Graylog vs Microsoft Sentinel: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Graylog and Microsoft Sentinel comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Graylog
Open-source log management platform
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need monitoring features specifically
- • Graylog is an open-source log management platform for collecting and analyzing logs
- • It centralizes log data with search, dashboards, and alerting capabilities
Microsoft Sentinel
Cloud-native SIEM by Microsoft
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need ai agents features specifically
- • Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM and SOAR platform on Azure
- • It provides security analytics, threat detection, and automated response
| At a Glance |  Graylog |  Microsoft Sentinel |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Monitoring | AI Agents |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Graylog | Microsoft Sentinel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | MonitoringLog Management | AI AgentsLog Management |
How Graylog and Microsoft Sentinel Compare
Graylog
Open-source log management platform
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Microsoft Sentinel
Cloud-native SIEM by Microsoft
Paid · 84/100 score
Graylog is a monitoring tool. Microsoft Sentinel is in ai agents.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Graylog has a free tier. Microsoft Sentinel is paid only.
Go with: Graylog
Want the highest-rated option?
Graylog: 80/100. Microsoft Sentinel: 84/100.
Go with: Microsoft Sentinel
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Microsoft Sentinel
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Graylog is freemium. Microsoft Sentinel is paid. Graylog lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Graylog is a monitoring tool. Microsoft Sentinel is in ai agents. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Microsoft Sentinel scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Sentinel
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
Graylog
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
Microsoft Sentinel (84/100) is our pick. Graylog has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Graylog or Microsoft Sentinel better?
Microsoft Sentinel scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Graylog is freemium and Microsoft Sentinel is paid.
What are Graylog and Microsoft Sentinel used for?
Graylog: Open-source log management platform. Microsoft Sentinel: Cloud-native SIEM by Microsoft.
What does Graylog cost vs Microsoft Sentinel?
Graylog is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Microsoft Sentinel is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.