Best SIEM Software · 2026
Elastic Security vs 
Microsoft Sentinel Elastic Security vs Microsoft Sentinel: on our data-weighted scoring, Elastic Security edges ahead (8.2 vs 8.1/10). Elastic Security starts at Free tier available and is best for teams wanting an open, search-powered SIEM with consumption pricing and no per-endpoint fees; Microsoft Sentinel starts at $4.3/GB ingested (PAYG, East US) and is best for microsoft-centric orgs wanting a cloud-native SIEM with deep Entra/Defender integration. Choose Elastic Security for the stronger overall track record; consider Microsoft Sentinel if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
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Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →
| Criterion | Elastic Security | Microsoft Sentinel |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| User reviews | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Adoption | 3.7 | 6.5 |
| Affordability | 9.5 | 6.8 |
| Feature breadth | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Ease of trial | 10.0 | 6.0 |
| Elastic Security | Microsoft Sentinel | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free tier available | $4.3/GB ingested (PAYG, East US) |
| Pricing model | per gb | per gb |
| Free trial / tier | Free tier + 14 days | 31 days |
| Best for | Teams wanting an open, search-powered SIEM with consumption pricing and no per-endpoint fees | Microsoft-centric orgs wanting a cloud-native SIEM with deep Entra/Defender integration |
| Deployment | Cloud + self-host | Cloud |
| G2 rating | 4.5/5 (23) | 4.4/5 (289) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 8.2 | 8.1 |
You need teams wanting an open, search-powered siem with consumption pricing and no per-endpoint fees.
You need microsoft-centric orgs wanting a cloud-native siem with deep entra/defender integration.
Elastic Security bills on a per gb model from Free tier available (free tier available), while Microsoft Sentinel uses a per gb model from $4.3/GB ingested (PAYG, East US) (31 days trial). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.
Elastic Security ships 6 headline capabilities (Search-powered SIEM + analytics, Built-in EDR + cloud security, Prebuilt detection rules + MITRE ATT&CK, ML anomaly detection) and deploys Cloud + self-host. Microsoft Sentinel ships 6 (Cloud-native SIEM + SOAR, Native Entra ID + Defender + M365 connectors, KQL hunting + analytics rules, UEBA + ML anomaly detection), deploying Cloud.
Elastic Security holds 4.5/5 (~23 G2 reviews); Microsoft Sentinel holds 4.4/5 (~289 G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, Elastic Security edges ahead (8.2 vs 8.1/10). Pick Microsoft Sentinel instead when microsoft-centric orgs wanting a cloud-native siem with deep entra/defender integration. See Elastic Security alternatives or Microsoft Sentinel alternatives.
