# Best Network Access Control Software ## How Many Network Access Control Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 74 ### Category Stats (Jul 2026) - **Average Rating:** 4.44/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **Top Trending Product:** Forescout Platform (+0.74%) - Among all products in this category, Forescout Platform recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month _Last updated: July 27, 2026_ ## How Does G2 Rank Network Access Control Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 2,000+ Authentic Reviews - 74+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## G2 Grid® for Network Access Control Software ![G2 Grid® for Network Access Control Software plotting products by satisfaction and market presence](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-access-control-nac/grids.png?focus%5B%5D=56079&focus%5B%5D=146605&focus%5B%5D=71293&focus%5B%5D=40555&focus%5B%5D=71292&focus%5B%5D=115196&focus%5B%5D=16236&focus%5B%5D=125822) Highlighted products: Portnox, SecureW2 JoinNow, HPE Aruba Networking SSE, Google Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM), Foxpass by Splashtop, and Forescout Platform. Underlying data: [Grid® JSON](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-access-control-nac/grids.json?focus%5B%5D=portnox&focus%5B%5D=securew2-joinnow&focus%5B%5D=aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse&focus%5B%5D=google-cloud-identity-aware-proxy&focus%5B%5D=cisco-identity-services-engine-ise&focus%5B%5D=aws-resource-access-manager-ram&focus%5B%5D=foxpass-by-splashtop&focus%5B%5D=forescout-platform) **Sponsored** ### Prisma Browser for Business Prisma Browser for Business is a secure web browser tailored for small businesses, integrating advanced security features directly into the browsing experience. Built on the Chromium platform, it offers a familiar interface while providing enterprise-grade protection against online threats such as phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. This solution enables teams to work seamlessly across various applications and AI tools, ensuring data security without the need for a dedicated IT team. Key Features and Functionality: - Proactive Threat Protection: Utilizes AI-powered threat scanning to detect and block phishing attempts, malware, and other cyber threats in real-time. - Data Loss Prevention: Implements controls to prevent accidental sharing of sensitive information, such as disabling copy/paste and file uploads to unauthorized platforms. - AI Interaction Management: Monitors and regulates AI tool usage to prevent unintended actions and data leaks, ensuring that business information remains secure. - User-Friendly Deployment: Offers a straightforward setup process with pre-configured security settings, allowing businesses to protect their teams without technical expertise. Primary Value and Problem Solved: Prisma Browser for Business addresses the critical need for robust cybersecurity in small businesses, which are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks. By embedding security directly into the browser, it safeguards the primary workspace where employees spend the majority of their time. This solution not only protects against external threats but also mitigates risks associated with accidental data exposure through AI tools and other online platforms. By providing an easy-to-use, comprehensive security solution, Prisma Browser for Business empowers small businesses to focus on growth and productivity without compromising on security. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1497&secure%5Bchosen_at%5D=2026-07-28T20%3A27%3A11Z&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1497&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=page_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1497&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=1806417&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1497&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fnetwork-access-control-nac&secure%5Btoken%5D=2c11cea82ad0a45cd83580dfa55a7bc88ab1c2f08f97d152bfa8881249e063e5&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fprisma-browser-for-business%3Futm_source%3Dg2-panw_inhouse-amer-sase-smco-sfow%26utm_medium%3Ddisplay%26utm_campaign%3Dg2-sase-prisma_browser_smb-amer-us-awareness-en-native-cat_com%26utm_content%3D701Ki000000p2UKIAY&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) [ Portnox ](https://www.g2.com/products/portnox/reviews) By [Portnox](https://www.g2.com/sellers/portnox) [ 4.4/5(120) ](https://www.g2.com/products/portnox/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise Portnox for its ease of use and excellent support, highlighting how quickly they can set up and manage network access. The cloud-native solution simplifies security managemen Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (24) ](https://www.g2.com/products/portnox/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (13) ](https://www.g2.com/products/portnox/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ HPE Aruba Networking SSE ](https://www.g2.com/products/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse/reviews) By [Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company](https://www.g2.com/sellers/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company) [ 4.3/5(44) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its flexibility and scalability, allowing for easy policy creation and integration with various network devices. The user-friendly interface simplifies manage Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aruba-a-hewlett-packard-enterprise-company-hpe-aruba-networking-sse/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ SecureW2 JoinNow ](https://www.g2.com/products/securew2-joinnow/reviews) By [SecureW2](https://www.g2.com/sellers/securew2) [ 4.7/5(96) ](https://www.g2.com/products/securew2-joinnow/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its ease of use and exceptional support, highlighting how it simplifies secure network access and certificate management. The seamless integration with existi Pros and Cons [ Customer Support (11) ](https://www.g2.com/products/securew2-joinnow/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/securew2-joinnow/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Google Cloud Identity-Aware... ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-identity-aware-proxy/reviews) By [Google](https://www.g2.com/sellers/google) [ 4.4/5(55) ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-identity-aware-proxy/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and security features of this product, highlighting its effectiveness in managing access to applications and resources without the need for a VPN. Many apprec [ AWS Resource Access Manager... ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-resource-access-manager-ram/reviews) By [Amazon Web Services (AWS)](https://www.g2.com/sellers/amazon-web-services-aws-3e93cc28-2e9b-4961-b258-c6ce0feec7dd) [ 4.5/5(27) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-resource-access-manager-ram/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and cost reduction provided by AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM), highlighting its ability to streamline resource sharing and management across accounts. Many [ Cisco Identity Services... ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews) By [Cisco](https://www.g2.com/sellers/cisco) [ 4.5/5(52) ](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-identity-services-engine-ise/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the centralized access control and strong security enforcement of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), highlighting its ability to simplify user and device management while [ Foxpass by Splashtop ](https://www.g2.com/products/foxpass-by-splashtop/reviews) By [Splashtop Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/splashtop-inc) [ 4.6/5(60) ](https://www.g2.com/products/foxpass-by-splashtop/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its ease of use and excellent support, highlighting how it simplifies user management and integrates seamlessly with existing systems. Many appreciate the cos Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/foxpass-by-splashtop/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Expensive (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/foxpass-by-splashtop/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Forescout Platform ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) By [Forescout Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/forescout-technologies) [ 4.5/5(17) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the Forescout Platform for its complete visibility of network devices and effective policy-based controls, which enhance security and compliance. Many appreciate its ability Pros and Cons [ Security (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Complex Implementation (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/forescout-platform/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Twingate ](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) By [Twingate Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/twingate-inc) [ 4.7/5(77) ](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise Twingate for its ease of use and fast setup, making it a reliable solution for secure remote access. The intuitive interface and seamless integration with existing systems al Pros and Cons [ Security (6) ](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ FortiNAC ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortinac/reviews) By [Fortinet](https://www.g2.com/sellers/fortinet) [ 4.4/5(20) ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortinac/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its ease of use and comprehensive network security features, which provide effective control over connected devices. Many appreciate its ability to handle div [ SonicWall Secure Mobile Access ](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-secure-mobile-access/reviews) By [SonicWall](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sonicwall) [ 4.4/5(33) ](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-secure-mobile-access/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its ease of use and secure connectivity, making remote access straightforward and reliable. Many appreciate the fast connection times and robust security feat [ Citrix Gateway ](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-gateway/reviews) By [Citrix](https://www.g2.com/sellers/citrix) [ 4/5(74) ](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-gateway/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of access and security provided by Citrix Gateway, allowing them to connect to work applications from anywhere with minimal hassle. Many appreciate its ability to co Pros and Cons [ Easy to Access (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-gateway/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Setup Difficulties (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/citrix-gateway/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ EZRADIUS ](https://www.g2.com/products/ezradius/reviews) By [Keytos](https://www.g2.com/sellers/keytos) [ 4.8/5(20) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ezradius/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and simple setup of EZRADIUS, highlighting how it streamlines authentication processes without the complexities of traditional systems. The reliable performan [ NordLayer ](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews) By [Nord Security](https://www.g2.com/sellers/nord-security) [ 4.3/5(127) ](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and intuitive interface of NordLayer, highlighting how quickly teams can manage user access and connect securely. The product's reliable performance allows fo Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (6) ](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (5) ](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Coro Cybersecurity ](https://www.g2.com/products/coro-cybersecurity/reviews) By [Coronet](https://www.g2.com/sellers/coronet) [ 4.7/5(232) ](https://www.g2.com/products/coro-cybersecurity/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its ease of use and responsive support, highlighting how quickly it can be set up and integrated into existing systems. Many appreciate the comprehensive prot Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (99) ](https://www.g2.com/products/coro-cybersecurity/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (32) ](https://www.g2.com/products/coro-cybersecurity/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) - ‹ Prev‹ Prev - 1 - [2](/categories/network-access-control-nac?order=g2_score&page=2#product-list) - [3](/categories/network-access-control-nac?order=g2_score&page=3#product-list) - [4](/categories/network-access-control-nac?order=g2_score&page=4#product-list) - [5](/categories/network-access-control-nac?order=g2_score&page=5#product-list) - [Next ›Next ›](/categories/network-access-control-nac?order=g2_score&page=2#product-list) Spotlight Categories [Video Conferencing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/video-conferencing) [E-commerce Fraud Protection Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-fraud-protection) [Revenue Operations & Intelligence (RO&I) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/revenue-operations-intelligence-ro-i) [Employee Communications Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/employee-communications) [AI Sales Assistant Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/ai-sales-assistant) Similar Categories - [Business VPN](/categories/business-vpn) - [DNS Security Solutions](/categories/dns-security-solutions) - [Firewall Software](/categories/firewall-software) - [Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)](/categories/intrusion-detection-and-prevention-systems-idps) - [Microsegmentation](/categories/microsegmentation) - [Network Detection and Response (NDR)](/categories/network-detection-and-response-ndr) - [Network Sandboxing](/categories/network-sandboxing) - [Network Security Policy Management (NSPM)](/categories/network-security-policy-management-nspm) - [Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)](/categories/network-traffic-analysis-nta) - [Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)](/categories/software-defined-perimeter-sdp) - [Unified Threat Management (UTM)](/categories/unified-threat-management-utm) [Browse Network Access Control (NAC) Themes](/categories/network-access-control-nac/themes) ![Brandon Summers-Miller](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Brandon Summers-Miller") BS Researched and written by [Brandon Summers-Miller](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/brandon-summers-miller) Updated October 3, 2024 Network access control (NAC) software allows users to implement policies that control access to corporate infrastructure. To qualify for inclusion in the Network Access Control category, a product must: - Allow users to implement policies for controlling access to their business’s infrastructure. - Enable users to protect their data from potential outside attacks. - Allow users to control access to their information from a central point. Show More * * * ## How Do You Choose the Right Network Access Control Software? ### What You Should Know About Network Access Control (NAC) Software ### What is Network Access Control (NAC) Software? Network access control (NAC) software, as the name suggests, enables organizations to enforce policies and ultimately control access to their corporate networks. It’s also referred to as network admission control software or NAC software. NAC systems strengthen network infrastructure security and reduce the risks associated with the exponentially growing number of endpoint devices. By enforcing policies on endpoint devices, NAC solutions can restrict access to enterprise networks and, at the same time, offer real-time network visibility. One of the most common ways NAC software prevents insecure devices from infecting a network is by restricting access. NAC tools deny access to non-compliant devices to the network and, in most cases, place them in a quarantined network segment. In some cases, such non-compliant devices are offered restricted access to computing resources, thus reducing the chance of infiltration. NAC platforms can enhance network performance as well. Companies can also use them to create role-specific bandwidth rules. NAC solutions can be viewed as a bouncer that decides who enters a business’ network. It does it by making sure the user is on the list, adheres to the network security policies of the company, etc. Different users are treated differently based on their level of access. The company can also restrict users who receive access to the network from accessing specific network resources or areas. In other words, NAC solutions can help safeguard a private or proprietary network and protect its resources and user data. Companies can also use NAC systems as a discovery tool that lists all users, devices, and their access levels. Businesses can use it further to uncover previously unknown or non-compliant devices that have access to the network. ### What are the Common Features of Network Access Control (NAC) Software? Manually configuring all the devices in use is a herculean task, especially for larger organizations with thousands or millions of users and devices. This has become even more troublesome with the widespread adoption of policies like bring your own device (BYOD) and the increasing use of internet of things (IoT) devices. The features offered by network access control tools can help companies adapt to such innovations or changes and stay secure. The following are some standard features of NAC systems. **Policy lifecycle management:** NAC solutions can help enforce policies for all end-users and devices across an organization. The policy management feature of these tools allows companies to adjust policies based on changes to the business and in endpoint devices or users. **Profiling:** This feature allows companies to scan and profile end users’ devices to ensure they aren’t potential threats. The software denies access to any unauthorized user or device. This is useful to forestall malicious actors from causing any damage to the network infrastructure. **Security check:** NAC systems usually include a policy that assesses and authenticates end-users and devices. This security check can be in the form of verifying login credentials. If an endpoint device follows the security policy, it’s granted network access; otherwise, it’s viewed as a threat. **Visibility:** NAC solutions offer features that allow IT administrators to view the type of devices being connected to the network. Administrators can view whether a device is wireless or wired or where it’s connecting from. **Guest network access:** Not all non-compliant devices are threats; some could belong to guest users. The guest access feature makes it effortless to manage guest devices, including registration and authentication. The best NAC software will help provide guests with safe and controlled access to network resources, the internet, or other components like printers, without exposing other parts of the network. Some solutions also offer self-service device onboarding for automated device provisioning and profiling. ### What are the Benefits of Network Access Control (NAC) Software? Network