Portnox Reviews

Name: Portnox
Brand: Portnox Security
Rating: 4.0 (21 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

21 reviews
93% willing to recommend

1,457 followers

What is Portnox?

Portnox offers Network Access Control to manage user access based on policy, securing both wired and wireless networks while ensuring compliance. It supports endpoint security and prevents unauthorized access across industries such as banking, IT, and energy distribution.

Get the Portnox Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Portnox, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), Aruba ClearPass and more!

Portnox is the #4 ranked solution in top Passwordless Authentication solutions, #7 ranked solution in top Network Access Control (NAC) solutions, and #11 ranked solution in top ZTNA solutions. PeerSpot users give Portnox an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Portnox is most commonly compared to Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE): Portnox vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE). Portnox is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 41% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 15% of all views.

Helped 838,713 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Scott Kerr

President at TrackerSoft

The ease of use stands out as the interface is straightforward compared to other NAC solutions. I have Portnox integrated with Azure and utilize certificate-based authentication for our wireless and wired networks. We immediately recognized Portnox's benefits during a proof of concept, which seamlessly transitioned into a purchase. After fine-tuning the system with Portnox engineers and integrating it with Azure, we implemented certificate-based authentication for both our wired and wireless networks, providing a seamless experience for our users. Moving from a traditional, on-premise Network Access Control solution, fully managed by the IT department, to a cloud-based NAC solution like Portnox offers significant cost savings.

Read full review

Jim Marx

IT Infrastructure Manager at a tech vendor with 501-1,000 employees

We were able to realize its benefits immediately. We did a proof of concept and set everything up. That transitioned into a purchase. We then did a little bit more fine-tuning with some of the engineers at Portnox. We do certificate-based authentication for our wireless and wired in the office. Once we had the Azure integration and were pushing out certificates, we could see its benefits. It was pretty seamless for our users. In terms of operational efficiency, things are more complicated now. It takes more time to get devices on the network, but we increased security quite a bit. Security comes with more complexity and more work. We have a pretty good procedure for allowing devices on the network. We have a lot of devices coming into our offices that are for clients or from clients, but they are devices that are not just people's laptops. We have a procedure and help desk ticket to go through and use a MAC address bypass to allow those devices on the network and document them properly.

Read full review

Afeez Adeyemo

Technical Sales / Presales at Routelink Integrated Systems

The most valuable features of Portnox Clear stem from the fact that it is seamless and easy to work with, as it is not a complicated product. A user does not need to be an expert to work with Portnox Clear. The product is also very easy to integrate with other security solutions, like firewall products, or if users have any other networks in their environment. For security, users can easily integrate Portnox Clear with other solutions, and it works just fine. In general, the integration capabilities of Portnox Clear are great. The user experience offered by the product is not bad. For me, the aforementioned points are very important when it comes to Portnox Clear.

Read full review

Portnox mindshare

Product category:

As of February 2025, the mindshare of Portnox in the Network Access Control (NAC) category stands at 2.8%, up from 2.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Access Control (NAC)	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Portnox vs Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Portnox vs Aruba ClearPass	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Portnox vs Fortinet FortiNAC	Feb 22, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)	4.1	27.9%	87%	141 interviews Add to research
Aruba ClearPass	4.3	24.6%	94%	85 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Portnox is valued for its network visibility, agentless nature, scalability, and ease of setup. It offers strong security controls, seamless integration with diverse networks, and a user-friendly interface. Features like compliance checking, application control, and alert systems enhance its utility. Its cloud-based capabilities, compatibility with various devices, and ability to provide valuable data insights further contribute to its appeal. The NAS view, reporting, and management features support effective network administration.

"The cloud-based feature is very nice."
"The cloud-based feature is very nice. We use Meraki for our switching, and it is simple to point all of our networks and offices to Portnox. It is pretty seamless."
"The cloud-based feature of Portnox is excellent."

Room for Improvement

Portnox requires enhancements in GUI responsiveness, support for unmanaged switches, and better firewall integration. Users note the need for improved licensing based on device count rather than ports. The system could benefit from enhanced integration capabilities with third-party vendors and user behavior analytics. Support staff expansion, addressing false positives, and refining the search functionality for MAC addresses are also desired. Some users find Portnox's configuration and documentation could be simplified.

"In terms of operational efficiency, things are more complicated now. It takes more time to get devices on the network, but we increased security quite a bit."
"Allowing for a search of MAC addresses in the interface, whether they are authenticated on the network or not, would be beneficial. Currently, it only finds authenticated MAC addresses, which complicates troubleshooting when the same MAC address is used for different requests."
"However, problems arise when the same MAC address is requested for a different project. Our current system only finds authenticated MAC addresses, making it difficult to troubleshoot when the same device is used for multiple purposes."

