Azure Network Watcher vs ThousandEyes comparison

Microsoft and Cisco are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #41 with an average rating of 8.5, while Cisco is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.4. Microsoft holds a 0.5% mindshare in NMS, compared to Cisco’s 1.7% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 13 Azure Network Watcher reviews

1,914 Views
1,857 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

ThousandEyes

Read 25 ThousandEyes reviews

9,887 Views
7,316 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

ThousandEyes

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

ThousandEyes and Azure Network Watcher compete in the network monitoring and cloud service optimization category. ThousandEyes tends to have the upper hand due to its broad network visibility and scalability advantages, especially in multi-cloud and ISP environments.

Features: ThousandEyes offers extensive network visibility, connection issue alerts, and network path diagnostics. It integrates seamlessly with Cisco products and provides user-friendly application visibility. Azure Network Watcher features packet capture, a cloud-native application firewall, and connection troubleshooting, ideal for cloud architecture and traffic filtering.

Room for Improvement: ThousandEyes could expand its application monitoring, improve dashboards, and enhance direct network device monitoring. Azure Network Watcher needs a more intuitive interface, better built-in applications, and refined firewall diagnostics, with documentation aligning with tools like Wireshark.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: ThousandEyes adapts well to on-premises and hybrid cloud environments, with strong support and documentation. Azure Network Watcher focuses on public cloud deployments and could enhance initial setup simplicity, with feedback suggesting room for improved service experiences.

Pricing and ROI: ThousandEyes is seen as costly but offers significant ROI through quick problem resolution. Its pricing is suited to large enterprises, especially with Cisco agreements. Azure Network Watcher is reasonably priced with manageable variances based on organization size, showing comparable ROI in Azure-centric settings.

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

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. ThousandEyes

June 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

41st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

ThousandEyes

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Cloud Monitoring Software (10th), Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 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 ThousandEyes is 1.7%, down from 3.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
ThousandEyes	1.7%
Azure Network Watcher	0.5%
Other	97.8%

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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Shreyans Parekh

Vice President, Finance and Operations at Fruitist

Proactive monitoring has transformed digital experience and now optimizes application delivery

With ThousandEyes, there are some configuration and metric screens that are not entirely intuitive with ThousandEyes, so they can certainly improve in terms of the usability of certain metric screens. ThousandEyes can also offer deeper traffic insights relative to specific applications, so detailed analytics on application-level traffic would help in better understanding and managing our network resources effectively. I would say that ThousandEyes can also, in terms of providing more extensibility with other observability tools, offer more out-of-the-box integrations with other observability tools so that ThousandEyes can serve as that single source of truth, so that we don't necessarily need to go to other tools to be able to be that one-source dashboard. I think there's a lot that ThousandEyes can continue to improve on there. The issues that I've talked about, including extensibility with other platforms and the improvement of accessing specific metric screens in order to be able to provide for fuller access and more detailed access to network-level metrics would make the platform feel less complicated to navigate. It wouldn't require as many manual integration inputs.

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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

"This is a stable system providing stable performance."

"I like the visibility."

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

"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."

"The solution is good for monitoring device behavior."

"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."

"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

"The most valuable feature of ThousandEyes is user-friendliness. It has been essential for us to have a solution that is easy to use."

"One feature I liked is end-user monitoring."

"ThousandEyes is an excellent product that really provides accurate metrics into network performance as well as the user experience, and I would highly recommend it."

"From our perspective, ThousandEyes stands out as an invaluable tool because of its deep and extensive capabilities."

"For me, all the features are great and make ThousandEyes stand out among other observability products."

"ThousandEyes gives companies better visibility."

"The most valuable features of ThousandEyes are the full monitoring capabilities and the ability to identify the exact location of problems in the path between the application and the end-user."

"The tool's most valuable feature is its scalability. It is a good tool for network admins."

More ThousandEyes pros

Cons

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

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

"User experience could be improved."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"It might be practical to extend monitoring capabilities to include network devices"

"Regarding the user interface, I appreciate dropdowns, but I prefer a guided experience where the interface explains itself instead of requiring extensive searching to reach a point."

