Free SOAR
Copyright (c) 2025 Alex Joseph
Comprehensive Guide to Free SOAR Platforms for Cybersecurity
1. What Are SOAR Platforms?
SOAR stands for Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response. These platforms are designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of security operations by integrating and automating various security tools and processes. SOAR platforms enable organizations to collect security threat data from multiple sources, automate repetitive tasks, and coordinate responses to security incidents. Their core roles in cybersecurity operations include:
Integration and Coordination: Unifying disparate security tools and processes for streamlined threat response workflows.
Automation of Repetitive Tasks: Freeing up security personnel to focus on complex activities by automating routine tasks.
Improved Incident Response: Providing visibility into the incident lifecycle and enabling faster detection, investigation, and response.
Threat Detection and Response: Refining alert criteria and efficiently sifting through alerts.
Centralized Coordination: Acting as a centralized layer for structured, repeatable, and automated processes.
Context Enrichment: Offering insights and context to help security teams make informed decisions quickly .
2. Leading Free and Open-Source SOAR Platforms
Below is a list of notable free and open-source SOAR platforms, each with unique features and capabilities:
2.1 n8n
Type: Workflow engine for SOAR
Key Features:
Visual low-code/no-code interface
Python-to-no-code support
MITRE ATT&CK mapping
Integration with SIEMs, ticketing, and threat intelligence platforms
Free Community Edition (source-available, not fully open source)
Best For: Customizable, API-driven automation for teams seeking flexibility .
2.2 StackStorm (st2)
Type: Event-driven SOAR infrastructure
Key Features:
Custom workflows and rule automation engine
160+ integration modules (e.g., NetBox, Splunk)
Strong plugin ecosystem
Requires Python and YAML knowledge
Best For: Infrastructure-level auto-remediation and DevOps automation .
2.3 Shuffle
Type: Full SOAR platform
Key Features:
No-code workflow builder
200+ plug-and-play integrations
Unlimited workflows, apps, and users in the free plan
SIEM-to-ticket and 2-way ticket synchronization
Best For: SOC teams seeking easy, no-code orchestration .
2.4 TheHive Project – Cortex
Type: Threat intelligence and case management
Key Features:
MITRE ATT&CK mapping
Strong integration with threat intelligence tools (e.g., MISP)
IOC analysis and structured case management
Note: Recent shift to a commercial license may limit open-source use
Best For: Teams needing case management and threat intelligence integration .
2.5 Tracecat
Type: Full SOAR platform
Key Features:
No-code and configuration-as-code options
REST API for workflow management
Role-based access controls and SSO
User-friendly for non-technical users
Best For: Organizations seeking scalable, multi-tenant SOAR playbooks .
2.6 Tines
Type: Cybersecurity automation platform
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop automation
Integrations with ServiceNow, Rapid7, and more
Best For: Event-driven automation with a focus on integrations .
3. Features and Capabilities Overview
n8n
Yes
Yes (Python)
Yes
No
Yes
Community Edition
StackStorm
No
Yes (Python/YAML)
Yes
No
No
Open Source
Shuffle
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Free Plan
TheHive
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Open Source*
Tracecat
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Open Source
Tines
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Free Tier
*TheHive’s open-source status is changing; check current licensing.
4. Community Support, Documentation, and Learning Resources
Community Support: Most platforms have active forums, GitHub repositories, and peer support systems. For example, StackStorm and Shuffle have vibrant communities where users share workflows and troubleshooting tips.
Documentation: Comprehensive guides, API references, and tutorials are available for most platforms. n8n and StackStorm, in particular, offer detailed documentation for installation, configuration, and workflow creation.
Learning Resources: Many platforms provide video tutorials, webinars, and sample playbooks. Community-contributed content is common, especially for open-source projects.
Case Studies and User Reviews: While specific case studies for free SOAR platforms are limited, user discussions on forums (e.g., Reddit) highlight both the benefits and challenges of SOAR adoption, such as improved response times and the need for careful integration .
5. System Requirements and Implementation Considerations
Infrastructure Compatibility: Check if the platform supports your environment (on-premise, cloud, or hybrid).
Hardware Specifications: Requirements vary; ensure adequate CPU, memory, and storage based on expected data volume.
Software Dependencies: Some platforms require specific versions of Python, Node.js, or other libraries.
Integration with Existing Tools: Evaluate compatibility with your SIEM, firewalls, endpoint protection, and ticketing systems.
Customization and Scalability: Assess the ability to create/modify playbooks and scale as your organization grows.
User Training: Some platforms require scripting knowledge (e.g., StackStorm), while others are no-code (e.g., Shuffle).
Security and Compliance: Ensure the platform meets your organization’s security and regulatory requirements.
Resource Allocation: Even free platforms require investment in personnel time, training, and possibly additional infrastructure .
6. Integration Capabilities
SIEM Integration: Most platforms can ingest alerts from SIEMs (e.g., Splunk, Elastic, QRadar).
Threat Intelligence: Integration with platforms like MISP, VirusTotal, and commercial feeds is common.
Ticketing and Collaboration: Many SOARs connect with ServiceNow, Jira, Slack, and Microsoft Teams for case management and team coordination.
Custom Integrations: REST APIs and plugin ecosystems allow for custom tool integrations.
Centralized Control: SOAR platforms provide a single interface for managing alerts, automating responses, and tracking incidents .
7. Real-World Experiences and Case Studies
User Experiences: Community feedback highlights that SOAR platforms can dramatically improve response times and automate a significant portion of SOC activities. However, challenges include integration complexity and the need for well-defined processes.
Case Study Example: A Fintech company using SOAR improved its Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) by 10x and automated 90% of Tier 1 SOC activities within a year (though not specified if the platform was free) .
8. Summary Table
n8n
Flexible automation
Low-code, MITRE mapping
Not fully open source
StackStorm
DevOps, infrastructure teams
Custom scripting, integrations
Requires Python/YAML skills
Shuffle
SOC teams, no-code automation
Unlimited free workflows
Newer, smaller community
TheHive
Case management, threat intel
IOC analysis, MITRE mapping
Licensing changes
Tracecat
Multi-tenant, user-friendly
No-code and code options
Less mature than others
Tines
Event-driven automation
Drag-and-drop, integrations
Free tier may be limited
9. Getting Started
Assess Your Needs: Define your automation goals, integration requirements, and team skill levels.
Evaluate Platforms: Use the summary tables above to shortlist platforms that fit your needs.
Test Deployments: Start with a pilot deployment in a test environment.
Leverage Community Resources: Join forums, read documentation, and participate in webinars.
Iterate and Scale: Refine workflows, expand integrations, and scale up as your team gains experience.
10. Final Thoughts
Free and open-source SOAR platforms offer powerful capabilities for organizations looking to automate and orchestrate their cybersecurity operations without the high costs of commercial solutions. By carefully evaluating your requirements, leveraging community resources, and planning for integration and scalability, you can successfully implement a SOAR solution that enhances your security posture and operational efficiency.
Last updated
Was this helpful?