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 (3rd), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) (29th)

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 September 2026, in the IoT Security category, the mindshare of Forescout Platform is 7.9%, down from 11.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is 5.5%, down from 7.9% 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	7.9%
Other	86.6%

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 use it to prevent malicious activities on our network that potentially infiltrate it."

"You can quickly filter your view of devices and zero in on the ones you want using a variety of tools, such as what subnet it is on or what it has been classified as."

"Vulnerability remediation is valuable. We can narrow down a system and its properties. We can go granular on the properties of each endpoint, such as which operating system you're using."

"Forescout Platform has many features, and my favorite feature is that it has multiple methods to identify or discover the endpoints in your network, rather than focusing on only one technique or one method to identify the endpoints."

"ForeScout CounterACT is like a Pandora's box, which contains a lot of functionalities that can be used to improve the customer's daily operation tasks and reduces manual workforce."

"The initial setup is straightforward; we had to implement the solution in a short timeframe and we managed to do it in one month as a managed service, and Forescout Platform is easy to deploy as the fastest NAC solution that you can deploy in a large environment."

"The product has proven to be worth the cost and time savings alone in finding rogue devices."

"The solution is stable, very reliable, and scalable, with great technical support that is knowledgeable and responsive."

More Forescout Platform pros

"Single-pass traffic processing enables very high throughput and low latency."

"This solution has been most valuable for establishing a VPN and implementing allow/deny rules. It has also enabled us to create security policies. It is an easy solution to customise when it comes to creating templates and pulling reports."

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

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

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

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

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

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security pros

Cons

"There are few issues with CounterACT that need more attention, mainly its ability to process and perform discovery faster."

"Forescout Platform would benefit from using AI. Everything has to be set up manually, but AI can learn and suggest rules over time. It also lacks visualization, and some interface configurations need improvement. The visualization seems a couple of years behind compared to other products."

"The product needs to improve its support. I know a case that dragged on for about one and a half years. They eventually suggested professional services and closed the ticket. We followed their advice, engaging the account manager and professional service team, only to discover that the issue was a bug. After reopening the case, it's been about six months, and the problem still hasn't been resolved."

"Other solutions have TACACS+, but Forescout does not. In the next release, I would like to see Forescout have accounting."

"Custom integrations need to be better."

"If older network devices are used there can be some compatibility issues while using the Forescout Platform. Additionally, if the switches that are deployed in your infrastructure are not captured properly to the endpoints there might be some difficulties with Forescout Platform trying to monitor the network traffic. Traffic management is an area the vendor should work on."

"They should improve features related to IT security. ForeScout should analyze behavior to see if the behavior is malicious behavior and block this device. They should develop the ability to analyze the behavior of the device in my environment."

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

More Forescout Platform cons

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

"The cost is still high and licensing is still complex."

"There can be more automation in terms of security and detection. It is already good."

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

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

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

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

"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."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The fact that we were allowed to spin up as many servers as we had need of to support our geographic requirements while paying for licensing as an enterprise truly set Forescout apart from the crowd and improved the way we could design our access."

"Forescout Platform is on the expensive side."

"We went with the virtual appliance option. The biggest cost to running these types of appliances would be to either have multiple virtual appliances at every data center or running Remote SPAN hardware to provide you the real-time network visibility."

"Time savings in finding rogue devices as well as identifying potentially unwanted devices on the network has saved the organization time and money."

"The pricing structure should be enhanced."

"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 cost of the solution depends on the customer's requirement because the customer is asking for different integration with a different product. Forescout Platform's price would start to get a bit higher. However, overall the price is a little expensive. It's can fit within the customer budget."

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

More Forescout Platform pricing and cost advice

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

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

"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."

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914,262 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Outsourcing Company

Government

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	29
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