Best SIEM Tools Shortlist
After carefully assessing different options, here’s my shortlist of the top SIEM tools that will allow you to identify and respond to cybersecurity attacks before they impact your network.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Keeping your organization’s network secure is a constant challenge. Every day, attackers look for vulnerabilities to exploit, and even a single oversight can lead to devastating consequences—data breaches, service outages, and reputational damage. If you’ve ever scrambled to trace the source of a security incident or felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of alerts, you know how critical it is to have the right tools in place.
That’s where SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools come in. By consolidating and analyzing security data across your infrastructure, these platforms help you detect threats in real-time, respond quickly, and maintain compliance with ease. Over the years, I’ve worked with countless security teams to evaluate and implement SIEM solutions that deliver real results. In this guide, I’ll share my top picks, breaking down each tool’s key features, strengths, and use cases so you can make an informed decision that fits your organization’s unique needs.
What Are SIEM Tools?
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools are software solutions that help organizations detect and respond to security threats. They collect and aggregate log and event data from different sources like applications, security devices, and servers.
Modern SIEM systems use machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect patterns that may indicate a threat, allowing security teams to respond quickly to incidents before they escalate. Features like log management, real-time monitoring, and compliance reporting help organizations secure their IT infrastructure and mitigate cyberattacks.
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ManageEngine Log360
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
LogManager
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.9 -
SolarWinds Security Event Manager
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3
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Deel
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
New Relic
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3 -
Checkmk
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7
Overviews of the 12 Best SIEM Tools
Below, I’ve summarized the main selling points of the top SIEM tools:
ManageEngine Log360 is a security information and event management (SIEM) solution designed to help organizations monitor and manage their IT infrastructure.
Why I picked ManageEngine Log360: I picked ManageEngine Log360 because of its comprehensive approach to security management. It integrates various functionalities like threat intelligence, machine learning-based anomaly detection, and rule-based attack detection to provide a robust security framework. The software's ability to offer real-time insights and analytics across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments ensures a thorough and dynamic approach to threat detection and response.
ManageEngine Log360 Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include its User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA). This feature uses advanced machine learning algorithms to establish baselines of normal activity and then detect deviations that may indicate potential threats. Another notable feature is its automated threat response, which can reduce the time between threat detection and mitigation by automating the response process.
Integrations include Microsoft Active Directory, Office 365, Google Workspace, AWS, Azure, Salesforce, Box, ServiceNow, Jira, Slack, IBM QRadar, Splunk, SolarWinds, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cisco, and Sophos.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Threat intelligence features
- Real-time alerts
- Centralized management of logs and security events
Cons:
- Requires regular maintenance and updates
- Deployment can be complex
Logmanager is a log management platform enhanced with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) capabilities. It transforms diverse logs, events, metrics, and traces into actionable insights, helping security and operations teams respond swiftly to incidents.
Why I picked Logmanager: It allows you to store, search, and analyze log data at any scale, unifying logs from your entire IT infrastructure. This comprehensive approach provides context for troubleshooting, infrastructure monitoring, and security analysis, ensuring that your team can maintain a secure and compliant environment. With native support for over 140 log sources, adding new sources is quick and straightforward. The platform also offers a no-code graphical programming interface, enabling your team to customize and adapt the system to your specific needs without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
Logmanager Standout Features and Integrations:
Features include predefined dashboards that provide quick insights into data trends, system performance, security events, and compliance status. These dashboards streamline troubleshooting and enhance network observability. Additionally, Logmanager ensures compliance readiness by helping you meet auditing and reporting requirements for regulations such as GDPR, NIS2, and ISO 27001.
