Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Azure Virtual WAN VS Nmap

Compare Azure Virtual WAN VS Nmap and see what are their differences

Azure Virtual WAN logo Azure Virtual WAN

Learn about Virtual WAN automated scalable branch-to-branch connectivity, available regions, and partners.

Nmap logo Nmap

Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.
  • Azure Virtual WAN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-20
  • Nmap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-15

Azure Virtual WAN features and specs

  • Global Connectivity
    Azure Virtual WAN provides seamless connectivity across Azure regions with a unified network topology, connecting branches, data centers, and remote users globally.
  • Centralized Management
    Offers a centralized and simplified management experience for network security and routing policies across an enterprise environment.
  • Scalability
    Supports high scalability, allowing organizations to grow their network infrastructure without the complexities involved in manual scaling.
  • Optimized Performance
    Enables improved performance for applications by optimizing network routes and leveraging Microsoft's global network infrastructure.
  • Enhanced Security
    Provides integrated network security features like Azure Firewall and DDoS protection, helping secure network traffic efficiently.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Virtual WAN

  • Complex Initial Setup
    The initial configuration might be complex, requiring significant planning and expertise to ensure optimal setup.
  • Cost Considerations
    While centralized management and automation are beneficial, they might result in higher operational costs, especially for smaller organizations or those with simpler needs.
  • Dependency on Stable Internet Connection
    Efficient performance and connectivity rely heavily on stable internet connections, which can be a challenge in regions with less reliable internet infrastructure.
  • Limited Customization
    The solution might offer less flexibility for highly customized network requirements, forcing organizations to adapt to predefined configurations.
  • Learning Curve
    There might be a significant learning curve for IT teams unfamiliar with Azure networking services, requiring additional training or resources.

Nmap features and specs

  • Comprehensive Scanning
    Nmap can perform a wide variety of scans, including port scanning, service detection, and OS fingerprinting, making it a versatile tool for network exploration and security auditing.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, Nmap is free to use and has a large community of users contributing to its development and improvement.
  • Scripting Engine
    The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) allows users to write custom scripts to automate tasks, detect vulnerabilities, and extract information, significantly extending its capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Nmap is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring broad accessibility for users.
  • Large Knowledge Base
    Nmap has extensive documentation and a wealth of online resources, tutorials, and community support, making it easier for beginners to learn and use the tool effectively.
  • Performance Optimization
    Nmap is designed to be efficient and can handle large networks, making it suitable for both small-scale and enterprise-level scanning.

Possible disadvantages of Nmap

  • Complexity
    Due to its extensive features and options, Nmap can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a steep learning curve to fully utilize its capabilities.
  • Potential for Misuse
    Nmap can be used for malicious activities such as unauthorized network scanning, potentially leading to security violations and ethical concerns.
  • Permission Issues
    Using Nmap without proper authorization can be illegal in some jurisdictions, and unauthorized scans can be considered invasive or hostile by network administrators.
  • False Positives/Negatives
    Like any scanning tool, Nmap can produce false positives and negatives, requiring additional verification and analysis to ensure accuracy.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some Nmap scans, especially comprehensive ones, can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting network performance and consuming significant CPU and memory resources.
  • Network Disruption
    Aggressive scanning techniques used by Nmap can disrupt network services and lead to denial of service, particularly in sensitive or critical environments.

Azure Virtual WAN videos

Azure Virtual WAN in 13 minutes

More videos:

  • Demo - Azure Virtual Wan Demo. Connect your remote offices, data centers, users, vnets with Virtual WAN
  • Review - Zero to Hero with Azure Virtual WAN from Derek Smith

Nmap videos

Nmap Tutorial For Beginners - 1 - What is Nmap?

More videos:

  • Review - Nmap - Review of Scan Types
  • Review - LABS 50 Bypassing Windows Firewall Using Nmap Evasion Techniques REVIEW

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Azure Virtual WAN and Nmap)
Monitoring Tools
18 18%
82% 82
Log Management
25 25%
75% 75
Security
8 8%
92% 92
Network Scanning
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Azure Virtual WAN and Nmap

Azure Virtual WAN Reviews

We have no reviews of Azure Virtual WAN yet.
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Nmap Reviews

