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Head-to-head · Threat Hunting Software

Elastic Security vs Darktrace / NETWORK

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Elastic Security #1 in Threat Hunting Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Try Elastic Security
Darktrace / NETWORK #8 in Threat Hunting Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Darktrace

Elastic Security leads on 0 checks, Darktrace / NETWORK on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreElastic Security · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Elastic Security
  • Free trialonly Elastic Security
  • Most featuresDarktrace / NETWORK · 3 of 4

Elastic Security scores higher on our rubric for threat hunting software: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Elastic Security is the better fit for broad, query-driven threat hunting teams. Darktrace / NETWORK is the better fit for AI-led hybrid-network threat investigations.

  • Elastic Security fits best

    Broad, query-driven threat hunting teams

  • Darktrace / NETWORK fits best

    AI-led hybrid-network threat investigations

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Side by side

Feature Elastic Security 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Darktrace / NETWORK 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in Threat Hunting Software #8 in Threat Hunting Software
Best for Broad, query-driven threat hunting teams AI-led hybrid-network threat investigations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $0.09/GB usage-based Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial 14 days —
Integrations 10 integrations 8 integrations
Features Elastic Security 0/4 · Darktrace / NETWORK 3/4
Endpoint telemetry Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cloud telemetry Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Network telemetry Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Investigation cases Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Hunting query language Not checked yet Not checked yet
Searchable retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • KQL, Lucene, and ES|QL support custom and threat-hunting queries
  • Hundreds of integrations cover cloud, endpoint, network, and ticketing data
  • Detection rules, cases, triage, and response workflows share one platform
  • Behavioral profiles span networks, cloud, OT, endpoints and identities.
  • Correlates cross-domain events for AI-driven investigations.
  • Configurable containment connects native and third-party response tools.
Cons
  • Ingestion and retention charges vary with data volume and storage
  • Advanced capabilities such as UEBA require the Complete plan
  • Broad functionality may exceed teams needing only basic alerting
  • Pricing uses a contact-sales model rather than published plan rates.
  • Its broad scope is aimed at mid-market and enterprise environments.
  • May exceed the needs of teams seeking network-only threat hunting.
Our verdict

Elastic Security is a SIEM and security analytics product for security operations teams. It collects security data from endpoints, cloud environments, networks, and other sources, then supports detection, investigation, threat hunting,…

Read the review →

Darktrace / NETWORK, presented on Darktrace’s site as Darktrace / HYBRID NETWORK, is a network detection and response product for organizations securing hybrid infrastructure. It passively ingests traffic from on-premises and virtual…

Read the review →
  1. Elastic SecurityThreat Hunting Software 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Darktrace / NETWORKThreat Hunting Software 8.7Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Elastic Security — where it wins

    • KQL, Lucene, and ES|QL support custom and threat-hunting queries
    • Hundreds of integrations cover cloud, endpoint, network, and ticketing data
    • Detection rules, cases, triage, and response workflows share one platform

    Where it doesn't

    • Ingestion and retention charges vary with data volume and storage
    • Advanced capabilities such as UEBA require the Complete plan
    • Broad functionality may exceed teams needing only basic alerting

  • Darktrace / NETWORK — where it wins

    • Behavioral profiles span networks, cloud, OT, endpoints and identities.
    • Correlates cross-domain events for AI-driven investigations.
    • Configurable containment connects native and third-party response tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing uses a contact-sales model rather than published plan rates.
    • Its broad scope is aimed at mid-market and enterprise environments.
    • May exceed the needs of teams seeking network-only threat hunting.

More comparisons

All threat hunting software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update