Azure Network Watcher vs PRTG Network Monitor comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Microsoft and Paessler GmbH are both solutions in the Network Monitoring Software category. Microsoft is ranked #46 with an average rating of 8.0, while Paessler GmbH is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.6. Microsoft holds a 0.5% mindshare in NMS, compared to Paessler GmbH’s 2.5% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Paessler GmbH users who would recommend it.

Azure Network Watcher

Read 13 Azure Network Watcher reviews

2,673 Views
2,620 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

PRTG Network Monitor

Read 113 PRTG Network Monitor reviews

18,869 Views
13,397 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Azure Network Watcher

PRTG Network Monitor

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 29, 2026

PRTG Network Monitor and Azure Network Watcher are competitors in the network monitoring category. Based on their features, Azure Network Watcher seems to excel in environments heavily invested in cloud due to its native capabilities.

Features: PRTG Network Monitor offers extensive notification features, diverse sensors for network insights, and adaptability across environments. Azure Network Watcher provides network diagnostic tools, integrated firewall capabilities, and cloud-native features enhancing its utility in cloud deployments.

Room for Improvement: PRTG Network Monitor could enhance intuitive data presentation, desktop application usability, and scalability. Azure Network Watcher needs improvements in AI features, visualization clarity, and better documentation to facilitate analytics and integration.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: PRTG Network Monitor is versatile and deployable on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments, but users report slow support responses. Azure Network Watcher is aimed at public cloud setups with generally quicker support response times.

Pricing and ROI: PRTG Network Monitor has varied pricing, often seen as costly for larger setups, yet users experience good ROI via cost savings. Azure Network Watcher is reasonably priced, especially for basic use, with ROI benefits from efficient cloud resource management.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Network Watcher vs. PRTG Network Monitor Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. PRTG Network Monitor

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

PRTG Network Monitor

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

113

Ranking in other categories

IT Infrastructure Monitoring (5th), Cloud Monitoring Software (7th)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 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 PRTG Network Monitor is 2.5%, down from 4.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
PRTG Network Monitor	2.5%
Azure Network Watcher	0.5%
Other	97.0%

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.

Read full review

ShubhamBharti

Software Engineer at Asahi Beverages

Alerts have helped us catch critical network failures before they escalate

The first and foremost feature I appreciate about PRTG Network Monitor is that you implement it and forget it, requiring no maintenance. After deploying the core servers and using the auto-discovery feature, it had most of our network mapped out within an hour, making it very easy to set up and forget. With PRTG Network Monitor, I didn't need to spend weeks determining if a server was up or if a switch port was saturated, which means going from blind to having visibility in a single day is fantastic. The dashboards in PRTG Network Monitor are very good. The dashboard and UI are engaging, making it suitable not only for experienced users but also for beginners who are new to the tool. PRTG Network Monitor has positively impacted our organization by saving us a significant amount of money. During maintenance windows or patching, we used to receive false alerts, but since implementing PRTG, it has saved us thousands of dollars and has become a boon for us by providing convenience and being time and cost-saving. We have easily saved tens of thousands of dollars since using PRTG Network Monitor.

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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

"It provides good visibility."

"The solution is stable."

"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."

"This is a stable system providing stable performance."

"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."

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

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

More Azure Network Watcher pros

"The remote probe feature in PRTG Network Monitor helps you monitor remote systems or your network at a lower cost than other solutions."

"What I've found most valuable is the custom sensor, which allows you to write scripts or code to monitor a specific metric in your environment."

"PRTG has improved our visibility and response time to issues related to remote sites."

"One of the valuable features is the diversity of metrics available to us to monitor. It's all there, it's all in the box. It's all made very easy, by virtue of it being pre-configured."

"The alerting is the most valuable feature. I also like the iPhone app. I get alerts in an email on the iPhone app."

"Overall, this is a very good platform and provides value to the organization."

"There is a simplicity to setting up the extra sensors. It's really easy for us to build infrastructure and start monitoring very quickly."

"It is great for service level agreements and can comply fully with internet monitoring or any interface."

More PRTG Network Monitor pros

Cons

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

"The initial setup and deployment could be improved to be simplified."

"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."

"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."

"User experience could be improved."

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

"Lacks sufficient security features."

More Azure Network Watcher cons

"PRTG Network Monitor can improve Layer 2 and Layer 3 network maps and the GUI more user-friendly. Additionally, they should bundle the features so I can monitor everything on one particular device."

"In terms of sensors and probes, it would be really cool if PRTG had a purely Azure-based solution. We had to install a probe on one of our cloud servers and then let that probe out from there. It would be really cool if it just monitored Azure without having to install something on the device."

"I posed this question to PRTG and they were unresponsive, so it seems like not enough customers are complaining about it or would be potentially using it."

"The technical support needs some improvement. The response time is slow, we normally get a response the next business day for urgent issues which is long time."

