Microsoft Entra ID Protection vs Varonis Platform comparison

Microsoft and Varonis are both solutions in the Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) category. Microsoft is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.6, while Varonis is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.0. Microsoft holds a 16.7% mindshare in ITDR, compared to Varonis’s 5.7% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Varonis users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Read 16 Microsoft Entra ID Protection reviews

2,838 Views
2,454 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Varonis Platform

Read 14 Varonis Platform reviews

697 Views
599 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Varonis Platform

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

Microsoft Entra ID Protection and Varonis Platform compete in the domain of digital security and data management. Microsoft Entra ID Protection seems to excel in identity management and security integration, while Varonis leverages strong data governance and compliance capabilities.

Features: Microsoft Entra ID Protection offers robust identity management, seamless on-premise and cloud integration, strong security through conditional access, and single sign-on for a simplified user experience. Its integration with Microsoft Defender enhances security features. Varonis Platform provides comprehensive visibility and control over data access and compliance. It is known for detecting and managing unauthorized data access and includes features for monitoring, remediation, and classification.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Entra ID Protection could enhance identity labeling, password management, and syncing speed. It faces challenges with complex configuration and logging limitations, needing better logging capabilities and integration processes. The pricing model is also noted as confusing. Varonis Platform requires smoother cloud transition and more cost-effective licensing. The interface complexity and slow processing for large datasets are areas for improvement. Both products could enhance scalability and stability.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Entra ID Protection supports various cloud environments, mainly used in public and hybrid setups. While praised for its prompt support service, it is criticized for being documentation-heavy. Varonis Platform is favored for its hybrid deployment approach but initially caters to on-premises environments. User satisfaction varies with technical support, which often requires more guidance. Each product offers deployment options with different support experiences based on their payment models.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Entra ID Protection is generally seen as cost-effective, especially with enterprise subscriptions, though its pricing structure is complex. Users value the ROI due to time-saving benefits and management ease. Varonis Platform is often noted for high costs, mainly due to licensing and server needs. Despite this, users find value in its comprehensive data monitoring and management. Pricing structures affect user choice based on budget constraints.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Entra ID Protection vs. Varonis Platform Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Entra ID Protection vs. Varonis Platform

March 2025

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Helped 849,190 peers since 2012

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

Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Ranking in Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Identity Management (IM) (8th), Microsoft Security Suite (9th)

Varonis Platform

Ranking in Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)

5th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) (9th), Data Governance (6th), SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) (5th), Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) (8th), Compliance Management (8th), Ransomware Protection (8th)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) category, the mindshare of Microsoft Entra ID Protection is 16.7%, down from 31.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Varonis Platform is 5.7%, up from 5.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)

Featured Reviews

Mahender Nirwan

Software developer at TAIGLE LLC

Access to other software is just one click away and suitable for big organizations

Currently, we have limited use of Microsoft AD. We only use it to see if user blocks are available. If they are, we unblock the account and get access accordingly. AD has paid access control features. We can add access control over AD. For example, for documentation, we use an Outline tool. It's open source, and we add our company's knowledge base to it. It's an alternative to Confluence. We don't want everyone to have access to all documentation. If I create documentation for my team, only my team should have access, not support or sales. We can add these scopes or access controls over AD. Once integrated, the person will get the appropriate access control features upon logging in. Role-based access control is a great feature of Active Directory.

Read full review

Frederic Delos

Senior Cloud Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Offers the ability to identify sensitive areas, allowing you to drill down into the sensitive data

The most effective feature for me is its ability to identify sensitive areas, allowing you to drill down into the sensitive data, provided you have access, to determine whether it's a false positive or a true positive. That's the best thing for me, out of all of it. It's got everything, like other ones, but I like to be able to look at something if I'm doing forensics on the alert and say, "Okay, do I really need to do something with this?" For example, we don't want sensitive data in our OneDrive. So it identifies the sensitive data that's possibly in the OneDrive. And what I can do is look at it and identify whether it's actually sensitive data in Datalert or whether it looks like sensitive data, but I know it's a false positive. If it is a false positive, I can basically say ignore this pattern based on X, Y, and Z, you know, whether it's Redjax or keyword proximity. So I like that. With other tools, I gotta go through a whole process because it's a little bit more complex. Here, I can tag it and bag it in one shot. And the next good time I scan, it slips over it. So it helps in that.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"For me, automatization is most valuable."

"These features ease the job of security analysts, providing a better vision of user activities and potential risks."

"The reverse proxy feature provides additional security that is not available in other solutions."

"I find the most valuable feature to be conditional access."

