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Head-to-head · Security Analytics

Elastic Security vs IBM QRadar SIEM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Elastic Security #2 in Security Analytics 9.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Try Elastic Security
IBM QRadar SIEM #5 in Security Analytics 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit IBM

Elastic Security leads on 0 checks, IBM QRadar SIEM on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreElastic Security · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Elastic Security
  • Free trialonly Elastic Security

Elastic Security scores higher on our rubric for security analytics: 9.3 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Elastic Security is the better fit for teams wanting flexible, low-cost SIEM analytics. IBM QRadar SIEM is the better fit for organizations needing a mature self-hosted SIEM.

  • Elastic Security fits best

    Teams wanting flexible, low-cost SIEM analytics

  • IBM QRadar SIEM fits best

    Organizations needing a mature self-hosted SIEM

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Elastic Security 9.3/10 Visit ↗ IBM QRadar SIEM 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.0
Ranking #2 in Security Analytics #5 in Security Analytics
Best for Teams wanting flexible, low-cost SIEM analytics Organizations needing a mature self-hosted SIEM
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 —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Integrations 10 integrations 1 integrations
Features Elastic Security 0/4 · IBM QRadar SIEM 0/4
UEBA Not checked yet Not checked yet
Anomaly detection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Threat intelligence Not checked yet Not checked yet
Case management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Data retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Log ingestion limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Detection rules support correlation, thresholds, indicators, fields, and machine learning
  • Hundreds of integrations cover cloud, Kubernetes, endpoints, networks, and ticketing
  • Free self-managed plan plus usage pricing from $0.09 per GB ingested
  • Centralizes security visibility across data sources
  • Combines real-time detection with behavior and network analytics
  • Offers 700+ prebuilt integrations and partner extensions
Cons
  • Retention is billed separately from ingestion, starting at $0.017 per retained GB monthly
  • Entity analytics and UEBA require the Security Analytics Complete plan
  • Teams must choose between managed deployments and self-managed infrastructure
  • Requires a self-hosted deployment
  • Pricing requires contacting IBM for a custom demonstration
  • AQL searches and custom rules may demand specialist expertise
Our verdict

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

Read the review →

Security teams looking to centralize monitoring and investigation can use IBM QRadar SIEM to analyze security events and network activity in a self-hosted deployment. It brings together real-time threat detection, user behavior analytics,…

Read the review →
  1. Elastic SecuritySecurity Analytics 9.3Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. IBM QRadar SIEMSecurity Analytics 9.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Elastic Security — where it wins

    • Detection rules support correlation, thresholds, indicators, fields, and machine learning
    • Hundreds of integrations cover cloud, Kubernetes, endpoints, networks, and ticketing
    • Free self-managed plan plus usage pricing from $0.09 per GB ingested

    Where it doesn't

    • Retention is billed separately from ingestion, starting at $0.017 per retained GB monthly
    • Entity analytics and UEBA require the Security Analytics Complete plan
    • Teams must choose between managed deployments and self-managed infrastructure

  • IBM QRadar SIEM — where it wins

    • Centralizes security visibility across data sources
    • Combines real-time detection with behavior and network analytics
    • Offers 700+ prebuilt integrations and partner extensions

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a self-hosted deployment
    • Pricing requires contacting IBM for a custom demonstration
    • AQL searches and custom rules may demand specialist expertise
  • Elastic Security9.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    Flexible SIEM analytics with extensive detection, hunting, and workflow capabilities.

    Try Elastic SecurityFull verdict →
  • IBM QRadar SIEM9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A self-hosted SIEM with broad integrations, real-time detection and customizable analytics.

    Visit IBMFull verdict →

More comparisons

All security analytics comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update