"PRTG Network Monitor can improve by adding prevention and detection features."

"It would be good if there were better graphical interfaces when you have it on multiple monitors... Because we have so many servers, things can get lost in the fog a little bit. Maybe having a better way of showing different geographies, Flash, etc., would help."

"We would like to monitor certain aspects of the user experience. We should be able to analyze the cause of end user experience, bad or good, so we can do some research and development on our own."

"There is room for improvement in this solution for the performance and third-party monitoring protocols. They need to be updated to the latest ones."

More PRTG Network Monitor 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."

"The price was pretty good, very competitive."

"We pay for PRTG Network Monitor annually. The price is approximately 10,000 rupees annually."

"The licensing fees are billed annually and there are no costs in addition to this."

"It is expensive."

"The scalability is there, but smaller companies might need CAM software to be able afford the product."

"The price of PRTG Network Monitor is more expensive than other solutions, such as OP Network Manager."

"We are using the premium version of PRTG Network Monitor. The price of the solution is a bit higher than competitors but it is worth the extra money. However, it would be helpful if the price was lower."

"We have unlimited devices and sensors, and it is a bit pricey, but we do have unlimited sensors. With all things considered the price is fine, related to the solution itself. PRTG Network Monitor is good value for money."

More PRTG Network Monitor pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user174738

IT Developer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

May 31, 2015

Nagios vs. Zabbix vs. PRTG vs. Spiceworks vs. Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor

I have researched a quite a few network monitoring tools which can be used for various monitoring purposes of not only the servers, but the intermediate routers as well. There are majorly three types of these softwares. Ones which are completely open-source, you can do almost anything you want…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

23%

Construction Company

12%

Outsourcing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Healthcare Company

Outsourcing Company

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	60
Midsize Enterprise	19
Large Enterprise	50

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?

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...

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What is the best network monitoring software for large enterprises?

PRTG network monitor is one of the best tool i have ever used for the monitoring. It have auto discovery option. it avoid the configuring the device in PRTG. It automatically discover the device an...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for PRTG Network Monitor?

The pricing was higher at the beginning, but the recurring licensing cost is affordable and reasonable. Overall, the pricing, setup cost, and licensing is fair for our industry. They have quoted us...

See all answers

What needs improvement with PRTG Network Monitor?

The reporting features look very technical and that can be improved. If they can change the report so everyone can understand it, that would be helpful.

See all answers

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 4% of the time

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Compared 3% of the time

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Compared 3% of the time

WhatsUp Gold vs PRTG Network Monitor

Compared 3% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher

October 2026

Download Azure Network Watcher product report

Buyer's Guide

PRTG Network Monitor

October 2026

Download PRTG Network Monitor 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

PRTG Network Monitor offers seamless network health tracking with flexible alerting and robust scalability. Its real-time monitoring and compatibility across diverse technologies enhance operational efficiency.

PRTG Network Monitor stands out by providing intuitive dashboards and detailed reporting to efficiently monitor network health, significantly reducing manual checks. Its quick setup and comprehensive compatibility cater to diverse environments. The alert system and real-time monitoring enable proactive maintenance, while custom scripting and a broad range of sensors allow for personalized monitoring options. Enhancements are suggested in database management, integration capabilities, Unix support, pricing, application performance, and dashboard customization. Users benefit from enhanced error messaging, flexible licensing, and better training resources.

What are the key features of PRTG Network Monitor?

Ease of Use: Intuitive dashboard makes network monitoring straightforward.
Flexible Alerting: Provides prompt notifications for proactive maintenance.
Scalability: Adapts to various network sizes and complexities.
Compatibility: Works across diverse technologies and environments.
Custom Scripting: Allows tailored monitoring options for specific needs.

What benefits should users seek in PRTG Network Monitor reviews?

Operational Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual network checks.
Real-Time Monitoring: Enables instant response to potential issues.
Enhanced Infrastructure Oversight: Facilitates comprehensive management of network devices.
Proactive Maintenance: Alerts help prevent potential disruptions.
Central Dashboard: Manages infrastructure across multiple locations effectively.

In industries like IT, telecommunications, and healthcare, PRTG Network Monitor is employed for comprehensive monitoring of systems, servers, and networks. It assists in tracking uptime, connectivity, and alerts for potential issues, offering tailored options like monitoring traffic flows and hardware health through custom sensors and scripts.

Paessler GmbH

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Jameson Bank, Sidnix, RungeICT, MedicalAnimal, Truck-lite, GamingGrids, The Covell Group, Forsythn County Schools, NetMass, Musgrove Park Hospital, Lanes Health, Columbia Southern University, Vodafone, Intrust Bank

Buyer's Guide

Azure Network Watcher vs. PRTG Network Monitor

September 2026

Free Report: Azure Network Watcher vs. PRTG Network Monitor

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