Azure Network Watcher vs ManageEngine OpManager comparison

Microsoft and ManageEngine are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #46 with an average rating of 8.0, while ManageEngine is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.2. Microsoft holds a 0.5% mindshare in NMS, compared to ManageEngine’s 1.5% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 82% of ManageEngine users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 13 Azure Network Watcher reviews

2,224 Views
2,157 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

ManageEngine OpManager

Read 56 ManageEngine OpManager reviews

7,680 Views
7,373 Comparison Views

82% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

ManageEngine OpManager

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

ManageEngine OpManager and Azure Network Watcher are competing products in network management. ManageEngine OpManager appears to have the upper hand with comprehensive network monitoring features, making it more effective for large environments.

Features: ManageEngine OpManager offers comprehensive network and device monitoring, automation, and alerting. It also uses NetFlow analysis to enhance monitoring capabilities, allowing proactive threshold and alert definitions. Azure Network Watcher provides cloud-native capabilities like packet capture, application firewall, and topology visualization, useful in cloud environments.

Room for Improvement: Users of ManageEngine OpManager report issues with change control and stability during upgrades, documentation challenges, and a complex licensing model. Azure Network Watcher could benefit from enhanced documentation, more built-in tools like Wireshark, and an easier initial setup process.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: ManageEngine OpManager, primarily on-premises, offers stable yet complex installations with satisfactory technical support, though improvement is needed in level-one support. Azure Network Watcher, designed for the public cloud, benefits from excellent technical support but presents a steeper learning curve.

Pricing and ROI: ManageEngine OpManager is competitively priced, often more affordable than SolarWinds, offering good value and quick return on investment through improved uptime. Azure Network Watcher, considered more expensive, aligns with enterprise users seeking cloud-native solutions, though its cost may be less accessible for smaller businesses.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Network Watcher vs. ManageEngine OpManager Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. ManageEngine OpManager

August 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

ManageEngine OpManager

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 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 ManageEngine OpManager is 1.5%, down from 1.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
ManageEngine OpManager	1.5%
Azure Network Watcher	0.5%
Other	98.0%

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.

Read full review

Llahir Albar

Technical Solution Specialist at Crypto-gen

Has helped centrally manage users and assets while making operational tasks more efficient

The main drawback is there is less documentation available, both public documentation and partner-available documentation. The learning materials are very limited, and there is also a limitation of support SLA. It takes a huge amount of time to resolve certain issues when ManageEngine OpManager technical support gets involved. The expertise of support is limited. Reporting could be improved with more details. The content and richness can be improved on the reports. To make ManageEngine OpManager a better product, the first priority is improving the after-sales support and learning materials for local engineers and partners to enhance their capacities and expertise. The second priority is improving the product itself, including dashboards and reporting enrichment. Lastly, new feature adoption such as DLP or endpoint monitoring should be considered. Features that should be offered include DLP, Privileged User Access, data classification, and MDR. These are features that can be groomed around the MMS if properly configured.

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

"The solution is stable."

"It provides good visibility."

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

"This is a stable system providing stable performance."

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

"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 the cloud-native application firewall, which 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."

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"The product itself is very good."

"The solution is easy to deploy; it's also easy to manage and monitor the environment, and instead of being reactive, it's proactive."

"Defining thresholds and other alerting criteria is fairly simple and would not require a lot of training, which is very useful if you are managing a large environment."

"The ease of use and comprehensive integration are the most valuable features"

"The application monitoring is the solution's most valuable feature."

"The most valuable feature of ManageEngine OpManager is the management of the virtual machine and the host machine."

"We use ManageEngine OpManager to monitor our link status, latency, and errors."

"Easy and agentless to deploy, service and support is excellent."

More ManageEngine OpManager pros

Cons

"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."

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

"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."

"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."

"There are some occasional downtimes, but these were based on Azure-specific issues."

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

"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."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"OpManager is slow but that just might be the server we have it on."

"The integration with various OEM products could be simplified."

"ManageEngine OpManager can improve by having better updates for critical issues."

"ManageEngine OpManager could improve the default dashboards that are available. We are not able to customize them easily and they do not give us the information we need unless we customize them. You need to have the technical knowledge to be able to do it, the customization should be easier."

"The dashboard has some limitations and should be more user-friendly."

"I would like to see more enhancements made to the product."

"Stability regarding upgrades, sometimes impacting database issues."

"There are some concerns with the recording performance of ManageEngine OpManager. It does not offer accurate monitoring when compared to SolarWinds."