Integrations include Apache Tomcat, Aruba Networks, CheckPoint Firewall, Cisco devices, DELL iDRAC, ESET Remote Administrator, Fortinet products, IBM AIX Syslog, Microsoft products, and MySQL.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable and reliable, adapting to growing data needs
- Rapid search and filtering capabilities
- Comprehensive view of IT infrastructure status with customizable dashboards
Cons:
- Pricing could be steep for smaller operations
- Customization can be complex in certain use cases
SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a SIEM platform that aggregates, analyzes, and reports log data in one location. Advanced threat detection capabilities help organizations detect and respond to security incidents in real-time.
Why I picked SolarWinds Security Event Manager: I selected SolarWinds Security Event Manager because it offers an extensive list of pre-built connectors. This gives enterprises a more comprehensive view of their environment. Intuitive visualizations like charts and graphs make it easy to identify and respond to security issues.
SolarWinds Security Event Manager Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I found particularly impressive about SolarWinds Security Event Manager are its Active Response tool, which lets you automate actions to respond to certain activities. For example, you can create a rule that automatically logs users off if they try to send sensitive data to public clouds. The platform also offers out-of-the-box support for security mandates like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Integrations include hundreds of pre-built connectors for anti-virus software, firewalls, physical infrastructure devices, network services, and more. Notable connectors include Microsoft Security Security Essentials, Cisco Firesight, Sentinel IPS, and Dell Server Administrator.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers compliance management and reporting
- List of pre-built connectors is continuously updated
- Supports multiple network protocols
Cons:
- Implementation may require specialized expertise
- Plans can get costly depending on the number of licenses you need
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer is a SIEM solution with a real-time log correlation engine that alerts you of suspicious activities in your network.
Why I picked ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer: ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer offers impressive log management features in a single console. But the main reason I put this platform here is that it offers a file integrity monitoring (FIM) module that detects unauthorized modifications to sensitive files and system folders. It provides audit trails of any changes made to a file and notifies administrators of incidents that could indicate a breach.
ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that differentiate ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer include its built-in syslog server that collects log data from network devices like servers, routers, and firewalls. The dashboard made it easy for me to drill down and gain insights into any security event.
Integrations include native support for over 750 log sources, such as database platforms, endpoint security solutions, firewalls, routers, and web servers. Notable integrations include AWS Cloud Trail, Microsoft SQL Server, Symantec Endpoint Protection, SonicWall, and Solaris.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Available for Windows Server and Linux
- Offers compliance reports for HIPAA, ISO 27011, and more
- Provides advanced log search functionality
Cons:
- Steep initial learning curve
- Free edition has limited functionality
Splunk Enterprise Security is a modern SIEM solution that helps companies gain a unified view of their security posture. It offers advanced threat detection, risk-based alerts, and flexible deployment options.
Why I picked Splunk Enterprise Security: Splunk Enterprise Security offers all the features you’d expect from a SIEM tool — threat detection, security analytics, rapid response, etc. But what makes Splunk stand out is its risk-based alerting, which triggers alerts when incidents cross certain thresholds. This helps cut down on “alert fatigue” and false positives, so your team can prioritize risks that pose real threats.
Splunk Enterprise Security Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I feel are worth highlighting here include its out-of-the-box detections for over 1,300 threats, which include detailed descriptions and techniques to address them. Splunk Enterprise Security also includes automated playbooks that provide rapid responses and resolutions to common security threats.
Integrations are available natively with over 1,000 platforms. Notable integrations include AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes, OpenShift, and MongoDB.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides an extensive range of integrations
- Offers a built-in risk analysis dashboard
- Capable of ingesting terabytes of data per day
Cons:
- Configuring alerts is a time-consuming process
- High licensing costs may be too expensive for small businesses
IBM Security QRadar SIEM is a scalable SIEM platform that collects security-related data from endpoint devices and applications across a network. It enables security teams to monitor their IT infrastructure from one location.
Why I picked IBM Security QRadar: I chose IBM Security QRadar SIEM for its advanced threat detection capabilities. It uses AI with network and user behavior analytics to detect security threats in near real-time. I also liked that the platform assigned each offense a magnitude score based on severity, which made it easier for me to prioritize the most critical issues.