ROI

Users have found that Portnox CORE effectively reduces operational costs by streamlining network access management and enhances security posture. It simplifies compliance reporting, saving time and resources. Some users reported improved network visibility and control, leading to minimized risks and better policy enforcement. Portnox CORE's automation capabilities decrease the need for manual intervention, thus increasing efficiency. Users experienced swift deployment and configuration processes, resulting in faster ROI realization.

Pricing

Portnox pricing is characterized by a yearly license and support fee, with additional charges for extra device ports. Costs are perceived as reasonable and competitive, though not inexpensive. Users highlight the scalability of its licensing model and the flexibility it offers. Some express concerns about the shift to subscription-only options. While regarded as more expensive than some competitors, many find it a value-for-money solution, especially compared to other complex offerings.

"It is not bad. It is a bit on the high side, but considering the cloud features and how much it costs to run the instance in the cloud, it is not unreasonable. We do have RADIUS servers for the US, Asia, and Europe."
"The pricing is a bit high, possibly due to the cloud features and running instances across regions like the US, Asia, and Europe."
"Portnox CORE's pricing is adequate and cheaper compared to other complex solutions. Its licensing costs are yearly and include support. Cost is calculated per device."

Popular Use Cases

Portnox is utilized primarily for Network Access Control, managing both wired and wireless networks. It secures networks by enforcing policies, locking out unauthorized devices, and ensuring compliance. Users deploy it for endpoint security, dynamic VLAN assignment, and both wired and Wi-Fi authentication. It helps organizations monitor endpoints, manage guest access, and protect against unauthorized connections. Portnox Clear's cloud-based solution simplifies deployment for enterprises with extensive branch networks.

Service and Support

Portnox customer service receives positive feedback, with users noting quick responses and helpful support. Technical support is generally praised for its responsiveness and effectiveness, though there are suggestions for improvement, particularly in local service availability and ticket management. While some users rarely need to contact support due to the system's ease of use, others express satisfaction from their interactions, rating support highly. There is a demand for more direct contact with end users.

Deployment

Most individuals found Portnox's initial setup straightforward and simple to deploy, often taking just a couple of days. Some users highlighted the ease of deployment, especially due to its mostly agentless nature, which simplifies the process for system admins. Users noted the setup could be completed by small teams, sometimes with Portnox's assistance. However, a few required additional skills and support. Only one mentioned a more extensive deployment experience involving a month and fifty people.

Scalability

Portnox is often described as highly scalable, efficiently supporting significant growth in user numbers and devices. Most feedback indicates seamless expansion by adding licenses, with some noting it works well for small to medium enterprises. While some report scalability challenges in vast environments, it is frequently praised for flexibility and worthiness for further deployment. Many rate its scalability positively, highlighting capabilities to accommodate a variety of endpoints and user needs.

Stability

Portnox is generally perceived as very stable and reliable with most expressing satisfaction due to its consistent performance and absence of significant issues. Some experience occasional problems, which often require a restart for resolution. Portnox Clear does not seem to have complaints, while Portnox CORE faces challenges regarding engineering support and stability for some users. Despite minor lagging in filters, Portnox maintains a 100% uptime for over one year. Stability is rated as high as nine out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Portnox Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Manufacturing Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Comms Service Provider

Government

Healthcare Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

University

Legal Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Educational Organization

Retailer

Transportation Company

Leisure / Travel Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Media Company

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Non Profit

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Performing Arts

Hospitality Company

Logistics Company

Recruiting/Hr Firm

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Compare Portnox with alternative products

Learn more about Portnox

Designed for both on-premises and cloud deployments through CORE and Clear versions, Portnox delivers a straightforward interface aiding in deployment. It integrates effectively with equipment from multiple vendors and security solutions, enhancing endpoint profiling and ensuring compliance. Portnox provides real-time alerts and network activity insights, bolstered by excellent technical support and scalability. It also automates monitoring, reducing the need for dedicated resources while offering a comprehensive view of network activities.

What are the essential features of Portnox?

Comprehensive Network Visibility: Delivers detailed insights into network activity.
Agentless Operation: Simplifies deployment without requiring additional software on endpoints.
Seamless Integration: Works well with diverse equipment and security systems.
Real-Time Alerts: Immediate notifications for unauthorized activities.
Scalability: Accommodates growing network needs without adding complexity.

What benefits should users focus on in Portnox reviews?

Ease of Deployment: Quick setup without complex processes.
Security Capabilities: Strong defense against unauthorized access and breaches.
Automatic Monitoring: Continuously observes network traffic, requiring fewer resources.
Intuitive Insights: Clear visualization of network operations aids decision-making.
Reliable Support: Access to helpful technical assistance when needed.

Across industries like banking and IT, organizations rely on Portnox for endpoint profiling and compliance, ensuring remote worker security. Electricity distributors leverage its robust features for managing secure network access. Improvements like better third-party integration, enhanced graphical interface, and expanded support are desired, along with licensing adjustment and expanded use of AI and behavioral analytics.

Portnox was previously known as Access Layers Portnox, Portnox CLEAR.