Splunk vs Exabeam -- SIEM & Security Analytics Compared

Splunk vs Exabeam

Exabeam excels at behavioral analytics and automated investigation, offering capabilities that surpass Splunk's native UEBA. While Splunk provides more flexible general-purpose analytics and a larger ecosystem, Exabeam's automated investigation timelines and behavioral modeling can dramatically reduce analyst workload for insider threat and credential-based attack detection.

The Verdict

Choose Exabeam if insider threat detection and automated investigation are your top priorities, and you want a UEBA-first SIEM approach. Choose Splunk if you need the most versatile analytics platform with the broadest ecosystem and most flexible search capabilities.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureExabeamSplunk
UEBACore strength (Advanced Analytics)Splunk UBA (add-on product)
InvestigationAutomated Smart TimelinesManual SPL-driven investigation
Threat DetectionBehavior-first anomaly detectionRule-based + ML toolkit
Data ArchitectureSecurity data lakeProprietary indexed storage
Insider ThreatsPurpose-built detection modelsRequires UBA add-on + tuning
Query LanguageNatural language + query builderSPL (powerful but complex)
Cloud PlatformNew-Scale (cloud-native)Splunk Cloud (mature)
EcosystemGrowing integration library2,500+ Splunkbase apps

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Exabeam when:

  • +Insider threat detection is a top priority for your organization
  • +You want automated investigation that reduces analyst workload
  • +Behavioral analytics and anomaly detection are critical requirements
  • +You need Smart Timelines for clear incident visualization
  • +You prefer a UEBA-first approach to security analytics

Choose Splunk when:

  • +You need the broadest, most flexible analytics and search platform
  • +You require the largest ecosystem of integrations and apps
  • +You want an established platform with the largest trained workforce
  • +Your use cases extend beyond security into IT operations and observability
  • +You need the most mature and battle-tested SIEM at scale

Pros & Cons Comparison

Exabeam

Pros

  • +Industry-leading behavioral analytics (UEBA)
  • +Automated investigation dramatically reduces analyst time
  • +Smart Timelines provide clear incident visualization
  • +Strong insider threat and credential abuse detection
  • +Modern cloud-native architecture (New-Scale)

Cons

  • –Smaller market presence than Splunk or Microsoft
  • –Advanced features require significant tuning
  • –Integration ecosystem still maturing
  • –Transition from legacy Exabeam to New-Scale still ongoing

Splunk

Pros

  • +Industry-leading search and analytics
  • +Massive ecosystem of apps and integrations
  • +Powerful SPL query language
  • +Strong enterprise support and training
  • +Comprehensive security content library

Cons

  • –Very expensive at scale
  • –Complex licensing and pricing model
  • –Steep learning curve for SPL
  • –Heavy infrastructure requirements
  • –Vendor lock-in with proprietary format

Splunk vs Exabeam FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Splunk and Exabeam.

What is the main difference between Splunk and Exabeam?

Exabeam excels at behavioral analytics and automated investigation, offering capabilities that surpass Splunk's native UEBA. While Splunk provides more flexible general-purpose analytics and a larger ecosystem, Exabeam's automated investigation timelines and behavioral modeling can dramatically reduce analyst workload for insider threat and credential-based attack detection.

Is Exabeam better than Splunk?

Choose Exabeam if insider threat detection and automated investigation are your top priorities, and you want a UEBA-first SIEM approach. Choose Splunk if you need the most versatile analytics platform with the broadest ecosystem and most flexible search capabilities.

How much does Exabeam cost compared to Splunk?

Exabeam pricing: Custom enterprise pricing (subscription-based). Splunk pricing: From $1,800/year (workload pricing) / Enterprise custom. Exabeam's pricing model is per-user or per-gb subscription, while Splunk uses workload-based or ingest-based pricing.

Can I migrate from Splunk to Exabeam?

Yes, you can migrate from Splunk to Exabeam. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.

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