Sentinel vs SolarWinds Security Event Manager comparison

OpenText and SolarWinds are both solutions in the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) category. OpenText is ranked #17 with an average rating of 7.5, while SolarWinds is ranked #34 with an average rating of 7.7. OpenText holds a 3.1% mindshare in SIEM, compared to SolarWinds’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 82% of OpenText users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 82% of SolarWinds users who would recommend it.

Sentinel

Read 17 Sentinel reviews

4,240 Views
4,155 Comparison Views

82% willing to recommend

SolarWinds Security Event M...

Read 27 SolarWinds Security Event Manager reviews

1,612 Views
1,531 Comparison Views

82% willing to recommend

Sentinel

SolarWinds Security Event M...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 18, 2024

SolarWinds Security Event Manager and Sentinel both compete in the security solutions category. Based on user reviews, SolarWinds is noted for its cost-effectiveness and support, while Sentinel is preferred for its advanced features and comprehensive capabilities.

Features: SolarWinds Security Event Manager includes straightforward integration, real-time monitoring, and user-friendly implementation. Sentinel offers extensive reporting tools, advanced threat intelligence, and sophisticated features for complex requirements.

Room for Improvement: SolarWinds Security Event Manager could enhance its scalability, alerting system, and up-to-date feature set. Sentinel needs more transparent documentation, streamlined configuration processes, and clarity in user guides.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SolarWinds Security Event Manager is noted for its seamless deployment process and responsive customer service. Sentinel has comprehensive support but could simplify initial deployment for easier setup.

Pricing and ROI: SolarWinds Security Event Manager is valued for its affordability and quick return on investment. Sentinel, though higher in initial setup cost, is seen as worth the investment due to its extensive features and long-term benefits.

To learn more, read our detailed Sentinel vs. SolarWinds Security Event Manager Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Sentinel vs. SolarWinds Security Event Manager

February 2026

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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

Sentinel

Ranking in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

17th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SolarWinds Security Event M...

Ranking in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

34th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) category, the mindshare of Sentinel is 3.1%, down from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SolarWinds Security Event Manager is 0.9%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Sentinel	3.1%
SolarWinds Security Event Manager	0.9%
Other	96.0%

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Featured Reviews

Simon Johnston

Manager, Customer Success at Coltek Business Soltuions

Simple antivirus solution integrates well but could improve pricing and currency options

I don't really have experience working with these solutions. I promote them for our clients, but I don't work with them. I can't share my experience with these tools as I make assumptions about that. For both Adlumin and CrowdStrike, both confirm that they're scalable and enterprise-ready and all those kinds of things. We haven't had any specific problem with either of those. We just have a preference for which one we would prefer. If somebody says they want to use a different one from the one that we prefer, then we have to find reasons why they aren't. But scalability is not one of the reasons that one is better over the other. I don't really have advice for people that are looking into using Sentinel; just do your research across what is available. On a scale of one to ten, I rate Sentinel a seven.

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Yashokanth Partkunan

Managed Services Engineer at Loop1 Systems

Has supported client needs efficiently but requires deeper analysis features and faster support

The log analyzing capability of SolarWinds Security Event Manager should go into more depth than the current environment. More modification and enhancements are required on the dashboard side in order to make it closer to optimal performance. From observation and feedback from users, they need more functionality related to monitoring, and in-depth analyzing needs to be improved.

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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 tool is simple to use."

"The most valuable feature is the flexible log for identifying security threats inside an application. Sentinel is very good at this."

"We can do advanced hunting queries and modify SQL queries to get desired results based on the rules triggering over the console."

"One of the most valuable features is the business intelligence engine. It's very important because it keeps track of everything that's happening and alerts us if something is different than expected. The first time I used it, I was shocked at how well it performed. Another valuable feature that I think makes this product worth the price you pay for it is that it connects to basically every system that provides some form of logging, and it's very easy to set up what triggers this."

"The stability is phenomenal and we never had any issues with downtime or even had to restart."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is that it provides a central locking system for many event sources."

"The solution's Kusto Query Language (KQL) execution time is pretty good."

"It makes everything easier by automating some tasks and growing with our needs."

More Sentinel pros

"The most valuable feature is the ease of use for the end user."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is the visibility into both attempted and failed logins."

"The graphical user interface is very user-friendly. SolarWinds is a hybrid solution so you can use it across many platforms."

"SolarWinds is effective for server, network, and log monitoring. It's also good for IP address management. We also have a patch manager, but we're still working on getting that operational."

"Some of the rules are most valuable because you can be notified about various things, such as spyware or things that are going on in the internal network."

"The product's most effective part in improving security stems from the fact that the solution is deployed for event management, log viewing, and information management."

"User-friendly configuration is key, and the configurations are simple, not complex."

"The out of the box reports and dashboard. It was easy to trim down these windows to something we could quickly use."

More SolarWinds Security Event Manager pros

Cons

"Price is always a consideration, so the price would be nice if it were lower."

"I rate Sentinel a six out of ten for scalability."