"The primary and most valuable aspect of Azure AD identity is its ability to function seamlessly on both on-premise and cloud infrastructure, eliminating the need for extensive updates. However, this dual solution can pose vulnerabilities that require substantial support and security measures in the on-premise environment. Despite the challenges, it is currently not feasible to completely abandon AD, especially for companies in the sales and energy sectors. The integration with Microsoft Defender is crucial for enhancing security, making identity and security the primary focus and purpose of Azure AD."

"The multifactor authentication feature is effective, providing an additional layer of security."

"The valuable features include multifactor authentication, accessory capabilities, and conditional access for specific applications."

"For me, automatization is most valuable."

More Microsoft Entra ID Protection pros

"The solution ensures that users have not accidentally shared sensitive information with the wrong people or too many people."

"It can easily identify unusual behavior or access patterns that may pose a potential threat, while operating as a unified reporting system."

"The analytics would have to be our most valuable feature."

"There's also a 90-day policy where if a user is not using the warehouse, it will automatically delete that username."

"That alerting and reporting service is great."

"On the Varonis side, technical support is phenomenal. Their ability to explain is very good, and they seem to be very knowledgeable. When I get an alert that doesn't quite make sense, they dive in there and kind of take me through it. That's very useful and very good. There are some false alerts, but it is better to have a false alert than no alert at all."

"I also appreciate the reporting feature, which allows for the extraction of various reports based on specific needs. These reports can be used for audit purposes, such as tracking changes in file locations or deletions."

"The solution's classification engine is highly configurable and efficient."

More Varonis Platform pros

Cons

"I rate the quality of support at four out of ten because of inefficiencies in the ticket handling process. Tickets often bounce from person to person, requiring the sharing of information multiple times."

"The solution is not optimized to work with Mac devices on a granular level. They work seamlessly with Windows but have a lot to improve to work with Mac devices. It also needs to improve stability and scalability."

"Microsoft has room for improvement in simplifying their integration with third-party solutions and making the licensing model more understandable."

"Azure AD could improve by enhancing the availability of specialized courses for security, such as NETSCOUT security or other relevant certifications. It would be beneficial to have specific courses for security, to provide in-depth knowledge and skills related to Azure AD. While there are micro-learning resources available for various concepts, many people in the IT industry may not have the time to go through all the courses to properly configure and utilize Azure Active Directory. Simplifying the implementation process and making it easier for individuals to join a company with Azure AD could also be considered areas for improvement."

"Entra ID lacks a function to synchronize from the cloud to the local directory. This is a significant issue since there is no write-back feature from the cloud to local, which would allow me to use my own credentials from the cloud tenant securely."

"There is room for improvement in the ability for Entra ID Protection to inherit roles and configurations from whatever solution I am migrating from, so that these don't have to be built from the ground up during the implementation process."

"There is a lot of confusion around the user interface."

"The recent CrowdStrike issue affected most systems."

More Microsoft Entra ID Protection cons

"It is significantly complex."

"The remediation process can be improved. There will be no existing permission group for the McAfee channel domains. We can create a new permissions group for the required folder."

"Varonis requires more access permissions for its core functions compared to competitors, which can be a concern for companies about data safety."

"I'd like to see automatic updates for this solution. Currently, it's a manual process to update all the keywords"

"I would like it to have cloud integration."

"The solution's interface is a little complicated with regard to setting up filters and reports."

"For unstructured data monitoring, it's one of the top ones, if not the top one, due to its usability."

"The product is very complicated."

More Varonis Platform cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"From one to ten, if one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the tool a seven out of ten."

"The price of Azure AD is not expensive."

"Azure Active Directory Identity Protection is not very expensive."

"The product cost is on the expensive side."

"The pricing is competitive in the SMA segment and runs $5-$6 per user."

"Varonis Platform wasn't certainly the cheapest solution."

"Licensing is on an annual basis. Maintenance and renewal fees are separate. Varonis Datalert is quite expensive."

"The platform is expensive. I rate the pricing a nine out of ten."

"I would rate the pricing an eight out of ten, with ten being the most expensive."

"It's expensive, kind of, really expensive."

"You could do a subscription, where you pay yearly, or you could purchase it outright. The licensing cost is based on the number of users on the system that you are monitoring."

"The pricing is good. It neither expensive nor cheap. It is average."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

16%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Insurance Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Azure Active Directory Identity Protection?

I use conditional access most of the time.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure Active Directory Identity Protection?

The pricing for Microsoft Entra ID protection is not expensive. It varies based on the company's size and quality.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Azure Active Directory Identity Protection?

I have set up my Active Directory locally for the same domain. However, Entra ID lacks a function to synchronize from the cloud to the local directory. This is a significant issue since there is no...

See all answers

What do you like most about Varonis Platform?

