Implementing a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution can dramatically improve your ability to detect, investigate, and respond to threat activity. But not every SIEM offers the same features and capabilities to users.

The right SIEM for your organization must fit the capabilities and expertise provided by your Security Operations Center (SOC). It must also offer a pricing structure that fits your budget while enabling long-term growth. We’ve identified five popular SIEM solutions provided by reputable vendors and identified ideal use cases for each.

1. Splunk Enterprise Security

Splunk is one of the most popular SIEM vendors around, taking up a significant portion of the market share. It combines threat detection, investigation, and response with valuable non-security application and network monitoring use cases. Its user interface and technical documentation is well regarded by the cybersecurity community.

Splunk Enterprise Security comes with advanced features for data visualization and reporting, and supports large-scale data processing in complex IT environments. It aggregates, analyzes, and manages log data with efficiency and flexibility, making it a compelling choice for many security teams.

However, implementing Splunk is not always easy, and there can be a steep learning curve. That learning curve extends to Splunk’s billing and licensing model — if your implementation is not optimized, you might be surprised by how much it ends up costing. When it comes to advanced features, Splunk doesn’t offer as much as some other competing options.

Who should consider using Splunk? 

Organizations with access to reliable technical expertise can configure Splunk to operate in a secure, cost-efficient way. That means large-scale enterprises with significant internal teams and smaller organizations that can outsource security operations. This expertise will also help you integrate advanced features that Splunk doesn’t natively offer.

2. Exabeam Fusion

Exabeam is a cloud-native SIEM that brings powerful modern features to the SOC. Fusion SIEM leverages behavioral analytics and automation to drive security performance and provide robust protection against sophisticated threats like malicious insiders.

User Entity and Behavior Analytics (UEBA) is a security technology that compares the actions of users and assets to a historical baseline. When they deviate too far from their routine activities, Exabeam triggers alerts that prompt rapid investigation into potential insider threats.

The platform also supports robust cross-platform automation and incident response. Comprehensive Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) features allow Exabeam to execute pre-configured incident response playbooks whenever it detects unauthorized activity.

Who should consider Exabeam Fusion? 

Fusion works particularly well in complex enterprise IT environments, but its pricing structure can make it more expensive than other options. However, data observability tools like Cribl can dramatically reduce cost of Exabeam implementation and operation, making the platform much more competitive.

3. Microsoft Sentinel

Sentinel provides next-generation SIEM performance powered by Microsoft’s cloud and AI infrastructure. This approach demands far less security infrastructure setup and maintenance, while ensuring scalability for growing organizations.

Microsoft Sentinel leverages its cloud advantage to offer streamlined, cost effective security data collection and simplify integration. It’s especially well-suited to organizations that already use Microsoft applications and technologies in their tech stack.

AI-powered threat detection and contextual investigation is a strong point for this solution. With the right technical expertise and guidance, your organization can leverage cutting-edge technologies while benefiting from Microsoft’s unique “pay-as-you-go” pricing structure.

Who should consider Microsoft Sentinel? 

Microsoft Sentinel is well-suited to organizations of all sizes that already depend on Microsoft technologies. It may not be the right choice if you have a large number of third-party security integrations, or significant non-Microsoft IT deployments, though.

4. Elastic Security

Elastic first made a name for itself as part of the ELK Stack, one of the most popular open-source SIEM platforms on the market. The company changed its license structure in 2021, but added a new open source AGPL licensing three years later.

This gives security leaders with access to technical talent the opportunity to eliminate blind spots, strengthen defenses, and accelerate investigations directly with Elastic. The ability to choose between different licensing options makes Elastic a flexible option for many different use cases.

As a vendor with a strong open source culture, Elastic performs best when paired with technical expertise and deep customization. It can be a powerful solution for managing high volumes of log data at a low price point.

Who should consider Elastic Security? 

Elastic can help increase the efficiency of security operations and optimize cybersecurity spend for small businesses and midsize organizations. It’s especially well-suited to security teams that demand flexibility and customization and have the technical expertise to make the most of it.

5. Palo Alto Cortex XSIAM

Unlike other entries on this list, XSIAM is not strictly a SIEM. XSIAM stands for Extended Security Intelligence and Automation Management. It bundles SIEM functionality into a comprehensive platform that includes threat intelligence, Extended Detection and Response (XDR), attack surface management, and more.

When Palo Alto Networks acquired IBM QRadar in 2024, it gained a significant foothold in the SIEM market. This gives it a unique opportunity to migrate legacy SIEM users to its new platform, making it a noteworthy SIEM competitor.

This makes it a potential solution for cybersecurity consolidation. However, the platform is designed primarily to work with its own internal tools, implicitly discouraging additional integrations. This, combined with its pricing structure, limits the platform’s addressable market.

Who should consider Cortex XSIAM? 

The platform fits well in a large-scale enterprise context, especially if you are migrating from an IBM QRadar environment and want to consolidate your security tech stack. However, it could make some of your existing solutions redundant and require extensive re-tooling to implement. There may be better options for consolidating security tools while conducting a SIEM migration.

Talk to a SIEM expert to find out more 

Lumifi provides on-demand SIEM expertise as a trusted advisor and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) vendor. Have our team act as an extension of yours, helping you implement and configure your SIEM with scalable product expertise and in-depth customization. Speak with a Lumifi SIEM specialist to learn more.