ExtremeControl vs Portnox comparison

Extreme and Portnox Security are both solutions in the Network Access Control (NAC) category. Extreme is ranked #14 with an average rating of 7.0, while Portnox Security is ranked #7 with an average rating of 7.8. Extreme holds a 1.8% mindshare in NAC, compared to Portnox Security’s 3.6% mindshare. Additionally, 87% of Extreme users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 93% of Portnox Security users who would recommend it.

ExtremeControl

Read 7 ExtremeControl reviews

815 Views
618 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

Portnox

Read 22 Portnox reviews

1,573 Views
876 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

ExtremeControl

Portnox

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 9, 2025

Portnox and ExtremeControl are both contenders in the network access control market. Portnox leads in affordability and support, making it a cost-effective choice, while ExtremeControl offers advanced features that appeal to technologically sophisticated buyers, justifying its higher price point through comprehensive capabilities.

Features: Portnox provides a cloud-native solution featuring easy network visibility, behavioral analysis, and agentless operation, making it suitable for small to medium businesses. ExtremeControl offers sophisticated security policies, granular access control, and integration with third-party devices, appealing to larger enterprises with robust security needs.

Room for Improvement: Portnox could enhance its reporting and alert systems for faster incident response and improve compatibility with specific network equipment. ExtremeControl may benefit from streamlining its deployment process to reduce the learning curve and lowering its overall cost to attract more budget-conscious users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Portnox excels in offering a seamless deployment process with robust customer support, providing ease of use for quick implementations. ExtremeControl, though involving a steeper learning curve due to detailed setups, compensates with comprehensive customer service, making it ideal for organizations seeking extensive customization and professional assistance.

Pricing and ROI: Portnox is more affordable, promising quicker ROI with lower setup and ongoing costs. In contrast, ExtremeControl's higher initial investment can result in significant long-term returns, thanks to its extensive feature set and tailored solutions. Businesses face a choice between immediate savings and the potential long-term value of advanced capabilities.

To learn more, read our detailed ExtremeControl vs. Portnox Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

ExtremeControl vs. Portnox

April 2025

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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

ExtremeControl

Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)

14th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Portnox

Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)

7th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA (11th), Passwordless Authentication (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Network Access Control (NAC) category, the mindshare of ExtremeControl is 1.8%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Portnox is 3.6%, up from 2.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

Featured Reviews

Jose Mota

IT specialist at FERCAM SpA

Has a simple setup process, but it could be affordable

We have noticed similarities between Extreme and Ubiquiti, particularly in their functionality, like how they operate wirelessly and can be managed from the cloud or locally. Based on our experience, Ubiquiti's system may be more user-friendly and capable of handling heavy loads. Still, Extreme could be more reliable, although you have yet to compare them side by side directly. For instance, we have observed Extreme performing well in a warehouse environment, which might have a different level of network traffic than a convention center.

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Scott Kerr

President at TrackerSoft

It is seamless and integrates well with our Azure setup

We use devices like PLCs and controllers, and when we receive a request to allow one on the network, we bypass typical authentication, associate it with a group account, and push it to a firewalled VLAN. However, problems arise when the same MAC address is requested for a different project. Our current system only finds authenticated MAC addresses, making it difficult to troubleshoot when the same device is used for multiple purposes. Ideally, we should be able to search for any MAC address in the database, regardless of its authentication status, to see all its associated groups and potential conflicts.

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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

"Overall, I would rate ExtremeControl nine out of ten."

"The solution is easy to use."

"It has effectively enhanced network security and integrated with other security tools to streamline operations."

"The company also uses Cisco ISE in other places. I have been told that ExtremeControl is easier to use than ISE. The other reason we prefer ExtremeControl is stability. That's why they chose it for this big hospital in Oslo."

"There is information on migrating most of the cloud system's features."

"I can know which end users are using which features."

"For the information security team, the security level was improved because it helped to manage and prevent rogue devices from connecting to the corporate network. The reporting was granular, and reports we scheduled for delivery on Portnox were useful during investigations and audits, especially in cases where the IP address changed."

"The technical support is top-notch."

"I am impressed with the solution's voucher capability and authentication. The tool is integrated with Active Direct storage."

"This is a self-sufficient network monitoring and security product that saves time and employee resources."

"The cloud-based feature is very nice. We use Meraki for our switching, and it is simple to point all of our networks and offices to Portnox. It is pretty seamless."

"One of the features I enjoyed the most about Portnox was the ability to dive in with proper details on an endpoint."

"The simplicity of the product is commendable."

"It's a stable product."

More Portnox pros

Cons

"The installation is easy, it can take between five minutes to four hours depending on the complexity of the environment. The speed of the installation could improve for more complex environments."

"The initial setup was not easy. It requires an experienced person to deploy ExtremeControl, and deployment can take from days to weeks depending on the complexity of the network."

"I would rate their technical support five out of ten. They have strict upgrade policies."

"One improvement could be better clarification, namely that the system only works optimally with all components purchased together."

"I'd like to have access to more information on the traffic passing through."

"There isn't enough development for the on-premises controller."

"Their filtering system tends to lag quite a bit, so when I'm doing filtering at times, it doesn't filter the items properly."

"I believe there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of integration."

"Portnox CORE can improve on support for unmanaged switches (or hubs) and other brands of network devices. These kinds of devices are still in use in organisations, especially SMEs who cannot afford to buy a managed switch."