IBM Security QRadar SIEM Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that differentiate IBM Security QRadar SIEM, in my opinion, include its native integrations with over 700 security products, which offers extensive network visibility. Another feature that stood out to me is the platform’s security operations center (SOC). I could easily drill down into each threat and get more details about each.
Integrations are available natively with over 370 applications and 450 device support modules (DSM) like Amazon AWS Network Firewall, Cisco ACE Firewall, and Google Cloud Audit Logs. You can also use IBM’s Universal Cloud REST API to create custom integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers on-premise and cloud deployments
- Complies with security and privacy frameworks like ISO 27001
- Supports a broad range of event log sources
Cons:
- Performance may slow down when working with large data sets
- Large-scale deployments can be difficult to implement
Datadog Cloud SIEM is a cloud-native SIEM solution that analyzes operational and security logs across your technology stack, giving operational teams a high-level view of the company’s security posture.
Why I picked Datadog Cloud SIEM: During my testing, I was impressed by the visualizations that the platform offered. The interface made it easy to visualize activities across users and services. This level of visibility greatly improved collaboration, as my team and I could drill down into incidents and get to the root cause of security threats.
Datadog Cloud SIEM Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that make Datadog Cloud SIEM stand out to me include its out-of-the-box threat detection rules that enable companies to improve their network security without spending huge amounts of time configuring them. For companies with specific requirements, Data Cloud SIEM includes a code-free editor that lets you create your own rules.
Integrations are available natively with over 600 applications, identity providers, and endpoints. Notable integrations include AWS, Azure DevOps, Redis, and Jira.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Data intake is fast and reliable
- Offers advanced search filters to narrow down your search
- Cloud-native solution allows for greater scalability
Cons:
- Log parsing could be improved
- Free plan has limited functionality
ConnectWise SIEM, formerly Perch, is a SIEM platform that enables IT solution providers to help their clients protect their networks against cybersecurity attacks.
Why I picked ConnectWise SIEM: ConnectWise SIEM deserves a spot on this list, in my opinion, because it’s specifically built for IT service providers. It offers flexible on-premise and cloud deployments and comprehensive risk assessments that help you understand the state of your clients’ IT infrastructure. One thing I liked is that ConnectWise SIEM performs automated network scans and prioritizes potential threats based on their impact.
ConnectWise SIEM Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that make ConnectWise SIEM a good fit for IT solution providers are its service level objectives (SLOs) that you can set for your clients. I think SLOs are a great way to set clear expectations and help clients see the value of a SIEM platform. ConnectWise SIEM also enables you to help companies meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
Integrations are available natively through the ConnectWise Marketplace. Notable partners include Fortinet, Perimeter 81, Orbitera, SonicWall, and Trend Micro.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Allows you to create customer-facing reports
- Integrates with other ConnectWise products
- Offers flexible on- and off-premise deployments
Cons:
- Certain integrations may not be available
- Some users report issues with scalability
Microsoft Azure Sentinel is a cloud-based SIEM solution that can ingest data from a range of sources and detect threats before they escalate. It’s built on the Azure platform, which provides flexibility and scalability.
Why I picked Microsoft Azure Sentinel: What makes Microsoft Azure Sentinel an impressive SIEM tool, in my opinion, is its ability to collect and analyze data at cloud scale — something important to consider, especially if your company uses multiple cloud providers. I also like that it integrates natively with the Azure cloud computing platform, as this means it can automatically scale to fit all security needs.
Microsoft Azure Sentinel Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I feel distinguish Microsoft Azure Sentinel include its advanced security analytics, which uses AI to detect threats and reduce the number of false positives. This makes it easier to prioritize incidents that pose legitimate threats. The platform also offers a workflow management system with pre-defined rules to automate security tasks at scale.
