Portnox vs Sophos Network Access Control comparison

Portnox Security and Sophos are both solutions in the Network Access Control (NAC) category. Portnox Security is ranked #6 with an average rating of 7.9, while Sophos is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.6. Portnox Security holds a 3.7% mindshare in NAC, compared to Sophos’s 1.6% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Portnox Security users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of Sophos users who would recommend it.

Portnox

Read 22 Portnox reviews

1,565 Views
875 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Sophos Network Access Control

Read 21 Sophos Network Access Control reviews

1,085 Views
462 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Portnox

Sophos Network Access Control

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 15, 2025

Portnox and Sophos Network Access Control are both prominent solutions in the Network Access Control space. Portnox has an edge in pricing and customer support, while Sophos is preferred for its comprehensive security features.

Features: Portnox offers a straightforward cloud-based deployment with robust profiling, strong risk management, and easy integration with various vendor equipment. Sophos provides advanced threat detection, endpoint management, and comprehensive network security integration capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Portnox could improve its integration capabilities with certain security applications, offer more detailed analytics, and expand its agentless deployment options. Sophos may benefit from simplifying its complex initial setup, extending customization options for specific security policies, and refining its user interface for better accessibility.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Portnox's cloud-based deployment ensures ease of use, supported by responsive customer service. Sophos provides both on-premises and cloud solutions, typically requiring a more complex setup, but it offers extensive customer support for a seamless experience.

Pricing and ROI: Portnox is competitively priced with flexible plans that can improve ROI due to lower initial costs. In contrast, Sophos may demand a higher upfront investment but suggests increased value for organizations needing a comprehensive security solution.

To learn more, read our detailed Portnox vs. Sophos Network Access Control Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Portnox vs. Sophos Network Access Control

June 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

Portnox

Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)

6th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA (11th), Passwordless Authentication (1st)

Sophos Network Access Control

Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)

7th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Network Access Control (NAC) category, the mindshare of Portnox is 3.7%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Sophos Network Access Control is 1.6%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

Featured Reviews

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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Marco-VIVALDELLI

CEO at MARVIV SRLS

Reliable with good security capabilities and an easy setup

The user interface, in terms of managing the product, could be better. For example, having some sort of configuration scanner could be useful. I need some sort of base solution that I can provide to the company to set up a first level of service for the company. That way, I can install the product and set up a first level of security. After that, we can run some analysis with the company, with the key manager, and so on, and then customize the product to better suit their needs. It would help us create more tailored policies. That said, we need to have some base configuration that we can use as a kickoff in terms of saying, "Okay, this is a first-level configuration; that is enough to guarantee a correct level of protection from your point of view." And in this way, there is the possibility in the weeks to follow to customize the product better and more effectively over time to introduce a second level of features more specific to a single company. What could be an improvement, and what more competitors are doing, is introducing more advanced features in terms of artificial intelligence. This product needs more AI. It's useful to introduce systems to help prevent problems and better identify issues. The product needs to centralize information from devices and work to create a common database where an AI algorithm could have access to all of the information worldwide and therefore become better at predicting issues and finding problems. They need to widen their vision in the way competitors are to provide a higher level of security going forward.

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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

"The simplicity of the product is commendable."

"It's so easy to set up, you don't need outside assistance."

"There is an add-on feature for application control to kill unwanted applications when launched on a user's device."

"The product's initial setup phase was straightforward."

"I like the fact that you can take your device anywhere and still have that visibility from anywhere because it's agent-based."

"The minute people have issues on their network, we can see what is happening right away."

"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."

"The simplicity of the product is commendable."

More Portnox pros

"Sophos Network Access Control saves our clients time and money."

"We have had interactions with the technical support team through the Xnet platform. It's good."

"What Sophos has done is integrate almost the entire OSI layer infrastructure. It gives me visibility across my infrastructure. It gives me visibility into all the mobile devices that are on my network and into the security I have on those mobile devices."

"Sophos Network Access Control has a useful interface, and I like its dashboard, which is very useful for us to check everything."

"The installation is very straightforward."

"Web protection, URL filtering, and application filtering are the most valuable features of Sophos Network Access Control."

"The pricing is very reasonable and you can negotiate on the price."

