Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Zenmap VS Azure Network Watcher

Compare Zenmap VS Azure Network Watcher and see what are their differences

Zenmap logo Zenmap

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

Azure Network Watcher logo Azure Network Watcher

Azure Network Watcher provides multiple features to help you visualize key parameters, track, troubleshoot, and activate or deactivate logs for resources in an Azure virtual network.
  • Zenmap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-01
  • Azure Network Watcher Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-18

Zenmap features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    Zenmap provides a graphical interface that makes it easier for users to conduct network scans without needing to memorize command-line options.
  • Visualization Tools
    It includes tools for visualizing scan results, such as network topology diagrams, which can help in understanding network structure and vulnerabilities.
  • Profile Management
    Supports saving scan configurations as profiles, enabling quick re-runs of common scans with predefined settings.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Zenmap is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it versatile for different environments.
  • Integration with Nmap
    Leverages the powerful capabilities of Nmap, a well-known network scanning tool, providing advanced scanning options and performance.

Possible disadvantages of Zenmap

  • Performance Overhead
    The graphical interface can add additional performance overhead compared to the command-line version of Nmap, which may be noticeable during large scans.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its graphical interface, Zenmap still requires a certain level of understanding about network scanning concepts and Nmap parameters to effectively use it.
  • Limited Customization
    While it supports many Nmap features, some advanced customization options available in the command-line version may be less accessible or harder to implement in Zenmap.
  • Security Risks
    Running a graphical network scanning tool can attract unwanted attention on shared or monitored systems as it might appear in process lists or leave trace logs, potentially indicating a security tool is being used.
  • Complexity in Large Data Sets
    When dealing with very large data sets or complex networks, the visual output can become cluttered or difficult to interpret efficiently.

Azure Network Watcher features and specs

  • Comprehensive Network Monitoring
    Azure Network Watcher provides end-to-end monitoring capabilities across all your Azure resources, allowing you to maintain high visibility on the network performance and health.
  • Diagnostic Tools
    Offers a suite of diagnostic tools such as packet capture, VPN diagnostics, and NSG flow logs, which help in troubleshooting network issues efficiently.
  • Topology Viewer
    Visualizes the network topology, providing insights into how resources are connected, making it easier to understand the network architecture and identify bottlenecks or misconfigurations.
  • Integration with Other Azure Services
    Seamlessly integrates with other Azure services like Azure Monitor, providing a unified platform for monitoring and alerting on your network infrastructure.
  • Security Insights
    Helps enhance security by monitoring NSG flow logs and identifying potential threats or unusual traffic patterns.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Network Watcher

  • Complexity
    Due to its comprehensive range of features and capabilities, it may require a steep learning curve for new users to fully leverage its potential.
  • Cost
    While some of the features are free, others, especially those involving data processing or storage, may incur additional costs which can increase rapidly with scale.
  • Performance Overhead
    Enabling extensive logging and diagnostics can introduce performance overhead, potentially impacting the performance of monitored applications or resources.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    As with any monitoring tool, there may be concerns about data privacy as sensitive information could be logged or captured during network monitoring.
  • Limited to Azure
    Azure Network Watcher is limited to Azure infrastructure, so it may not be suitable for organizations using a multi-cloud approach or hybrid environments not fully residing within Azure.

Zenmap videos

Scan for Open Ports w/ Zenmap - Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Zenmap Tutorial - Network Scanning Tool

Azure Network Watcher videos

Complete Azure Network Watcher DEMO and Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Zenmap and Azure Network Watcher)
Security
100 100%
0% 0
Monitoring Tools
80 80%
20% 20
Network & Admin
0 0%
100% 100
Network Scanning
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Zenmap and Azure Network Watcher

Zenmap Reviews

15 Best Nmap Alternatives Network Security Scanner
The aim of the Zenmap app is to learning the Nmap tool easy for newbies to use and at the same time giving the best-advanced features to Nmap professionals.
Top 5 Best Port Scanners
Zenmap is not a new port scanner, but the official NMAP Front End interface (GUI). For those who are not familiar with command line terminals, Nmap creators launched this GUI release that will allow you to scan remote hosts in a fancy and friendly way.

Azure Network Watcher Reviews

Best network monitoring tools of 2020: remote monitoring and management (RMM)
Best network monitoring tools - at a glance(Image credit: WebTitan)1. WebTitanAdaptable web access policiesStrong range of analytics toolsMulti-faceted approach to handling security(Image credit: Pulseway)2. PulsewayLots of third party integrationsFlexible packagesDisaster recovery capabilities3. AteraFlexible deployment optionsEasy to useRange of features could be more...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zenmap seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. 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.

Zenmap mentions (11)

  • Upgrading my opnsense setup. Today I am trying to give names to all my devices checking what is connected to my network, need help.
    Another way would be to use nmap from a Linux machine or virtual machine using: $ sudo nmap 192.168.0.1/24 where the subnet address is replaced with yours. They have a graphic interface, that I haven't used, but you might want to test it. It's called zenmap https://nmap.org/zenmap/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What is this eye icon on the taskbar? Never seen it before.
    I agree with this but the eye is not exactly the same. https://nmap.org/zenmap/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • SSL / TLS scanning utility (internal) ?
    There's also the GUI version if you want. https://nmap.org/zenmap/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • If OpenSSL Were a GUI
    I... Kind of like it? Not the fact that using such a GUI would be almost impossible, like the humorous example of an "engineer oriented UI" in the Silicon Valley series https://www.reddit.com/r/SiliconValleyHBO/comments/4nvvnl/pied_pipers_easytouse_tools/ which might be confusing for most people. But rather the fact that all of the complexity the software has is laid bare, so that nobody could mistakenly assume... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Share your greatest free tools
    I'll have to give Advanced IP Scanner a look to compare, but I like Zenmap so there's another option if you need one! Source: about 3 years ago
View more

Azure Network Watcher mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Azure Network Watcher yet. Tracking of Azure Network Watcher recommendations started around Apr 2022.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Zenmap and Azure Network Watcher, you can also consider the following products

Nmap - Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.

SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer - Download a 30-day free trial of Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack, easy-to-use software that delivers real-time monitoring, alerting, and reporting for routers, switches, and other SNMP-enabled devices.

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

Obkio - Simple Network Monitoring and Network Troubleshooting software to empower users to identify and troubleshoot network & application slowdown from the end-user perspective.

Nessus - Nessus Professional is a security platform designed for businesses who want to protect the security of themselves, their clients, and their customers.

Flowmon - Clever Network Monitoring and Security Solution based on NetFlow, IPFIX and Network Behavior Analysis