Integrations include over 130 pre-built data connectors to sources like AWS, Citrix, Elastic, Ivanti, and Juniper. You can also use the platform’s REST APIs to integrate with other data connectors.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can automatically scale to fit your security needs
- Offers flexible pay-as-you-go pricing
- Integrates with other Microsoft security products
Cons:
- Requires a significant investment upfront to implement the solution
- Not suitable for smaller businesses
ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager delivers real-time threat detection and analytics. It helps organizations reduce their threat exposure and comply with regulatory requirements.
Why I picked ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager: What I liked about ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager is its powerful workflow automation features. Once it detects a threat, it classifies and automatically assigns a case to an analyst. You can manually set up these workflows or “playbooks” based on your needs.
ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that make ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager stand out are its event correlation engine which can track thousands of events per second and send alerts if it detects suspicious activity. I found customizing these rule sets to fit a range of SIEM use cases straightforward.
Integrations are available natively with ArcSight Intelligence to enhance threat detection and ArcSight Recon to improve log management. ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager also integrates natively with SOC tools like Qualys, AhnLab, and Satrix.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Dashboards and reports are highly customizable
- Intelligent risk scoring helps you prioritize security threats
- Real-time correlation engine helps to identify threats accurately
Cons:
- No pricing information is available
- Laggy response times when querying the database
Elastic Security gives you a holistic view of your data no matter where it resides. It provides centralized log management and rapid response capabilities to boost network security.
Why I picked Elastic Security: I put Elastic Security on this list because of its impressive scope of native integrations. It can ingest metrics, logs, and events from a range of data sources, allowing you to get a more complete view of your security posture. One-click integrations made it easy for me to add new sources and expand SIEM visibility.
Elastic Security Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I feel are worth mentioning about Elastic Security include its interactive tools that help you conduct a root cause analysis of an incident and implement new rules to prevent future instances. You can also use rules that Elastic threat researchers and community members created to enhance threat detection.
Integrations are available natively with applications, databases, network devices, and workplace tools. Notable integrations include AWS, Apache Spark, Microsoft Azure, Cisco Umbrella, and Jira. You can also use the platform’s REST APIs to connect to more sources.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers flexible pricing options
- One-click integrations make it easy to add new data sources
- Ability to ingest and analyze data at cloud scale
Cons:
- May not be suitable for organizations with complex security needs
- Not as robust as other SIEM solutions on the market
Rapid7 InsightIDR is a cloud-based platform that combines SIEM and extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities to enhance threat detection and reduce response times.
Why I picked Rapid7 InsightIDR: I chose Rapid7 InsightIDR because it offers extensive endpoint protection for devices connected to a network. Enhanced Endpoint Telemetry (EET) provides detailed activity logs on all endpoint devices. It gives context surrounding each incident so that security teams can respond faster.
Rapid7 InsightIDR Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I feel make Rapid7 InsightIDR a SIEM tool worth considering include its intrusion detection system that can quickly recognize suspicious activities. It provides traffic metadata, giving you a clear picture of what’s happening on the network. Another feature worth mentioning is the pre-built workflows that allow you to automate responses to common threats.
