# Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Portnox Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Portnox excels in **ease of use** , with many users highlighting its straightforward setup process and excellent documentation. One user mentioned, "I really like the ease of use that Portnox offers," which contributes to a smoother onboarding experience.
- **Users say** that Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) provides **strong security enforcement** and centralized access control, making it a robust choice for larger organizations. Reviewers appreciate its ability to manage user, device, and guest access effectively, stating it simplifies complex network management.
- **According to verified reviews** , Portnox stands out for its **cloud-based infrastructure** , which reduces the need for extensive server maintenance. Users have noted that this shift allows them to focus more on access strategy rather than infrastructure upkeep.
- **Reviewers mention** that Cisco ISE offers **dynamic and context-aware access policies** , which adapt based on user and device types. This feature is particularly beneficial for organizations with diverse device environments, enhancing security and flexibility.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** Portnox's **quality of support** , with many users praising the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team. One user remarked on the team's effectiveness, which adds significant value to the overall user experience.
- **Users report** that while Cisco ISE has a strong market presence, it can be more challenging to set up compared to Portnox, with some reviewers noting that the initial configuration can be complex. This may be a consideration for smaller teams or those with limited IT resources.



| | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 51 | 120 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (53.7% of reviews) | Mid-Market (43.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Contact Us 50 Device | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

**Not enough data**

### Portnox

Pros:
- Ease of Use (24 reviews)
- Setup Ease (16 reviews)

Cons:
- Performance Issues (13 reviews)
- Poor Interface Design (6 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (24 reviews) | 9.0 (89 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.8 (24 reviews) | 8.6 (91 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.5 (17 reviews) | 8.2 (80 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.6 (16 reviews) | 8.5 (69 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.3 (24 reviews) | 8.7 (82 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.6 (15 reviews) | 8.6 (70 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.0 (24 reviews) | 9.7 (87 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Portnox

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: RADIUS

Price: Contact Us 50 Device

Description: Cloud-Native RADIUS authentication Essentials

Key Features:
- Wireless, Wired, VPN Access
- Anti-Flood Protection Services
- RadSec Support

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/portnox/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Network Access Control (NAC)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** | 8.7/10 | 30 |
| **Portnox** | 8.4/10 | 78 |

#### Data

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Protection** | 8.9 (20 reviews) | 8.2 (57 reviews) | 
| **Remote Access** | 8.5 (18 reviews) | 7.8 (60 reviews) | 
| **Network Access** | 9.0 (21 reviews) | 9.2 (71 reviews) | 

#### Network

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Security** | 9.2 (22 reviews) | 9.0 (72 reviews) | 
| **Scaling** | 8.6 (19 reviews) | 8.6 (59 reviews) | 
| **Audit** | 8.5 (17 reviews) | 8.3 (64 reviews) | 

#### Logistics

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Processes** | 8.7 (18 reviews) | 7.9 (61 reviews) | 
| **Blockage** | 8.8 (19 reviews) | 8.7 (63 reviews) | 
| **IoT** | 7.9 (15 reviews) | 8.1 (55 reviews) | 

### Zero Trust Networking

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Portnox** | 7.8/10 | 39 |

#### Network Management

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Network Segmentation** | Not enough data | 8.3 (32 reviews) | 
| **Network Mapping** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Security Analytics** | Not enough data | 7.6 (32 reviews) | 
| **API/Integrations** | Not enough data | 7.5 (34 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Security Automation** | Not enough data | 7.9 (32 reviews) | 
| **Application Security** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Workload Protection** | Not enough data | 7.7 (28 reviews) | 
| **Data Protection** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Identity Management

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Adaptive Access Control** | Not enough data | 7.9 (32 reviews) | 
| **Identity Scoring** | Not enough data | 7.7 (30 reviews) | 
| **User Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.2 (33 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

### Network Security Policy Management (NSPM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Portnox** | 8.3/10 | 15 |

#### Network Maintenance

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Optimization** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Risk Analysis** | Not enough data | 8.4 (15 reviews) | 
| **Auditing** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Network Management

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Network Mapping** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 8.6 (15 reviews) | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.1 (15 reviews) | 
| **Console** | Not enough data | 8.0 (15 reviews) | 

#### Network Monitoring

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Network Monitoring** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Configuration Monitoring** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Change Management** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

### IT Risk Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Portnox** | 6.5/10 | 10 |

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Monitoring - IT Risk Management

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Monitoring** | Not enough data | 6.5 (10 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - IT Risk Management

| Feature | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 6.5 (9 reviews) | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | 6.5 (9 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Network Access Control Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-access-control-nac)


**Unique to Portnox (3):** [Zero Trust Networking Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/zero-trust-networking), [IT Risk Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/it-risk-management), [Network Security Policy Management (NSPM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-security-policy-management-nspm)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) | Portnox | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 12.2% | 17.1% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 34.1% | 43.2% | 
| **Enterprise** | 53.7% | 39.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

- **Computer & Network Security:** 12.2%
- **Telecommunications:** 7.3%
- **Insurance:** 7.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 7.3%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 7.3%
- **Computer Networking:** 7.3%
- **Utilities:** 4.9%
- **Broadcast Media:** 4.9%
- **Government Administration:** 4.9%
- **Accounting:** 2.4%
- **Other:** 34.1%

#### Portnox

- **Information Technology and Services:** 17.9%
- **Financial Services:** 7.5%
- **Construction:** 6.6%
- **Computer Software:** 5.7%
- **Manufacturing:** 4.7%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 4.7%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.8%
- **Logistics and Supply Chain:** 3.8%
- **Banking:** 2.8%
- **Retail:** 2.8%
- **Other:** 39.6%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

- [Ivanti Policy Secure](https://www.g2.com/products/ivanti-policy-secure/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (29 reviews)
- [FortiNAC](https://www.g2.com/products/fortinac/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (20 reviews)
- [Forescout Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (17 reviews)
- [HPE Aruba Networking SSE](https://www.g2.com/products/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (44 reviews)
- [Citrix Gateway](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-gateway/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (74 reviews)
- [Coro Cybersecurity](https://www.g2.com/products/coro-cybersecurity/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (231 reviews)
- [SecureW2 JoinNow](https://www.g2.com/products/securew2-joinnow/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (96 reviews)
- [F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM)](https://www.g2.com/products/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [ExtremeApplications](https://www.g2.com/products/extremeapplications/reviews) — 1.0/5 stars (1 reviews)
- [NordLayer](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (126 reviews)

### Alternatives to Portnox

- [Cisco Duo](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-duo/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (514 reviews)
- [Okta](https://www.g2.com/products/okta/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1226 reviews)
- [Sprinto](https://www.g2.com/products/sprinto-inc/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (1638 reviews)
- [Optro](https://www.g2.com/products/optro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1595 reviews)
- [Scrut Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/scrut-automation/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (1300 reviews)
- [SolarWinds Observability](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (835 reviews)
- [Vendor Risk](https://www.g2.com/products/vendor-risk/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (705 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (583 reviews)
- [Thoropass](https://www.g2.com/products/thoropass/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (579 reviews)
- [MasterControl Quality Management System](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (521 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

No discussions available for this product.

### Portnox

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise-vs-portnox)