Link copied to clipboard # Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Forescout Platform Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/forescout-platform/export.csv) Cisco Identity Services...Forescout Platform[+ Add Product](#) Reviews **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)**[ 4.5/5(63) ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews#reviews) **Forescout Platform** [ 4.5/5(17) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews#reviews) Pricing **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** No pricing available **Forescout Platform** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** Not enough reviews yet **Forescout Platform** 3 months Based on 6 responses Return on Investment **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** Not enough reviews yet **Forescout Platform** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** $$$$$ **Forescout Platform** Not enough reviews yet Average Discount **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** Not enough reviews yet **Forescout Platform** Not enough reviews yet Pros & Cons **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** Not enough data **Forescout Platform** [ Security (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1150007&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Internet Security (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1150305&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Complex Implementation (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1149443&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Dependency Issues (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1150204&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_33e164d73c37e0ec234a4b40d51f0507/cisco-catalyst-center.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") Cisco Catalyst Center ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-catalyst-center/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_e53c653801b737650057c3a3d6d19473/cisco-duo.png "Product Avatar Image") Cisco Duo ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-duo/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_41e58e0642c6443cb8450f1243ebcdab/cisco-secure-client.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") Cisco Secure Client ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-client/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_2474c60ebbbbe943c2c262ededcc263c/microsoft-active-directory-certificate-services-ad-cs.png "Product Avatar Image") Microsoft Active Directory... ](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-active-directory-certificate-services-ad-cs/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/integrations) **Forescout Platform** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_aa32fa23598dc6c153bb17435c1c1d13/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016.png "Product Avatar Image") ActiveDirectory Domain... ](https://www.g2.com/products/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_8fce4cdac434b53f25936f9cbf18d3d1/cisco-meraki.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Cisco Meraki ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-meraki/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_9a05b2e8752221bee881a302a02b612a/fortigate-vm-ngfw.jpg "Product Avatar Image") FortiGate-VM NGFW ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_9f5cba7cc6d5f6cc378e063e63a669ea/fortimanager.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") FortiManager ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimanager/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/integrations) Screenshots **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** No screenshot available **Forescout Platform** ![Forescout Platform screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1718819/Screenshot-2026-03-26-at-10.26.47-AM.png) Ratings Meets Requirements **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 9.3 9.332 **Forescout Platform** 8.5 8.510 Ease of Use **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 8.0 8.032 **Forescout Platform** 9.2 9.210 Ease of Setup **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 7.6 7.623 **Forescout Platform** 8.6 8.67 Ease of Admin **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 8.7 8.721 **Forescout Platform** 8.1 8.16 Quality of Support **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 9.0 9.032 **Forescout Platform** 8.2 8.210 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 9.3 9.320 **Forescout Platform** 8.6 8.66 Product Direction (% positive) **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** 8.1 8.131 **Forescout Platform** 10.0 10.09 Features Network Access Control (NAC)[Hide 23 FeaturesShow 23 Features](javascript:void(0);) 8.7 32 9.0 7 Data Data Protection 8.9(won by 0.2) 20 8.7 5 Remote Access 8.5 18 9.0(won by 0.5) 5 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) Network Access 9.1 22 9.7(won by 0.6) 6 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) Network Security 9.3(won by 0.7) 23 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) 8.6 6 Scaling 8.7 20 9.0(won by 0.3) 7 Audit 8.5 17 8.6(won by 0.1) 6 Logistics Blockage 8.8 19 9.7(won by 0.9) 5 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) IoT 7.9 15 8.9(won by 1.0) 6 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors) Processes 8.7(won by default) 18 Not enough data Additional Functionality Policy Creation Not enough data Not enough data Multiple Authentication Methods Not