Technical Review by
Laura Iannini
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools help organizations coordinate and automate their event analysis and incident response processes.
The Challenge: Between an IT skills shortage, an overwhelming number of IT and security solutions to manage, and an increasing attack surface, IT and security teams have a lot of plates to juggle. Unfortunately, it can be easy to let one slip.
SOAR tools alleviate some of this pressure by automating and aligning already-established processes for threat detection and automating repetitive response processes for common security challenges.
How SOAR Works: A SOAR tool aggregates security and event data from across the network. It then analyzes that data using machine learning to identify cyberthreats, notifying your SOC team of any high-risk activity it discovers via triaged, prioritized alerts.
Most SOAR tools offer two remediation options: they can guide your SOC team through remediation workflows, or automatically remediate more simple threats using response playbooks configured by the SOC team.
SOAR platforms connect your security tools together and automate the repetitive parts of incident response. When a threat is detected, the platform follows pre-built playbooks to investigate and respond automatically, or it routes the alert to an analyst with the context they need to act quickly. The goal is to reduce the time between detecting a threat and resolving it, while freeing your security team to focus on the incidents that require human judgment.
SOAR platforms operate at the orchestration layer, integrating with SIEMs, EDRs, firewalls, threat intelligence feeds, ticketing systems, and identity providers through bidirectional APIs. Playbooks define automated workflows as directed acyclic graphs of actions, conditions, and human decision points. The orchestration engine executes these workflows in response to ingested alerts, enriching indicators of compromise against threat intelligence, correlating artifacts across data sources, and triggering containment actions like endpoint isolation or firewall rule updates.
Case management centralizes artifacts, timelines, and analyst notes across the incident lifecycle. Advanced platforms incorporate machine learning for alert triage prioritization and natural language processing for playbook generation. Multi-tenant architectures support MSSPs managing isolated client environments with shared automation logic. MITRE ATT&CK mapping provides standardized classification of detected techniques across the kill chain.
This table compares all 10 SOAR platforms across deployment model and key capabilities.
| Product | Best For | Type | No-Code Playbooks | AI/ML Capabilities | Multi-Tenant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cyware SOAR
|
Mature SOC teams at scale
|
Cloud / On-Prem
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Devo SOAR
|
High-volume enterprise SOCs
|
Cloud
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Fortinet FortiSOAR
|
Fortinet ecosystem / MSSPs
|
On-Prem / Cloud
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Google Security Operations SOAR
|
Google Cloud ecosystem
|
Cloud
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
IBM QRadar SOAR
|
IBM-native environments
|
On-Prem / Cloud
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR
|
Enterprise SOCs with dedicated SOAR engineers
|
On-Prem / Cloud
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Rapid7 InsightConnect
|
Diverse toolset organizations
|
Cloud
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Splunk SOAR
|
Splunk ecosystem enterprises
|
On-Prem / Cloud
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Swimlane SOAR
|
Enterprise SOCs / MSSPs / regulated sectors
|
Cloud / On-Prem
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Torq
|
Autonomous threat response at scale
|
Cloud
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Expert Insights evaluated 10 SOAR platforms across playbook sophistication, integration breadth, case management capabilities, AI-driven automation features, and the quality of the handoff between automated response and analyst-led investigation. This guide was researched and written by Alex Zawalnyski, with technical review by Laura Iannini. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently; no vendor can pay to influence our reviews. Read our full methodology
Best for enterprise security teams with mature SOC operations
Cyware SOAR is a vendor-neutral orchestration platform built for enterprise security teams that need to automate threat response at scale. It connects detection, investigation, and response across your security stack from one interface, with particular strength in phishing analysis, malware management, and incident response workflows. We think it’s a strong fit for organizations with established SOC processes and the headcount to build and maintain playbooks over time.
