Splunk vs Elastic Certification
Compare Splunk and Elastic Stack certifications for observability and SIEM. Which log management certification is better?
Splunk Core Certified User
Splunk
Elastic Certified Engineer
Elastic
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Compare all aspects of these certifications side by side
| Feature | Splunk Core Certified User | Elastic Certified Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Splunk | Elastic |
| Difficulty Level | Foundational | Intermediate |
| Exam Duration | 60 minutes | 3 hours |
| Exam Cost | $125 USD | $400 USD |
| Exam Format | Multiple choice | Performance-based |
| Prerequisites | None | None (experience recommended) |
| Validity Period | 3 years | 2 years |
| Ideal For | SOC analysts, IT operations | Search engineers, DevOps, observability |
| Salary Range | $85,000 - $130,000 | $100,000 - $145,000 |
What Each Certification Covers
Key topics and domains covered in each exam
Splunk Core Certified User Focus Areas
- SPL
- Searches
- Reports
- Dashboards
- Alerts
Elastic Certified Engineer Focus Areas
- Elasticsearch
- Kibana
- Logstash
- Beats
- Cluster Management
Our Recommendation
Splunk dominates enterprise SIEM; Elastic is open-source friendly and developer-focused.
Choose Splunk Core Certified User
Choose Splunk for enterprise security operations and SIEM roles.
Choose Elastic Certified Engineer
Choose Elastic for observability, search, and open-source environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Splunk Core Certified User or Elastic Certified Engineer?
Splunk dominates enterprise SIEM; Elastic is open-source friendly and developer-focused.
What are the salary differences between Splunk Core Certified User?
Splunk Core Certified User typically offers salaries around $85,000 - $130,000, while Elastic Certified Engineer offers $100,000 - $145,000.
Which certification should I get first?
Choose Splunk for enterprise security operations and SIEM roles. Choose Elastic for observability, search, and open-source environments.
How long does it take to prepare for these certifications?
Preparation time varies based on experience. Most candidates spend 4-12 weeks studying, depending on their background and the certification difficulty level.
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