Logs play a critical role in IT infrastructure, and choosing the right log management solution is key to effective operations. This guide explores the core principles for selecting a solution that aligns with your log collection and management needs. Given the wide range of options available, we categorize them into three main groups for clarity.
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End-to-end Log Management Solutions
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Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)
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Application Performance Monitoring and Observability (APM)
The last two groups are listed in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant. As expected, some of the tools are listed in both groups since there is some overlap between the two. APM and SIEM solutions generate insights using the same logs, events, and telemetry.
This grouping will help you understand and find the best solution for you. In addition, we will highlight some notable solutions available on the market from each group.
What is a Log Management Solution?
According to the NIST Cybersecurity Log Management Planning Guide, "Log management is the process for generating, transmitting, storing, accessing, and disposing of log data."
That is a concise definition for something that goes beyond simple data handling to enable comprehensive monitoring, troubleshooting, and compliance in IT environments. Here is a more verbose version:
A log management solution is a software suite designed to collect, store, analyze, and manage log data generated by an organization’s applications, systems, and infrastructure. Its primary purpose is to enable monitoring, troubleshooting, and auditing of IT environments by handling large volumes of log data in a centralized way. Log management solutions ideally include capabilities for log collection, ingestion, storage, querying, visualization, and alerting, helping organizations gain insights, ensure compliance, and respond to security events.
As we mentioned above, there is some overlap between the tools in each category we defined. The solutions are all in the log management domain yet serve different use cases, so it’s a matter of which one best solves your needs. For simplicity, we will define the technical inclusion criteria for each tool below.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
According to Gartner’s evaluation, besides business requirements, a SIEM must offer the following technical capabilities:
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Provides SIM and SEM capabilities through cloud-native software and/or SaaS.
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Features, functionality, and add-on solutions, including at least two additional capabilities from below, were generally available, vendor-owned (wholly acquired or organically built), and included in the SIEM product or sold as separate add-ons.
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Features Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR).
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Acts as a Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP).
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Includes User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA).
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Provides long-term data storage and reporting (greater than 365 days).
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A product that supports data capture and analysis from heterogeneous, third-party sources via API in addition to data streaming or log collection (that is, other than from the SIEM vendor’s products/SaaS), including market-leading network technologies, endpoints/servers, cloud (IaaS or SaaS), and business applications. This must include bidirectional, formally recognized partnerships with at least ten major security technology vendors.
Application Performance Monitoring and Observability (APM)
Again, besides business criteria, according to the same Gartner source, an APM must offer the following technical capabilities:
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Features automated discovery and mapping of applications and their infrastructure components (including cloud services).
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Provides monitoring of applications running on mobile (native and browser) and desktop browsers.
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Includes the identification and analysis of application performance problems and their impact on business outcomes.
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Poses native integration capabilities with automation and service management tools, as well as native integration with public cloud providers (e.g., AWS CloudWatch, Azure Monitoring, Google Cloud Operations).
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Can perform analysis of business KPIs and user journeys (e.g., login to check-out).
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Holds the ability to perform interactive interrogation of multiple telemetry types (i.e., traces, metrics, logs) to detect “unknown unknowns” — that is, the ability to identify underlying issues to unexpected events.
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Provides application security functionality that is delivered via a common agent or framework for APM.
End-to-end Log Management Solutions
In addition to recognized market players, many log monitoring solutions try to fill the gaps around log data management and analysis. End-to-end log management solutions address SIEM and APM shortcomings, offering a lightweight and cost-effective alternative. Why do they have the right to exist besides the two larger groups mentioned above? Well, there are some simple reasons.
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APM/SIEM solutions tend to be expensive and become too costly over time.
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Some of the APM/SIEM solutions are very resource-hungry.
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Some use cases require an easy-to-use and lightweight solution.
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Technical limitations with native capabilities of data collection with APM/SIEM solutions.
In general, End-to-end Log Management Solutions aim to solve just three main tasks of the APM/SIEM business process:
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Data Pipeline
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Storage
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Search & Evidence
How do APM and SIEM differ from the other log management solutions?