Users praise the no-code automation approach for lowering the barrier to building workflows without writing custom scripts. The MITRE ATT&CK framework alignment gets positive marks from teams that want structure around their detection and response logic. With that said, some available customer feedback covers related Cyware products rather than SOAR directly, which makes SOAR-specific validation harder. Where it overlaps, customers highlight support for custom integrations in multiple programming languages when native options fall short.
We think Cyware SOAR suits organizations with mature SOC operations and the resources to build and maintain playbooks. Cyware reports that the platform reduces manual security tasks by 80% through automated workflows, which is impressive. Leaner teams or early-stage security programs will get less value from the platform’s depth without dedicated SOC resources.
Best for enterprise SOC teams managing high data volumes
Devo SOAR is an intelligence-driven platform built for enterprise SOC teams managing high data volumes. The differentiator is HyperStream, a real-time analytics engine with a columnar architecture that handles large datasets without the performance degradation common in high-volume environments. We think it’s a strong option for enterprise teams where alert volume is the core operational problem.
Something to be aware of is that available customer feedback covers Devo’s broader platform rather than SOAR specifically, which limits what we can validate on SOAR directly. Where feedback does cross over, customers say the platform is straightforward to learn. Users flag support quality and training resources as areas needing improvement, particularly for teams without prior Devo experience.
We think Devo SOAR works best for enterprise teams running high-volume environments where real-time analytics is a priority. The HyperStream architecture directly addresses that scaling challenge. For smaller teams or those without SOC maturity, the platform’s depth requires meaningful investment to unlock. Devo has been shipping significant product updates throughout 2024 and 2025, including expanded content libraries and deeper autonomous detection-and-response capabilities.
Best for global enterprises and MSSPs in the Fortinet ecosystem
FortiSOAR targets global enterprises and MSSPs that need to orchestrate security operations across complex, multi-tenant environments. The FortiGuard threat intelligence integration gives it a native intelligence layer that standalone SOAR platforms lack. We think it’s one of the strongest options for organizations already operating within the Fortinet ecosystem or MSSPs managing security operations across multiple clients.
Users report measurable improvements to incident response speed, with faster mean time to detect consistently cited. The multi-tenant architecture gets positive marks for environments requiring cross-platform automation at scale. With that said, dashboard functionality draws some criticism; customers flag that SOC and NOC visibility features need improvement. Some users also note that third-party integration coverage can feel limited for specific tools, despite the broad connector count.
We think FortiSOAR makes the most sense for organizations already in the Fortinet ecosystem, or MSSPs managing multiple client environments. The FortiGuard intelligence layer and multi-tenant architecture are real differentiators. Mobile app alerts keep teams informed when they’re away from a workstation, which is a nice touch. If your organization runs a lean, single-tenant SOC, the platform’s depth adds cost without proportional return.
Best for organizations invested in the Google Cloud ecosystem or MSPs at scale
Google Security Operations SOAR runs on Google Cloud infrastructure and covers detection, investigation, and response with no-code playbook automation and unified case management. We think it’s a strong choice for organizations already invested in the Google Cloud ecosystem, or MSPs managing large, complex client environments where the platform’s data handling and automation depth can be fully utilized.
Users praise fast search and analysis across massive data volumes, with scalability consistently cited as a core strength. Centralized detection and investigation noticeably speeds up incident response. With that said, cost and support draw the most criticism. Customers flag pricing as high, and slower support responses create frustration when urgent issues need resolution. Teams new to Google Cloud services also face a steeper learning curve during onboarding.
We think Google Security Operations SOAR works best for teams ready to operate at scale within the Google Cloud ecosystem. The data handling capabilities and no-code automation are genuinely impressive at volume. If your team is still building out its security operations, the pricing and learning curve are factors leadership needs to weigh carefully before committing.
Best for organizations already running QRadar SIEM
IBM QRadar SOAR is an enterprise incident response platform that centralizes alerts, walks analysts through response workflows with in-app guidance, and integrates tightly with the wider IBM security stack. We think it makes the most sense for organizations already running QRadar SIEM, where the native integration creates a streamlined workflow from offense detection to resolution.