"You need a lot of Unix scripting knowledge in order to manage the tool, which is one of the main issues that we faced."

"The solution does not allow outsourced authorizations."

"The dashboard and customer view should be improved"

"I would like to see a better reporting work structure on the dashboard."

"There is no integration in the web-side of the tool."

"Creating a drag-and-drop dashboard or workbook in Sentinel is a little more complex compared to other tools like LogRhythm and IBM QRadar."

More Sentinel cons

"The reporting could be more robust. It can be a lot more granular and that will make it a lot more useful in comparison to how it is incorporated at the moment."

"We used the support from SolarWinds Security Event Manager and they are knowledgeable but challenging to get in contact with them."

"There is no correlation made between log entries, so no threat information is presented."

"The log analyzing capability of SolarWinds Security Event Manager should go into more depth than the current environment."

"We have automated threat detection in the Alliance Security, Antoinette. However, if these features could be further enhanced, it would simplify my work, potentially allowing me to allocate more time to address complex issues."

"I would like to have a more customizable dashboard."

"It won't tell you when your backups are failing, but it will give you hints when your database is running on full recovery."

"The only issue is the pricetag. SolarWinds is a costly solution."

More SolarWinds Security Event Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We receive a pricing discount because of our ongoing partnership with Micro Focus."

"Sentinel's slightly on the expensive side."

"The solution’s pricing is aligned with its competitors."

"Sentinel is a subscription-based solution."

"We inquired about getting support from the vendor, Micro Focus, but the cost was very high."

"Sentinel is moderately priced."

"The tool is available at a good price for customers compared to other solutions in the market. I rate the product's price as an eight out of ten."

"The price of SolarWinds Security Event Manager is reasonable."

"The pricing model would benefit from having package deals with other SolarWinds products."

"We do a yearly license renewal. For a year, the solution costs roughly $500,000 USD. There are no costs beyond this yearly fee."

"Licensing is on devices, so if you have many, then this may be high."

"Licenses can only be purchased in blocks of fifty at a time."

"It is in the appropriate mid-range. It is not as expensive as some of the other solutions. It is also not cheap."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

University

10%

Marketing Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	7

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about NetIQ Sentinel?

The solution lets us get all the logs properly and regularly monitor customer infrastructure.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for NetIQ Sentinel?

I don't have too many comments overall about pricing as we're in South Africa, so it makes more sense if it's billed in rand. They nearly always bill it in dollars, so if it can be billed in our cu...

See all answers

What needs improvement with NetIQ Sentinel?

I'm not sure what the room for improvement is for Sentinel. It needs to stay current, and it does, so I suppose that's fine. I don't have a high demand for what it should do. Price is always a cons...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SolarWinds Security Event Manager ?

The tool is available at a good price for customers compared to other solutions in the market. I rate the product's price as an eight out of ten.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SolarWinds Security Event Manager ?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SolarWinds Security Event Manager ?

I work with all SolarWinds products mostly, including Network Configuration Manager and NPM. I am a reseller. I usually recommend SolarWinds products for Loop1. It's for the bigger ones; we are the...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 5% of the time

Google Chronicle Suite vs Sentinel

Compared 4% of the time

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Splunk Enterprise Security vs SolarWinds Security Event Manager

Compared 15% of the time

Wazuh vs SolarWinds Security Event Manager

Compared 13% of the time

ManageEngine Log360 vs SolarWinds Security Event Manager

Compared 9% of the time

Fortinet FortiSIEM vs SolarWinds Security Event Manager

Compared 8% of the time

More SolarWinds Security Event Manager Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Sentinel

January 2026

Download Sentinel product report

Buyer's Guide

SolarWinds Security Event Manager

January 2026

SolarWinds Security Event Manager report

Download SolarWinds Security Event Manager product report

Also Known As

NetIQ Sentinel, Novell SIEM

SolarWinds LEM, Solarwinds SIEM, TriGeo, Log and Event Manager

Overview

Sentinel is a full-featured Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution that simplifies the deployment, management and day-to-day use of SIEM, readily adapts to dynamic enterprise environments and delivers the true "actionable intelligence" security professionals need to quickly understand their threat posture and prioritize response.

OpenText

When TriGeo was acquired by SolarWinds, TriGeo SIM became known as SolarWinds Log & Event Manager. This product is a leading Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) product and log management solution, which provides log collection, analysis, and real-time correlation.

SolarWinds

Sample Customers

Faysal Bank, GaVI, Handelsbanken, ISC Mªnster, Lambeth Council, Swisscard, The Municipality of Siena, Tukes, University of Dayton, University of the Sunshine Coast

NetSuite, EasyStreet, Legacy Texas Bank, and Energy Federal Credit Union, to name a few.

Buyer's Guide

Sentinel vs. SolarWinds Security Event Manager

February 2026

Free Report: Sentinel vs. SolarWinds Security Event Manager

Find out what your peers are saying about Sentinel vs. SolarWinds Security Event Manager and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.

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