Technology · head to head
Postgres vs Splunk Enterprise Security
Splunk Enterprise Security
Cybersecurity
The platform for operational intelligence
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Postgres has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Postgres each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life; Splunk Enterprise Security splunk Enterprise Security is licensed separately from the Splunk platform, so a SIEM deployment needs both
- They diverge on capability: Postgres covers ACID compliance, Splunk Enterprise Security covers Security monitoring.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Postgres and Splunk Enterprise Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | Postgres | Splunk Enterprise Security |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker | Web, Api |
| Category | Technology | Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 1996 | 2003 |
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 Postgres
- ACID compliance
- Complex queries
- Foreign keys
- Triggers
- Views
- Stored procedures
- JSON/JSONB support
- Full-text search
Only in Splunk Enterprise Security
- Security monitoring
- Incident review
- Risk-based alerting
- Threat intelligence
- Investigation workbench
- MITRE ATT&CK mapping
- Automated response
- Compliance reporting
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Postgres
- Running a general purpose relational database for applicationsnot Splunk Enterprise Security
- Self-hosting an open source SQL database with no licence feenot Splunk Enterprise Security
- Workloads needing extensions, JSON and full text search in one enginenot Splunk Enterprise Security
Splunk Enterprise Security
- Running a security operations centre on Splunk indexed log datanot Postgres
- Correlation searches, risk based alerting and incident investigationnot Postgres
- Compliance reporting from pooled security telemetrynot Postgres
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Postgres
- Each major version is supported for only 5 years after its initial release, after which it is end-of-life
- Major version upgrades break on-disk compatibility and require a full dump and reload or the pg_upgrade tool
- New major versions ship about once a year, so staying supported means a disruptive upgrade cycle
- Minor releases contain only frequently-encountered bug fixes, low-risk fixes, security issues and data corruption fixes, so feature gaps are not addressed within a major version
- There is no vendor SLA; commercial support must be bought separately from third party professional services listed by the project
Splunk Enterprise Security
- Splunk Enterprise Security is licensed separately from the Splunk platform, so a SIEM deployment needs both
- Splunk publishes no rate for Enterprise Security and directs buyers to contact a pricing expert
- UEBA, SOAR and automated threat analysis require the Premier edition rather than Essentials
- The platform underneath can be billed by ingest volume, workload or activity, so the total cost depends on a pricing model chosen at contract time rather than a list price
Pricing, plan by plan
Postgres
Free- Community EditionFree
- Full database features
- No limitations
- Community support
Splunk Enterprise Security
On request- Workload PricingFree
- Pay per compute
- Flexible scaling
- All features
- Ingest PricingFree
- Pay per GB ingested
- Predictable costs
- All features
- Entity PricingFree
- Pay per monitored entity
- Security focused
- All features
Which should you pick?
Choose Postgres if
- You need acid compliance.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker.
- You also want complex queries.
Choose Splunk Enterprise Security if
- You need security monitoring.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want incident review.
Questions people ask
- Is Postgres or Splunk Enterprise Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. Postgres starts at Free and Splunk Enterprise Security at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Postgres or Splunk Enterprise Security?
- Postgres has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Postgres and On request for Splunk Enterprise Security.
- Does Postgres or Splunk Enterprise Security run on more platforms?
- Postgres runs on Linux, Windows, Macos, Docker. Splunk Enterprise Security runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use Postgres for free?
- Yes. Postgres has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Splunk Enterprise Security starts at On request.
- What is Postgres best used for?
- Postgres is most often used for running a general purpose relational database for applications, self-hosting an open source sql database with no licence fee, workloads needing extensions, json and full text search in one engine. Of those, running a general purpose relational database for applications and self-hosting an open source sql database with no licence fee are not what Splunk Enterprise Security is typically brought in for.
- What can Postgres do that Splunk Enterprise Security cannot?
- Postgres covers ACID compliance, Complex queries, Foreign keys, Triggers. Splunk Enterprise Security covers Security monitoring, Incident review, Risk-based alerting, Threat intelligence.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Postgres: How much does PostgreSQL cost to use?
PostgreSQL is completely free to download, install, and use. No licensing fees, subscription costs, or per-seat charges apply. The database is open source under the PostgreSQL License. Source: https://www.postgresql.org
SourceSplunk Enterprise Security: How much does Splunk Enterprise Security cost?
Splunk Enterprise Security pricing is not published. The product is available in Essentials Edition with threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities, and Premier Edition with UEBA, SOAR, and Automated Threat Analysis. Customers must contact Splunk sales for pricing quotes on either edition.
SourcePostgres: Are there commercial PostgreSQL support options available?
Official PostgreSQL (the project) is free. Commercial PostgreSQL services such as hosting, professional support, training, and managed database services are offered by third-party vendors, not the PostgreSQL project itself. Source: https://www.postgresql.org
SourceSplunk Enterprise Security: What editions of Splunk Enterprise Security are available?
Splunk Enterprise Security offers Essentials Edition with threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities, and Premier Edition which adds UEBA (User and Entity Behavior Analytics), SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response), and Automated Threat Analysis.
SourcePostgres: Do I need a license to use PostgreSQL commercially?
No. PostgreSQL is open source under the PostgreSQL License, which permits free commercial use without royalties, licensing fees, or support obligations. Source: https://www.postgresql.org
SourceRelated pages
More on Splunk Enterprise Security
Other head to heads
- Postgres vs Linear
- Postgres vs Asana
- Postgres vs ClickUp
- Postgres vs Figma
- Postgres vs Supabase
- Postgres vs Redis
- Postgres vs Aha!
- Postgres vs Eclipse
- Postgres vs Excalidraw
- Postgres vs MongoDB
- Postgres vs Okta
- Postgres vs Notion
- Postgres vs Close
- Postgres vs Coda
- Postgres vs Drift
- Postgres vs JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA
- Postgres vs LogRocket
- Postgres vs Neovim
- Postgres vs Norton 360
- Postgres vs 1Password
- Postgres vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Postgres vs LastPass
- Postgres vs LogRhythm SIEM
- Postgres vs Darktrace
- Postgres vs IBM QRadar
- Postgres vs Trend Micro Vision One
- Postgres vs Cybereason Defense Platform
- Postgres vs Microsoft Sentinel
- Postgres vs Rapid7 InsightVM
- Postgres vs TrustArc
- Postgres vs Varonis Data Security Platform
- Postgres vs VMware Carbon Black
- Postgres vs Wireshark
- Postgres vs WorkOS
- Postgres vs Zscaler Internet Access
- Postgres vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Linear
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Asana
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs ClickUp
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Figma
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Supabase
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Redis
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Aha!
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Eclipse
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Excalidraw
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs MongoDB
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Okta
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Notion
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Close
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Coda
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Drift
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs LogRocket
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Neovim
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Norton 360
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs 1Password
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs LastPass
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs LogRhythm SIEM
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Darktrace
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs IBM QRadar
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Trend Micro Vision One
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Cybereason Defense Platform
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Microsoft Sentinel
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Rapid7 InsightVM
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs TrustArc
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Varonis Data Security Platform
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs VMware Carbon Black
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Wireshark
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs WorkOS
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Zscaler Internet Access
- Splunk Enterprise Security vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint