Microsoft Sentinel vs Splunk: 6 Key Differences and How to Choose

What Is Microsoft Sentinel? 

Microsoft Sentinel (formerly Azure Sentinel) is a cloud-native SIEM (security information and event management) solution that provides security analytics. It features scalable log management and rapid analysis, integrating with Microsoft’s ecosystem. As a cloud service, Sentinel leverages AI for threat detection and management, offering automated responses to cybersecurity threats.

Sentinel’s architecture handles data from diverse sources, offering threat intelligence. Its scalability and cloud-native design might make it suitable for hybrid environments. Integration with existing Microsoft services like Azure Active Directory offers security management across platforms.

What Is Splunk Enterprise Security? 

Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) is a platform providing analytics and security intelligence. It is a key component of the Splunk ecosystem, designed for threat detection, investigation, and response. Splunk leverages its data processing engine to deliver visibility into machine data.

This solution fits various organizational needs. Its analytics capabilities, coupled with a suite of security features, help respond to incidents. Splunk has a user community and support resources as well. 

Microsoft Sentinel vs. Splunk Enterprise Security: Key Differences 

1. Features and Capabilities

Both Microsoft Sentinel and Splunk Enterprise Security provide features for real-time monitoring, alerting, and threat detection. Sentinel’s near-real-time (NRT) rules for monitoring, which can capture events every minute, provides analysts with insights. Splunk also offers real-time monitoring but generally doesn’t match the same speed of data refresh as Sentinel.

In terms of user activity monitoring, Sentinel may have an edge due to its user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA). Sentinel’s UEBA goes beyond Splunk’s user behavior analytics (UBA) by tracking behaviors and anomalies for entities like servers and network devices, not just individual users.

When it comes to use case investigations, both platforms offer similar capabilities, including malware detection, privileged user monitoring, and identifying zero-day attacks. However, Sentinel’s security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) functionality might make it a better solution for automated threat detection and response. Sentinel also leverages cloud-based AI to enhance its threat detection capabilities.

2. Ease of Deployment

Microsoft Sentinel has a reputation for being easier to deploy, especially for organizations already using Azure or other Microsoft services. Its integration with Microsoft sources, like Office 365 and Azure Active Directory, is straightforward and requires minimal setup. The platform’s out-of-the-box data connectors simplify the onboarding process, and its continuous updates ensure that new data sources are regularly supported.

Splunk’s deployment can be more challenging. While some users report that setup is relatively simple, many find it complex, especially due to Splunk’s system programming language (SPL), which requires time and training to master. Additionally, migrating from another SIEM to Splunk can be difficult, as the platform’s multi-tier architecture adds complexity to integration. SOC analysts often need extensive documentation and training to use Splunk effectively, especially for large-scale deployments.

3. Integrations and Architecture

Microsoft Sentinel integrates with Microsoft services, which makes data collection easier for organizations already using the Microsoft ecosystem. Additionally, Sentinel supports a range of third-party applications, software, and network devices, which might make it adaptable for non-Microsoft environments.

Splunk’s architecture is more complex, with a multi-tier setup that complicates integration. It requires a deeper level of technical expertise to deploy and manage, particularly for organizations transitioning from another SIEM platform. Managing and integrating Splunk with an organization’s infrastructure often requires extensive customization.

4. Administration and Reporting

Sentinel might simplify administration and reporting with Azure Monitor Workbooks, which allow users to create customizable reports. The platform offers pre-built templates for visualizing data, and these can be easily modified to meet specific requirements. Workbooks enable fairly quick report generation to present data to stakeholders.

Splunk offers similar reporting features, but with a more complicated setup. While users have more options for how data is reported—such as embedding reports in external sites or adding them to dashboards—the process is less intuitive. Splunk requires a more in-depth understanding of its system for effective administration and reporting. While detailed documentation is available, it adds another layer of complexity compared to the more user-friendly reporting tools in Sentinel.

5. Cost and Licensing

When it comes to pricing, Microsoft Sentinel offers a more flexible, consumption-based model compared to Cisco’s Splunk. Sentinel charges based on the amount of data ingested and stored, which allows organizations to scale costs according to their usage. Microsoft also offers free data ingestion for certain services, like Office 365 audit logs.

