# Azure Network Watcher vs Wireshark Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- Users report that Wireshark excels in performance monitoring with a score of 9.5, highlighting its ability to capture and analyze network traffic in real-time, which is crucial for troubleshooting and optimizing network performance.
- Reviewers mention that Azure Network Watcher shines in product direction, receiving a perfect score of 10.0, indicating strong ongoing development and feature enhancements that align with user needs, particularly in cloud environments.
- G2 users note that Wireshark's multi-network capability, rated at 8.8, allows for seamless analysis across different network segments, making it a preferred choice for complex network infrastructures.
- Users on G2 highlight that Azure Network Watcher's alerting feature, with a score of 7.4, could be improved, as some users find it less intuitive compared to Wireshark's more straightforward alerting mechanisms.
- Reviewers say that Wireshark's data visualization tools, rated at 8.9, provide clear and detailed graphical representations of network data, which many users find essential for quick analysis and reporting.
- Users report that while both products have strong performance baselines, Wireshark's path analysis feature, scoring 9.1, is particularly praised for its depth and accuracy in tracing packet routes, which is vital for diagnosing network issues.



| | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 15 | 150 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (61.5% of reviews) | Enterprise (40.6% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Azure Network Watcher

Pros:
- Ease of Use (1 reviews)
- Helpful (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Inefficient Search Functionality (1 reviews)

### Wireshark

Pros:
- Ease of Use (7 reviews)
- Insightful Analysis (5 reviews)

Cons:
- Display Issues (3 reviews)
- Difficult Learning (2 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 9.4 (120 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.9 (7 reviews) | 8.0 (123 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (27 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 8.6 (21 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.9 (7 reviews) | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 9.3 (121 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Azure Network Watcher

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Wireshark

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Network Monitoring

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Network Watcher** | N/A | N/A |
| **Wireshark** | N/A | N/A |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Performance Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Improvement Suggestions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-Network Capability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Monitoring - Network Monitoring

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **360-Degree Network Visibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Automated Network Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Management

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Performance Baseline** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Path Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analytics - Network Monitoring

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Predictive Performance Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Packet & Flow Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security - Network Monitoring

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Encrypted Data Transmission** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Zero Trust and Identity Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integrated Network Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Network Performance - Network Monitoring

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Dynamic Network Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Automated Tasks Routing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### AI Automation - Network Monitoring

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Machine Learning-Based Anomaly Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Self-Healing Networks** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Predictive Network Maintenance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Network Monitoring

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Azure Network Watcher** | N/A | N/A |
| **Wireshark** | 9.3/10 | 5 |

#### Automation

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Metadata Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Response Automation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Network Capability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Visibility** | Not enough data | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Incident Management

| Feature | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Incident Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Incident Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Incident Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to Azure Network Watcher (1):** [Network Monitoring Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-monitoring)

**Unique to Wireshark (1):** [Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-traffic-analysis-nta)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Azure Network Watcher | Wireshark | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 30.8% | 28.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 7.7% | 30.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 61.5% | 40.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Azure Network Watcher

- **Computer & Network Security:** 23.1%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 15.4%
- **Computer Software:** 15.4%
- **Mining & Metals:** 7.7%
- **Logistics and Supply Chain:** 7.7%
- **Human Resources:** 7.7%
- **Education Management:** 7.7%
- **Construction:** 7.7%
- **Automotive:** 7.7%

#### Wireshark

- **Information Technology and Services:** 21.7%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 16.1%
- **Computer Networking:** 11.2%
- **Computer Software:** 9.8%
- **Telecommunications:** 9.1%
- **Higher Education:** 4.2%
- **Internet:** 4.2%
- **Information Services:** 2.8%
- **Education Management:** 2.1%
- **Automotive:** 1.4%
- **Other:** 17.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Azure Network Watcher

- [AWS Global Accelerator](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-global-accelerator/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (11 reviews)
- [Datadog](https://www.g2.com/products/datadog/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (722 reviews)
- [NinjaOne](https://www.g2.com/products/ninjaone/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (4313 reviews)
- [Atera](https://www.g2.com/products/atera/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1185 reviews)
- [Dynatrace](https://www.g2.com/products/dynatrace/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1363 reviews)
- [LogicMonitor](https://www.g2.com/products/logicmonitor/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Auvik](https://www.g2.com/products/auvik-networks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (380 reviews)
- [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (3983 reviews)
- [SolarWinds Observability](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (855 reviews)
- [N-able N-central](https://www.g2.com/products/n-able-n-central/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (557 reviews)

### Alternatives to Wireshark

- [Datadog](https://www.g2.com/products/datadog/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (722 reviews)
- [Progress WhatsUp Gold](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-whatsup-gold/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (387 reviews)
- [Coralogix](https://www.g2.com/products/coralogix/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (343 reviews)
- [SolarWinds Observability](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (855 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (590 reviews)
- [IBM QRadar SIEM](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-qradar-siem/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (335 reviews)
- [Faddom](https://www.g2.com/products/faddom/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (111 reviews)
- [Trellix Network Detection and Response (NDR)](https://www.g2.com/products/trellix-network-detection-and-response-ndr/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (66 reviews)
- [Rapid7 Next-Gen SIEM](https://www.g2.com/products/rapid7-next-gen-siem/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (74 reviews)
- [Palo Alto Cortex XSIAM](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-cortex-xsiam/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (73 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Azure Network Watcher

No discussions available for this product.

### Wireshark

- Title: [Is it unethical or illegal to use wireshark?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12063-is-it-unethical-or-illegal-to-use-wireshark) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Wireshark is a very useful protocol analyzer for traffic analysis and network troubleshooting. To use wireshark in customer networks, prior authorization..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/azure-network-watcher-vs-wireshark)