Choosing a SIEM? Why Exabeam New-Scale Fusion Outpaces Microsoft Sentinel

Security information and event management (SIEM) plays a critical role in detecting, investigating, and responding to threats. But not all SIEMs deliver the same results. Solutions that appear cost effective often introduce hidden complexity, visibility gaps, and integration issues, especially in hybrid and multicloud environments.

Microsoft Sentinel integrates tightly with Microsoft products but often requires extra tools, constant tuning, and extensive customization. Exabeam New-Scale Fusion offers a different path—one purpose-built for threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR) with faster outcomes and less operational overhead. The platform also includes Exabeam Nova, a built-in multi-agent AI assistant that supports both analysts and security leaders throughout the investigation and detection lifecycle.

Here are five ways New-Scale Fusion outperforms Microsoft Sentinel.

1. Vendor-Neutral Integrations for Broader Visibility

Sentinel supports limited third-party integrations. Many are still in preview or require custom development, especially for non-Microsoft sources.

New-Scale Fusion connects to nearly 700 vendor products with over 9,500 prebuilt parsers. Built on a Common Information Model (CIM), it normalizes data across cloud, hybrid, and on-prem environments—no custom scripts or proprietary query languages required.

2. Machine-Learned Threat Detection Built In

Sentinel’s behavioral analytics depend on other Microsoft tools like Defender for Identity and Microsoft 365 Defender. Full behavioral visibility requires additional licenses and ongoing tuning.

Exabeam delivers machine-learned threat detection as a core capability. With more than 500 behavioral models, prebuilt correlation rules, and MITRE ATT&CK^® coverage, it detects risky behavior, compromised credentials, and lateral movement earlier—without bolt-on tools.

It also includes Outcomes Navigator, powered by Exabeam Nova, which gives teams always-on visibility into their detection program. Outcomes Navigator maps current log activity and detections to ATT&CK and TDIR use cases, identifies gaps, and recommends improvements. Unlike Sentinel, which lacks native coverage tracking, Exabeam provides measurable, prioritized insights to help teams close gaps and mature their detection strategy over time.

3. Faster Investigations With Automated Timelines

In Sentinel today, investigations often require switching between consoles. Automated timelines typically depend on multiple Microsoft tools—Defender, Logic Apps, Security Copilot—and a manual effort to piece together the data.

Exabeam automatically reconstructs each incident in a single timeline. Analysts get a clear, step-by-step narrative with relevant alerts, anomalies, and contextual behavior all in one view. This accelerates triage and shortens response times.

4. More Predictable Pricing and Operational Efficiency

Sentinel’s usage-based pricing can be unpredictable. Costs scale with ingestion, storage, queries, automation, and AI usage—even for Microsoft 365 data under certain license tiers. Customers commonly report hidden or unexpected expenses, including unpredictable metering charges, increased false positives due to limited threat detection effectiveness, and heavy reliance on services or consulting for rule tuning and data hygiene.

Exabeam uses a transparent, modular pricing model. There are no surprise fees for ingestion; security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR); or AI-powered features. Built-in compliance reporting templates support mandates like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR—no custom workbooks required.

5. Actionable AI and Real-Time Guidance

Microsoft’s Security Copilot isn’t embedded in Sentinel. It’s a separate license with usage-based compute fees and limited integration unless paired with Defender XDR.

Exabeam Nova, the AI assistant built in the New-Scale Platform, is included at no extra cost. It summarizes threats, classifies risk, and recommends next steps directly within the investigation workflow—no need to switch tools or learn a new interface.

Sentinel Isn’t Free—and It Isn’t Turnkey

Sentinel is often assumed to be free with Azure. But only the ingestion of select log types is covered (O365 and Azure activity logs), and only under specific license tiers. Most ingestion, storage, and analysis activities incur additional costs, as do Defender tools, Logic Apps, and Security Copilot.

The free tier is meant for evaluation, not for operating a functional security operations center (SOC). It lacks the scale, context, and content needed to deliver real results.

Why Security Teams Choose Exabeam

Exabeam delivers a modern SIEM experience that helps analysts detect threats earlier, investigate faster, and drive consistent outcomes. With embedded AI, automation, machine-learned threat detection, and transparent pricing, there’s no need for add-ons or manual tuning.

Security teams choose Exabeam to gain flexibility, reduce alert fatigue, and operate with speed and confidence.

Explore the full guide to see how Exabeam compares to Microsoft Sentinel.