access control tools can make it easier to authenticate users and determine whether their devices are safe and compliant. These software solutions reduce the time and cost associated with authentication and authorization and make cybersecurity approachable. The following are some of the common benefits of using NAC software: **Have ease of control:** NAC solutions make it possible to monitor and authenticate endpoint users and devices from a single, centralized security management system. The centralized admin console also streamlines detecting suspicious network activity and initiating remediation measures. Businesses can easily regulate the limit to which any user can use the network resources. NAC tools also allow large enterprises to segment their employees into groups based on their job functions and set up role-based access policies. **Automate incident response:** Incident response, or IR for short, is a set of security policies and procedures that can be utilized to identify, isolate, and eliminate cyberattacks. NAC tools can help automate IR and significantly reduce the intensity of cyberattacks. **Improve security:** An obvious benefit of NAC software is that it enhances the security posture of organizations by preventing unauthorized access and malware threats, or in other words, by enforcing zero-trust security postures. Since the solutions authenticate every network device, there’s improved visibility. NAC solutions are also typically capable of improving endpoint security against known vulnerabilities. **Save costs and time:** Cyber threats can cost companies millions of dollars. Adding to this is the cost associated with reduced confidence by customers and loss of opportunities. With the increasing number of cyberattacks, companies need to establish NAC to protect their data and stakeholders. Along with saving costs, NAC tools save time by eliminating the need for manual configuration of devices. **Provide a better user experience:** Along with freeing up IT administrators, NAC software enhances the end-user experience. With a NAC solution in place, users are more likely to trust an organization’s network and feel secure. Guest users will have a better, frictionless experience as well as they don’t have to engage with the IT department to connect to the network. **Centralize access control:** NAC platforms can elevate user experience by offering centralized access control. As the name suggests, this feature allows users to access all IT assets, including applications, websites, and computing systems, with a single set of credentials. **Generate reports:** NAC software empowers IT administrators to generate reports about attempted access throughout the organization. Such reports could help understand what authentication mechanisms work the best and, at the same time, can help detect malicious actors. ### Who Uses Network Access Control (NAC) Software? **IT administrators:** Network access or security policies are typically set by IT administrators, which helps limit network access and the availability of network resources to end users. #### Software Related to Network Access Control (NAC) Software Related solutions that can be used together with network access control software include: [Virtual private network (VPN) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/virtual-private-network-vpn) **:** VPN software enables organizations to offer their employees secure and remote access to the internal (private) network. It often contains firewalls to prevent cyber threats and ensure that only authorized devices can access the private networks. [Multi-factor authentication (MFA) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) **:** MFA software protects end-users and prevents internal data theft by mandating them to prove their identity in two or more ways before granting them access to applications, systems, or sensitive information. IT administrators can choose MFA as a method by which NAC software authenticates users. [Network monitoring software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-monitoring) **:** As the name suggests, network monitoring software monitors and tracks the performance of a computer network. It detects problems by comparing live network performance against a predetermined performance baseline. It also alerts IT administrators if the network performance varies from the baseline or if it crashes. [Antivirus software](https://www.g2.com/categories/antivirus) **:** Antivirus, or endpoint antivirus software, detects the presence of malicious software applications within an endpoint device. These tools typically include features to assess a device’s health and alert IT administrators of any infection. Antivirus software has removal features and may also include some form of firewall along with malware detection features. [Firewall software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software) **:** Firewalls assess and filter user access to secure networks from attackers and hackers. It’s present as both hardware and software and creates barriers between networks and the internet. [Incident response software](https://www.g2.com/categories/incident-response) **:** Incident response software automates the remediation of security breaches. It monitors IT systems for anomalies and alerts administrators of abnormal activity or malware. The tool may also allow teams to develop workflows and optimize response times to minimize the impact of security breaches. [Cloud access security broker (CASB) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-access-security-broker-casb) **:** CASB software secures the connections between users and cloud-based software. It acts as a gateway through which organizations can enforce security requirements beyond on-premises software while simultaneously monitoring user behavior and action. [Mobile device management (MDM) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mobile-device-management-mdm): MDM software enables businesses to optimize the security and functionality of their mobile devices while simultaneously protecting the corporate network. It offers remote configuration, wiping, locking, and encryption of devices. ### Challenges with Network Access Control (NAC) Software Software solutions can come with their own set of challenges. The following are some of the challenges associated with NAC software products. **Low visibility into unmanaged devices:** NAC tools are effective only in managing security risks for known devices that are tied to human users. Using NAC software, it’s