It is easy to differentiate between APM and SIEM as they have distinct characteristics. Yet it is essential to understand the difference between APM/SIEM and End-to-end Log Management Solutions when deciding which is right for you. Like the significant players in the APM/SIEM business segment, log management solutions are:
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Offered as SaaS and cloud-based.
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Offer different data retention options to reduce costs.
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Offer dedicated operational and security analysis features.
There are two main characteristics of these log management tools that differentiate them from the APM and SIEM players from Gartner’s Magic Quadrant:
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Cost-effective pricing, usually based on the volume of ingested data (priced per GB).
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Focus on effortless setup with simple integration and an intuitive, easy-to-learn feature set.
As you probably noticed, we keep referring to Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, a widely used reference point by many organizations. At this point, we must mention that these End-to-end Log Management Solutions tools are noteworthy enough for Gartner to have a separate Quadrant for them. They are valid and well-needed players in the log analytics ecosystem and could help any organization achieve its centralized log collection goals.
How to choose the right Log Management Solution
First, let’s agree that every network and corporate setting differs, each with specific requirements. Therefore, we will outline a general wishlist that applies to the three groups we outlined above, considering features likely to benefit every IT organization, whether they use a SIEM, APM, or End-to-end Log Management Solution.
- An all-in-one-solution
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It must be a complete solution capable of log collection, parsing, forwarding, and storage. It should handle logs from the moment of collection to their final destination. We want to avoid the cumbersome task of integrating multiple technologies that are not designed to work together.
- Heterogenous log collection
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It must support log collection from heterogeneous networks. Simply, it must be able to collect log and telemetry data from the Windows machines in accounting, the macOS laptops in the UX department, and the corporate servers without adding extra complexity.
- Single vendor
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A solution from a single vendor means a single contact point. We don’t want to deal with different tech support teams pointing at each other when we need to solve an issue. Having a single vendor has a lot of benefits, including streamlined support to avoid complications.
- Easy to deploy and scale
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Easy mass deployment and scalability are essential for growing organizations that think long-term. Managing a business and growth has its challenges. No one wants to replace an entire software suite because it no longer fits.
- Cost efficiency
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Cost is a sensitive subject, yet it is a very important one. Large corporations, let alone smaller businesses, watch their spending nowadays. We also mean financial predictability and transparency here. A predictable pricing model aids budgeting for organizations of all sizes.
Log Management Solutions to consider
All technologies are unique and have their benefits. However, I want to highlight a few notable log management solutions in this section.
I do not intend to start a log management software battle, and it won’t be an in-depth comparison with a clear winner. The intention is to list technologies worth considering based on their market positioning.
The entries in the three lists below are not in any particular order of priority.
End-to-end Log Management Solutions
According to the wishlist above, here are some notable players in this segment of log management solutions.
NXLog Platform
NXLog Platform is a log management solution built on years of experience in log collection and management. It offers robust log collection, processing, storage, and querying capabilities.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
It features the NXLog Agent, an established and versatile log collector that can collect data from heterogeneous sources and provides OpenTelemetry support. |
Strengths |
It supports log collection from any source and easily integrates with other SIEM and analytics platforms, ensuring versatility across environments. Onboarding is straightforward, making it accessible even for less experienced users. |
Potential drawbacks |
Its log search functionality is not as advanced as some of its competitors, which may limit in-depth querying. |
Cost |
Pricing is flexible , with free, basic, and premium plans tailored to various organizational needs. |
Use cases |
NXLog Platform is a strong choice for teams seeking a scalable, evolving log management solution. |
Loggly
Loggly is a cloud-based, simple, easy-to-use log management solution. It provides real-time analysis, centralized log collection, and search capabilities.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Loggly does not have its own log collection agent. |
Strengths |
Its main strengths lie in its user-friendly interface and powerful search and real-time analysis capabilities. |
Potential drawbacks |
Loggly’s scalability is somewhat limited, and it lacks advanced features like AI integration found in other solutions. |
Cost |
A tiered subscription model with pricing based on data volume and retention. This is cost-effective for smaller organizations. |
Use cases |
It suits small to medium-sized organizations looking for quick onboarding and straightforward functionality. |
Cribl
