Software · head to head
Splunk vs Palo Alto Networks
The short version
- Only Splunk has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Splunk no prices are published on any plan; every model requires contacting sales for an estimate; Palo Alto Networks enterprise-focused pricing model
- They diverge on capability: Splunk covers Log aggregation, Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Splunk and Palo Alto Networks actually diverge.
| Attribute | Splunk | Palo Alto Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | usage-based | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid |
| Founded | 2003 | 2005 |
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 Splunk
- Log aggregation
- Real-time monitoring
- Data visualization
- Full-text search
- Custom dashboards
- Alert management
- Anomaly detection
- Log parsing
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.
Splunk
- Log search and analysis across infrastructurenot Palo Alto Networks
- SIEM, SOAR and UEBA for a security operations teamnot Palo Alto Networks
- Application performance and infrastructure monitoringnot Palo Alto Networks
- Cloud, private cloud or on-premises deploymentnot Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks
- Enterprise network security and threat protectionnot Splunk
- Cloud-native application protectionnot Splunk
- Identity and access securitynot Splunk
- Security operations and incident responsenot Splunk
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Splunk
- No prices are published on any plan; every model requires contacting sales for an estimate
- Three separate pricing models, workload, ingest and entity, so the same deployment costs different amounts depending on which was signed
- Ingest pricing bills on data volume, so cost tracks how much you log rather than how much value you get from it
- Security, observability and platform are priced separately
Palo Alto Networks
- Enterprise-focused pricing model
- Complex implementation required
Pricing, plan by plan
Splunk
Free- FreeFree
- Log aggregation
- Real-time monitoring
- Data visualization
Palo Alto Networks
On request- Enterprise$undefined/year
- Threat prevention
- Detection and response
- Cloud security
Which should you pick?
Choose Splunk if
- You need log aggregation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want real-time monitoring.
Choose Palo Alto Networks if
- You need advanced threat prevention.
- You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
- You also want threat detection and response.
Questions people ask
- Is Splunk or Palo Alto Networks better?
- Neither clearly leads. Splunk 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, Splunk or Palo Alto Networks?
- Splunk has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Splunk and On request for Palo Alto Networks.
- Does Splunk or Palo Alto Networks run on more platforms?
- Splunk runs on Web, Api. Palo Alto Networks runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
- Can I use Splunk for free?
- Yes. Splunk has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Palo Alto Networks starts at On request.
- What is Splunk best used for?
- Splunk is most often used for log search and analysis across infrastructure, siem, soar and ueba for a security operations team, application performance and infrastructure monitoring, cloud, private cloud or on-premises deployment. Of those, log search and analysis across infrastructure and siem, soar and ueba for a security operations team are not what Palo Alto Networks is typically brought in for.
- What can Splunk do that Palo Alto Networks cannot?
- Splunk covers Log aggregation, Real-time monitoring, Data visualization, Full-text search. Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, Threat detection and response, Cloud security, Endpoint protection. Both handle Web support.