Quick Overview
- 1#1: CrowdStrike Falcon - Cloud-native endpoint detection and response platform that automates threat hunting and incident remediation.
- 2#2: Microsoft Defender XDR - Unified extended detection and response solution integrating endpoint, identity, and cloud security for rapid incident response.
- 3#3: Cortex XSOAR - Security orchestration, automation, and response platform that streamlines investigations with playbooks and integrations.
- 4#4: Splunk SOAR - Automates security workflows and incident response through customizable playbooks and broad integrations.
- 5#5: Elastic Security - SIEM and XDR solution powered by Elasticsearch for real-time detection, analysis, and response to threats.
- 6#6: SentinelOne Singularity - AI-driven endpoint protection platform with autonomous response and full incident visibility.
- 7#7: Rapid7 InsightIDR - Cloud-based SIEM and XDR tool combining detection, investigation, and automated response capabilities.
- 8#8: IBM Security QRadar SOAR - Orchestrates incident response with automation, case management, and integration across security tools.
- 9#9: TheHive - Open-source scalable incident response platform for collaboration, observables management, and case handling.
- 10#10: Velociraptor - Open-source endpoint visibility and digital forensics tool for threat hunting and incident response.
Tools were evaluated on criteria including threat detection speed, automation proficiency, integration flexibility, user experience, and value, ensuring they align with the dynamic needs of security teams and organizations of all sizes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines key incident response software tools, including CrowdStrike Falcon, Microsoft Defender XDR, Cortex XSOAR, Splunk SOAR, Elastic Security, and more, to highlight their core features, operational approaches, and integration capabilities. Readers will learn how these solutions differ in responding to threats, adapting to evolving challenges, and supporting organizational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud-native endpoint detection and response platform that automates threat hunting and incident remediation. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | Microsoft Defender XDR Unified extended detection and response solution integrating endpoint, identity, and cloud security for rapid incident response. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Cortex XSOAR Security orchestration, automation, and response platform that streamlines investigations with playbooks and integrations. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Splunk SOAR Automates security workflows and incident response through customizable playbooks and broad integrations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Elastic Security SIEM and XDR solution powered by Elasticsearch for real-time detection, analysis, and response to threats. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | SentinelOne Singularity AI-driven endpoint protection platform with autonomous response and full incident visibility. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | Rapid7 InsightIDR Cloud-based SIEM and XDR tool combining detection, investigation, and automated response capabilities. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | IBM Security QRadar SOAR Orchestrates incident response with automation, case management, and integration across security tools. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | TheHive Open-source scalable incident response platform for collaboration, observables management, and case handling. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 10 | Velociraptor Open-source endpoint visibility and digital forensics tool for threat hunting and incident response. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.8/10 |
Cloud-native endpoint detection and response platform that automates threat hunting and incident remediation.
Unified extended detection and response solution integrating endpoint, identity, and cloud security for rapid incident response.
Security orchestration, automation, and response platform that streamlines investigations with playbooks and integrations.
Automates security workflows and incident response through customizable playbooks and broad integrations.
SIEM and XDR solution powered by Elasticsearch for real-time detection, analysis, and response to threats.
AI-driven endpoint protection platform with autonomous response and full incident visibility.
Cloud-based SIEM and XDR tool combining detection, investigation, and automated response capabilities.
Orchestrates incident response with automation, case management, and integration across security tools.
Open-source scalable incident response platform for collaboration, observables management, and case handling.
Open-source endpoint visibility and digital forensics tool for threat hunting and incident response.
CrowdStrike Falcon
enterpriseCloud-native endpoint detection and response platform that automates threat hunting and incident remediation.
Falcon OverWatch: Elite human-led threat hunting that augments AI detection with expert analysts for proactive incident response.
