Top 10 Varonis Alternatives and Competitors

Varonis is a data security platform designed to protect sensitive information and defend against insider threats across on-premises systems, SaaS applications, and cloud environments. 

Founded in 2005, Varonis originally built its platform on an agent-based model, and in recent years has expanded into the cloud and SaaS security space to meet modern enterprise needs.

Where Does Varonis Fit in the Market?

Historically, Varonis has been recognized for its strength in discovering and classifying on-premises data. As organizations shifted to the cloud, Varonis has grown to compete in that arena as well, particularly with data discovery tied to compliance frameworks. 

However, since Varonis’ primary start was in on-prem, customer feedback often notes that its cloud-native capabilities are still maturing, and that remediation features remain limited compared to some competitors.

Varonis remains a robust and trusted data security platform, but it may not be the best fit for every organization - especially those operating in cloud-first environments. 

The solutions highlighted below showcase alternatives that excel in areas where Varonis is strongest, as well as those that outperform in newer cloud-focused capabilities.

Taking a Layered Approach to Data Security

While Varonis has its strengths, it also comes with limitations. No single application can solve all of your security challenges, which is why it’s important to research and understand where certain solutions fit - and where others can fill the gaps.

Choosing the right provider ultimately comes down to identifying your organization’s priorities and determining how different tools fit into your overall security strategy.

There is no true “one-size-fits-all” solution for data security. Organizations often benefit from a combination of tools tailored to their unique business models and risk profiles. 

The key is to avoid getting locked into a single vendor, and instead focus on the vision and long-term security strategy that will scale with your business.

This article highlights the pros and cons of Varonis competitors, helping organizations align their solution choices with both security and business needs.

1. DoControl

Focus Areas: DSPM, DLP, Shadow IT, Insider Risk, Misconfigurations

Key Customers: Colgate-Palmolive, Snap Inc., Databricks, Sanmina, Datadog

Pros:

• Scalable API event-driven architecture that reacts to events in real-time
• Deep contextualized user data derived from HRIS, IdP, and EDR for accurate detection and classification
• AI classification and lineage engine to accurately detect sensitive content in files
• Ability to remediate large volumes of historical sensitive data exposure all at once
• Flexible remediation policies that are easy to align to existing business processes
• Ability to build in flexible approval processes to scalable engine 
• Ability to remediate historical data exposure on top of automated workflows 
• Coverage across SaaS and Generative AI Apps

Cons:

• No agent to take action on the endpoint 
• Limited coverage in cloud environments

2. Cyera 

Focus Areas: DSPM, DLP, Identity Access

Key Customers: Paramount, Peloton, Docusign, AT&T, Chipotle 

Pros:

• Deep classification engine that aligns to core compliance standards 
• Coverage across a broad range of cloud and SaaS apps 
• Comprehensive report that tells users where sensitive data resides

Cons:

• No agent to take action on the endpoint 
• No ability to remediate the risky data that has already been shared
• Time consuming to scan all the data, resulting in long implementation cycles 

3. Sentra

Focus Areas: DSPM, Data Discovery 

Key Customers: Lyft, Stackline, SoFi, Valenz

Pros:

• Deep classification engine with alignment to core compliance standards 
• Coverage across a broad range of cloud applications (but limited with SaaS)
• Some remediation capabilities to remediate exposure 

Cons:

• No agent to take action on the endpoint 
• Limited ability to remediate the risky data that has been shared
• Limited SaaS application coverage 
• Long implementation because of time to scan all the data 

4. BigID 

Focus Areas: DSPM, DLP, Data Discovery & Classification

Key Customers: UMD, Telenor, U.S Army

Pros:

• Deep classification engine with alignment to core compliance standards 
• Coverage across a broad range of cloud, but limited with SaaS applications
• Strong capabilities across both structured and unstructured data formats

Cons:

• No agent to take action on the endpoint 
• No ability to remediate the risky data that has already been shared
• Long implementation cycles due to time consuming data scanning process 

5. LightBeam  

Focus Areas: DSPM, Data Access Governance

Key Customers: Veridian Credit Union, InfoObjects, Snap Finance

Pros:

• Deep classification engine with alignment to core compliance standards 
• Can apply native labels in GWS and MSFT, or use their own labels 
• Coverage across a broad range of cloud applications, but limited with SaaS coverage

Cons:

• No agent to take action on the endpoint 
• No ability to remediate the risky data that has been shared
• Limited coverage of SaaS applications 
• Long implementation cycles, because of the time it takes to scan all the data 

6. Netwrix

Focus Areas: DSPM, IT Auditing 

Key Customers: Horizon, Lockhead Martin, First National Bank

Pros:

• Coverage across a broad range of cloud apps, but limited with SaaS
• Narrow range of scanning capabilities, but faster to deploy because there’s less
• Cost-effective solution compared to some of the above players 
• Does provide an endpoint option if needed 

Cons:

• Classifier engine is immature compared to some other vendors
• No ability to remediate the risky data that has been already been shared

7. CrowdStrike

Focus Areas: EDR, SSPM 

Key Customers: Royal Caribbean, SiteOne, Aflac, MGM Resorts

Pros:

• Strong capabilities at the endpoint level for data discovery and action 
• Strong capabilities in cloud security efforts
• Growing in SaaS with Adaptive Shield acquisition, but not with classification capabilities 

Cons:

• Limited ability in cloud and SaaS, especially with classification engine
• Limited ability to remediate data exposure across cloud and SaaS

8. Egnyte  

Focus Areas: DSPM, DLP 

Key Customers: Steve Madden, Redbull, Sargent

Pros:

• Strong capabilities for cloud content classification and governance
• Remediation capabilities available across various file sharing scenarios
• Great for SMBs, and easy to set up

Cons:

• Limited capabilities to support the scale of enterprise companies
• Classification engine can be limited depending on the organization

9. Forcepoint

Focus Areas: DLP 

‍Key Customers: Mariner Finance, Medicover Group, Gebauer & Griller 

Pros:

• Strong scanning engine with a large classifier engine
• Great coverage for endpoint capabilities
• Can cover a broad range of use cases because of the agent in place  

Cons:

• Limited ability to scan historical data, just scans when policy triggers
• Agent approach doesn’t work for SaaS and Cloud, too intrusive
• Long deployment, and tedious to maintain

10. Netskope  

Focus Areas: CASB, DLP, User Management  

Key Customers: Triple A, Ross Stores, Yamaha, Sainsbury’s, JLL

Pros:

• Deep classifier engine that covers SaaS, Cloud, and Endpoint
• Agent (inlined) and API options to cover both scenarios and connect the dots between the two
• Can be bundled in with broader Netskope offering

Cons:

• Very difficult to setup and maintain - high cost of ownership
• API option is spotty, and data is often inaccurate
• Agent based approach is often too rigid for scaling organizations
• Remediation options within are limited

Final Takeaway:

Choosing the right solution for your organization is a process - one that isn’t black and white. No data security vendor is perfect and will fit all your needs. 

So, what's the secret then to protecting your data, your people, and your organization? Taking a layered approach, integrating security solutions that all complement one another in a way that works for your business, unifies coverage, and eliminates security gaps.

The vendors on this list all bring something valuable to the table, but the right choice will be the one that meets today’s data security needs while preparing your org for tomorrow’s looming threats.