If you’re evaluating CyberArk Cloud Access Security for cloud access security broker (casb) software, the three strongest independent alternatives in our editorial ranking are Netskope, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, Forcepoint CASB. Each has a different best-fit buyer — the right choice depends on team size and workflow, not on which has the loudest review-site presence.
Why CyberArk Cloud Access Security sometimes isn’t the right pick: Pure CASB buyers without PAM use case (Netskope or Microsoft better), buyers wanting traditional CASB feature depth, or organizations on a tight CASB-only budget. See full “worst for” verdict →
9 CyberArk Cloud Access Security alternatives
| Rank | Product | Best for | Target size | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Netskope | Mid-market to enterprise buyers (1,000-50,000+ employees) leading with CASB or DLP needs and consolidating multiple cloud-security tools onto one SSE platform. | 1,000-100,000+ | ○ Quote-only |
| #2 | Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps | Microsoft 365 E5-licensed organizations (any size) where the CASB is effectively bundled, or Microsoft-anchored shops standardizing on Defender XDR. | 100-200,000+ | ● Transparent |
| #3 | Forcepoint CASB | Existing Forcepoint multi-product customers (NGFW + DLP + CASB + web) maintaining current investment, or federal / regulated buyers leveraging Forcepoint ONE FedRAMP authorization. | 1,000-50,000+ | ○ Quote-only |
| #4 | Trellix CASB | Existing Trellix XDR multi-product customers maintaining their stack, or buyers wanting CASB tightly coupled with XDR cross-signal. | 1,000-50,000+ | ○ Quote-only |
| #5 | Cisco Cloudlock | Cisco-anchored customers consolidating onto Cisco Secure Access; existing Cloudlock customers maintaining investment. | 1,000-100,000+ | ○ Quote-only |
| #6 | Lookout | Organizations (500-25,000 employees) needing mobile-threat defense plus CASB in one vendor, especially BYOD-heavy or regulated industries with mobile workforce. | 500-25,000 | ○ Quote-only |
| #7 | Forcepoint ONE (Bitglass) | Forcepoint buyers preferring agentless reverse-proxy CASB for BYOD or unmanaged-device fleets, or existing Bitglass customers who migrated to Forcepoint ONE. | 500-25,000 | ○ Quote-only |
| #8 | Trend Micro Cloud App Security | Existing Trend Vision One customers consolidating XDR + CASB in one vendor, particularly Microsoft 365-anchored shops with API-based protection as primary use case. | 500-50,000 | ◐ Partial |
| #10 | iboss | Mid-market to enterprise (1,000-25,000 employees) wanting one-vendor SSE consolidation below Zscaler scale; education, federal, and regulated industries. | 1,000-25,000 | ○ Quote-only |
Which alternative for which buyer
Netskope
Deepest CASB heritage with full SSE breadth and persistent IPO speculation.
Mid-market to enterprise buyers (1,000-50,000+ employees) leading with CASB or DLP needs and consolidating multiple cloud-security tools onto one SSE platform.
SMBs under 500 employees (overkill, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps via E5 or iboss cheaper), Microsoft-anchored shops with M365 E5 already paid for, or buyers wanting transparent published pricing.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
CASB bundled into Microsoft 365 E5; default for Microsoft-anchored buyers.
Microsoft 365 E5-licensed organizations (any size) where the CASB is effectively bundled, or Microsoft-anchored shops standardizing on Defender XDR.
Google Workspace-anchored shops, AWS-native cloud-first organizations, Slack-first companies, or buyers needing deepest CASB feature depth (Netskope better).
Forcepoint CASB
Legacy Forcepoint CASB now consolidating into Forcepoint ONE under Francisco Partners.
Existing Forcepoint multi-product customers (NGFW + DLP + CASB + web) maintaining current investment, or federal / regulated buyers leveraging Forcepoint ONE FedRAMP authorization.
Net-new buyers without existing Forcepoint stack (Netskope or Microsoft cleaner choices), Microsoft 365 E5-anchored shops, or buyers wanting transparent published pricing.
Trellix CASB
McAfee Enterprise + FireEye merger product line under STG with persistent roadmap-clarity questions.
Existing Trellix XDR multi-product customers maintaining their stack, or buyers wanting CASB tightly coupled with XDR cross-signal.
Net-new CASB buyers without existing Trellix investment (Netskope or Microsoft cleaner), buyers seeking clear product-line roadmap, or organizations sensitive to PE-ownership turbulence.
Cisco Cloudlock
API-based CASB folded into Cisco Secure Access; standalone procurement is rare.
Cisco-anchored customers consolidating onto Cisco Secure Access; existing Cloudlock customers maintaining investment.
Non-Cisco buyers (Netskope or Microsoft cleaner choices), buyers needing inline CASB depth, or organizations wanting transparent published pricing.
Lookout
Mobile + endpoint heritage with CASB inherited from CipherCloud merger.
Organizations (500-25,000 employees) needing mobile-threat defense plus CASB in one vendor, especially BYOD-heavy or regulated industries with mobile workforce.
Pure CASB buyers without mobile-threat use case (Netskope better), Microsoft 365 E5-anchored shops, or buyers wanting transparent published pricing.
Related editorial
- Full Top 10 Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software for 2026 ranking with comparison table and decision matrix →
- Who shouldn’t buy CyberArk Cloud Access Security? Editorial “worst for” verdict →
- CyberArk Cloud Access Security vendor trust score (6 dimensions, dated) →
- CyberArk Cloud Access Security full intelligence profile →
Last updated 2026-05-10. Rankings reflect editorial judgment based on the published Top 10 Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software for 2026. We accept no vendor payments. Found something inaccurate? Tell us.