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Microsoft Purview Audit vs Security Onion comparison

Microsoft and Security Onion Solutions, LLC are both solutions in the Log Management category. Microsoft is ranked #35 with an average rating of 8.0, while Security Onion Solutions, LLC is ranked #20 with an average rating of 8.5. Microsoft holds a 0.7% mindshare in Log Management, compared to Security Onion Solutions, LLC’s 3.7% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 66% of Security Onion Solutions, LLC users who would recommend it.
Microsoft Purview Audit
Read 3 Microsoft Purview Audit reviews
  • 1,184 Views
  • 805 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
Security Onion
Read 3 Security Onion reviews
  • 8,105 Views
  • 6,889 Comparison Views
66% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 9, 2024

Microsoft Purview Audit and Security Onion are competitors in the audit and security monitoring category. Security Onion holds the upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set and strong value in security-focused environments.

Features: Microsoft Purview Audit is noted for its seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystems, ease of generating reports, and strong user support. Security Onion offers extensive capabilities in network traffic monitoring, robust intrusion detection, and features that support deeper security investigations.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Purview Audit could benefit from enhanced data analysis options, better real-time monitoring, and improved cross-platform compatibility. Security Onion would improve with more streamlined documentation, reduced complexity for new users, and a more intuitive user interface.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Purview Audit deploys easily within Microsoft environments, with high customer satisfaction. Security Onion requires more initial setup effort and technical expertise, yet benefits from strong community support and valuable documentation resources.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Purview Audit offers competitive pricing and good ROI for organizations centered around Microsoft systems. Security Onion, as an open-source solution, presents a low setup cost option and is seen as offering high ROI for users requiring advanced security functionalities.

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Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Purview Audit vs. Security Onion
December 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Purview Audit
Ranking in Log Management
35th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.1
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
Microsoft Security Suite (31st)
Security Onion
Ranking in Log Management
20th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
5.5
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Log Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Purview Audit is 0.7%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Security Onion is 3.7%, down from 5.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Log Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Security Onion3.7%
Microsoft Purview Audit0.7%
Other95.6%
Log Management
 

Featured Reviews

Matthew Hoerig - PeerSpot reviewer
Matthew Hoerig
President at Trustsec Inc.
Audit function refines log retrieval and drives application assessments with evolving features
From a service assessment and authorization process perspective, when conducting an assessment on an application or system, we use controls essentially equivalent to the NIST 800-53 framework. This includes examining audit logs, data quality, and various KPIs required for log configuration. It factors into our application assessments. When producing documentation packages for application or system authorization, audit logging and monitoring are crucial parts of the assessment process. The evidence we gather includes screenshots and outputs from these tools and capabilities. For Microsoft Purview Audit specifically, we provide examples of audit function configuration and log output details, which are incorporated into our evidence documents.
Read full review
Anish Bajracharya - PeerSpot reviewer
Anish Bajracharya
Postgraduate at a educational organization with 1,001-5,000 employees
Provides good threat hunting by finding infected ports, but its initial setup is difficult
The most valuable feature of Security Onion for security monitoring is its ability to find infected ports. I have used the Squert tool within Security Onion the most for threat hunting The initial setup of the solution is a little bit difficult. I have been using Security Onion for one year.…
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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The overall user experience with Microsoft Purview Audit is of higher quality than when it was branded as Compliance Center, and Microsoft consistently updates and evolves functionalities and the overall experience."
"We're easily saving at least one hour per day using this solution."
"The platform has significantly enhanced our operational insight into the overall Microsoft 365 environment."
"Security Onion is the most mature solution in the market."
"The most valuable feature of Security Onion for security monitoring is its ability to find infected ports."
"We use Security Onion for internal vulnerability assessment."
 

Cons

"We do have a Denial of Access happening."
"Areas for product improvement include enhancing customization options and integrating more comprehensive compliance features."
"We are still in the early stages of leveraging Microsoft Purview Audit. Currently, it's primarily used for the audit function."
"Security Onion's user interface could be improved."
"The product is not easy to learn."
"The initial setup of the solution is a little bit difficult."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available
"Security Onion is an open-source solution."
"Security Onion is a free solution."
"It is an open-source solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
17%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Construction Company
6%
University
12%
Government
10%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Computer Software Company
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Purview Audit?
I'm not aware of the pricing of licensing terms.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Microsoft Purview Audit?
We are still in the early stages of leveraging Microsoft Purview Audit. Currently, it's primarily used for the audit function. In a year's time, we will be able to provide more clarity and context ...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Purview Audit?
Microsoft Purview Audit functions as a compliance center. Whenever these systems generate logs, we use Microsoft Purview Audit to capture or retrieve those logs. While there are more tools availabl...
See all answers
What do you like most about Security Onion?
The most valuable feature of Security Onion for security monitoring is its ability to find infected ports.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Security Onion?
Security Onion is an open-source solution. On a scale from one to ten, where ten is expensive and one is cheap, I rate the solution's pricing a six out of ten.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Security Onion?
The initial setup of the solution is a little bit difficult.
See all answers
 

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Compared 7% of the time
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Compared 48% of the time
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Compared 12% of the time
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Compared 11% of the time
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Compared 7% of the time
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Compared 3% of the time
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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Log Management
January 2026
Microsoft Purview Audit reportDownload Microsoft Purview Audit product report
Buyer's Guide
Log Management
January 2026
Security Onion reportDownload Security Onion product report
 

Overview

The unified auditing functionality in Microsoft 365 provides organizations with visibility into many types of audited activities across many different services in Microsoft 365. Advanced Audit helps organizations to conduct forensic and compliance investigations by increasing audit log retention required to conduct an investigation, providing access to crucial events that help determine scope of compromise, and faster access to Office 365 Management Activity API.

Microsoft

Security Onion is an open-source Linux distribution for intrusion detection, network security monitoring, and log management. It offers comprehensive solutions for enterprises seeking to enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure.

Security Onion provides a full suite of tools to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats efficiently. As a robust and versatile distribution, it includes capabilities for real-time analysis, network visibility, and threat detection, making it indispensable for security operations centers. Users value this tool for its integration of open-source software with advanced analytics, affording professionals a detailed overview of network traffic and potential intrusions.

What are Security Onion’s most important features?

  • Intrusion Detection: Utilizes Suricata or Zeek for effective threat monitoring.
  • Network Security Monitoring: Offers powerful visualization tools for network analysis.
  • Log Management: Centralizes log collection and analysis.
  • Comprehensive Dashboards: Provides integrated dashboards for threat visibility.

What benefits or ROI should you look for in reviews?

  • Cost Efficiency: Reduced cybersecurity costs due to its open-source nature.
  • Improved Threat Detection: Enhanced ability to identify and respond to threats quickly.
  • Integration Capability: Seamless integration with existing security infrastructures.
  • Scalability: Support for scaling network security operations as needed.

Security Onion finds extensive application in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors, where robust network monitoring is critical. Its ability to integrate with existing security tools makes it a preferred choice for organizations looking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

Security Onion Solutions, LLC
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Purview Audit vs. Security Onion
December 2025
Free Report: Microsoft Purview Audit vs. Security Onion
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