# Vectra AI vs Darktrace: which do AI models recommend for NDR, October 2026

IT AI Recommendation Index, October 2026 Edition, Network detection and response. Seven of fourteen models named Vectra AI first on the direct prompt; two named Darktrace. Page: https://it-ai-index.com/security/network-detection-and-response/vectra-ai-vs-darktrace/

| | First-choice share | Rank | Negative rate | Labels | Models naming it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vectra AI | 18% | #2 of 9 | 14% | 36 | 13 of 14 |
| Darktrace | 4% | #7 of 9 | 34% | 44 | 14 of 14 |

## The direct prompt, model by model

- GPT-5.4 mini: vectra ai first (first choices: ExtraHop RevealX, Vectra AI) (alternatives: Corelight Open NDR, Darktrace)
- Perplexity Sonar: vectra ai first (first choices: Vectra AI) (alternatives: Corelight Open NDR, Darktrace, ExtraHop Reveal)
- Grok 4.1 Fast: vectra ai first (first choices: Vectra AI) (alternatives: Darktrace, ExtraHop (Reveal(x) or now part of Blend))
- DeepSeek V4 Flash: vectra ai first (first choices: Vectra AI) (alternatives: CrowdStrike Falcon Insight, ExtraHop Reveal)
- Kimi K2: vectra ai first (first choices: Vectra AI) (alternatives: Arista NDR, ExtraHop Reveal, Stamus Networks Clear NDR)
- MiniMax M2.5: vectra ai first (first choices: ExtraHop Reveal, Vectra AI) (alternatives: Arista Awake Security, Corelight Open NDR)
- GPT-6 Luna: vectra ai first (first choices: Vectra AI) (alternatives: Corelight Open NDR, ExtraHop RevealX)
- Claude Haiku 4.5: darktrace first (first choices: Darktrace) (alternatives: ExtraHop Reveal, Vectra AI)
- GLM 4.7 FlashX: darktrace first (first choices: Darktrace) (alternatives: Cisco Secure Network Analytics, Corelight Open NDR, ExtraHop Reveal, FortiNDR, Vectra AI)
- Gemini 3.5 Flash: neither first, one named (first choices: Vectra AI Platform) (alternatives: Darktrace, ExtraHop Reveal, Stellar Cyber Open XDR)
- Mistral Small: neither first, one named (first choices: ExtraHop Reveal, Vectra AI Platform) (alternatives: Darktrace)
- Qwen 3.7 Flash: neither first, one named (first choices: ExtraHop RevealX) (alternatives: Cisco Secure Network Analytics, Darktrace, Vectra Cognito)
- Llama 4 Maverick: neither named (first choices: Gatewatcher AIonIQ) (alternatives: LMNTRIX)
- Muse Glimmer 30B: neither named (first choices: Gatewatcher AIonIQ) (alternatives: Alert Logic Cloud Insight, CrowdStrike Falcon Insight, SentinelOne Singularity)

## What the models said about Vectra AI

- "Options to Avoid on a Tight Budget - Darktrace, Vectra AI, ExtraHop" (DeepSeek V4 Flash, budget prompt, hard negative)
- "No subscription fees, unlike commercial options like Vectra AI, Darktrace, or ExtraHop ($50K–$500K+/year)" (Grok 4.1 Fast, budget prompt, soft negative)
- "High-end NDR platforms (like Darktrace or Vectra AI) are notoriously expensive, complex" (Gemini 3.5 Flash, budget prompt, soft negative)
- "If your primary concern is catching hackers, insider threats, and lateral movement across your network, Vectra AI is highly recommended." (Gemini 3.5 Flash, paraphrase prompt, first choice)
- "First choice: Vectra AI – It gives you the best "bang for the buck" regarding signal quality vs. analyst workload" (DeepSeek V4 Flash, direct prompt, first choice)
- "Very strong on signal-to-noise ratio and hybrid/cloud coverage; integrates exceptionally well with existing EDRs." (Gemini 3.5 Flash, scale prompt, first choice)

## What the models said about Darktrace

- "What to Avoid for Mid-Market ... Premium pricing ($50K–$500K+/year), designed for large enterprises" (Kimi K2, direct prompt, hard negative)
- "Options to Avoid on a Tight Budget - Darktrace, Vectra AI, ExtraHop" (DeepSeek V4 Flash, budget prompt, hard negative)
- "Best overall AI‑led detection: Darktrace – strong self‑learning models, autonomous response, and broad industry relevance." (GLM 4.7 FlashX, direct prompt, first choice)
- "Prioritize vendors with proven encrypted visibility, low-noise AI (e.g., Leaders in Gartner 2025 like Darktrace/Vectra)" (Grok 4.1 Fast, negative prompt, first choice)
- "If you have a small team with no dedicated SOC analyst: Darktrace is the easiest to deploy and operationalize" (Gemini 3.5 Flash, comparative prompt, first choice)

Share is the count of first choices across the direct, paraphrase, budget and scale prompts over all fourteen models, for a mid-market B2B company; rank is within the category. Comparisons are drawn for the top eight products in each category. Published under CC BY 4.0; the output is the models' output, and nothing here is a recommendation by the index.