Top NAC Solutions

Network Access Control (NAC) is no longer optional. As enterprises contend with hybrid workforces, remote devices, IoT sprawl, and ever-evolving cyber threats, having a modern NAC solution in place is foundational to enforcing Zero Trust security. But not all NAC tools are created equal. Many legacy systems struggle with scalability, are costly to maintain, and demand intensive expertise to operate effectively. In this deep dive into the top NAC solutions for 2025—based on a comprehensive comparison by eSecurity Planet—we’ll explore the key players and highlight why Portnox Cloud has emerged as the go-to platform for organizations seeking simplicity, scalability, and security without compromise.

What Makes a NAC Solution “Top Tier”?

Before we explore the specific vendors, let’s define what a top NAC solution looks like in today’s cybersecurity landscape:

• Cloud-native architecture: Eliminates on-prem hardware and allows fast deployment and simplified maintenance.

• Device visibility and control: Identifies and manages all devices across wired, wireless, and VPN connections.

• Risk-based policy enforcement: Automates access decisions based on user, device, location, compliance, and more.

• Support for BYOD and IoT: Can identify and manage unmanaged and agentless endpoints.

• Zero Trust readiness: Integrates with broader identity, MFA, and conditional access strategies.

• Affordability and low TCO: Offers robust security without massive operational overhead.

With those criteria in mind, let’s assess the leading NAC solutions on the market and why Portnox Cloud tops the list.

Portnox Cloud: Best Overall for Cloud-Native NAC

Portnox Cloud is the only vendor in the eSecurity Planet lineup that is 100% cloud-native from the ground up. This gives it a distinct advantage over traditional players that were built for on-premises environments and later retrofitted for the cloud.

Key Strengths:

• No appliances, no maintenance headaches: Portnox’s SaaS delivery eliminates the need for on-site servers, appliances, or complex VPN tunneling.

• Agentless and agent-based options: Supports agentless posture assessments for BYOD and IoT as well as lightweight agents for corporate devices.

• Rapid deployment: Customers are typically up and running in hours or days, not weeks or months like many legacy NAC tools.

• Zero Trust Access Controls: Portnox offers granular control over network and application access based on device posture, user identity, and location.

• Entra ID + RADIUS + TACACS+: A unique trifecta—Portnox combines directory integrations, RADIUS-based NAC, and admin access control (TACACS+) in one cloud platform.

• Transparent Pricing: No complex licensing or surprise infrastructure costs—just a clean SaaS model.

Compared to vendors like Cisco ISE or Aruba ClearPass, which require significant infrastructure and professional services, Portnox shines as the solution purpose-built for lean IT teams and fast-moving organizations.

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE): Feature-Rich but Friction-Filled

Cisco ISE has long been the juggernaut in the NAC space. It’s powerful, flexible, and extremely customizable—but that comes at a price. In fact, several prices.

Challenges with Cisco ISE:

• Complex deployment: Requires multiple appliances or VMs, high expertise, and long implementation timelines.

• High TCO: Licensing, hardware, maintenance, and professional services stack up quickly.

• Cloud challenges: ISE is not cloud-native—it’s a lift-and-shift into virtual infrastructure, not a true SaaS solution.

• Limited BYOD friendliness: Policy enforcement is strong but less elegant when handling guest devices or IoT.

While Cisco ISE is ideal for massive enterprises with dedicated NAC teams, it’s overkill—and often a liability—for organizations seeking agility.

HPE Aruba ClearPass: Capable, But Aging

Aruba ClearPass offers impressive depth in profiling, guest access, and integrations. However, it shares many of the same shortcomings as Cisco ISE.

Pros and Cons:

• Strong endpoint visibility: Good at fingerprinting and profiling managed devices.

• Tight Aruba ecosystem integration: Works well if your infrastructure is already HPE/Aruba.

• Not cloud-native: Like ISE, ClearPass is appliance-based or deployed as a virtual machine.

• Deployment is time-consuming: Complex architecture requires time, budget, and skilled personnel.

In today’s cloud-first world, ClearPass feels increasingly like a legacy tool trying to keep pace.

Fortinet FortiNAC: Mid-Market Focused, But Limited

FortiNAC is Fortinet’s NAC solution for organizations already invested in the Fortinet ecosystem. While it’s affordable and designed for the mid-market, it lacks several key capabilities found in top-tier solutions.

Considerations:

• On-prem architecture: FortiNAC still relies on physical or virtual appliances.

• Limited integrations: Works best with other Fortinet products; struggles in mixed-vendor environments.

• Feature fragmentation: Posture checks, user visibility, and policy enforcement may require additional Fortinet tools.

Portnox Cloud, by contrast, offers a vendor-neutral platform that works seamlessly across networking environments—ideal for organizations that don’t want to be locked into a single vendor.

Forescout: Powerhouse with a Steep Learning Curve

Forescout has long been a heavyweight in the NAC world, particularly in regulated industries like healthcare and government. But that power comes with a significant operational burden.

Key Drawbacks:

• Extremely high TCO: Licensing, hardware, and support costs are significant.

• Complicated configuration: Requires highly trained personnel to implement and operate.

• Slow to adapt to cloud: Forescout’s cloud capabilities are bolted on, not designed for SaaS-native use cases.

While powerful, Forescout’s complexity makes it less appealing to the modern, agile IT organization.

Why Portnox Cloud is the Top NAC Solution for 2025

Across the board, Portnox Cloud offers a better experience for today’s IT and security leaders:

Final Thoughts: Modern NAC Requires Modern Thinking

Security doesn’t live in a data center anymore. It lives everywhere—across cloud apps, remote devices, hybrid offices, and global networks. That’s why choosing the right NAC solution is more important than ever.

Portnox Cloud represents a new generation of NAC: cloud-native, scalable, easy to use, and purpose-built for Zero Trust. Whether you’re managing hundreds or thousands of devices, in a single location or across continents, Portnox gives you the tools to enforce security without slowing your business down.

When it comes to the top NAC solutions of 2025, Portnox Cloud isn’t just in the conversation—it’s leading it.