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Networking · head to head

Palo Alto Networks vs VictoriaMetrics

Palo Alto Networks logo

Palo Alto Networks

Networking

Enterprise cybersecurity platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VictoriaMetrics logo

VictoriaMetrics

Cloud

Fast, cost-effective time series database for metrics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VictoriaMetrics has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Palo Alto Networks enterprise-focused pricing model; VictoriaMetrics promQL compatibility is very close but not identical, and MetricsQL extensions do not port back
  • They diverge on capability: Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, VictoriaMetrics covers PromQL compatible.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Palo Alto Networks and VictoriaMetrics differ
AttributePalo Alto NetworksVictoriaMetrics
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, On-premises, HybridLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryNetworkingCloud
Founded2005Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Palo Alto Networks

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

Only in VictoriaMetrics

  • PromQL compatible
  • Low resource use
  • Single binary or cluster
  • Remote write target

What people use each for

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

Palo Alto Networks

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

VictoriaMetrics

  • Keeping months or years of Prometheus metrics without the memory costnot Palo Alto Networks
  • High-cardinality metrics where Prometheus strugglesnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Consolidating metrics from many Prometheus instances into one queryable storenot Palo Alto Networks

Where each one falls short

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

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise-focused pricing model
  • Complex implementation required

VictoriaMetrics

  • PromQL compatibility is very close but not identical, and MetricsQL extensions do not port back
  • Smaller community than Prometheus, so fewer guides and third-party integrations
  • The clustered version has meaningfully more moving parts than the single binary suggests
  • Some enterprise features sit outside the open-source offering

Pricing, plan by plan

Palo Alto Networks

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

VictoriaMetrics

Free
  • VictoriaMetricsFree
    • Full functionality
    • No data limits
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose VictoriaMetrics if

  • You need promql compatible.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want low resource use.
VictoriaMetrics review

Questions people ask

Is Palo Alto Networks or VictoriaMetrics better?
Neither clearly leads. Palo Alto Networks starts at On request and VictoriaMetrics at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Palo Alto Networks or VictoriaMetrics?
VictoriaMetrics has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Palo Alto Networks and Free for VictoriaMetrics.
Does Palo Alto Networks or VictoriaMetrics run on more platforms?
Palo Alto Networks runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid. VictoriaMetrics runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use VictoriaMetrics for free?
Yes. VictoriaMetrics has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Palo Alto Networks starts at On request.
What is Palo Alto Networks best used for?
Palo Alto Networks is most often used for enterprise network security and threat protection, cloud-native application protection, identity and access security, security operations and incident response. Of those, enterprise network security and threat protection and cloud-native application protection are not what VictoriaMetrics is typically brought in for.
What can Palo Alto Networks do that VictoriaMetrics cannot?
Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, Threat detection and response, Cloud security, Endpoint protection. VictoriaMetrics covers PromQL compatible, Low resource use, Single binary or cluster, Remote write target.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Palo Alto Networks: How much do Palo Alto Networks products cost?

Palo Alto Networks does not publish pricing on their main website. Customers must request a demo, trial, or contact their sales team directly to receive custom pricing based on specific security needs and deployment scale.

Source
VictoriaMetrics: Is VictoriaMetrics free?

The open-source version is free with no data limits. An enterprise edition and cloud service are paid.

VictoriaMetrics: Does it replace Prometheus?

It can, but most teams keep Prometheus for scraping and use VictoriaMetrics as the long-term store behind it.

VictoriaMetrics: Is PromQL fully supported?

Very nearly. It implements PromQL and extends it with MetricsQL, though a small number of edge-case behaviours differ.

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