The solution has significantly improved data security and compliance posture by allowing us to track and monitor activities. We can see who accesses data and when files are created and understand w...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Varonis Platform?

Varonis started as an on-premises solution and is transitioning to cloud. It hasn't fully moved yet, which is an area for improvement. Varonis requires more access permissions for its core function...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Varonis Platform?

The primary use case for Varonis Platform is data discovery, specifically for discovering sensitive data in our organization to protect it. We are looking for a solution that can scan our repositor...

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Defender for Identity vs Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Compared 47% of the time

BloodHound Enterprise vs Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Compared 9% of the time

Semperis Directory Services Protector vs Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Compared 9% of the time

CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Entra ID Protection

Compared 8% of the time

More Microsoft Entra ID Protection Competitors

Microsoft Purview Data Governance vs Varonis Platform

Compared 17% of the time

BigID vs Varonis Platform

Compared 12% of the time

Cyera vs Varonis Platform

Compared 12% of the time

Wiz vs Varonis Platform

Compared 6% of the time

CrowdStrike Falcon vs Varonis Platform

Compared 3% of the time

More Varonis Platform Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Entra ID Protection

April 2025

Download Microsoft Entra ID Protection product report

Buyer's Guide

Varonis Platform

March 2025

Download Varonis Platform product report

Also Known As

Azure Active Directory Identity Protection, Azure AD Identity Protection

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Entra ID Protection enhances security with advanced identity controls and seamless integration across environments. It ensures robust protection via multifactor authentication and single sign-on capabilities, safeguarding enterprises' sensitive information efficiently.

Microsoft Entra ID Protection offers comprehensive identity management and privileged access management features, making it critical for businesses transitioning to hybrid models or cloud solutions. Utilizing multifactor authentication, single sign-on, and security policy creation, it excels in securing access across both on-premise and cloud platforms. By integrating with Microsoft Defender, it enhances security measures. While it is highly effective, areas for improvement include identity labeling, password management, and more straightforward third-party integrations. Expanding access to Mac devices and simplification of the licensing model are also areas to be addressed for improved scalability.

What are the key features of Microsoft Entra ID Protection?

Granular Identity and Access Control: Tailor access permissions to enhance security measures.
Robust Authentication: Implement multifactor authentication for superior identity verification.
Seamless Management: Manage identities across on-premise and cloud environments effortlessly.
Conditional Access Policies: Enforce specific access rules based on predetermined conditions.

Why should users value Microsoft Entra ID Protection in their evaluations?

Operational Efficiency: Simplifies identity management with single sign-on.
Extensive Security Capabilities: Provides comprehensive protection for sensitive data.
Enterprise Focused: Tailored for use in complex organizational structures and transitions.
Integration Capability: Works closely with Microsoft Defender to enhance security measures.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, entities leverage Microsoft Entra ID Protection to maintain stringent access controls, optimize privileged access management, and facilitate smooth transitions to cloud environments. They utilize its integration with Azure AD to ensure comprehensive identity protection while aligning to compliance requirements specific to their fields.

Microsoft

Varonis Platform specializes in network security and data monitoring with modules for alerting, data classification, and access management, benefiting environments like Microsoft 365.

Varonis is designed to secure data by auditing and tracking data movement. It leverages data alert and classification modules to identify and manage sensitive information. The platform enhances network security by alerting users to unexpected data modifications and deletions, crucial for effective data loss prevention. It supports unstructured data management, ensuring proper data access and permission controls. Known for its 24/7 support, Varonis offers comprehensive analytics and unified reporting, helping prevent data overexposure and facilitating compliance efforts.

What are the key features of Varonis Platform?

24/7 Support: Provides round-the-clock assistance.
Data Monitoring: Tracks data activities efficiently.
Unified Reporting: Consolidates data access reports.
Data Classification: Identifies sensitive data effectively.
Permission Management: Simplifies managing access rights.
Behavior Analytics: Detects abnormal behavior patterns.

What benefits should be highlighted in user reviews?

Enhanced Security: Improves data protection measures.
Compliance Support: Assists in meeting compliance standards.
Data Transparency: Offers clarity in data access activities.
Access Control: Ensures proper access to data.
Centralized Remediation: Eases remediation procedures.

Varonis Platform is widely utilized in industries needing stringent data confidentiality and management, such as finance and healthcare, for tracking data modifications and unauthorized access. Enterprises deploy it to manage permissions within large datasets, benefiting Microsoft 365 environments. While Varonis requires enhancements in cloud integration, the current deployment is often based on-premises, with attention to addressing the security needs and effective data handling for critical infrastructure.

Varonis

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Nottingham Building Society

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Entra ID Protection vs. Varonis Platform

March 2025

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