Splunk uses a licensing model that charges based on the volume of data indexed per day. While this can be predictable for organizations with stable data ingestion rates, it can also become costly for enterprises processing large volumes of data. Additionally, Splunk’s licensing model requires careful planning to avoid exceeding data limits, which can lead to unexpected costs.

6. Vendor Lock-In

Microsoft Sentinel’s deep integration with Azure and other Microsoft services might make it easier to setup for businesses that are heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. However, this also means that organizations using non-Microsoft tools may feel locked into the Azure environment which eliminates a best-in-class approach.

Splunk is more vendor-agnostic. It supports a range of third-party data sources, which can make it more attractive to organizations that rely on a diverse set of tools and platforms. Although Splunk offers flexibility, its proprietary SPL language and complex architecture can still create a sense of lock-in, as migrating to another SIEM could require significant retraining and re-architecting of security workflows.

Splunk Enterprise Security vs. Microsoft Sentinel: Which Should You Choose? 

Deciding between Splunk Enterprise Security and Microsoft Sentinel depends on your organization’s specific needs, budget, and existing infrastructure. Both platforms offer features, but there are notable differences that may influence your choice.

Microsoft Sentinel is often preferred for its integration with other Microsoft services, such as Azure and Office 365. It’s a cloud-native SIEM solution, which provides easy scalability and AI-driven threat detection. Sentinel’s pricing model, based on a per-user, per-month subscription, can be more predictable and cost-effective for businesses with extensive cloud services, especially when factoring in Azure Active Directory integration.

On the other hand, Splunk Enterprise Security is known for its versatility and data analytics capabilities. It’s a tool that can ingest and analyze data from a variety of sources, making it customizable for different environments. However, its complexity can be a drawback. Splunk’s reliance on its proprietary query language (SPL) and multi-tier architecture may require additional training and technical resources, especially during initial setup and deployment.

Ultimately, if ease of use, cloud-native integration, and cost-effectiveness are key factors for your business, Microsoft Sentinel is likely the better fit. However, if your organization requires deep customization, has complex data sources, and can manage a steeper learning curve, Splunk Enterprise Security may be the more suitable option.

Exabeam: Ultimate Alternative for Microsoft Sentinel and Splunk ES

Exabeam is a leading provider of security information and event management (SIEM) solutions, combining UEBA, SIEM, SOAR, and TDIR to accelerate security operations. Its Security Operations platform enables security teams to quickly detect, investigate, and respond to threats while enhancing operational efficiency.

Key Features:

• Scalable log collection and management: The open platform accelerates log onboarding by 70%, eliminating the need for advanced engineering skills while ensuring seamless log aggregation across hybrid environments.
• Behavioral analytics: Uses advanced analytics to baseline normal vs. abnormal behavior, detecting insider threats, lateral movement, and advanced attacks missed by signature-based systems. Customers report that Exabeam helps detect and respond to 90% of attacks before other vendors can catch them.
• Automated threat response: Simplifies security operations by automating incident timelines, reducing manual effort by 30%, and accelerating investigation times by 80%.
• Contextual incident investigation: Since Exabeam automates timeline creation and reduces time spent on menial tasks, it cuts the time to detect and respond to threats by over 50%. Pre-built correlation rules, anomaly detection models, and vendor integrations reduce alerts by 60%, minimizing false positives.
• SaaS and cloud-native options: Flexible deployment options provide scalability for cloud-first and hybrid environments, ensuring rapid time to value for customers. For organizations who can’t, or won’t move their SIEM to the cloud, Exabeam provides a market-leading, full featured, and self-hosted SIEM.
• Network visibility with NetMon: Delivers deep insight beyond firewalls and IDS/IPS, detecting threats like data theft and botnet activity while making investigation easier with flexible searching. Deep Packet Analytics (DPA) also builds on the NetMon Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) engine to interpret key indicators of compromise (IOCs).

Exabeam customers consistently highlight how its real-time visibility, automation, and productivity tools powered by AI, uplevel security talent, transforming overwhelmed analysts into proactive defenders while reducing costs and maintaining industry-leading support.

Get a demo and see Exabeam in action