"I feel it needs more holistic integration. It needs more improvement."

"We can show the traffic path in some cases, but it's almost impossible to do so in cloud networks like CDN, Akamai, or Microsoft."

"ThousandEyes should expand its application monitoring to monitor some communication applications."

"ThousandEyes can be improved by making the installation procedure less time-consuming and enhancing the interface to be more user-friendly."

"The guest portal is hard to use."

"More detailed documentation explaining the metrics and the testing mechanisms would be helpful."

More ThousandEyes cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

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

"It is a quite expensive solution."

"The solution's pricing is cheap; I rate it a five out of ten."

"In our company, we incur a yearly expense in our company for the licensing part. I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten since it is expensive."

"The solution is cheap."

"The solution costs several thousand dollars per year."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

25%

Construction Company

12%

Media Company

University

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Government

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	7
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	17

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 ...

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...

See all answers

What is the best network monitoring software for large enterprises?

It actually depends on the exact purpose or requirements. Some tools are better for only network devices while others are better from a cloud monitoring or APM monitoring perspective. You can check...

See all answers

What needs improvement with ThousandEyes?

ThousandEyes could be improved by unifying the GUI with the rest of the Cisco products since it remains legacy from its original state when Cisco acquired it.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for ThousandEyes?

My main use cases for ThousandEyes are troubleshooting slow speeds and investigating disconnection issues that users report.

See all answers

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Compared 3% of the time

HPE Aruba Networking UXI vs ThousandEyes

Compared 3% of the time

Cisco Secure Network Analytics vs ThousandEyes

Compared 3% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

June 2026

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

ThousandEyes

May 2026

Download ThousandEyes 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

ThousandEyes offers cutting-edge monitoring capabilities with advanced features such as end-to-end network monitoring, real-time alerts, and application insights. It supports integration with Cisco products and provides visibility into network paths, helping businesses maintain superior network performance.

ThousandEyes is renowned for its ability to diagnose network issues by offering comprehensive network path visualization and detailed analytics. Its ability to detect packet loss and monitor ISPs ensures robust network security. The integration capabilities, particularly with Cisco platforms, make it versatile for businesses requiring customizable dashboards. Users benefit from ease of use and real-time alert systems, though improvements in guest portal usability, packet analysis, and integration with Cisco platforms are needed. Enhancements in automation, knowledge resources, and application-level features could benefit users, alongside better network device monitoring through SNMP and improved path visualization. Additionally, better incident management and alert detection systems are anticipated.

What are the key features of ThousandEyes?

End-to-End Monitoring: Provides comprehensive insights across networks, applications, and users.
Real-Time Alerts: Sends immediate alerts for network disturbances or performance issues.
Network Path Visualization: Offers detailed views of network paths for easy diagnostics.
Application Insights: Delivers in-depth analytics on application performance.

What benefits or ROI can users expect from ThousandEyes?

Time Savings: Reduces diagnosis and troubleshooting time with advanced analytics.
Improved User Experience: Enhances network reliability, leading to better user satisfaction.
Increased Employee Satisfaction: Streamlines network operations, boosting employee efficiency.
Prevention of Downtime: Identifies potential issues early to avoid service interruptions.

Businesses across sectors leverage ThousandEyes for seamless network monitoring and diagnostics. It is invaluable for ensuring connectivity across LANs, Wi-Fi, internet, and SaaS applications. ThousandEyes provides critical insights into internet and ISP performance, significantly benefiting industries reliant on robust digital infrastructure.

Cisco

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Wayfair, GitHub, Craigslist, Comcast, SurveyMonkey, Lyft, Box, HP, Zendesk, IO Data Centers, Good Technology, NNTCommunications, Proofpoint, Schneider, Crowdstrike, Avera, Pitney Bowes, InstartLogic, Shutterfly, Shutterstock, Condé Nast, Roche, Jive, Actelion, Brocade, Infor, Okta, JLL, DigitalOcean, Zuora, NetSuite, CloudFlare, One, DemonWare, Quantcast, Carbonite, CareerBuilder, Prosper, Oscar, Slack

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. ThousandEyes

June 2026

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