Integrations are available natively with various cloud services, DevOps platforms, and firewalls. Notable partners include Atlassian, AWS, Cisco, ServiceNow, and Snyk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Specialized training available from Rapid7
- Includes relevant context around each alert
- Straightforward installation process
Cons:
- Limited ticket system integrations
- Steep initial learning curve
Best SIEM Tools Summary
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
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1 | ManageEngine Log360 ManageEngine Log360 gathers logs from diverse sources, including end-user devices, servers, network equipment, and firewalls, and offers a robust reporting dashboard | Best for threat intelligence | 30-day free trial + free edition | Pricing upon request | Website |
2 | LogManager Logmanager offers the ability to aggregate and analyze event logs for enhanced security monitoring. | Best for unifying log data | Free trial available | From $500/month | Website |
3 | SolarWinds Security Event Manager SolarWinds Security Event Manager aggregates log data across your infrastructure. | Best enterprise-focused SIEM | 30-day free trial | From $2,877/year | Website |
4 | ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer gives you a full overview of all network events in one location. | Best for file integrity monitoring | 30-day free trial available | From $29/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
5 | Splunk Enterprise Security Splunk Enterprise Security delivers data-driven insights that protect your organization. | Best for risk-based alerting | 14-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website |
6 | IBM Security QRadar SIEM IBM Security QRadar SIEM gives you real-time visibility into your IT environment. | Best for advanced threat detection | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
7 | Datadog Cloud SIEM Datadog Cloud SIEM delivers real-time threat detection at log ingestion. | Best for SIEM visualizations | 14-day free trial | From $15/host/month | Website |
8 | ConnectWise SIEM ConnectWise SIEM helps you deliver managed SIEM services to your clients. | Best for IT solution providers | Free trial upon request | Pricing upon request | Website |
9 | Microsoft Azure Sentinel Microsoft Azure Sentinel detects threats in real-time and prioritizes incidents. | Best for multi-cloud enterprises | 31-day free trial | From $2.46/GB (pay-as-you-go) | Website |
10 | ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager aggregates event data across your organization. | Best for workflow automation | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website |
11 | Elastic Security Elastic Security lets you add new data sources with one-click integrations. | Best for a range of integrations | 14-day free trial | From $95/month | Website |
12 | Rapid7 InsightIDR Rapid7 InsightIDR’s dashboard acts as a “command center” for your IT infrastructure. | Best endpoint protection | 30-day free trial | From $3.82/asset/month | Website |
Other SIEM Software Options
Here’s a shortlist of a few more SIEM tools that didn’t make it to my top list but are still worth considering:
- LogRhythm SIEM
For on-premise deployments
- Exabeam SIEM
For scaling log management
- Graylog
For incident investigations
- AT&T USM Anywhere
For small IT teams
- Fortinet FortiSIEM
For remote teams
- Logpoint Converged SIEM
For ease of implementation
- Trellix Security Operations and Analytics
For unifying security tools
- Paessler PRTG
For small to medium-sized organizations
- Securonix
For optimizing costs
- RSA NetWitness
For security orchestration and automation
Selection Criteria For SIEM Tools
Here’s a summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best SIEM tools for this article:
Core Functionality
To make it on my top list of SIEM tools, I looked for platforms with the following functionality:
- Real-time threat detection and response capabilities
- Native integrations with popular SOC tools
- Built-in file integrity monitoring to monitor file changes
- Flexible on-premise and cloud deployments
- Extensive compliance management and reporting
Key Features
To deliver the core functionality highlighted above, I prioritized SIEM tools with the following key features:
- Correlation engine: This feature is a critical component of any SIEM platform, as it relies on advanced algorithms to identify patterns that may indicate an attack.
- Customizable dashboards: These are another key part of a SIEM tool, as they help you visualize the security posture of your organization and drill down into incidents.
- Automation workflows: It’s impossible to personally attend to every incident, which is why I picked SIEM tools that can automate incident response to contain threats quickly.
- Behavior profiling: Sometimes, internal users pose security threats, so I looked for tools with user behavior analytics that can identify risky behaviors within the organization.
- Compliance management: Support for mandates like GDPR helps companies in highly regulated industries comply with data security requirements.
Usability
I selected SIEM tools that feature out-of-box detections for known threats, so security teams wouldn’t waste their time on configurations. I also chose tools with intuitive visuals to help teams quickly understand the state of their IT infrastructure and prioritize incidents.
People Also Ask
Want to know more about SIEM tools? Here are some frequently asked questions:
What are the three main roles of a SIEM?
How do SIEM tools detect threats?
What is the difference between SOC and SIEM?
Final Thoughts
Cyberattacks on corporate networks increased by 38% in 2022 compared to 2021 — a figure that will likely continue to rise as hackers exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain. SIEM tools are powerful solutions that can detect and even stop potential security threats in their tracks. If your company has yet to implement a SIEM solution, use this list to kickstart your research.
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