Users say the platform works well as a central hub for incident management, with automation reducing repetitive workload for analysts. Multi-team collaboration features and the intuitive dashboard get positive marks. With that said, playbook and workflow customization draws consistent criticism. Customers flag sub-playbook functionality as limited, and documentation gaps and support quality issues come up repeatedly. Some users also report compatibility problems with specific external tool integrations.
We think QRadar SOAR is a strong choice for IBM-native environments that prioritize guided, consistent response over highly custom workflows. WatsonX GenAI integration is on the 2026 roadmap, which should add AI-driven capabilities to the platform. If you need advanced customization or operate outside the IBM security ecosystem, those limitations will add friction.
Best for enterprise SOC teams with dedicated SOAR engineers
Cortex XSOAR is an enterprise SOAR platform built around a marketplace of over 1,000 content packs and 270+ out-of-the-box playbooks. The war room feature sets it apart: a collaborative investigation space with built-in ChatOps and a command-line interface where analysts work incidents together in real time. We think it’s one of the stronger enterprise SOAR options for teams ready to invest in configuration.
Users running large environments report strong performance at scale, with validated deployments at 65,000+ endpoints. Customization depth and playbook flexibility get positive marks for complex incident response workflows. With that said, reporting customization feels limited relative to the platform’s overall depth. Customers flag initial configuration as carrying a steep learning curve, and on-premises deployments require meaningful ongoing maintenance.
We think Cortex XSOAR suits enterprise SOC teams with the headcount and maturity to configure and maintain it properly. If your environment already runs Palo Alto tooling, the native integrations and Unit 42 threat intelligence create a strong picture across detection and response. Smaller teams or those without dedicated SOAR engineers will get less return from the platform’s depth.
Best for organizations with diverse toolsets needing unified automation
Rapid7 InsightConnect is a SOAR platform built for large organizations looking to automate security operations across a wide toolset. It focuses on practical automation for common threat scenarios, including phishing and ransomware, while supporting proactive vulnerability management workflows. We think it works best for organizations with diverse toolsets that need to connect security, IT, and operations workflows in one automation layer.
Something to be aware of is that available customer feedback covers the broader Rapid7 platform rather than InsightConnect specifically, so we’ve used it selectively. Where feedback does apply, users say initial setup is straightforward and the interface is easy to navigate. Customers flag configuration challenges during onboarding, particularly around network parameters and discovery scan setup, which can slow initial deployment.
We think InsightConnect is a strong option for large organizations that need to standardize workflows at scale. The ITSM integrations are particularly strong if your team runs incident response alongside ServiceNow or Jira change management. The open-source plugin model is a differentiator, letting teams contribute and customize integrations directly, which is good to see.
Best for enterprise SOC teams already running Splunk infrastructure
Splunk SOAR, formerly known as Splunk Phantom, is an enterprise platform combining playbook automation, infrastructure orchestration, case management, and threat intelligence. We think it’s a strong fit for enterprise SOC teams already running Splunk infrastructure or with the resources to invest in onboarding properly. The integration with Splunk Enterprise Security 8.0 brings SOAR capabilities directly into the analyst queue.
Users say the platform integrates smoothly with existing tools and becomes part of daily security workflow once teams move past initial setup. The visual playbook editor and machine-speed automation get praise as real productivity advantages during active incidents. With that said, cost and learning curve draw consistent criticism. Customers say the platform is expensive, particularly for smaller organizations, and documentation falls short of what a complex platform requires. Users also flag that the UI needs improvement in places.
We think Splunk SOAR suits enterprise SOC teams that handle high volumes of repetitive tasks where the playbook depth and integration coverage pay off over time. The native integration with Enterprise Security 8.0 is a meaningful differentiator for teams already in the Splunk ecosystem. For smaller organizations and teams sensitive to cost, the pricing is harder to justify.
