodic maintenance to make sure the disk/database has enough space and a lot of alerts across a big environment might come fairly quickly."

"Even though I think there are ways that this product is superior to most other solutions on the market, there are quite a few things that it does not do alone."

"If it could have SysLog capabilities and if the Microsoft Management Packs were out of the box instead of a separate download."

"I had issues with SCOM 2007 and MOM 2005, regarding the view of alerts in the Console Operations."

"The configuration, especially for alerts, are somewhat lengthy."

"It's not straightforward, SCOM is relatively noisy out of the box, so time is required to tailor the alerting, adjusting threshold triggers and over-riding alerts that are not required to ensure alerts captured are relevant and require action."

"I would like to see them improve their network monitoring."

More SCOM 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."

"The pricing is good, and it's part of their system center suite."

"It is more expensive than the competition."

"The platform is cost-effective due to our existing Microsoft support."

"We have an enterprise agreement that includes this product as part of it."

"We have an EA with Microsoft, and it comes as part of the EA."

"We have to pay for a license and the price is fine for us."

"I don't know the exact cost because it's managed by our sales team, but Microsoft is on the higher side."

"SCOM is very cheap because it's included in the license for the System Center suite, which is around $8,400 per CAL."

More SCOM pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

21%

Construction Company

13%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

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
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	22
Large Enterprise	54

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?

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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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SCOM?

I am not aware of the exact pricing as it is managed by my supervisor. As an academic institution, we receive substantial discounts.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SCOM?

We believe that the dashboarding in SCOM needs to be improved or enhanced because it is not too expressive in reporting. We can work on deploying new ways of viewing things and modifying visualizat...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SCOM?

My usual use case for SCOM is as an administrator role where I create reports and provide system configuration for Linux and installation of the SCOM agent. I handle deploying and upgrading the age...

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

October 2026

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

SCOM

September 2026

Download SCOM product report

Also Known As

No data available

System Center Operations Manager, SCOM 2012

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

SCOM monitors Microsoft environments with a focus on Windows servers and applications such as SQL, Exchange, and SharePoint. It offers integration with Active Directory and Azure, along with customizable dashboards, management packs, and robust alert mechanisms, aiding efficient management and control.

SCOM provides a comprehensive monitoring solution for Microsoft technologies, helping organizations track performance and availability of applications, services, and infrastructure. It integrates with Active Directory and Azure, offering capabilities for monitoring Windows and Linux environments. Extensive management packs, customizable dashboards, and automated alerts offer a refined monitoring experience. Users benefit from detailed performance data, network monitoring, and auto-discovery features, enhancing operational insights and server management efficiency.

What are key features of SCOM?

Microsoft Environment Monitoring: Specialized for Windows servers and applications such as SQL, Exchange, and SharePoint.
Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with Active Directory and Azure for streamlined operations.
Customizable Dashboards: Tailor visual data displays to enhance monitoring and decision-making.
Extensive Management Packs: Broad range of management packs for enhanced resource and application control.
Robust Alert Mechanisms: Comprehensive alerting to maintain service stability and address potential issues promptly.

What benefits should users seek in reviews?

Operational Efficiency: Enhanced management of server applications and infrastructure.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Detailed insights into performance and service availability.
Proactive Issue Notification: Timely alerts for quick issue resolution.
Improved Control: More efficient server management through automation and visibility.

In technology sectors, SCOM is widely implemented for its ability to monitor server applications and infrastructure components. Healthcare and finance utilize its monitoring and alert systems for compliance and uptime. Enterprises integrate SCOM for managing complex systems like Exchange, SharePoint, and Active Directory, enabling comprehensive analytics and reporting.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Dialog Telekom

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. SCOM

September 2026

Free Report: Azure Network Watcher vs. SCOM

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