Cribl is a data management platform that optimizes log and telemetry pipelines. It enables users to filter, route, and enrich data in real time, reducing storage costs and improving processing efficiency.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Cribl offers the Cribl Edge agent to collect and ship logs. It is an intelligent, highly scalable data collection system that gathers logs, metrics, and application data from various sources. |
Strengths |
Its vendor-agnostic approach allows seamless integration with diverse analytics tools and storage systems, making it suitable for complex IT environments. |
Potential drawbacks |
Even though onboarding is relatively straightforward, leveraging some advanced features requires technical expertise. |
Cost |
Pricing is volume-based, offering flexibility, but becomes expensive for higher data volumes. |
Use cases |
Cribl is a reasonable choice for organizations looking to streamline data pipelines without vendor lock-in. |
Fluentd & Fluentbit
Fluentd and Fluentbit are open-source log processors widely used in the logging and observability ecosystem. Fluentd focuses on log aggregation and routing, while Fluentbit is a lightweight alternative optimized for edge environments and resource-constrained devices.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
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Strengths |
Fluentbit is open-source and has a rich ecosystem with hundreds of plugins. It scales effectively from small setups (Fluentbit) to enterprise-grade deployments (Fluentd). |
Potential drawbacks |
It requires technical expertise to configure and maintain, especially in complex environments. It does not have a native user interface and depends on integration with external visualization and analysis tools. |
Cost |
Both tools are free to use under the Apache 2.0 license. However, the price will likely arise from the infrastructure and resources needed for deployment and maintenance. In addition, various organizations provide paid support for Fluentd and Fluentbit. The support costs vary based on the service provider and the services required. |
Use cases |
Suitable for organizations that already have in-house expertise and are looking for a cost-effective log aggregation solution. |
SIEM solutions
The SIEM solutions I chose are some of the most popular ones. These systems offer advanced log management that would suit most needs when looking for a SIEM solution.
Splunk
Splunk is a comprehensive log management platform for real-time data analysis and monitoring.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Splunk features two agents, Universal Forwarder and Heavy Forwarder. It also supports third-party log collector agents. The former offers very basic functionality, while the latter requires more system resources. |
Strengths |
It supports multiple operating systems and offers cloud-based and on-premises deployment options. Splunk is highly scalable and customizable through its app ecosystem, which is desirable for large organizations. |
Potential drawbacks |
It has a steep learning curve due to its search language and optimization requirements. |
Cost |
Pricing is tied to data ingestion, which can be costly for smaller organizations. |
Use cases |
Splunk is a popular choice for advanced log management scenarios. |
Google Security Operations (formerly Google Chronicle)
Google SecOps is a modern SIEM solution that efficiently manages large data streams.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
It offers the BindPlane agent as a heavier but more capable agent and a Remote Agent as a lighter option. It also provides extensive documentation about third-party agent technologies. |
Strengths |
The Google SecOps platform facilitates quick threat detection and offers advanced search capabilities. |
Potential drawbacks |
As a newer option, it has fewer integrations and features than its established competitors. |
Cost |
A fixed annual fee makes budgeting straightforward, which appeals to many organizations. |
Use cases |
Its focus on scalability and simplicity makes it an excellent choice for enterprises looking to improve their security posture without unnecessary complexity. |
Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM and SOAR platform for scalable security analytics and automation.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Microsoft Sentinel offers the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) to collect and transmit data from various sources to its platform. |
Strengths |
It integrates seamlessly with Azure services and collects data from diverse sources, providing centralized visibility and threat detection. |
Potential drawbacks |
While it offers many features and strong integrations, deploying it has a steep learning curve. |
Cost |
Sentinel uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model based on data ingestion, with options for predictable costs through commitment tiers. |
Use cases |
Sentinel is a reliable choice for organizations seeking flexible, cloud-first security and log management solutions. |
Securonix
Securonix is a cloud-native SIEM platform for advanced threat detection and response.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Securonix offers NXLog Agent as its primary means for collecting and ingesting logs. |
Strengths |
It employs machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify and investigate security incidents in real time. The Securonix platform integrates with diverse data sources, offering a comprehensive overview of heterogeneous IT environments. |
Potential drawbacks |
Its advanced features have a steep learning curve for new users. |
Cost |
Pricing is based on data ingestion, which increases costs for organizations handling significant volumes of data. |
Use cases |
Securonix is a strong choice for businesses seeking an AI-driven and scalable security solution. |
APM solutions
Similar to the SIEM section above, I will list four APM solutions. They are all noteworthy players in the market at the time of writing. These solutions currently offer most of the features an APM could offer.
