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Azure Network Watcher vs Versa Director comparison

Microsoft and Versa Networks are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #51 with an average rating of 8.3, while Versa Networks is ranked #52 with an average rating of 9.0. Microsoft holds a 0.4% mindshare in NMS, compared to Versa Networks’s 0.2% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 75% of Versa Networks users who would recommend it.
Azure Network Watcher
Read 12 Azure Network Watcher reviews
  • 743 Views
  • 698 Comparison Views
91% willing to recommend
Versa Director
Read 4 Versa Director reviews
  • 391 Views
  • 368 Comparison Views
75% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Versa Director and Azure Network Watcher compete in network management and monitoring. Azure Network Watcher is superior due to its robust capabilities.

Features: Versa Director includes centralized management, robust policy configuration, and cloud service integration, focusing on simplified network operations management. Azure Network Watcher provides diagnostic and analytics tools, deep insights, and advanced security for Azure environments, with extensive tools for monitoring and diagnosing network issues.

Room for Improvement: Versa Director could enhance its diagnostic capabilities, expand security features, and improve integration beyond cloud services. Azure Network Watcher may benefit from simplified setup, improved cost-efficiency for non-Azure users, and greater flexibility in non-Azure environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Versa Director is known for its easy deployment and responsive support. Azure Network Watcher requires a more complex setup within Azure ecosystems but benefits from Microsoft's comprehensive support.

Pricing and ROI: Versa Director offers a more attractive pricing model with lower initial setup costs, leading to quicker ROI. Azure Network Watcher has a higher cost but delivers substantial ROI through advanced features and consistent performance in Azure-based operations.

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To learn more, read our detailed Azure Network Watcher vs. Versa Director Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Azure Network Watcher vs. Versa Director
July 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
51st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
12
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Versa Director
Ranking in Network Monitoring Software
52nd
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.9
Number of Reviews
4
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Azure Network Watcher is 0.4%, down from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Versa Director is 0.2%, down from 0.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Monitoring Software
 

Featured Reviews

Bijoyendra Roychowdhury - PeerSpot reviewer
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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PriyankDubey - PeerSpot reviewer
User-friendly and simpler than its competitors
Versa Director's best feature is the ease of configuration and customer and vendor management. Its UI is also excellent compared to Fortinet and Cisco Versa Director's on-prem SD-WAN hardware and SSL VPN software are not integrated, so you have to buy a separate subscription for the SSL VPN. In…
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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

"I like the visibility."
"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 most valuable features I have found are typology, visualization, and capture."
"It provides good visibility."
"We use the solution to monitor network services. It helps to capture any network 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."
"The solution is good for monitoring device behavior."
"The solution is stable."
More Azure Network Watcher pros
"The most valuable functionality is some of the policy pieces that are quite useful."
"Versa Director's best feature is the ease of configuration and customer and vendor management."
"Versa Director is the fastest engineering tool and is ideal for use without product management."
"The most valuable feature of Versa Director is analytics."
 

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 initial setup and deployment could be improved to be simplified."
"Lacks sufficient security features."
"Technical support from Microsoft needs significant improvement compared to other product vendors."
"Azure Network Watcher could improve by having other built-in applications. For example, an application to log activities for in and outbound traffic."
"Azure Network Watcher needs to have better documentation and it needs to capture information accurately."
"The initial setup and initial learning curve could be improved to be easier."
"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."
More Azure Network Watcher cons
"What needs improvement in Versa Director is maturity because, from an operating point of view, it's not mature enough. You'll still need to do a lot of research on Versa Director, so if it could mature faster, that would be very good."
"Versa Director's deployment process is not the best."
"It requires some simplification."
"Versa could be more AI-oriented."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."
"Price-wise, I have no information on how much Azure Network Watcher costs."
"The pricing is good. It's not too expensive."
"The price of the solution is reasonable."
"Having to buy separate licenses for the on-prem SD-WAN hardware and SSL VPN software makes Versa Director very costly compared to other solutions like Fortinet and Cisco."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
16%
Computer Software Company
12%
Government
11%
University
5%
Financial Services Firm
17%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Retailer
9%
 

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.
See all answers
What do you like most about Versa Director?
Versa Director is the fastest engineering tool and is ideal for use without product management.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Versa Director?
Versa could be more AI-oriented.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Versa Director?
We use the solution to monitor customer networks.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 23% of the time
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SolarWinds NPM vs Azure Network Watcher Logo
SolarWinds NPM vs Azure Network Watcher
Compared 18% of the time
Nmap vs Azure Network Watcher Logo
Nmap vs Azure Network Watcher
Compared 18% of the time
PRTG Network Monitor vs Azure Network Watcher Logo
PRTG Network Monitor vs Azure Network Watcher
Compared 18% of the time
More Azure Network Watcher Competitors
SolarWinds NPM vs Versa Director Logo
SolarWinds NPM vs Versa Director
Compared 41% of the time
Zabbix vs Versa Director Logo
Zabbix vs Versa Director
Compared 36% of the time
ThousandEyes vs Versa Director Logo
ThousandEyes vs Versa Director
Compared 23% of the time
More Versa Director Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Azure Network Watcher
August 2025
Azure Network Watcher reportDownload Azure Network Watcher product report
Buyer's Guide
Network Monitoring Software
August 2025
Versa Director reportDownload Versa Director product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
Versa Networks Director
 

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

Versa Director is Versa Networks’ virtualization and service creation platform that simplifies the creation, automation and delivery of services using Versa WAN edge software, FlexVNF. Versa Director provides the essential management, monitoring and orchestration capabilities needed to deliver Versa’s Secure Cloud IP architecture network and security software services. Services supported by Versa include routing and advanced connectivity to direct traffic across multilink WAN access and simplify control for SD-WAN with embedded advanced security

Versa Networks
Buyer's Guide
Azure Network Watcher vs. Versa Director
July 2025
Free Report: Azure Network Watcher vs. Versa Director
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