enough data Not enough data Profiling Not enough data Not enough data Multi-Device Support Not enough data Not enough data Remote Access/Control Not enough data Not enough data Asset Tracking Not enough data Not enough data Continuous Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Network Security Not enough data Not enough data Intrusion Prevention System Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integration Not enough data Not enough data Access Controls/Permissions Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Zero Trust Networking[Hide 13 FeaturesShow 13 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data 9.3 5 Network Management API/Integrations Not enough data 9.3(won by default) 5 Network Segmentation Not enough data Not enough data Network Mapping Not enough data Not enough data Security Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Security Security Automation Not enough data Not enough data Application Security Not enough data Not enough data Workload Protection Not enough data Not enough data Data Protection Not enough data Not enough data Identity Management Adaptive Access Control Not enough data Not enough data Identity Scoring Not enough data Not enough data User Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI AI Text Summarization Not enough data Not enough data AI Text Generation Not enough data Not enough data IoT Security Solutions[Hide 12 FeaturesShow 12 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data 9.3 6 Connected Device Security Vulnerability Assessment Not enough data 9.0(won by default) 5 IoT Network Security Not enough data 9.3(won by default) 5 Alerts & Notifications Not enough data 9.7(won by default) 5 Identity Lifecycle Not enough data Not enough data Threat Protection Not enough data Not enough data Behavior Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Incident Response Not enough data Not enough data OTA Updates Not enough data Not enough data Platform Dashboard Not enough data 9.7(won by default) 5 Reporting Not enough data 8.7(won by default) 5 Hardware Not enough data Not enough data Performance Not enough data Not enough data Show 9 feature categories with incomplete data Network Security[Hide 40 FeaturesShow 40 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality Penetration Testing Not enough data Not enough data Alerts/Notifications Not enough data Not enough data Audit Trail Not enough data Not enough data Anti Virus Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Scanning Not enough data Not enough data Remote Monitoring & Management Not enough data Not enough data VPN Not enough data Not enough data Behavior Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Notifications Not enough data Not enough data Access Controls/Permissions Not enough data Not enough data SSL Security Not enough data Not enough data Patch Management Not enough data Not enough data Event Logs Not enough data Not enough data Anomaly/Malware Detection Not enough data Not enough data DNS Leak Protection Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integrations Not enough data Not enough data Server Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Compliance Management Not enough data Not enough data Network Provisioning Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Email Alerts Not enough data Not enough data Security Auditing Not enough data Not enough data Intrusion Detection System Not enough data Not enough data Data Visualization Not enough data Not enough data Two-Factor Authentication Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Firewalls Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Anti Spam Not enough data Not enough data Threat Response Not enough data Not enough data Activity Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Risk Alerts Not enough data Not enough data Data Loss Prevention Not enough data Not enough data Single Sign On Not enough data Not enough data Intrusion Prevention System Not enough data Not enough data Secure Login Not enough data Not enough data Policy Management Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Management[Hide 36 FeaturesShow 36 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality Search/Filter Not enough data Not enough data Risk Management Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Alerts/Notifications Not enough data Not enough data Compliance Management Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integrations Not enough data Not enough data Certificate Assessment Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Incident Management Not enough data Not enough data Automated Containment Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Data Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Scanning Not enough data Not enough data Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Policy Management Not enough data Not enough data Asset Discovery Not enough data Not enough data Penetration Testing Not enough data Not enough data Runtime Container Security Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data Security Auditing Not enough data Not enough data Issue Tracking Not enough data Not enough data Threat Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Patch Management Not enough data Not enough data Endpoint Management Not enough data Not enough data Collaboration Tools Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Management Not enough data Not enough data Goal Setting/Tracking Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Assessment Not enough data Not enough