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Forescout Platform vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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
1st
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
76
Ranking in other categories
Network Access Control (NAC) (4th), Endpoint Compliance (5th), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) (16th)
Palo Alto Networks IoT Secu...
Ranking in IoT Security
4th
Average Rating
8.4
Number of Reviews
9
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the IoT Security category, the mindshare of Forescout Platform is 15.6%, down from 19.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is 7.3%, up from 6.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
IoT Security
 

Featured Reviews

Odai Halawani - PeerSpot reviewer
It's an easy and effective solution, especially for device profiling without agents
Forescout Platform's most valuable aspect is its excellent device profiling for devices without agents, which is crucial for our work due to challenges with agent-based devices. Its isolation and blocking actions are particularly effective for network security. The device compliance feature helps us ensure device compliance through immediate actions like updating antivirus software. We have already integrated Forescout with antivirus and vulnerability assessment tools, allowing it to monitor vulnerability scores and automatically isolate devices if critical vulnerabilities are detected.
Alex De Miranda - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers a range of security options, including user ID mapping and VPNs
The product could improve by offering more comprehensive network visibility and expanding beyond IoT-specific activities to provide a holistic view of the entire network. This would allow administrators to better contextualize IoT device behaviour within overall network traffic. Additionally, while the next-generation firewall's role as a sensor is beneficial, addressing its limitations in handling all security layers would enhance its effectiveness and reliability for broader security needs. In future releases, incorporating advanced analytics for proactive threat detection, automated response mechanisms for IoT-related incidents, and improved scalability for managing diverse and growing IoT ecosystems would significantly enhance the product. Enhanced integration with third-party platforms and tools could also improve interoperability and streamline security management across complex environments. It would be beneficial if Palo Alto IoT Security could integrate with Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Provides a good overview of all devices on a network."
"Automated policy enforcement is particularly valuable as it significantly reduces the need for manual intervention, thus enhancing efficiency and security."
"The most valuable features of the Forescout Platform are ease of management and outstanding visibility. The visibility is simple to obtain."
"When users don't have the required updates, security patches, and antivirus, the tool blocks them from our network."
"Its feature that I have found most valuable is that it is very granular. You can configure granular controls just as you want those policies to be implemented. It gives you that flexibility to go granular in how you want your controls to be implemented. That's something I like about it."
"The 802.1X compliance authentication feature of this solution is very good."
"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."
"The most valuable feature of the Forescout Platform it's highly customizable and flexible."
"Single-pass traffic processing enables very high throughput and low latency."
"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."
"I find Palo Alto Networks IoT Security to be highly responsive, and its separate management and data planes are a major advantage."
"From a security standpoint, it provides a comprehensive range of standard security features that align with our requirements."
"It is simple to use. We just need to enable features and then configure IoT policies."
"Palo Alto is valued for its GlobalProtect feature, which offers a range of security options, including user ID mapping and VPNs."
"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."
 

Cons

"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."
"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."
"Forescout Platform's technical support is slow to respond and could be more knowledgeable."
"The system controls could be better."
"The console is a fat client, and a web interface would be preferable."
"The fact that Forescout Platform doesn't have a presence in the South African region is a weakness because of which you can't ask for help from them if you have any problems."
"Multitenancy should be included in the next version so it could be used as a managed service provider."
"As a user, if I am using a laptop that is Wi-Fi connected, Forescout identifies my port connectivity as one user license, and if I take that same laptop with the same username to a wired network, which is also the same network that is used for the Wi-Fi connection, Forescout detects it as a separate license."
"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."
"More application signatures are required."
"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."
"It would be beneficial if Palo Alto IoT Security could integrate with Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates."
"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."
"While not overly complex, its usability could be enhanced, making it a more intuitive experience for everyone."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Time savings in finding rogue devices as well as identifying potentially unwanted devices on the network has saved the organization time and money."
"Forescout Platform is too expensive, so the price should be reduced."
"Licenses are perpetual but can come with renewable support."
"5,000 user licenses will cost you between seven and eight million dollars, compared to 20 million for Aruba."
"The setup cost, pricing, and licensing are on the high side."
"I would rate Forescout Platform's pricing as four out of five."
"Forescout's pricing is noted for its attractiveness, with potential discounts depending on partnership levels."
"You can have a flexible license depending on your environment."
"The successful migration trend suggests that Palo Alto provides a superior cost-benefit ratio for firewall solutions."
"The initial investment is substantial, but the renewal costs make it financially unsustainable."
"While Palo Alto Networks IoT Security might cost more than some competitors, its features and effectiveness justify the price tag."
"The pricing for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is a bit high."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
33%
Computer Software Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Government
7%
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
15%
Energy/Utilities Company
6%
Comms Service Provider
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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 do you like most about Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?
From a security standpoint, it provides a comprehensive range of standard security features that align with our requirements.
What needs improvement with Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?
Improvement areas include enhancing integration capabilities and making policy creation less cumbersome. The process involves navigating multiple windows, which could be streamlined. Palo Alto Netw...
What is your primary use case for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?
We are an insurance-based company, and we had some regulatory requirements that needed to be fulfilled. We've used Palo Alto primarily for our network security needs. It was part of our infrastruct...
 

Also Known As

Forescout Platform, CounterACT for Endpoint Compliance, ForeScout CounterACT
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

NHS Sussex, SAP, SEGA, Vistaprint, Miami Children's Hospital, Pioneer Investments, New York Law School, OmnicomGroup, Meritrust
Information Not Available
Find out what your peers are saying about Forescout Platform vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.
832,138 professionals have used our research since 2012.