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CloudWatch vs Palo Alto Networks

CloudWatch logo

CloudWatch

Software

AWS Monitoring and Observability

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Palo Alto Networks logo

Palo Alto Networks

Software

Enterprise cybersecurity platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CloudWatch has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CloudWatch the free tier covers 5 GB of log ingestion and 10 custom metrics a month, after which log ingestion is $0.50 per GB from 5 to 30 GB; Palo Alto Networks enterprise-focused pricing model
  • They diverge on capability: CloudWatch covers Metrics collection, Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CloudWatch and Palo Alto Networks actually diverge.

Attributes where CloudWatch and Palo Alto Networks differ
AttributeCloudWatchPalo Alto Networks
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiCloud, On-premises, Hybrid
Founded20062005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in CloudWatch

  • Metrics collection
  • Log aggregation
  • Dashboards
  • Alarms and notifications
  • API
  • Webhooks
  • REST
  • Api support

Only in Palo Alto Networks

  • Advanced threat prevention
  • Threat detection and response
  • Cloud security
  • Endpoint protection
  • Network security
  • API protection
  • Incident response
  • Threat intelligence

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CloudWatch

  • Metrics and log collection for AWS workloadsnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Alarming on thresholds across AWS servicesnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Querying logs with Logs Insightsnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Live tailing logs during an incidentnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Distributed tracing alongside X-Raynot Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise network security and threat protectionnot CloudWatch
  • Cloud-native application protectionnot CloudWatch
  • Identity and access securitynot CloudWatch
  • Security operations and incident responsenot CloudWatch

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CloudWatch

  • The free tier covers 5 GB of log ingestion and 10 custom metrics a month, after which log ingestion is $0.50 per GB from 5 to 30 GB
  • Custom metrics are $0.30 each for the first 10,000, so instrumenting broadly gets expensive before volume discounts apply
  • Each custom dashboard beyond the free three is $3 a month
  • Alarms are billed at $0.10 per alarm metric a month, with high-resolution alarms costing more
  • Log storage beyond the free 5 GB is $0.03 per GB per month on top of the ingestion charge

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise-focused pricing model
  • Complex implementation required

Pricing, plan by plan

CloudWatch

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Metrics collection
    • Log aggregation
    • Dashboards

Palo Alto Networks

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Threat prevention
    • Detection and response
    • Cloud security

Which should you pick?

Choose CloudWatch if

  • You need metrics collection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want log aggregation.
CloudWatch review

Choose Palo Alto Networks if

  • You need advanced threat prevention.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want threat detection and response.
Palo Alto Networks review

Questions people ask

Is CloudWatch or Palo Alto Networks better?
Neither clearly leads. CloudWatch starts at Free and Palo Alto Networks at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CloudWatch or Palo Alto Networks?
CloudWatch has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CloudWatch and On request for Palo Alto Networks.
Does CloudWatch or Palo Alto Networks run on more platforms?
CloudWatch runs on Web, Api. Palo Alto Networks runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
Can I use CloudWatch for free?
Yes. CloudWatch has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Palo Alto Networks starts at On request.
What is CloudWatch best used for?
CloudWatch is most often used for metrics and log collection for aws workloads, alarming on thresholds across aws services, querying logs with logs insights, live tailing logs during an incident. Of those, metrics and log collection for aws workloads and alarming on thresholds across aws services are not what Palo Alto Networks is typically brought in for.
What can CloudWatch do that Palo Alto Networks cannot?
CloudWatch covers Metrics collection, Log aggregation, Dashboards, Alarms and notifications. Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, Threat detection and response, Cloud security, Endpoint protection. Both handle Web support.
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