data Asset Tagging Not enough data Not enough data Assessment Management Not enough data Not enough data Access Controls/Permissions Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability/Threat Prioritization Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Protection Not enough data Not enough data Risk Assessment Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data SQL Injections Not enough data Not enough data Network Security Policy Management (NSPM)[Hide 10 FeaturesShow 10 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Network Maintenance Policy Optimization Not enough data Not enough data Risk Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Auditing Not enough data Not enough data Network Management Network Mapping Not enough data Not enough data Compliance Not enough data Not enough data Reporting Not enough data Not enough data Console Not enough data Not enough data Network Monitoring Network Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Configuration Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Change Management Not enough data Not enough data Risk-Based Vulnerability Management[Hide 11 FeaturesShow 11 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Risk Analysis Risk Scoring Not enough data Not enough data Reporting Not enough data Not enough data Risk-Prioritization Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Assesment Vulnerability Scanning Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Contextual Data Not enough data Not enough data Dashboards Not enough data Not enough data Automation Automated Remediation Not enough data Not enough data Workflow Automation Not enough data Not enough data Security Testing Not enough data Not enough data Test Automation Not enough data Not enough data Attack Surface Management[Hide 42 FeaturesShow 42 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Asset Management Asset Discovery Not enough data Not enough data Shadow IT Detection Not enough data Not enough data Change Management Not enough data Not enough data Compliance Management Not enough data Not enough data Monitoring Gap Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Compliance Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Continuous Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Server Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Risk Management Risk-Prioritization Not enough data Not enough data Reconnaissance Not enough data Not enough data At-Risk Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Threat Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI AI Text Summarization Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality SSL Security Not enough data Not enough data HIPAA Compliant Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Threat Response Not enough data Not enough data Endpoint Protection Not enough data Not enough data Maintenance Scheduling Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integrations Not enough data Not enough data Security Auditing Not enough data Not enough data Application Security Not enough data Not enough data Encryption Not enough data Not enough data Network Security Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Reporting Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Authentication Not enough data Not enough data Financial Data Protection Not enough data Not enough data Anti Virus Not enough data Not enough data Secure Data Storage Not enough data Not enough data Virus Definition Update Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data VPN Not enough data Not enough data Audit Trail Not enough data Not enough data Anti Spam Not enough data Not enough data Access Controls/Permissions Not enough data Not enough data Data Visualization Not enough data Not enough data Alerts/Escalation Not enough data Not enough data Data Security Not enough data Not enough data Exposure Management Platforms[Hide 6 FeaturesShow 6 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI - Exposure Management Platforms Predictive Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Automated Threat Detection Not enough data Not enough data Risk Identification and Assessment - Exposure Management Platforms Comprehensive Risk Assessment Not enough data Not enough data Advanced Analytics and Reporting Not enough data Not enough data Monitoring and Integration - Exposure Management Platforms Integration and Data Consolidation Not enough data Not enough data Real-time Monitoring and Alerts Not enough data Not enough data OT Security Tools[Hide 10 FeaturesShow 10 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Systems Management - OT Security Tools Remote Access Not enough data Not enough data Asset Discovery Not enough data Not enough data Hardware Not enough data Not enough data Connected Device Security - OT Security Tools Vulnerability Assessment Not enough data Not enough data Remediation Not enough data Not enough data Alerts Not enough data Not enough data Reporting - OT Security Tools Audit Logs Not enough data Not enough data Security Frameworks Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI - OT Security Tools AI Threat Analysis Not enough data Not enough data AI Automation Not enough data Not enough data Threat Intelligence[Hide 51 FeaturesShow 51 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Orchestration Asset Management Not enough data Not enough data Security Workflow Automation Not enough data Not enough data Deployment Not enough data Not enough data Sandboxing Not enough data Not enough data Remediation