Azure Network Watcher vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager comparison

Microsoft and SolarWinds are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #47 with an average rating of 8.3, while SolarWinds is ranked #107. Microsoft holds a 0.4% mindshare in NMS, compared to SolarWinds’s 0.2% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 50% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 12 Azure Network Watcher reviews

670 Views
630 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

SolarWinds Network Automati...

Read 2 SolarWinds Network Automation Manager reviews

555 Views
205 Comparison Views

50% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

SolarWinds Network Automati...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Azure Network Watcher and SolarWinds Network Automation Manager compete in network management solutions, with SolarWinds appearing to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set and advanced automation options.

Features: Azure Network Watcher includes network diagnostics, traffic analytics, and connection monitoring. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager provides automated network discovery, configuration management, and integrated troubleshooting tools. SolarWinds' broader feature range attracts users looking for extensive automation and advanced capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Azure Network Watcher could enhance automation capabilities and expand integration with third-party systems. Improvements in interface clarity and report customization might also benefit users. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager may need a more intuitive setup process, better scalability options, and decreased complexity in user interface design.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Azure Network Watcher offers seamless deployment within Microsoft's cloud ecosystem and is supported by comprehensive documentation. Its customer service is known for responsiveness and extendable support. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager requires a more thorough initial setup. It provides substantial support, suitable for businesses willing to invest time in setup and network integration.

Pricing and ROI: Azure Network Watcher features scalable pricing models that accommodate various business sizes, offering an attractive ROI for budget-conscious organizations. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager incurs higher initial costs but promises significant long-term ROI due to its extensive capabilities and advanced automation functions, making it beneficial for organizations looking for comprehensive network management and willing to invest initially.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Network Watcher vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager

September 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

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

47th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SolarWinds Network Automati...

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

107th

Average Rating

5.6

Reviews Sentiment

8.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Automation (14th)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Azure Network Watcher is 0.4%, down from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is 0.2%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Azure Network Watcher	0.4%
SolarWinds Network Automation Manager	0.2%
Other	99.4%

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

Bijoyendra Roychowdhury

Program Manager at Capgemini

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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Giulio Valeri

Owner at SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS SRL

Threat detection failures, poor technical support, and expensive

We use the solution to manage all of our customer's systems. We monitor and decide if everything is okay and if not, we do changes when needed. For example, if there is a need to change the antivirus software we can automate the process and install the new one. There are scripts within the software…

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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

"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."

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

"I like the visibility."

"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 solution is good for monitoring device behavior."

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

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"The installation is easy."

"The solution offers so many great resources, it makes them a powerhouse in the market."

Cons

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

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

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

"Lacks sufficient security features."

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

"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."

"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."

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

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"The price could be a bit lower."

"We did not like SolarWinds because it was not able to communicate between UPSA and our accounting system. They should have better integration."

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

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

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"The price of SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is fair. However, it is more expensive than ConnectWise."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

16%

Computer Software Company

10%

Government

Comms Service Provider

Government

16%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Computer Software Company

Performing Arts

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Large Enterprise	6

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?

Azure Network Watcher is affordable from the perspective of basic costing. It doesn't cost too much at this point unless you are requesting customizable detailed matrices. For the default configura...

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What needs improvement with Azure Network Watcher?

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Comparisons

ThousandEyes vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 31% of the time

Microsoft Network Monitor vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 25% of the time

Nmap vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 24% of the time

SolarWinds NPM vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 20% of the time

More Azure Network Watcher Competitors

NetBrain vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager

Compared 76% of the time

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (Formerly DCNM) vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager

Compared 16% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs SolarWinds Network Automation Manager

Compared 9% of the time

More SolarWinds Network Automation Manager Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

October 2025

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

October 2025

SolarWinds Network Automation Manager report

Download SolarWinds Network Automation Manager product report

Also Known As

No data available

SolarWinds NAM

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

Scale environments from 1,000 to tens of thousands of nodes with comprehensive performance, traffic, WAN, and switch port monitoring, automated change and configuration management, and IP address management in an integrated network automation software solution.

SolarWinds

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Maalem Financing Company, School City of Hammond

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager

September 2025

Free Report: Azure Network Watcher vs. SolarWinds Network Automation Manager

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