"The integration between Portnox CORE and Portnox CLEAR can be better. These are two different systems, and there is no unique console for both devices. Portnox CORE is agentless, whereas Portnox CLEAR is not agentless."

"It could be a little cheaper."

"The solution did have some stability issues, however, all I had to do was restart it."

"We have been having some issues with it. That's why we're considering migrating to Portnox Clear due to some limitations with CORE."

"Ideally, we should be able to search for any MAC address in the database, regardless of its authentication status, to see all its associated groups and potential conflicts."

More Portnox cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"ExtremeControl can be expensive compared to other options in the market."

"Pricing is not cheap. It is based on licenses per port. After licensing is purchased, you only pay for support."

"The tool is more expensive than Fortinet."

"We pay for port licensing and support on a yearly basis, and it's not cheap."

"The vendor price is fair."

"The pricing is a bit high, possibly due to the cloud features and running instances across regions like the US, Asia, and Europe."

"Pricing is quite reasonable."

"The solution is very expensive and I would rate it 10 out of 10."

"The licensing module should be reviewed to count the number of devices instead of port numbers of total switches. There is a case for this where not all ports for a switch are used by devices. Unused ports are calculated in the license, then the customer pays for license for those unused ports."

More Portnox pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Healthcare Company

Government

Retailer

Manufacturing Company

15%

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Insurance Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about ExtremeControl?

It has effectively enhanced network security and integrated with other security tools to streamline operations.

See all answers

What needs improvement with ExtremeControl?

ExtremeControl is a great solution, but it is mainly focused on wireless. For their wired network, especially with third-party switching, this is where most of the features are lost.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for ExtremeControl?

We have projects with mostly government entities. They want to create some policies for individuals who access Active Directory through others as an authentication method. They have Active Director...

See all answers

What do you like most about Portnox CORE?

It's easy to manage and troubleshoot thanks to the lightweight components.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Portnox CORE?

It's not cheap. It's not expensive. It's in the middle, so I'll probably give it a seven out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Portnox CORE?

We have been having some issues with it. That's why we're considering migrating to Portnox Clear due to some limitations with CORE. At the end of the day, Portnox Clear's capabilities are much more...

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba ClearPass vs ExtremeControl

Compared 47% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs ExtremeControl

Compared 30% of the time

Fortinet FortiNAC vs ExtremeControl

Compared 13% of the time

Forescout Platform vs ExtremeControl

Compared 10% of the time

More ExtremeControl Competitors

Aruba ClearPass vs Portnox

Compared 29% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Portnox

Compared 26% of the time

Forescout Platform vs Portnox

Compared 16% of the time

Fortinet FortiNAC vs Portnox

Compared 16% of the time

SecureW2 vs Portnox

Compared 7% of the time

More Portnox Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Network Access Control (NAC)

April 2025

Download ExtremeControl product report

Buyer's Guide

Portnox

April 2025

Download Portnox product report

Also Known As

Extreme Access Control, Enterasys NAC

Access Layers Portnox, Portnox CLEAR

Interactive Demo

Demo not available

Extreme

Portnox Security

Overview

ExtremeControl lets you manage secure and automated access for both, BYOD and IoT devices from one convenient dashboard. It makes it easy to roll out granular policies across your wired and wireless networks to meet industry and company compliance obligations. Identity based network access control keeps unauthorized people and devices from accessing your network.

Extreme

Portnox offers Network Access Control to manage user access based on policy, securing both wired and wireless networks while ensuring compliance. It supports endpoint security and prevents unauthorized access across industries such as banking, IT, and energy distribution.

Designed for both on-premises and cloud deployments through CORE and Clear versions, Portnox delivers a straightforward interface aiding in deployment. It integrates effectively with equipment from multiple vendors and security solutions, enhancing endpoint profiling and ensuring compliance. Portnox provides real-time alerts and network activity insights, bolstered by excellent technical support and scalability. It also automates monitoring, reducing the need for dedicated resources while offering a comprehensive view of network activities.

What are the essential features of Portnox?

Comprehensive Network Visibility: Delivers detailed insights into network activity.
Agentless Operation: Simplifies deployment without requiring additional software on endpoints.
Seamless Integration: Works well with diverse equipment and security systems.
Real-Time Alerts: Immediate notifications for unauthorized activities.
Scalability: Accommodates growing network needs without adding complexity.

What benefits should users focus on in Portnox reviews?

Ease of Deployment: Quick setup without complex processes.
Security Capabilities: Strong defense against unauthorized access and breaches.
Automatic Monitoring: Continuously observes network traffic, requiring fewer resources.
Intuitive Insights: Clear visualization of network operations aids decision-making.
Reliable Support: Access to helpful technical assistance when needed.

Across industries like banking and IT, organizations rely on Portnox for endpoint profiling and compliance, ensuring remote worker security. Electricity distributors leverage its robust features for managing secure network access. Improvements like better third-party integration, enhanced graphical interface, and expanded support are desired, along with licensing adjustment and expanded use of AI and behavioral analytics.

Portnox Security

Sample Customers

Street Crane, Robert Bosch, Molex Chengdu, Weir Valves & Controls UK, Renault, AESSEAL, Ducati, Alexander Dennis, UK Ministry of Defence, Manz

Data Realty, Royal London, Wales Millennium Centre, McLaren Construction Group, EL AL Israeli Airlines,

Buyer's Guide

ExtremeControl vs. Portnox

April 2025

Free Report: ExtremeControl vs. Portnox

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