"I found all Sophos Network Access Control features valuable, but IP blocking is the most useful."

More Sophos Network Access Control pros

Cons

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

"Allowing for a search of MAC addresses in the interface, whether they are authenticated on the network or not, would be beneficial. Currently, it only finds authenticated MAC addresses, which complicates troubleshooting when the same MAC address is used for different requests."

"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."

"The price could be better."

"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."

"In terms of operational efficiency, things are more complicated now. It takes more time to get devices on the network, but we increased security quite a bit."

"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."

More Portnox cons

"I would like to see mobile administration capabilities in the next release so that we can administer the device from a mobile device."

"The solution can improve the for applying policies. They can be complex depending don't the group they are applied to."

"An area that could be improved is the information about licensing, which is fairly confusing at present."

"The solution could increase the integration with other platforms or other systems. This would be very useful."

"I would like to be able to fully customize the reports."

"Sophos Network Access Control could be improved by having an ASIC chip similar to FortiNAC, as this would provide better processing for big organizations."

"The interface on the cloud could be a bit better - just to give more performance on it."

"The user interface, in terms of managing the product, could be better."

More Sophos Network Access Control cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Portnox CORE's pricing is adequate and cheaper compared to other complex solutions. Its licensing costs are yearly and include support. Cost is calculated per device."

"Pricing is quite reasonable."

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

"The cost of Portnox Clear is reasonable."

"The tool is more expensive than Fortinet."

"The vendor price is fair."

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

"It's not cheap. It's not expensive. It's in the middle."

More Portnox pricing and cost advice

"I rate the price of Sophos Network Access Control a five out of ten."

"It is quite expensive."

"Sophos Network Access Control is costly but has a similar price range as CrowdStrike and Check Point. The product can get more market share if Sophos can play around with Sophos Network Access Control pricing and improve it."

"Sophos Network Access Control is very cheap compared to other solutions like Cisco, Barracuda, and Palo Alto."

"Sophos Network Access Control is an expensive solution."

"It provides a moderate pricing option for all of its features and benefits."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

15%

Computer Software Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

14%

Government

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

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

What do you like most about Sophos Network Access Control?

Sophos Network Access Control has a useful interface, and I like its dashboard, which is very useful for us to check everything.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Sophos Network Access Control?

I am not able to say much on the financial specifics as it pertains to the sales unit.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Sophos Network Access Control?

For now, I may not be able to say exactly what needs improvement. However, continuous development in specific areas might be required.

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba ClearPass vs Portnox

Compared 27% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Portnox

Compared 27% of the time

Forescout Platform vs Portnox

Compared 16% of the time

Fortinet FortiNAC vs Portnox

Compared 15% of the time

SecureW2 vs Portnox

Compared 8% of the time

More Portnox Competitors

Aruba ClearPass vs Sophos Network Access Control

Compared 34% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Sophos Network Access Control

Compared 25% of the time

Fortinet FortiNAC vs Sophos Network Access Control

Compared 18% of the time

Twingate vs Sophos Network Access Control

Compared 12% of the time

Forescout Platform vs Sophos Network Access Control

Compared 11% of the time

More Sophos Network Access Control Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Portnox

May 2025

Download Portnox product report

Buyer's Guide

Sophos Network Access Control

May 2025

Download Sophos Network Access Control product report

Also Known As

Access Layers Portnox, Portnox CLEAR

No data available

Interactive Demo

Portnox Security

Demo not available

Sophos

Overview

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

Sophos NAC Provides comprehensive, easy-to-deploy network access control that protects enterprise networks from the threats posed by non-compliant, compromised, or misconfigured endpoint computers. The software solution is vendor-neutral and works with existing network infrastructure and security applications. Computers are permitted or denied access to the network, based on a centrally defined, policy-driven assessment - and isolated, quarantined for remediation, automatically remediated, or sent alerts. Administrators can define and manage policies uniquely for managed and guest computers, including checking their security status and ensuring that no unwanted applications are run.

Sophos

Sample Customers

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

Rushmoor Borough Council

Buyer's Guide

Portnox vs. Sophos Network Access Control

June 2025

Free Report: Portnox vs. Sophos Network Access Control

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