CrowdStrike Falcon is a leading cloud-native endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform that excels in incident response by providing real-time threat visibility, automated containment, and advanced forensic capabilities across endpoints, cloud workloads, and identities. It leverages AI-driven behavioral analysis and a vast threat intelligence repository to detect sophisticated attacks like ransomware and nation-state threats. Falcon's modular architecture allows security teams to pivot quickly from detection to response, including full memory captures, script execution, and integration with SOAR tools for streamlined investigations.
Pros
- Unmatched threat detection accuracy with minimal false positives, powered by AI and the Falcon Threat Graph
- Lightning-fast incident response with one-click containment and automated remediation actions
- 24/7 managed detection and response via Falcon OverWatch for expert human augmentation
Cons
- High cost, especially for smaller organizations without volume discounts
- Steep learning curve for advanced forensic features despite intuitive UI
- Heavy reliance on cloud connectivity, which may concern air-gapped environments
Best For
Enterprise security teams handling complex, high-stakes incidents in large-scale environments requiring proactive threat hunting and rapid response.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting at ~$60-150 per endpoint/year depending on modules (e.g., Falcon Insight XDR); contact sales for quotes.
Microsoft Defender XDR
enterpriseUnified extended detection and response solution integrating endpoint, identity, and cloud security for rapid incident response.
Cross-domain signal correlation with automated remediation across endpoints, identities, email, and apps in a single incident view
Microsoft Defender XDR is a unified extended detection and response (XDR) platform that integrates signals from endpoints, identities, email, cloud apps, and SaaS applications to provide comprehensive threat detection and incident response. It automates investigations, prioritizes incidents with AI-driven analytics, and enables orchestrated response actions across the Microsoft security ecosystem. Designed for security operations centers (SOCs), it streamlines triage, hunting, and remediation to accelerate threat resolution.
Pros
- Seamless integration across Microsoft 365, Azure, and Defender suite for unified visibility
- AI-powered automated investigation and response (AIR) reduces manual effort
- Advanced threat hunting with KQL queries and live response capabilities
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for teams unfamiliar with Microsoft tools and licensing
- Full capabilities require multiple premium licenses, increasing costs
- Less optimal in heterogeneous, multi-vendor environments without deep integrations
Best For
Large enterprises deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem needing end-to-end incident response across endpoints, identities, and cloud workloads.
Pricing
Included in Microsoft 365 E5 (~$57/user/month); standalone via Defender for Endpoint P2 (~$5.20/user/month) plus add-ons for full XDR features.
Cortex XSOAR
enterpriseSecurity orchestration, automation, and response platform that streamlines investigations with playbooks and integrations.
The Cortex XSOAR Marketplace, offering over 1,000 vendor-agnostic integrations and community-contributed playbooks for rapid deployment.
Cortex XSOAR, from Palo Alto Networks, is a leading Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platform designed to streamline incident response by automating workflows and integrating with hundreds of security tools. It features a visual playbook designer for creating custom automation scripts, a vast marketplace of over 1,000 integrations, and AI-driven capabilities to accelerate threat detection and remediation. This solution significantly reduces mean time to response (MTTR) for security operations centers (SOCs) handling high-volume incidents.
Pros
- Extensive marketplace with over 1,000 integrations and pre-built playbooks
- Powerful visual playbook designer for custom automation
- AI/ML enhancements for intelligent triage and response acceleration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for playbook development and advanced customization
- High enterprise-level pricing with quote-based model
- Resource-intensive deployment requiring significant infrastructure
Best For
Large enterprises and SOC teams managing complex, high-volume incidents that need scalable automation and deep integrations.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually based on users, incidents, and deployment scale.
Splunk SOAR
enterpriseAutomates security workflows and incident response through customizable playbooks and broad integrations.
Visual drag-and-drop playbook designer that allows complex, conditional workflows without extensive coding
Splunk SOAR (formerly Phantom) is a comprehensive Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platform that automates incident response workflows through customizable playbooks. It integrates with over 2,900 apps and actions, enabling seamless data ingestion from Splunk Enterprise Security and other tools to triage, investigate, and remediate threats. Ideal for SOC teams, it reduces mean time to response (MTTR) by automating repetitive tasks and providing visual workflow designers for complex incident handling.
