OSSEC vs Wazuh: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for OSSEC and Wazuh side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
OSSEC
Open-source host intrusion detection
Best for you if:
- • You want open source HIDS
Wazuh
Open-source security monitoring
Best for you if:
- • You want open source SIEM
| At a Glance | OSSEC | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Log Management Security | Vulnerability Scanning Security Monitoring |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 10 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 71 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose OSSEC or Wazuh?
Choose OSSEC if
- You want open source HIDS
- You want good intrusion detection
- You work in log management, not vulnerability scanning
Choose Wazuh if
- You want open source SIEM
- You want good features
- You work in vulnerability scanning, not log management
In-Depth Analysis
OSSEC
Open-source host intrusion detection
OSSEC's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source HIDS
- Pro: Good intrusion detection
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Active community
- Pro: Free
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: UI limited
- Con: Documentation dated
- Con: Resource usage
Key features
Wazuh
Open-source security monitoring
Wazuh's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a full-featured open-source SIEM/XDR solution for $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source SIEM
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Free
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Documentation gaps
- Con: Enterprise features paid
Key features
Plans and prices: OSSEC vs Wazuh
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OSSEC |
| ossec.net read Oct 25, 2026 |
| Wazuh |
| wazuh.com read Oct 8, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on OSSEC pricing and Wazuh pricing.
Key Takeaways
OSSEC
- Choose if you want open-source host intrusion detection
Wazuh
- Choose if you want open-source security monitoring
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.6/5 from 10 reviews for OSSEC, 4.5/5 from 71 reviews for Wazuh; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do OSSEC and Wazuh compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.6/5 from 10 reviews for OSSEC, 4.5/5 from 71 reviews for Wazuh; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Both have a free plan.
What are OSSEC and Wazuh used for?
OSSEC: Open-source host intrusion detection. Wazuh: Open-source security monitoring.
What does OSSEC cost vs Wazuh?
OSSEC is free. Wazuh is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 25, 2026.
What's the main difference between OSSEC and Wazuh?
OSSEC's main strength: open source HIDS. Wazuh's main strength: open source SIEM.