Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Syslog-ng VS Beats

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

Syslog-ng logo Syslog-ng

Syslog-ng decreases the quantity and improves the quality of data, thus enhancing the capacities of your SIEM solution.

Beats logo 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.
  • Syslog-ng Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-09
  • Beats Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

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.

Beats features and specs

  • Lightweight Agents
    Beats are designed to be lightweight, which allows them to easily run on edge devices without significantly impacting system performance.
  • Eclectic Set of Data Shippers
    Beats offers a range of specialized shippers like Filebeat, Metricbeat, Packetbeat, and others, each tailored for different types of data collection, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.
  • Easy Integration with Elastic Stack
    Beats seamlessly integrates with other components of the Elastic Stack, like Elasticsearch and Kibana, providing a unified data collection and analysis ecosystem.
  • Extensible and Open Source
    Being open-source, Beats can be extended and customized to meet specific needs, allowing users to modify or enhance functionalities.
  • Community and Support
    Beats has a strong community and offers extensive documentation, which aids in troubleshooting and enhancing user knowledge.

Possible disadvantages of Beats

  • Limited Processing Capabilities
    Beats is designed primarily for data shipment and lacks powerful processing capabilities, which may necessitate additional processing tools like Logstash.
  • Complexity with Scale
    Managing many Beats agents across a large infrastructure can become complex, requiring orchestrations and management strategies to avoid configuration drifts.
  • Memory Consumption
    While lightweight, some Beats can still consume a notable amount of memory, particularly when processing large datasets or complex configurations.
  • Learning Curve
    For users not familiar with the Elastic Stack ecosystem, there might be a learning curve in configuring and optimizing Beats for specific use cases.

Syslog-ng videos

syslog-ng Introduction to Log Management

More videos:

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

Beats videos

Beats Solo Pro: Return to Excellence!

More videos:

  • Review - The Beats Solo Pro Are The Best Beats Yet
  • Review - Beats Studio 3 Wireless "Real Review"

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Syslog-ng and Beats)
Monitoring Tools
41 41%
59% 59
Security & Privacy
39 39%
61% 61
Log Management
47 47%
53% 53
Business & Commerce
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

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

Wazuh - Open Source Host and Endpoint Security

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

Riemann - Container Monitoring

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

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

Sematext Logagent - Logagent is a robust, flexible, open-source, and cloud-native data shipper for Application, Server, and Container Logs.