challenging to manage an unknown device, like a sensor or IoT device that has no specific user (or a group of users) associated with it. **Inability to monitor for threats post access:** Since NAC tools are primed to control network access, they’re effective only for protection against external threats. They’re incapable of detecting (insider) threats from already authenticated devices. **Inability to control wired networks:** NAC management tools may use protocols like Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) to secure access to wireless networks. However, wired networks usually don’t have such protocols for protection. Any device that’s physically plugged in gets full connectivity. Organizations may assume that the security risks associated with wired networks are low because an individual would need physical access to the network infrastructure to plug in devices. Unfortunately, there could be several internal malicious actors that may cause harm to the organization. ### How to Buy Network Access Control (NAC) Software #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Network Access Control (NAC) Software As the first step toward purchasing a network access control solution, buyers should perform an internal assessment to determine the company’s requirements. This initial stage of the software purchasing process is called requirements gathering and can make or break the software purchase decision. Requirements gathering helps to list the most crucial functionality of the software. At the same time, it’s a valuable exercise to determine the nice-to-have features and features that may be prevalent in the software market but not very useful to the organization. To state the obvious, buyers should consider the organization’s budget and try to stick to the same. Buyers can also look at the product’s pricing page to understand available purchase options. Most software products will follow a monthly subscription model. Buyers should also consider several factors before purchasing the software. This includes understanding the maturity of the business’s current security strategy, which can significantly affect the type of NAC software bought and utilized. Here, the type of software refers to the kind of features and the level of security it offers. #### Compare Network Access Control (NAC) Software Products **Create a long list** After performing the requirements gathering process, buyers should create a long list of potential NAC software products. This list can contain any product that meets the basic criteria. Instead of finding the right product right away, buyers should aim to consider multiple products and eliminate those that don’t offer critical functionality. For instance, if a NAC product can effectively block unauthorized devices, it’s sensible to add it to this list, irrespective of its other features. It’s also logical to check the “complete” cost of the NAC software and remove products that go beyond the budget. Buyers can visit G2’s [Network Access Control Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-access-control-nac) category, read reviews about NAC products, and determine which products fit their businesses’ specific needs. They can then create a long list of software products based on these findings. **Create a short list** The easiest way to create a short list is by removing products from the long list that don’t have the essential features. It’s logical to remove products that don’t have nice-to-have features. The software should be able to scale up to support more users and protect more network resources without needing to invest in new hardware or burdening the IT department. If a software product lacks such capabilities, it’s better to remove it from the list. Similarly, the software should have the ability to be deployed alongside the company’s existing security solutions. At the same time, it should be deployed without requiring changes to the existing infrastructure. Some software products let users set network-level access policies, whereas, for some others, it’s resource-level access policies or both. Likewise, some products have agent implementation, whereas some have agentless implementation. Buyers can further refine the list by considering their requirements around such policies. The level of support offered by the NAC software vendors can also be used as a parameter for eliminating products. Buyers can also check whether the software has network analytics and necessary integration features. Buyers can further shorten the list by looking at the granularity of policy enforcement. They can check how easy it is to establish and enforce policies and also check whether the tool will fulfill the company’s compliance needs. Ideally, the short list should contain five to seven products. **Conduct demos** Product demos are useful to understand a product’s usability and functionality. By requesting demos from software vendors, buyers can effectively compare the products in the short list and make a better purchase decision. Buyers should ensure they use the same use cases across all products. #### Selection of Network Access Control (NAC) Software **Choose a selection team** To make the best software purchase decision, buyers should select a team responsible for implementing and managing the software. In most cases, such a team will include IT administrators and managers, security team professionals, and key decision makers from the financial team. **Negotiation** Typically, a software product’s pricing isn’t fixed. Having an open conversation with the vendor may help buyers gain substantial discounts. Buyers can also request to remove certain features and lower the price. Opting for an annual subscription may also convince the vendor to offer discounts or extra seats. Vendors usually try to convince buyers to purchase extra licenses or features, but organizations may never use them. Therefore, buyers should always try to start small in terms of functionality and licensing. **Final decision** To make the final software purchase decision, it’s advisable to implement the NAC software on a small scale and ask what the IT administrators and other users feel about it. Most software products offer free trials, and buyers can utilize this facility to review software. If the software doesn’t fit the needs or doesn’t offer the expected level of satisfaction, buyers may have to go back to the short list and try out other products. If the software lives up to the expectations, buyers can proceed with the purchasing and contracting process.