Management Not enough data Not enough data Information Proactive Alerts Not enough data Not enough data Malware Detection Not enough data Not enough data Intelligence Reports Not enough data Not enough data Threat Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Real-time Alerts Not enough data Not enough data Personalization Endpoint Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Security Validation Not enough data Not enough data Dynamic/Code Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Event Analysis Not enough data Not enough data Web-Application Security Not enough data Not enough data Application Security Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI AI Text Summarization Not enough data Not enough data Generate Attack Scenarios Not enough data Not enough data Generate Threat Detection Rules Not enough data Not enough data Generate Threat Summaries Not enough data Not enough data Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Agentic AI - Threat Intelligence Autonomous Task Execution Not enough data Not enough data Multi-step Planning Not enough data Not enough data Proactive Assistance Not enough data Not enough data Decision Making Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality Real-Time Reporting Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Network Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data API Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Alerts/Notifications Not enough data Not enough data Behavior Analytics Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Activity Dashboard Not enough data Not enough data Profiling Not enough data Not enough data Cloud Backup Not enough data Not enough data Data Visualization Not enough data Not enough data Activity Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Network Scanning Not enough data Not enough data Event Logs Not enough data Not enough data Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Server Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Vulnerability Scanning Not enough data Not enough data Incident Reporting Not enough data Not enough data Activity Tracking Not enough data Not enough data Reporting & Statistics Not enough data Not enough data Network Provisioning Not enough data Not enough data Prioritization Not enough data Not enough data Threat Response Not enough data Not enough data Real-Time Data Not enough data Not enough data IT Reporting Not enough data Not enough data Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)[Hide 21 FeaturesShow 21 Features](javascript:void(0);) Not enough data Not enough data Automation Workflow Mapping Not enough data Not enough data Workflow Automation Not enough data Not enough data Automated Remediation Not enough data Not enough data Log Monitoring Not enough data Not enough data Orchestration Security Orchestration Not enough data Not enough data Data Collection Not enough data Not enough data Threat Intelligence Not enough data Not enough data Data Visualization Not enough data Not enough data Response Alerting Not enough data Not enough data Performance Baselin Not enough data Not enough data High Availability/Disaster Recovery Not enough data Not enough data Additional Functionality Generative AI Not enough data Not enough data Collaboration Tools Not enough data Not enough data Incident Management Not enough data Not enough data AI Copilot Not enough data Not enough data Reporting/Analytics Not enough data Not enough data Threat Response Not enough data Not enough data Key Performance Indicators Not enough data Not enough data Risk Alerts Not enough data Not enough data Performance Metrics Not enough data Not enough data Third-Party Integrations Not enough data Not enough data User Insights Reviewers' Company Size [![Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_7104539447b2423177c675ea25b47b31/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise.jpg "Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)")](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews) Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 11.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 38.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 50.0% [![Forescout Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/2f18e01f4f92af20c2a2b3eb8c877e9e/forescout-platform.svg "Forescout Platform")](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) Forescout Platform Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 12.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 31.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 56.3% Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 11.5% 12.5% Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 38.5% 31.3% Enterprise (\> 1000 emp.) 50.0% 56.3% Reviewers' Industry [![Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_7104539447b2423177c675ea25b47b31/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise.jpg "Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)")](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews) Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Computer & Network Security 13.5% Information Technology and Services 11.5% Computer Networking 7.7% Hospital & Health Care 7.7% Telecommunications 5.8% Other 53.8% [![Forescout Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/2f18e01f4f92af20c2a2b3eb8c877e9e/forescout-platform.svg "Forescout Platform")](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) Forescout Platform Computer & Network Security 43.8% Information Technology and Services 18.8% Hospital & Health Care 12.5% Security and Investigations 6.3% Internet 6.3% Other 12.5% FAQs ## Cisco Identity Services... vs Forescout Platform FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Cisco Identity Services... vs Forescout Platform? Cisco Identity Services Engine and Forescout Platform are both highly rated NAC solutions, but Cisco Identity Services Engine stands out for its centralized policy management and deep Cisco ecosystem integration, while Forescout Platform is recognized for agentless deployment and multi-vendor support. | [Cisco Identity Services Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews) | [Forescout Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.5/5 (52 reviews) | 4.5/5 (17 reviews) | | — | — | | 7.5 | 8.6 | | 9.3 | 8.2 | | Centralized policy management and Cisco ecosystem integration | Agentless deployment, multi-vendor support, and real-time device visibility | ### How do the pricing models of Cisco Identity Services... and Forescout Platform compare? Forescout Platform is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than Cisco Identity Services Engine. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine:** In recent reviews, several reviewers cite high cost and complex licensing as drawbacks, with some noting the need for dedicated hardware and operational overhead. - **Forescout Platform:** Reviewers mention high pricing but highlight agentless deployment and multi-vendor compatibility as value drivers, with fewer complaints about cost structure. - **Switching reasons:** Recent reviews indicate buyers switch to Forescout Platform for easier integration with existing heterogeneous network environments and to avoid the operational complexity of Cisco's licensing and upgrades. ### What are the best alternatives to Cisco Identity Services... and Forescout Platform? The top three alternatives to Cisco Identity Services Engine and Forescout Platform are Okta, Ivanti Policy Secure, and FortiNAC. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Cisco Identity Services Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews) | 4.5/5 (52) | — | High cost and complex licensing cited as drawbacks | Centralized policy management and Cisco ecosystem integration | | [Forescout Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) | 4.5/5 (17) | — | High pricing but agentless deployment and multi-vendor support noted as value | Agentless deployment, multi-vendor support, and real-time device visibility | | [Okta](https://www.g2.com/products/okta/reviews) | 4.5/5 (1370) | Mid-Market | — | Identity and access management with strong integration capabilities | | [Ivanti Policy Secure](https://www.g2.com/products/ivanti-policy-secure/reviews) | 4.4/5 (29) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade NAC with compliance and policy enforcement | | [FortiNAC](https://www.g2.com/products/fortinac/reviews) | 4.4/5 (20) | Mid-Market | — | Network visibility and automated access control | ### Which Network Access Control (NAC) features should I prioritize when comparing Cisco Identity Services... and Forescout Platform? Buyers should prioritize device visibility, policy management, integration capabilities, deployment flexibility, and support quality when comparing Cisco Identity Services Engine and Forescout Platform. - **Device visibility:** Forescout Platform is frequently cited for real-time device inventory and visibility, with 2 all-time mentions for visibility and 3 for monitoring; Cisco Identity Services Engine is also praised for endpoint profiling and network visibility in recent reviews. - **Policy management:** Cisco Identity Services Engine is highlighted for centralized policy management and context-aware access policies; Forescout Platform is noted for policy-based automatic actions and granular controls. - **Integration capabilities:** Forescout Platform is recognized for multi-vendor support and integration with third-party security tools, with 2 all-time mentions for integrations; Cisco Identity Services Engine is praised for deep Cisco ecosystem integration and pxGrid context sharing. - **Deployment flexibility:** Forescout Platform supports agentless and agent-based approaches and works in heterogeneous environments; Cisco Identity Services Engine is noted for requiring more Cisco-centric infrastructure. - **Support quality:** Cisco Identity Services Engine has a higher Quality of Support score (9.3 vs 8.2), with reviewers citing responsive TAC support; Forescout Platform receives mixed feedback on support responsiveness. ### What are the pros and cons of Cisco Identity Services... vs Forescout Platform? Cisco Identity Services Engine's headline strength is centralized policy management and Cisco ecosystem integration, while Forescout Platform excels in agentless deployment and multi-vendor support. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine strengths:** Centralized policy management, deep integration with Cisco security stack, dynamic and context-aware access policies, strong endpoint profiling and posture assessment, and robust network visibility. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine trade-offs:** High cost and complex licensing, steep learning curve and complex configuration, operational overhead for upgrades, sluggish admin GUI, and interoperability challenges with non-Cisco devices. - **Forescout Platform strengths:** Agentless deployment, real-time device inventory and visibility, multi-vendor and heterogeneous environment support, automated enforcement and policy-based controls, and strong integration with third-party security tools (2 all-time mentions for integrations). - **Forescout Platform trade-offs:** High pricing, complex initial configuration and policy tuning, challenging third-party integrations, less responsive support (2 all-time mentions for poor customer support), and upgrade complexity. ### Is Cisco Identity Services... or Forescout Platform better for small businesses? Forescout Platform is a better fit for small businesses due to its agentless deployment and multi-vendor compatibility, which reduce infrastructure requirements and operational complexity. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine:** Largest segment not specified; recent reviews highlight complexity, high cost, and the need for dedicated hardware, which can be challenging for small businesses. - **Forescout Platform:** Largest segment not specified; reviewers emphasize agentless deployment, ease of integration with existing infrastructure, and suitability for heterogeneous environments, making it more accessible for small business needs. ### Which Network Access Control (NAC) platform has better integrations? Forescout Platform is favored for integrations, with reviewers highlighting its multi-vendor and third-party integration capabilities. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine:** Reviewers mention integration with Cisco security stack and pxGrid context sharing, but note challenges with non-Cisco devices. - **Forescout Platform:** In recent reviews, Forescout Platform is cited for integration with third-party security tools, multi-vendor switches, and SIEM solutions, with 2 all-time mentions for integrations. ### How do Cisco Identity Services... and Forescout Platform compare on customer support? Cisco Identity Services Engine has a higher Quality of Support score (9.3 vs 8.2), indicating stronger reviewer satisfaction with support compared to Forescout Platform. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine:** Reviewers consistently praise responsive TAC support and community resources, with multiple mentions of helpful deployment assistance and ongoing support. - **Forescout Platform:** Reviewers report mixed experiences, with several citing slow response times and less effective troubleshooting from support, and 2 all-time mentions for poor customer support. ### Which is easier to implement, Cisco Identity Services... or Forescout Platform? Forescout Platform is easier to implement, with a higher Ease of Setup score (8.6 vs 7.5) and reviewers citing agentless deployment and compatibility with existing infrastructure. - **Cisco Identity Services Engine:** Reviewers describe a steep learning curve, complex configuration, and significant operational overhead for upgrades and mixed-vendor environments. - **Forescout Platform:** Reviewers highlight agentless deployment, support for heterogeneous environments, and easier integration with existing network devices, though some note initial policy tuning complexity. Alternatives **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Alternatives** ![Ivanti Policy Secure](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/acee115d49f59f727a26dd6169ca64be/ivanti-policy-secure.svg "Ivanti Policy Secure") [ Ivanti Policy Secure ](/products/ivanti-policy-secure/reviews) ![FortiNAC](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_bc2a1799b86d85110e1f2c4381c3181c/fortinac.png "FortiNAC") [ FortiNAC ](/products/fortinac/reviews) ![HPE Aruba Networking SSE](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_15e85acefdb9b7976b4dbca417d47a20/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse.jpg "HPE Aruba Networking SSE") [ HPE Aruba Networking SSE ](/products/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse/reviews) ![Citrix Gateway](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/00f5d355e7a0a85e493ea7fb97e08298/citrix-gateway.svg "Citrix Gateway") [ Citrix Gateway ](/products/citrix-gateway/reviews) **Forescout Platform Alternatives** ![Okta](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fc3b8f792177eb1565971fd0bb450896/okta.svg "Okta") [ Okta ](/products/okta/reviews) ![SolarWinds Observability](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/af917f02e5d5dda08cf58d16d36f6a8d/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability.svg "SolarWinds Observability") [ SolarWinds Observability ](/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) ![Cisco Duo](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0c4cbb48b5fd0e4e0c50c0a558e4898e/cisco-duo.svg "Cisco Duo") [ Cisco Duo ](/products/cisco-duo/reviews) ![CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_56db399f44b6fabb7c667f09bc770579/crowdstrike-falcon-endpoint-protection-platform.png "CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection Platform") [ CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint... ](/products/crowdstrike-falcon-endpoint-protection-platform/reviews) ## Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Forescout Platform When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found Forescout Platform easier to use and set up. However, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is easier to administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) overall. - Reviewers felt that Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) meets the needs of their business better than Forescout Platform. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Forescout Platform over Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).