More ManageEngine OpManager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

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

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

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"The solution is highly affordable"

"The pricing is moderate."

"The product is not worth the money."

"We had perpetual licenses. The cost was around 36,000 for OPManager, and then you'd have the yearly maintenance fee of 2,000 or 3,000."

"Pricing for ManageEngine OpManager depends on the number of nodes you onboard and whatever pricing is reflected on the ManageEngine portal which offers discounts from ten percent to fifteen percent. It purely depends on the sales volume and the negotiation. In my organization, there are about one thousand two hundred nodes which cost around $29,000 per year. There's no additional support fee or maintenance fee from ManageEngine OpManager. Pricing for the solution is highly competitive and I would rate it five out of five. ManageEngine OpManager is one of the most competitive options out there."

"The initial cost is low and the add-ons are reasonable."

"In terms of pricing, I would rate it a two out of five. It was expensive."

"The tool's licensing costs are yearly."

More ManageEngine OpManager pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

22%

Construction Company

13%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

11%

Outsourcing Company

Construction 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	17
Midsize Enterprise	15
Large Enterprise	27

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 your experience regarding pricing and costs for ManageEngine OpManager?

Based on my experience and use case, the setup cost and price of ManageEngine OpManager is good. However, if it were available in both on-premises and cloud versions, it would be more reliable for ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with ManageEngine OpManager?

ManageEngine OpManager could improve by adding network device control capabilities. The control feature would be more helpful for our operations. Currently, there is no feature for controlling inte...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for ManageEngine OpManager?

I am using ManageEngine OpManager for network and server reliability. We have multiple locations, so integrating all location devices in ManageEngine OpManager into one single console allows us to ...

See all answers

Comparisons

Nmap vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 14% of the time

Kentik vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 13% of the time

Ixia Network Taps vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 8% of the time

Microsoft Network Monitor vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 7% of the time

PRTG Network Monitor vs Azure Network Watcher

Compared 7% of the time

More Azure Network Watcher Competitors

SolarWinds NPM vs ManageEngine OpManager

Compared 10% of the time

DX Spectrum vs ManageEngine OpManager

Compared 6% of the time

LibreNMS vs ManageEngine OpManager

Compared 5% of the time

OpenNMS vs ManageEngine OpManager

Compared 5% of the time

ScienceLogic vs ManageEngine OpManager

Compared 5% of the time

More ManageEngine OpManager Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

August 2026

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

ManageEngine OpManager

July 2026

Download ManageEngine OpManager product report

Also Known As

No data available

OpManager

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

ManageEngine OpManager offers real-time network performance monitoring and reporting. Known for its customizable dashboards and topology maps, it supports device monitoring and alerting, enhanced by features like Firewall Analyzer and NetFlow.

Designed for network infrastructure management, ManageEngine OpManager monitors servers, devices, applications, and security across on-premise and cloud environments. Adaptive thresholds and automation simplify proactive monitoring, while issues with dashboard design, business view enhancements, performance stability in large deployments, and licensing warrant attention. Its machine learning and AI could be more advanced. Despite these, organizations use its comprehensive dashboards for real-time insights into CPU, RAM, and disk utilization, receiving notifications for unauthorized requests or performance issues.

What are the key features of ManageEngine OpManager?

Network Reporting: Provides detailed reports for network performance.
Real-time Monitoring: Offers continuous monitoring of network parameters.
Customizable Dashboards: Allows for personalized dashboard setups for unique insights.
Topology Maps: Visualizes network layout for easier management.
Device Monitoring: Ensures all network devices are operating efficiently.
Automation: Streamlines network operations with automated tasks.
Firewall Analyzer: Enhances security measures and performance monitoring.
NetFlow: Analyzes bandwidth usage and traffic patterns.
Application Manager: Monitors server and application performance.

What benefits should users expect from ManageEngine OpManager?

Improved Network Performance: Real-time insights enhance network efficiency.
Proactive Alerts: Early warnings help address issues before they escalate.
Ease of Integration: Simplifies management with comprehensive integration features.
Scalability: Supports growth with multi-location deployment capabilities.

ManageEngine OpManager is widely implemented in industries requiring robust network infrastructure management. Companies in sectors with complex server and application needs benefit from its monitoring and alerting capabilities. Its ability to manage and provide insights across distributed locations makes it a valuable tool for enterprises operating in both on-premise and cloud environments.

ManageEngine

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Bonita, Thorp Reed & Armstrong, Galaxy, Fiserv Credit Union Division, Universitas 21 Global, ERP Suites LLC

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. ManageEngine OpManager

August 2026

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