Datadog
Datadog is a cloud-based monitoring and analytics platform for modern, scalable applications. It provides a real-time overview and observability for infrastructure, logs, and applications and aims to collect data seamlessly from diverse environments.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Datadog provides the Datadog Agent, which is designed to collect and send metrics, logs, and traces from your infrastructure to the Datadog platform. |
Strengths |
Its main strength lies in its customizable dashboards, detailed metrics, and rich alerting capabilities. |
Potential drawbacks |
The user interface could be challenging initially and cost quickly increases with higher data volumes and advanced feature usage. |
Cost |
Datadog uses a modular pricing model, letting customers pay only for the features they use. |
Use cases |
Datadog is ideal for organizations seeking end-to-end performance insights. |
New Relic
New Relic is a cloud-based observability platform that monitors applications and infrastructures in real time. It aims to deliver detailed insights into system performance, helping IT teams quickly identify and resolve issues. With its extensive integrations, it supports data collection from diverse environments.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
New Relic offers a suite of agents and integrations for comprehensive monitoring and log management.
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Strengths |
New Relic’s strengths include a user-friendly interface, alerting features, and granular performance metrics. |
Potential drawbacks |
Its wide range of capabilities can be overwhelming for new users, and cost rises with increased data usage. |
Cost |
Pricing is usage-based, offering flexibility but becomes expensive as your data grows. |
Use cases |
It is ideal for teams seeking reliable, real-time application monitoring. |
Dynatrace
Dynatrace is an observability platform that comprehensively monitors applications, infrastructure, and threats. It uses AI to provide insights and identify issues proactively.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Dynatrace utilizes OneAgent to monitor and collect data across your technology stack. |
Strengths |
Dynatrace stands out for its scalability and automation features, making it suitable for large enterprises. |
Potential drawbacks |
Its pricing model, which combines monitored units and data consumption, could be more transparent. |
Cost |
Because of the above, it can be complex and expensive for heterogeneous environments. |
Use cases |
Despite the ambiguous pricing model, Dynatrace is a strong choice for organizations that require a detailed, AI-driven observability platform. |
Logz.io
Similar to the above, Logz.io defines itself as a cloud-based observability platform. It integrates open-source tools for log management, infrastructure monitoring, and security analytics.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Log ingestion |
Logz.io offers the Logz.io Agent to collect and transfer logs, metrics, and traces from various data sources to the Logz.io platform. |
Strengths |
Users appreciate its efficient log analysis, scalability, and integration capabilities. It offers real-time analysis, customizable dashboards, and AI-driven insights to help troubleshoot and optimize system performance. |
Potential drawbacks |
There is a noticeable learning curve during initial onboarding, and the complex integrations can be challenging. |
Cost |
Pricing is consumption-based, with costs varying according to data ingestion and retention, which become significant for data-intensive operations. |
Use cases |
Overall, Logz.io suits organizations looking for a flexible, unified observability solution with robust features. |
Closing thoughts
Choosing the right log management solution takes aligning features with your goals to ensure better decision-making. Each type—SIEM, APM, and End-to-end Log Management Solutions—has unique strengths that suit different use cases. The key is to choose a solution that fits seamlessly into your existing workflows, provides the insights you need, and can grow with your business. I hope this article helps you understand the log management software landscape better so you can find the best solution for your needs.