Pros
- Extensive integration marketplace with 2,900+ actions across 300+ vendors
- Powerful visual playbook editor for no-code/low-code automation
- Deep integration with Splunk ecosystem for unified security operations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for playbook development and customization
- High pricing suitable only for mid-to-large enterprises
- Resource-intensive deployment requiring significant infrastructure
Best For
Mature SOC teams in large enterprises seeking advanced automation and deep integrations for high-volume incident response.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise licensing; typically starts at $100K+ annually depending on ingest volume and users, with free trial available.
Elastic Security
enterpriseSIEM and XDR solution powered by Elasticsearch for real-time detection, analysis, and response to threats.
Interactive Timeline for forensic investigations with drag-and-drop event correlation
Elastic Security, built on the Elastic Stack, is a unified SIEM and endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform that excels in ingesting, analyzing, and responding to security events across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. It provides powerful incident response tools like the Timeline interface for investigations, pre-built detection rules, and automated response actions via Elastic Defend. Designed for scalability, it handles massive data volumes with full-text search capabilities using KQL and Lucene queries.
Pros
- Highly scalable analytics engine handles petabyte-scale data
- Extensive library of detection rules and integrations
- Open-source core offers strong value and customization
Cons
- Steep learning curve for KQL and stack management
- Resource-intensive for large deployments
- Complex initial setup and tuning required
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with experienced SecOps teams needing a scalable, customizable IR platform.
Pricing
Free open-source tier; enterprise subscriptions (Gold/Platinum/Enterprise) start at ~$5-16 per endpoint/month based on features and volume.
SentinelOne Singularity
enterpriseAI-driven endpoint protection platform with autonomous response and full incident visibility.
Ransomware Rollback that automatically restores files and systems to a pre-infection state without needing backups
SentinelOne Singularity is an AI-driven extended detection and response (XDR) platform focused on autonomous endpoint protection, threat detection, and incident response. It enables rapid investigation through tools like Storyline for visualizing attack chains, Deep Visibility for endpoint querying, and Purple AI for natural language threat hunting. The platform automates remediation, including ransomware rollback, to minimize dwell time and restore systems without backups.
Pros
- Autonomous AI-powered response reduces manual intervention
- Comprehensive visibility with Storyline and Deep Visibility tools
- Rollback feature restores endpoints to pre-attack state
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced investigation features
- Higher pricing limits accessibility for smaller organizations
- Occasional false positives require tuning
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing autonomous, scalable incident response across endpoints and cloud environments.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $60-100 per endpoint per year depending on features and volume.
Rapid7 InsightIDR
enterpriseCloud-based SIEM and XDR tool combining detection, investigation, and automated response capabilities.
Conversation of Events: Visual timelines that correlate user activities, network events, and endpoint data for rapid root cause analysis.
Rapid7 InsightIDR is a cloud-native SIEM and XDR platform that provides comprehensive detection, investigation, and response capabilities for cybersecurity incidents. It ingests logs from diverse sources, employs user behavior analytics (UEBA), endpoint detection, and deception technology to identify threats quickly. The tool excels in streamlining IR workflows with visual timelines, automated playbooks, and real-time response actions, making it suitable for SOC teams handling complex investigations.
Pros
- Powerful UEBA and behavioral analytics for proactive threat hunting
- Intuitive investigation tools like Conversation of Events timelines
- Broad integrations with endpoints, networks, and cloud environments
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Premium pricing that scales quickly with asset volume
- Limited customization in automated response playbooks compared to rivals
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with mature SOC teams seeking integrated SIEM/XDR for efficient incident detection and response.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at ~$5-10 per asset/month, with annual contracts typically ranging from $50K+ for mid-sized deployments.
