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OSSEC

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Open-source host intrusion detection

SecurityMonitoringLog Management
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Reviews onG2Capterra
11 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Open source HIDS

Biggest con

Complex setup

TL;DR - OSSEC

  • OSSEC is an open-source host-based intrusion detection system
  • It monitors logs, performs file integrity checking, and detects rootkits
  • Completely free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.7/5 across review platforms

What is OSSEC?

Editorial review
OSSEC detects intrusions and monitors hosts. Open-source host intrusion detection-security monitoring that's free and proven. The detection is file and log based. The open-source is genuine. The deployment is flexible. Security teams wanting host monitoring use OSSEC for open-source intrusion detection.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux

how we evaluateSourceossec.net ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Open source HIDS
  • Good intrusion detection
  • Self-hostable
  • Active community
  • Free

Cons

  • Complex setup
  • Learning curve
  • UI limited
  • Documentation dated
  • Resource usage

Ratings Across the Web

4.7(11 reviews)

OSSEC holds an aggregate rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 11 reviews across G2 and Capterra, last checked March 18, 2026.

G210 reviews
4.6/5
Capterra1 reviews
5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Host IDSLog analysisFile integrityRootkit detectionActive responseOpen source

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 22, 2026

Free

  • Open source HIDS
  • Host-based intrusion detection
  • Log analysis
  • File integrity monitoring
Calculate your costView full pricing

Is OSSEC worth the price?

95/100

OSSEC's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free.

This open-source solution provides core HIDS functionalities without any cost, making it an outstanding value. It's best for organizations with the technical expertise to deploy and manage open-source software.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Requires internal IT expertise

No official vendor support

Manual updates and maintenance

Integration development time

How OSSEC Compares to Competitors

Compared to commercial HIDS solutions like CrowdStrike Falcon or SentinelOne, which can cost hundreds or thousands per endpoint annually, OSSEC stands out by being completely free. While commercial options offer managed services and advanced features, OSSEC provides a robust core HIDS at no monetary cost, requiring only internal resource investment.

Reviews

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4.7/5

Across 11 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra

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Best OSSEC Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Microsoft Sentinel logo
Microsoft SentinelPaid

Cloud-native SIEM by Microsoft

4.5
LogRhythm logo
LogRhythmPaid

SIEM and security analytics platform

4.2
Rapid7 InsightIDR logo
Rapid7 InsightIDRPaid

Cloud SIEM for threat detection

4.4
See all security tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

OSSEC vs Microsoft SentinelHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsOSSEC vs LogRhythmHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winsOSSEC vs Rapid7 InsightIDRHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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OSSEC FAQ

How does OSSEC detect intrusions on a host?

OSSEC detects intrusions through file and log-based analysis. It monitors hosts to identify suspicious activities and potential security breaches using these methods.

Which teams would benefit most from using OSSEC?

Security teams looking for open-source intrusion detection and host monitoring capabilities would find OSSEC most beneficial. Its features are well-suited for organizations prioritizing self-hosted security solutions.

How is OSSEC priced?

OSSEC is free to use, as it is an open-source solution. There is no paid plan required to access its host intrusion detection and security monitoring features.

What kind of trade-offs should users consider before deploying OSSEC?

Users should be aware that OSSEC has a complex setup and a learning curve. Additionally, its user interface is limited, and some of its documentation may be dated.

Can OSSEC be integrated with other security tools for log management?

OSSEC functions as a security monitoring and log management tool, primarily focusing on host intrusion detection. Its capabilities in log management can complement other security tools within an overall security infrastructure.

How does OSSEC compare to Microsoft Sentinel for host intrusion detection?

OSSEC provides open-source, self-hostable host intrusion detection with an active community, while Microsoft Sentinel is a commercial cloud-native SIEM. OSSEC's core strength lies in its free, proven host-based detection capabilities.

Source: ossec.net

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