Forescout Platform vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security comparison

Forescout Platform vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Forescout Platform

Ranking in IoT Security

5th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Access Control (NAC) (6th), Endpoint Compliance (2nd), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) (35th)

Palo Alto Networks IoT Secu...

Ranking in IoT Security

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the IoT Security category, the mindshare of Forescout Platform is 8.2%, down from 12.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is 5.5%, down from 7.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

IoT Security Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Palo Alto Networks IoT Security	5.5%
Forescout Platform	8.2%
Other	86.3%

IoT Security

Featured Reviews

AshishKumar Rai

Security Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Comprehensive visibility has strengthened endpoint control and automated threat response across networks

When it comes to improving Forescout Platform, I have faced some issues recently, particularly with the switch integration part. When integrating a switch, it asks for the vendor type, and often it does not match. For example, one series of HP switches may not be found in that vendor list. This leads to frustration because you have to check again with different HP models, and once you integrate a switch, you cannot edit the vendor list without removing it. Other issues are being worked on, particularly related to switch integration. I believe they will be fixed in the next upgrade or patch fix. There are no major issues, but the configuration changes needed for the switch model are necessary, and I think it would help if during integration, an admin user could check the password or credential used, as they currently cannot see the password after it is entered and saved.

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reviewer2774463

Manager ERP (Insurance) at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Have used it to manage device updates remotely and now see potential for improved centralized control

One of the favorite features is that they can plug in a device and update it without being on the network, so you can perform an offline update. If all the IoT devices in the field can provide a single pane of glass and management through that platform in a controlled fashion, that would be really beneficial.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We really like that we get full visibility of devices in the local network."

"The 802.1X configuration, which is difficult for all switches, is not required, making it easier to work with switches and IoT devices."

"Being able to sort on device types or devices with open ports is helpful when narrowing down assets of possible misconfigured devices that may be vulnerable on the network. We can take action on those devices based off of corporate policy."

"The solution offers very good management; it allows for good detection of all the vendor products we have on-site."

"This product provided a really good effect in terms of network access control."

"The actions that the agentless visibility, allow us to perform on the endpoint, are really amazing, especially in the way that it is done."

"The initial setup is easy, taking no more than two or three weeks."

"I help customers use the Forescout Platform for compliance enforcement. We can specify what needs to be installed on devices connecting to the network, like antivirus, updates, and security software."

More Forescout Platform pros

"I would recommend Palo Alto Networks IoT Security to any organization with automation plants or standard enterprise IT environments."

"Palo Alto is valued for its GlobalProtect feature, which offers a range of security options, including user ID mapping and VPNs."

"It is simple to use. We just need to enable features and then configure IoT policies."

"I like the Cortex Data Lake integration with security automation."

"The stability is pretty good; it's a very solid solution, so if customers are looking for an IoT/OT solution, they should consider Palo Alto Networks IoT Security."

"I find Palo Alto Networks IoT Security to be highly responsive, and its separate management and data planes are a major advantage."

"The key strength of Palo Alto firewalls lies in their application-based approach, offering a much finer level of control compared to traditional firewalls."

"I like the threat information, and we can share the logging data with Cortex Data Lake."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security pros

Cons

"The licensing costs are quite high. With the amount of hardware we have, we need too many licenses to make the product effective and it's ultimately just too costly."

"More detailed analysis during the authentication process, especially for troubleshooting access issues. We have found that troubleshooting RADIUS controls is quite arduous, as it is today. A trace function could easily resolve this by providing a means by which access issues from a certificate to passwords or accounts could easily be identified and remediated."

"JAVA memory management - leaving the app running for multiple days requires relaunch."

"The initial setup was complex, but that was due to the nature of the network architecture."

"Search - needs boolean functionality (or pseudo operand now working)."

"Initially, the implementation of the Forescout Platform took some time to figure out."

"This solution is not that easy to scale but this depends on a company's needs."

"We have found that the agent-based authentication, available within this solution could be improved."

More Forescout Platform cons

"While not overly complex, its usability could be enhanced, making it a more intuitive experience for everyone."

"The reporting for this solution could be improved. The logs we receive are only saved for one week. We would like to have the database timeframe increased to a month or two for historical reporting as well as increased storage capabilities to support this data and reporting."

"I had to call the support because there were some devices that were not showing up."

"Essentially, this solution focuses on data analysis and cannot perform any physical actions."

"It would be beneficial to have a more centralized and user-friendly platform that could consolidate all the necessary information, which proved challenging during the initial POC phase."

"Palo Alto Networks IoT Security's reporting capabilities are less comprehensive and robust than those provided by Cisco."

"It would be beneficial if Palo Alto IoT Security could integrate with Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates."

"The support is in line with Palo Alto Networks services for other products but needs improvement."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive because you have to pay for their CSM, the customer's access manager, and their professional services on top of that, and they charge you roughly $400 per hour, which is overhead."

"The price of Forescout is reasonable when compared to Cisco ISE."

