Government · head to head
DataSF vs Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Sentinel
Cybersecurity
Cloud-native SIEM and SOAR solution
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- They diverge on capability: DataSF covers Open Datasets, Microsoft Sentinel covers AI-powered analytics.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DataSF and Microsoft Sentinel actually diverge.
| Attribute | DataSF | Microsoft Sentinel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | usage-based |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Api |
| Category | Government | Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 2009 | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
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 DataSF
- Open Datasets
- Data API
- Visualizations
- Data Catalog
- Automated Updates
- Socrata
- ArcGIS
- Analysis Tools
Only in Microsoft Sentinel
- AI-powered analytics
- Fusion detection
- UEBA
- Automated response playbooks
- Threat intelligence
- Hunting queries
- Workbooks
- Incident management
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DataSF
- Citizen Servicesnot Microsoft Sentinel
- Records Managementnot Microsoft Sentinel
- Public Safetynot Microsoft Sentinel
- Civic Engagementnot Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Sentinel
- Cloud-based security information and event management (SIEM)not DataSF
- Extended detection and response (XDR) across enterprise infrastructurenot DataSF
- Data ingestion and long-term security analyticsnot DataSF
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DataSF
Nothing recorded yet. See the DataSF review.
Microsoft Sentinel
- Billing is driven by the volume of log data ingested per day, so cost scales with log noise rather than with users or protected assets
- Commitment tier discounts require reserving daily ingestion capacity in advance, and a tier cannot be downgraded until 31 days have passed
- Commitment tiers start at 100 GB per day, above what smaller estates ingest
- Charges for Log Analytics, Logic Apps and Machine Learning are billed separately on top of Sentinel itself
- The free allowance is only up to 5 MB per user per day for selected Microsoft 365 security logs
- Promotional commitment pricing is time limited and locks in only until a stated end date
Pricing, plan by plan
DataSF
Free- Public AccessFree
- Dataset Access
- API Access
- Visualizations
Microsoft Sentinel
Free- Pay-As-You-Go$2.46/day
- Per GB ingested
- 90-day retention
- First 31 days free for new workspaces
- Commitment TiersFree
- 100GB to 50TB tiers
- Up to 65% discount
- Predictable billing
- Microsoft 365 E5Free
- Free data ingestion for M365 logs
- Bundled with E5 license
Which should you pick?
Choose DataSF if
- You need open datasets.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want data api.
Choose Microsoft Sentinel if
- You need ai-powered analytics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want fusion detection.
Questions people ask
- Is DataSF or Microsoft Sentinel better?
- Neither clearly leads. DataSF starts at Free and Microsoft Sentinel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DataSF or Microsoft Sentinel?
- DataSF starts at Free and Microsoft Sentinel at Free.
- Does DataSF or Microsoft Sentinel run on more platforms?
- DataSF runs on Web. Microsoft Sentinel runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use DataSF for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is DataSF best used for?
- DataSF is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what Microsoft Sentinel is typically brought in for.
- What can DataSF do that Microsoft Sentinel cannot?
- DataSF covers Open Datasets, Data API, Visualizations, Data Catalog. Microsoft Sentinel covers AI-powered analytics, Fusion detection, UEBA, Automated response playbooks.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft Sentinel: How is Microsoft Sentinel pricing calculated?
Microsoft Sentinel uses a pay-as-you-go usage-based model where you pay only for data ingested, stored, and consumed. Flexible commitment tiers are available to reduce total cost of ownership, with specific rates not published on the public pricing page. Source: https://www.microsoft.com/security/business/siem-and-xdr/microsoft-sentinel/
SourceMicrosoft Sentinel: Does Microsoft Sentinel require an Azure subscription?
Yes, Microsoft Sentinel requires a Microsoft Azure subscription to operate. Pricing is handled through Azure and varies based on data consumption and the commitment tier you select. Source: https://www.microsoft.com/security/business/siem-and-xdr/microsoft-sentinel/
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Sentinel
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