Best for enterprise SOCs, MSSPs, and regulated sectors
Swimlane SOAR, powered by the Turbine platform and Hero AI, is a low-code hyperautomation platform built for enterprise SOCs, MSSPs, and regulated sectors including financial services and federal government. We think it’s one of the more mature low-code SOAR options for enterprise and regulated sector operations, with AI-driven workflow optimization that actively improves automation performance over time.
Users flag platform reliability as a standout, with cloud deployments reporting consistent uptime over extended periods. Setup speed gets positive marks, with basic automations running quickly after initial configuration. Customer service draws consistent praise across government, enterprise, and SMB segments. With that said, the platform’s customization depth carries a learning investment; customers note a high ceiling that takes time to reach.
We think Swimlane SOAR works best for enterprise SOCs and MSSPs scaling security operations without growing headcount proportionally. The AI-driven workflow optimization and ROI tracking suit security leaders accountable to business outcomes. Swimlane reports the platform executes 25 million actions daily, which speaks to the enterprise scale it supports.
Best for organizations prioritizing autonomous threat response at scale
Torq is an AI-powered SOC platform built around autonomous threat detection, investigation, and response. The platform has evolved significantly from a traditional SOAR tool into what Torq now positions as an autonomous SOC solution, powered by Socrates, an AI omni-agent that manages the full incident lifecycle. We think it’s a strong fit for organizations that want to reduce analyst workload through autonomous threat response at enterprise scale.
Users say the platform integrates with multiple tools and displays workflows visually, cutting errors in complex automation builds. With that said, customers flag licensing complexity, and advanced features benefit from prior development knowledge. Something to be aware of is that SOAR-specific customer evidence is more limited compared to some established platforms in this space.
We think Torq is worth evaluating for teams prioritizing autonomous threat response at scale. The platform secured $140 million in Series D funding at a $1.2 billion valuation, and now protects hundreds of multinational enterprises. The agentic AI approach is distinct from traditional playbook-driven SOAR, and investigation time reductions of up to 90% on low-fidelity alerts are significant if they hold in your environment.
Beyond our top 10, these SOAR platforms are worth considering:
No-code next-gen SOAR alternative designed for automating security workflows at scale.
Built-in automation and response features integrated with Logpoint SIEM.
Scalable SOAR with codeless playbooks and deep integration support.
SOAR pricing varies significantly based on analyst seat count, data volume, integration requirements, and deployment model. Most enterprise SOAR platforms are quote-based, with costs typically ranging from $15,000 to $300,000+ per year depending on scale. The prices below reflect publicly available starting points where disclosed.
| Product | Starting Price | Billing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cyware SOAR
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
Devo SOAR
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
Fortinet FortiSOAR
|
Contact for quote
|
Perpetual / Subscription
|
|
|
Google Security Operations SOAR
|
Included in SecOps platform; from ~$30/employee/year
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
IBM QRadar SOAR
|
From $15,000/year
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
Rapid7 InsightConnect
|
From ~$15,000/year
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
Splunk SOAR
|
Contact for quote
|
Per-seat subscription
|
|
|
Swimlane SOAR
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual subscription
|
|
|
Torq
|
From ~$24,000/year
|
Annual subscription
|
|
These are the evaluation and operational steps we recommend when selecting and deploying a SOAR platform.
SOAR delivers the most value when alert volume exceeds what your team can handle manually; without that pressure, the investment adds complexity without proportional return.
A SOAR platform that cannot connect natively to your SIEM, EDR, and ticketing systems creates manual handoffs that defeat the purpose of orchestration.
Real-world incidents require conditional logic, parallel actions, and human decision points; playbooks that only support linear sequences will hit their limits quickly.
The quality of context passed to analysts when automation reaches its limits determines whether SOAR accelerates or disrupts your incident response.
