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Head-to-head · Threat Hunting Software

Splunk Enterprise vs Darktrace / NETWORK

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Splunk Enterprise #5 in Threat Hunting Software 9.0/10 Free plan · pricing on request · 60-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Splunk
Darktrace / NETWORK #8 in Threat Hunting Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Darktrace

Splunk Enterprise 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 scoreSplunk Enterprise · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Splunk Enterprise
  • Free trialonly Splunk Enterprise
  • Most featuresDarktrace / NETWORK · 3 of 4

Splunk Enterprise scores higher on our rubric for threat hunting software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Splunk Enterprise is the better fit for organizations needing flexible self-hosted searching. Darktrace / NETWORK is the better fit for AI-led hybrid-network threat investigations.

  • Splunk Enterprise fits best

    Organizations needing flexible self-hosted searching

  • Darktrace / NETWORK fits best

    AI-led hybrid-network threat investigations

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Side by side

Feature Splunk Enterprise 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Darktrace / NETWORK 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #5 in Threat Hunting Software #8 in Threat Hunting Software
Best for Organizations needing flexible self-hosted searching AI-led hybrid-network threat investigations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Free plan · pricing on request · 60-day trial Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial 60 days —
Integrations 8 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Splunk Enterprise 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
  • Searches and analyzes indexed events with SPL and SPL2.
  • Ingests data from files, networks, and other sources.
  • Supports dashboards, alerts, archives, and distributed deployments.
  • 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
  • The free license is limited to standalone, single-instance use.
  • Splunk Free has a 500 MB/day ingestion limit.
  • Paid pricing is quote-based rather than published as standard plans.
  • 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

Splunk Enterprise collects and indexes machine-generated data from sources such as websites, applications, sensors, and devices, making it searchable for operational and security work. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise organizations…

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. Splunk EnterpriseThreat Hunting Software 9.0Free plan · pricing on request · 60-day trial
  2. Darktrace / NETWORKThreat Hunting Software 8.7Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Splunk Enterprise — where it wins

    • Searches and analyzes indexed events with SPL and SPL2.
    • Ingests data from files, networks, and other sources.
    • Supports dashboards, alerts, archives, and distributed deployments.

    Where it doesn't

    • The free license is limited to standalone, single-instance use.
    • Splunk Free has a 500 MB/day ingestion limit.
    • Paid pricing is quote-based rather than published as standard plans.

  • 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.
  • Splunk Enterprise9.0/10 · Free plan · pricing on request · 60-day trial

    A self-hosted platform for searching security and operational data with SPL and SPL2.

    Visit SplunkFull verdict →
  • Darktrace / NETWORK8.7/10 · Pricing on request

    A cross-domain threat hunting platform for investigating hybrid-network anomalies.

    Visit DarktraceFull verdict →

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