Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

rsyslog VS Syslog-ng

Compare rsyslog VS Syslog-ng and see what are their differences

rsyslog logo rsyslog

Rsyslog is an enhanced syslogd supporting, among others, MySQL, PostgreSQL, failover log...

Syslog-ng logo Syslog-ng

Syslog-ng decreases the quantity and improves the quality of data, thus enhancing the capacities of your SIEM solution.
  • rsyslog Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-01
  • Syslog-ng Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-09

rsyslog features and specs

  • High Performance
    Rsyslog is designed for high performance, capable of processing thousands of messages per second and efficiently handling large volumes of log data.
  • Modular Architecture
    Its modular architecture allows for the addition of various plugins and modules to extend functionality and customize the logging system as needed.
  • Advanced Filtering
    Rsyslog offers advanced filtering capabilities, using both simple and complex filters to fine-tune which logs are collected and where they are sent.
  • Network Support
    It has strong support for remote logging via protocols such as TCP, UDP, and RELP, making it a robust solution for centralized logging.
  • Reliability
    Features such as disk-assisted queues and failover actions ensure that log messages are not lost, improving overall reliability.
  • Compatibility
    Rsyslog is compatible with existing syslog implementations and can drop-in replace older syslog daemons without significant changes.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, it is freely available for use and modification, supported by an active community.

Possible disadvantages of rsyslog

  • Complex Configuration
    The configuration syntax of rsyslog can be complex and unintuitive, requiring a steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Documentation Quality
    While comprehensive, the documentation can sometimes be difficult to navigate and understand, which might pose challenges for new users.
  • Resource Consumption
    Although efficient, rsyslog can be resource-intensive in certain configurations, potentially impacting system performance if not properly optimized.
  • Dependency Management
    Managing dependencies for various modules and plugins can be cumbersome and may require additional effort to ensure compatibility.
  • Version Inconsistency
    Different distributions might include various versions of rsyslog, leading to inconsistencies in features and behaviors across environments.

Syslog-ng features and specs

  • Scalability
    Syslog-ng is known for its ability to handle large volumes of log data from diverse sources, making it suitable for enterprise environments.
  • Flexibility
    It supports a wide variety of log sources and destinations, allowing for customization to fit specific organizational needs.
  • Advanced Filtering
    Syslog-ng provides powerful filtering mechanisms that allow users to route, block, or modify log messages based on predefined criteria.
  • Security Features
    Offers features such as TLS encryption and reliable message delivery to ensure log data security and integrity.
  • Open Source Option
    The availability of an open-source version allows users to implement and experiment with syslog-ng without initial licensing costs.

Possible disadvantages of Syslog-ng

  • Complex Configuration
    Syslog-ng can be complex to set up and configure, especially for users who are not familiar with its syntax and options.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive feature set and configuration options, new users might need significant time to learn and master the software.
  • Resource Intensive
    In some cases, syslog-ng can consume significant system resources, particularly when handling very high volumes of log data.
  • Limited GUI Options
    Syslog-ng primarily relies on command-line configuration and lacks a robust graphical user interface, which can be a limitation for some users.
  • Support Costs
    While an open-source version is available, organizations may incur additional costs if they opt for commercial support or licensing.

rsyslog videos

[LINUX] #11 Rsyslog Server Log Analyzer e Mysql

More videos:

  • Review - Ubuntu: How can I configure logrotate without having `/etc/logrotate.d/rsyslog`?

Syslog-ng videos

syslog-ng Introduction to Log Management

More videos:

  • Review - syslog-ng Store Box - Turnkey solution to manage your log data

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to rsyslog and Syslog-ng)
Monitoring Tools
62 62%
38% 38
Log Management
80 80%
20% 20
Security & Privacy
52 52%
48% 48
Analytics
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare rsyslog and Syslog-ng

rsyslog Reviews

Best Log Management Tools: Useful Tools for Log Management, Monitoring, Analytics, and More
Rsyslog is a blazing-fast system built for log processing. It offers great performance benchmarks, tight security features, and a modular design for custom modifications. Rsyslog has grown from a singular logging system to be able to parse and sort logs from an extended range of sources, which it can then transform and provide an output to be used in dedicated log analysis...
Source: stackify.com

Syslog-ng Reviews

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing rsyslog and Syslog-ng, you can also consider the following products

Fluentd - Fluentd is a cross platform open source data collection solution originally developed at Treasure Data.

Wazuh - Open Source Host and Endpoint Security

logstash - logstash is a tool for managing events and logs.

Beats - Beats is the platform for single-purpose data shippers that is installed as lightweight agents and send data to machines to Logstash or Elasticsearch.

Fortinet FortiAnalyzer - Fortinet FortiAnalyzer is a powerful product for Security Fabric Analytics and Automation.

Kafka - Apache Kafka is publish-subscribe messaging rethought as a distributed commit log.