MSSPs need clean data separation across client environments with shared automation logic; not all platforms support this natively.
Platforms that require scripting knowledge for basic workflows create bottlenecks when your SOC analysts need to build or modify playbooks independently.
Incident documentation, audit trails, and privacy regulation tracking are operational requirements in regulated industries, not optional features.
Per-seat pricing that looks manageable at five analysts can escalate significantly as your SOC grows, especially when premium integrations require additional licensing.
AI-driven triage reduces noise and surfaces high-priority incidents faster, but effectiveness varies significantly between vendors.
SOAR platforms require continuous tuning as your threat landscape and toolset evolve; teams that treat deployment as a one-time project underperform.
No single SOAR platform works for every organization. Your choice depends on SOC maturity, existing security stack, alert volume, and budget.
If you need vendor-neutral orchestration with strong playbook depth and AI-powered workflow generation, Cyware SOAR delivers for mature SOC teams with the resources to build and maintain automation.
If alert volume is your core challenge, Devo SOAR’s HyperStream engine handles high-volume data in real time without degradation.
If you’re already in the Fortinet ecosystem or managing multiple client environments as an MSSP, FortiSOAR’s multi-tenant architecture and FortiGuard intelligence integration are real differentiators.
If you’re a Splunk shop, the native integration between Splunk SOAR and Enterprise Security 8.0 brings automation directly into the analyst queue. For Palo Alto environments, Cortex XSOAR’s marketplace depth and Unit 42 threat intelligence create a strong detection-to-response picture. For IBM-native environments, QRadar SOAR’s guided response and native SIEM integration streamline workflows from offense to resolution.
If you want autonomous threat response powered by agentic AI, Torq’s Socrates agent represents the leading edge of AI-driven SOC automation. For enterprise SOCs and MSSPs in regulated sectors, Swimlane’s Hero AI and low-code Turbine platform balance automation depth with compliance requirements.
Read the individual reviews above to dig into integration capabilities, playbook sophistication, and the trade-offs that matter for your security operations.
SOAR solutions collect and analyze information from all the tools in your cybersecurity stack. By centralizing this data, they make it easier to identify threats and understand their potential impact, so your SOC team can remediate them more efficiently.
SOAR tools typically follow three stages:
SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management. These tools collect and log cybersecurity event data from across your network, including your servers, applications, and databases. If it detects anything suspicious or anomalous, the SIEM solution sends an alert to the SOC team.
SOAR solutions work in a similar way – they start by monitoring and detecting networks events. However, rather than just sending a notification, SOAR tools can automatically respond to and remediate the issue.
Some issues are too complex for SOAR solutions to automatically remediate. In these instances, the tool will triage the threat, then notify the SOC team and guide them through the remediation process.
SOAR solutions require ongoing effort, engagement, and support—as well as analysts that can handle setting up playbooks, automating workflows, and following best practices.
Because of this, SOAR solutions tend to be best suited to large organizations or Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) with an experienced security team, and which want to streamline their already-established incident analysis and response processes.
Implementing SOAR provides organizations with several key advantages:
A comprehensive SOAR platform typically includes the following essential components:
Further reading on network security from Expert Insights — buyers' guides, comparison articles, and platform-specific shortlists.
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Laura Iannini is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Expert Insights. With deep cybersecurity knowledge and strong research skills, she leads Expert Insights’ product testing team, conducting thorough tests of product features and in-depth industry analysis to ensure that Expert Insights’ product reviews are definitive and insightful.
Laura also carries out wider analysis of vendor landscapes and industry trends to inform Expert Insights’ enterprise cybersecurity buyers’ guides, covering topics such as security awareness training, cloud backup and recovery, email security, and network monitoring. Prior to working at Expert Insights, Laura worked as a Senior Information Security Engineer at Constant Edge, where she tested cybersecurity solutions, carried out product demos, and provided high-quality ongoing technical support.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida.