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

2,469 Views
2,420 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

SCOM

Read 83 SCOM reviews

11,172 Views
7,485 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 (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of September 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.

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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.

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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

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

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

"The solution is stable."

"This is a stable system providing stable performance."

"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."

"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."

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"It would have to be the ability to monitor services, devices, and operations for many devices from a single console leveraging a wide variety of Management Packs available."

"I enjoy its integration with the Microsoft Active Directory functions, which means users, computers, or other group policies can connect with Windows Active Directory."

"It's easy to use."

"My customers are using SCOM to avoid business disruptions."

"The inbuilt management pack that Microsoft provides is really helpful. I know it's a mature product, and they keep upgrading the management pack."

"This product helps companies detect problems before they cause any real problems like downtime."

"This product allows me to measure the level of availability of services and detect errors in them."

"SCOM has helped us to monitor all the VMs in our environment, especially the Windows servers."

More SCOM pros

Cons

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

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

"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."

"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."

"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."

"User experience could be improved."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"I would like to see more standard libraries for the market solutions, out of the box, that you don't need to do a lot of work on."

"SCOM is not a flexible product. The initial setup should be easier to complete."

"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."

"Then there is also an issue with capacity and limited space. That is something that needs to be improved."

"Stability and some performance issues exist and they need improvement."

"At this point, only monitoring a network device is not good enough."

"Overall, support is not great but it's not bad."

"They could provide better dashboards, detailed logs, and reports crucial for monitoring services in real-time."

More SCOM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"Azure Network Watcher is a little bit expensive."

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

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

"If you have a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, then this is part of the agreement."

"There is a license needed to use this solution and it is paid annually."

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

"The pricing and licensing are fair."

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

"Two customers bought the enterprise agreement with Microsoft and paid for Software Assurance. But few customers don't buy it for Software Assurance. They just buy it and deploy it, and they think that we will be using it for the next five years."

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

More SCOM 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

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.

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What needs improvement with Azure Network Watcher?

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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

September 2026

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

SCOM

August 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

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