IBM Security QRadar SOAR
enterpriseOrchestrates incident response with automation, case management, and integration across security tools.
Visual playbook designer for creating highly customizable, no-code automation workflows tailored to complex incident scenarios
IBM Security QRadar SOAR is a robust security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platform that integrates deeply with the IBM QRadar SIEM ecosystem to enhance incident detection, investigation, and remediation. It provides customizable playbooks for automating complex workflows, enabling security teams to respond faster to threats through orchestration across diverse tools and systems. The solution excels in managing high-volume incidents with features like case management, collaboration tools, and detailed reporting for post-incident analysis.
Pros
- Powerful playbook automation for streamlining incident response workflows
- Seamless integrations with IBM QRadar SIEM and over 300 third-party tools
- Advanced incident management with real-time collaboration and analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup for non-expert users
- High enterprise-level pricing that may not suit smaller organizations
- Resource-intensive deployment requiring significant IT infrastructure
Best For
Large enterprises with mature SOCs needing deep automation and integration for high-volume incident response.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $100,000+ annually for enterprise deployments depending on users, integrations, and scale.
TheHive
specializedOpen-source scalable incident response platform for collaboration, observables management, and case handling.
Deep integration with Cortex for on-demand, automated analysis of observables directly within cases
TheHive is an open-source incident response and case management platform designed for Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to streamline the handling of security alerts and incidents. It enables teams to create cases, track observables like IPs and hashes, perform collaborative triage, and integrate with tools such as MISP for threat intelligence and Cortex for automated analysis. Built with scalability in mind, it supports MITRE ATT&CK mappings and customizable workflows for efficient incident resolution.
Pros
- Fully open-source and free to deploy
- Powerful integrations with Cortex analyzers and MISP for enriched investigations
- Robust collaboration features for team-based incident response
Cons
- Complex initial setup requiring Docker and technical expertise
- UI feels dated and less intuitive for beginners
- Limited native reporting and visualization capabilities
Best For
SOC teams in mid-sized organizations seeking a customizable, no-cost platform for collaborative incident management.
Pricing
Free open-source Community Edition; paid hosted (Stratosphere) plans start at €500/month for enterprise features and support.
Velociraptor
specializedOpen-source endpoint visibility and digital forensics tool for threat hunting and incident response.
VQL (Velociraptor Query Language) for SQL-like, deeply customizable endpoint queries and artifact collection.
Velociraptor is an open-source Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) platform that deploys lightweight agents to endpoints for real-time threat hunting, artifact collection, and memory forensics across Windows, Linux, and macOS. It features a notebook-style GUI for collaborative investigations and uses the powerful VQL query language to perform complex, custom queries at scale. Ideal for proactive hunting and rapid triage during incidents, it supports massive deployments without heavy resource overhead.
Pros
- Extremely powerful VQL for advanced forensic queries and hunting
- Lightweight, scalable agents with low endpoint overhead
- Free open-source core with cross-platform support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for VQL and advanced usage
- Complex initial server deployment and configuration
- Limited native automation for automated response actions
Best For
Advanced security teams and DFIR specialists needing customizable, high-scale threat hunting and investigation tools.
Pricing
Core open-source version is free; enterprise support, hosted SaaS, and premium features available via custom subscription pricing.
Conclusion
The reviewed incident response tools deliver powerful capabilities, with CrowdStrike Falcon emerging as the top choice for its cloud-native automation and seamless threat remediation. Microsoft Defender XDR follows as a strong alternative, excelling in unified detection across endpoints, identities, and the cloud, while Cortex XSOAR stands out with its streamlined playbooks and integrations for efficient workflows. These top three cater to distinct needs, ensuring a robust solution for various security teams.
For organizations seeking comprehensive endpoint and response capabilities, CrowdStrike Falcon is a standout—explore its features to enhance your incident response readiness.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