The Top 5 Open Source Vulnerability Scanners
Nmap is a tool that scans ports, does service fingerprinting, and identifies versions of operating systems. Nmap also comes with a scripting engine that detects security vulnerabilities. Once these are detected, Vulcan’s platform can help you to prioritize and fix vulnerabilities.
Source: vulcan.io
9 Best Angry IP Scanner Alternatives Reviewed 2021 (Free & Paid)
If you’re a network administrator looking for more depth and raw power from a port scanner, look no further than Nmap. What Nmap lacks in frills and functional GUI it makes up for with sheer command-line based power. If you’re not a fan of strictly just a command-line interface, you can always use Zenmap, which is the exact same software just with a graphical interface. Both...
15 Best Nmap Alternatives Network Security Scanner
Nmap is an open-source tool that lots of IT professionals find useful in their careers. It is a tool that can locate available hosts and other services that they offer within a network. The Nmap program makes use of raw IP packets to find the hosts and services that are available.
10 Best WireShark Alternatives for Android Devices in 2021
Nmap is a popular open-source network scanning app for Android and desktop. While it works on both rooted and non-rooted Android, you get more functionality during a rooted Android smartphone. Like some apps, Nmap is not available on Google play store or their website.
Source: techreen.com
Alternatives to Nmap: from simple to advanced network scanning
This month marks the 20th anniversary of Nmap, the open-source network mapping tool that became the standard used by many IT professionals, but that can be a bit much if you only need to do general network maintenance and are intimidated by its command-line interface.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Nmap seems to be a lot more popular than Azure Virtual WAN. While we know about 200 links to Nmap, we've tracked only 6 mentions of Azure Virtual WAN. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Azure Virtual WAN mentions (6)

  • Could you have 300 locations connected to one Azure tenancy via site-to-site VPN?
    Azure gateways have limitations (eg100). Check with a Microsoft partner or look into recommended azure virtual wan (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-about). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Need help with VNet Peering
    I think you are looking for: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-about. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Azure Virtual Firewall Query
    They also mentioned here that they can use Azure Virtual WAN. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Questions about NGFW and SD-WAN
    Https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-about or https://www.megaport.com/ gives you a great backbone. You can create HUBS with any kind of NGFW. THE NGFW at the spokes/branches provides "the last mile" connection. Source: over 3 years ago
  • VNET peering Hub and Spoke issue
    We have had great success with Azure Virtual WANs. They make many of the hassles you have just go away. They aren't free, but they are faster and easier to set up. You save money on the manpower hours. Https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-wan/virtual-wan-about. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Nmap mentions (200)

  • 🛡️ Top 10 Free Penetration Testing Tools Every Security Team Should Use in 2025
    Nmap (Network Mapper) is like a GPS for your network. Scan ports, find devices, and discover what’s alive and vulnerable. - Source: dev.to / 9 days ago
  • 3 Types of Chaos Experiments and How To Run Them
    Start by mapping out your network’s topology, including routers, switches, gateways, and the connections between different segments. Tools like Nmap or network diagram software can help visualize your network’s structure. - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • How to Install and Use Nmap in Termux
    If you want to scan a website, Nmap can help you find its open ports, see active IPs, and get other important details quickly. For anyone serious about cybersecurity, Nmap is a necessary tool. To learn more, visit their official website at Nmap.org. - Source: dev.to / 16 days ago
  • Your First Ethical Hack: Learn Network Scanning with Nmap
    Starting Nmap 7.80 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2025-04-12 00:10 IST Nmap scan report for scanme.nmap.org (45.33.32.156) Host is up (0.24s latency). Other addresses for scanme.nmap.org (not scanned): 2600:3c01::f03c:91ff:fe18:bb2f Not shown: 991 closed ports PORT STATE SERVICE 22/tcp open ssh 25/tcp filtered smtp 80/tcp open http 135/tcp filtered msrpc 139/tcp filtered netbios-ssn 161/tcp ... - Source: dev.to / 26 days ago
  • The Impact of Open-Source Tools in Cyber Warfare: A Deep Dive
    The democratization of powerful software technologies is a double-edged sword. On one hand, open-source tools empower organizations and individuals to bolster their cybersecurity defenses without incurring steep financial costs. On the other hand, these same tools can be harnessed by malicious actors, leading to a surge in both the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Open-source resources like Metasploit... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Azure Virtual WAN and Nmap, you can also consider the following products

Cisco DNA Center - Find and resolve network issues with Cisco DNA Center. Provides software-based network automation and assurance. Control and manage intent-based networks.

Angry IP Scanner - Open-source and cross-platform network scanner designed to be fast and simple to use

Ubiquiti Network Management System - Ubiquiti Network Management System manages all the EdgeMAX, EdgeSwitch, airMAX and UFiber devices.

Zenmap - Zenmap is the official cross-platform GUI for the Nmap Security Scanner.

Cisco Network Assistant - Cisco Network Assistant simplifies wired and wireless network management, and provides critical product information using Cisco Active Advisor.

Fing - Discover which devices are connected to any Wi-Fi network, map devices, detect intruders, assess...