# Substation vs VirtualMetric DataStream: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Substation](https://cybersectools.com/tools/substation) is a free [security data pipelines](https://cybersectools.com/categories/security-data-pipelines) solution. [VirtualMetric DataStream](https://cybersectools.com/tools/virtualmetric-datastream) is a commercial [security data pipelines](https://cybersectools.com/categories/security-data-pipelines) solution by [VirtualMetric](https://cybersectools.com/companies/virtualmetric). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Substation | VirtualMetric DataStream |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Commercial |
| Category | Security Data Pipelines | Security Data Pipelines |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | 390 | – |
| Last commit | Jan 2026 | – |
| Company | – | VirtualMetric |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Substation | VirtualMetric DataStream |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Native | Yes | – |
| Serverless | Yes | – |
| AWS | Yes | Yes |
| Log Management | – | Yes |
| Security Compliance Training | – | Yes |
| Data Exfiltration | – | Yes |
| Kubernetes | – | Yes |
| Azure | – | Yes |
| GCP | – | Yes |
| Network Monitoring | – | Yes |
| Security Configuration | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Substation**

No features listed.

**VirtualMetric DataStream**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**Substation**

No integrations listed.

**VirtualMetric DataStream**

11 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Substation](https://cybersectools.com/tools/substation) fits if you want a cloud product, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.
- [VirtualMetric DataStream](https://cybersectools.com/tools/virtualmetric-datastream) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.

## Substation vs VirtualMetric DataStream FAQ

Common questions when comparing Substation vs VirtualMetric DataStream for security data pipelines.

### What is the difference between Substation and VirtualMetric DataStream?

**Substation**: A cloud-native, event-driven data pipeline toolkit for security teams that processes and routes data across AWS services with custom formatting and API enrichment capabilities.

**VirtualMetric DataStream**: Built by VirtualMetric.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Substation and VirtualMetric DataStream?

**Substation** is open-source with 390 GitHub stars. **VirtualMetric DataStream** is made by VirtualMetric. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Substation a good alternative to VirtualMetric DataStream?

Often, yes. Substation and VirtualMetric DataStream are both Security Data Pipelines products, and both cover AWS. Key differences: Substation is Free while VirtualMetric DataStream is Commercial, Substation is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Substation vs Cribl Edge™](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cribl-edgetm-vs-substation)
- [Substation vs Axoflow Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/axoflow-platform-vs-substation)
- [Substation vs Cribl Stream™](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cribl-streamtm-vs-substation)
- [VirtualMetric DataStream vs Cribl Edge™](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cribl-edgetm-vs-virtualmetric-datastream)
- [VirtualMetric DataStream vs Axoflow Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/axoflow-platform-vs-virtualmetric-datastream)
- [VirtualMetric DataStream vs Cribl Stream™](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cribl-streamtm-vs-virtualmetric-datastream)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Substation alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/substation)
- [See all VirtualMetric DataStream alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/virtualmetric-datastream)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/substation-vs-virtualmetric-datastream

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/substation.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Substation and VirtualMetric DataStream: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md