"The product's pricing is reasonable."

"We need to pay for integration for each integration that we want to do and there is an additional license fee. This adds more costs. It is not something that anyone can afford. If you want to integrate this with a lot of other tools, it can be costly."

"The setup cost, pricing, and licensing are on the high side."

"You can have a flexible license depending on your environment."

"The solution is not priced low. There are no hidden costs."

"I would rate Forescout Platform's pricing as four out of five."

More Forescout Platform pricing and cost advice

"While Palo Alto Networks IoT Security might cost more than some competitors, its features and effectiveness justify the price tag."

"The initial investment is substantial, but the renewal costs make it financially unsustainable."

"The successful migration trend suggests that Palo Alto provides a superior cost-benefit ratio for firewall solutions."

"The pricing for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is a bit high."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

13%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	30
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	45

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?

Forescout is a very powerful NAC product that does not rely on port level configuration. It can detect and block unauthorized devices very quickly. But it has a lot of capabilities and really would...

What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?

I would rate the Forescout Device and Visibility Control Platform at a six out of ten.

What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?

I recommend doing a compression demo. If people use it, they will buy it. So they have to see the product in place. That's the main recommendation is to do a proof of concept. If they do, they will...

What needs improvement with Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

One thing I communicated to them is that they need to provide a managed update for their IoT devices.

What is your primary use case for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

I use it for one of my customers, and my role is to help my customer with the solution. They use it for their IoT devices in the field, and they have a lot of sensors out there for their heating eq...

What advice do you have for others considering Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

The pricing is not that bad. I would rate this solution an 8 out of 10.

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Product Reports

Forescout Platform

Download Forescout Platform product report

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Download Palo Alto Networks IoT Security product report

Also Known As

Forescout Platform, CounterACT for Endpoint Compliance, ForeScout CounterACT

No data available

Overview

Forescout Platform provides comprehensive device visibility and asset management without requiring agent installation. It strengthens network access control and endpoint compliance, integrating flexibly with zero-trust architecture.

Forescout Platform offers organizations a robust solution for maintaining network security by enabling detailed monitoring of connected devices and enforcing compliance policies across IT and OT networks. Effective in sectors like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, it controls unauthorized access, authenticates, quarantines, and remediates noncompliant devices while supporting both on-premises and cloud environments. Notable for its third-party integration, easy configuration, and customizable threat responses, Forescout Platform aids in efficient security measure maintenance.

What are the key features?

Device Visibility: Identifies and monitors all connected devices.
Asset Management: Facilitates efficient oversight of network assets.
Third-party Integration: Offers compatibility with many security systems.
No Agent Installation Required: Simplifies setup and reduces overhead.
Network Access Control: Protects networks with automated policy enforcement.
Endpoint Compliance: Ensures devices adhere to security policies.
Customizable Threat Responses: Tailors actions to specific security threats.

What are the benefits to look for?

Flexibility: Adapts to diverse IT environments with ease.
Zero-trust Integration: Enhances security with robust architecture compatibility.
Ease of Use: Reduces complexity in setup and operation.
Comprehensive Visibility: Maintains detailed insight into network devices.

Forescout Platform finds widespread adoption across industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. It is particularly valued for enforcing cybersecurity measures and maintaining compliance in diverse operational environments, handling network access and device management challenges efficiently.

Forescout

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security enhances device classification and security through a cloud-based AI engine. It integrates seamlessly with third-party systems, supporting zero-trust policies and efficient network management.

Focused on securing on-premises and industrial control systems, Palo Alto Networks IoT Security utilizes AI-driven integration with Cortex Data Lake for automated security policy management. It aids endpoint security, IoT log monitoring, and regulatory compliance, offering centralized threat protection and vulnerability detection across diverse applications. Challenges include user-friendliness, scalability, and integration with infrastructure, but the service supports robust VPN capabilities and next-gen firewall technology.

What are the key features of Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

Application Visibility: Offers deep insights into device operations.
Third-Party Integration: Enables seamless connections with existing systems.
Zero-Trust Policies: Implements granular security controls.
AI Device Classification: Utilizes cloud-based AI for advanced device management.
Cortex Data Lake: Enhances logging and threat management capabilities.

What benefits and ROI can be expected from using Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

Comprehensive Management: Intuitive dashboard simplifies network oversight.
Offline Updates: Supports continued security even without direct cloud access.
Custom Policy Creation: Allows efficient security policy customization.
Enhanced Threat Protection: Offers robust defense across various environments.
VPN Capabilities: Provides secure connectivity in diverse scenarios.

In specific industries, Palo Alto Networks IoT Security serves as a critical tool for centralized network security in on-premises and operational technology environments. It is deployed for automated vulnerability detection and compliance across different applications, addressing regulatory and network security challenges for enterprises.

Palo Alto Networks

Sample Customers

RWJ Barnabas HealthEnbridge EnergyToyota MotorsSt. Luke's University Health NetworkGlobal Credit Union

Information Not Available

Forescout Platform vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security