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ExtremeControl vs Forescout Platform comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

ExtremeControl
Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)
12th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
7
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Forescout Platform
Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)
5th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
76
Ranking in other categories
IoT Security (3rd), Endpoint Compliance (6th), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) (18th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Network Access Control (NAC) category, the mindshare of ExtremeControl is 1.8%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Forescout Platform is 12.6%, down from 13.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Access Control (NAC)
 

Featured Reviews

Jose Mota - PeerSpot reviewer
Has a simple setup process, but it could be affordable
We have noticed similarities between Extreme and Ubiquiti, particularly in their functionality, like how they operate wirelessly and can be managed from the cloud or locally. Based on our experience, Ubiquiti's system may be more user-friendly and capable of handling heavy loads. Still, Extreme could be more reliable, although you have yet to compare them side by side directly. For instance, we have observed Extreme performing well in a warehouse environment, which might have a different level of network traffic than a convention center.
Odai Halawani - PeerSpot reviewer
It's an easy and effective solution, especially for device profiling without agents
Forescout Platform's most valuable aspect is its excellent device profiling for devices without agents, which is crucial for our work due to challenges with agent-based devices. Its isolation and blocking actions are particularly effective for network security. The device compliance feature helps us ensure device compliance through immediate actions like updating antivirus software. We have already integrated Forescout with antivirus and vulnerability assessment tools, allowing it to monitor vulnerability scores and automatically isolate devices if critical vulnerabilities are detected.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"Overall, I would rate ExtremeControl nine out of ten."
"There is information on migrating most of the cloud system's features."
"It has effectively enhanced network security and integrated with other security tools to streamline operations."
"I can know which end users are using which features."
"The company also uses Cisco ISE in other places. I have been told that ExtremeControl is easier to use than ISE. The other reason we prefer ExtremeControl is stability. That's why they chose it for this big hospital in Oslo."
"The solution is easy to use."
"The 802.1X compliance authentication feature of this solution is very good."
"The product is very easy to work with and easy to deploy."
"The initial setup is quite simple. It's not too complex or difficult to set up."
"The most valuable features of ForeScout is the fact that it can do network access control either with 802.1x or without 802.1x."
"We really like that we get full visibility of devices in the local network."
"Forescout Platform provides multiple features. They have a very effective device fingerprinting in their cloud. You do not need to add any devices manually, such as in Mac devices. Other solutions you have to add IoT devices and OT devices manually. This is one of the major areas that Forescout Platform is excelling in."
"It allows for good detection of all the vendor products we have on-site."
"The most valuable feature of the Forescout Platform it's highly customizable and flexible."
 

Cons

"I would rate their technical support five out of ten. They have strict upgrade policies."
"There isn't enough development for the on-premises controller."
"One improvement could be better clarification, namely that the system only works optimally with all components purchased together."
"The installation is easy, it can take between five minutes to four hours depending on the complexity of the environment. The speed of the installation could improve for more complex environments."
"The initial setup was not easy. It requires an experienced person to deploy ExtremeControl, and deployment can take from days to weeks depending on the complexity of the network."
"I'd like to have access to more information on the traffic passing through."
"It does not support the TACACS+ protocol."
"The solution needs more definitive pricing. The costs are hard to nail down."
"Forescout Platform needs to improve how the device works in preventing rogue servers."
"This solution is not that easy to scale but this depends on a company's needs."
"The fact that Forescout Platform doesn't have a presence in the South African region is a weakness because of which you can't ask for help from them if you have any problems."
"I'd like to see improvements in the reporting aspect of Forescout Platform. While the dashboards are good, the reports are lacking and need enhancement, especially in terms of standardization and customization options. Apart from that, all the features and functionalities are working well without any issues."
"I believe that the overall user experience has not always been preferable."
"When we automate an email to send to a user, sometimes it gets blocked, but that has nothing to do with Forescout. It depends on the mail gateway that we use or integrate with."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"ExtremeControl can be expensive compared to other options in the market."
"5,000 user licenses will cost you between seven and eight million dollars, compared to 20 million for Aruba."
"The cost of licensing for this product is quite high, but this cost covers all the features of the solution so it is a single payment for the term that has been selected."
"It is expensive because you have to pay for their CSM, the customer's access manager, and their professional services on top of that, and they charge you roughly $400 per hour, which is overhead."
"Forescout is more expensive than Cisco because Cisco gives high discounts."
"Forescout's pricing is noted for its attractiveness, with potential discounts depending on partnership levels."
"The price of the Forescout Platform is expensive. I purchased it for approximately 94 lakhs."
"The tool's pricing is expensive but reasonable."
"I would rate Forescout Platform's pricing as four out of five."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Government
9%
Healthcare Company
9%
Retailer
8%
Educational Organization
29%
Computer Software Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about ExtremeControl?
It has effectively enhanced network security and integrated with other security tools to streamline operations.
What needs improvement with ExtremeControl?
ExtremeControl is a great solution, but it is mainly focused on wireless. For their wired network, especially with third-party switching, this is where most of the features are lost.
What is your primary use case for ExtremeControl?
We have projects with mostly government entities. They want to create some policies for individuals who access Active Directory through others as an authentication method. They have Active Director...
What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?
Forescout is a very powerful NAC product that does not rely on port level configuration. It can detect and block unauthorized devices very quickly. But it has a lot of capabilities and really would...
What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?
I would rate the Forescout Device and Visibility Control Platform at a six out of ten.
What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?
I recommend doing a compression demo. If people use it, they will buy it. So they have to see the product in place. That's the main recommendation is to do a proof of concept. If they do, they will...
 

Also Known As

Extreme Access Control, Enterasys NAC
Forescout Platform, CounterACT for Endpoint Compliance, ForeScout CounterACT
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Street Crane, Robert Bosch, Molex Chengdu, Weir Valves & Controls UK, Renault, AESSEAL, Ducati, Alexander Dennis, UK Ministry of Defence, Manz
NHS Sussex, SAP, SEGA, Vistaprint, Miami Children's Hospital, Pioneer Investments, New York Law School, OmnicomGroup, Meritrust
Find out what your peers are saying about ExtremeControl vs. Forescout Platform and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.