Cloud Data Security Platforms -- Varonis Alternatives

Best Cloud Data Security Alternatives to Varonis in 2026

Cloud data security platforms provide modern, cloud-native approaches to data discovery, classification, and protection that serve as alternatives to Varonis for organizations with cloud-first data environments. These platforms leverage AI, agentless deployment, and multi-cloud connectors to deliver data security without the infrastructure overhead of traditional on-premises solutions. They are ideal for organizations whose data landscape has shifted primarily to cloud and SaaS environments and who need rapid time-to-value without deploying agents and scanning infrastructure.

Our Recommendations

1

Microsoft Purview

Included in Microsoft 365 E5 / Standalone plans from $12/user/month

The natural choice for Microsoft-centric organizations, offering integrated data governance, DLP, and compliance capabilities bundled with M365 E5 licensing. Strongest when your data resides primarily within the Microsoft ecosystem.

2

Securiti

Custom pricing based on data volume and modules

The most comprehensive unified platform covering data security, privacy compliance, DSPM, and consent management. Best for organizations that need privacy automation and multi-cloud data governance alongside security.

3

Cyera

Custom enterprise pricing based on data environment scope

The most modern and rapidly deployable option with AI and LLM-powered classification that delivers visibility in hours, not weeks. Best for cloud-forward organizations that want agentless data security with the fastest time-to-value.

Detailed Tool Profiles

Microsoft Purview

Cloud Data Security
4.3

Microsoft unified data governance and compliance platform with deep M365 integration

Pricing

Included in Microsoft 365 E5 / Standalone plans from $12/user/month

Best For

Microsoft-centric organizations wanting integrated data governance, DLP, and compliance across their M365 and Azure environment

Key Features
Data classification with trainable classifiersData loss prevention across M365 and endpointsInsider risk managementInformation protection and sensitivity labels+4 more
Pros
  • +Deep native integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure ecosystem
  • +Bundled with M365 E5 licensing reduces incremental cost
  • +Unified platform covering DLP, classification, compliance, and governance
Cons
  • Strongest coverage limited to Microsoft ecosystem — weaker for non-Microsoft data stores
  • Complex licensing tiers make cost prediction difficult
  • Can require significant configuration to match Varonis-level depth on file access governance
Cloud

Securiti

Cloud Data Security
4.2

AI-powered data security, privacy, and governance platform with DSPM and compliance automation

Pricing

Custom pricing based on data volume and modules

Best For

Organizations needing a unified platform for data security posture management, privacy compliance, and multi-cloud data governance with AI automation

Key Features
AI-powered data discovery and classificationData security posture management (DSPM)Privacy impact assessments and DSAR automationConsent management and preference center+4 more
Pros
  • +Unified platform covering data security, privacy, and governance in one solution
  • +Strong AI-powered automation reduces manual effort for classification and compliance
  • +Comprehensive privacy compliance capabilities including consent management
Cons
  • Newer platform with less market maturity than established data security tools
  • Data access governance capabilities less deep than Varonis
  • Insider threat detection less sophisticated than dedicated UEBA platforms
Cloud

Cyera

Cloud Data Security
4.3

AI-powered data security platform providing agentless data discovery, classification, and risk assessment

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing based on data environment scope

Best For

Cloud-forward enterprises needing agentless, AI-powered data security with rapid deployment and instant visibility into data risk

Key Features
AI-powered data discovery and classificationAgentless deployment across cloud and SaaSData risk assessment and prioritizationData access governance and exposure analysis+4 more
Pros
  • +Agentless deployment enables rapid time-to-value without infrastructure changes
  • +AI and LLM-based classification provides superior context understanding
  • +Broad visibility across cloud, SaaS, IaaS, and on-premises in one view
Cons
  • Newer company with less market maturity and smaller customer base
  • Insider threat detection capabilities less mature than dedicated UEBA platforms
  • On-premises coverage still developing compared to cloud-native capabilities
Cloud

Varonis Alternatives Feature Comparison

Compare all 3 Varonis alternatives side-by-side across pricing, deployment, and key capabilities.

Feature
Microsoft Purview
4.3/5
Securiti
4.2/5
Cyera
4.3/5
Pricing ModelPer-user subscription (bundled with M365 E5)Modular subscriptionSubscription (based on data scope)
Open Source------
Cloud-Hosted+++
Self-Hosted------
Best ForMicrosoft-centric organizations wanting integrated data governance, DLP, and compliance across their M365 and Azure environmentOrganizations needing a unified platform for data security posture management, privacy compliance, and multi-cloud data governance with AI automationCloud-forward enterprises needing agentless, AI-powered data security with rapid deployment and instant visibility into data risk
Key Features
  • Data classification with trainable classifiers
  • Data loss prevention across M365 and endpoints
  • Insider risk management
  • Information protection and sensitivity labels
  • AI-powered data discovery and classification
  • Data security posture management (DSPM)
  • Privacy impact assessments and DSAR automation
  • Consent management and preference center
  • AI-powered data discovery and classification
  • Agentless deployment across cloud and SaaS
  • Data risk assessment and prioritization
  • Data access governance and exposure analysis
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Cloud Data Security Platforms FAQ

Can cloud data security platforms replace Varonis for on-premises environments?

Cloud data security platforms like Purview, Securiti, and Cyera are strongest in cloud and SaaS environments. For organizations with significant on-premises data infrastructure — NAS filers, Windows file servers, and Unix systems — Varonis still provides deeper coverage. If your environment is primarily cloud-based or you are migrating away from on-premises infrastructure, cloud-native platforms may be sufficient. For hybrid environments, many organizations use Varonis for on-premises data alongside a cloud-native tool for cloud and SaaS data.

How do cloud data security platforms compare to Varonis on insider threat detection?

Varonis has one of the most mature insider threat detection capabilities in the data security market, with years of behavioral analytics and UEBA development. Cloud data security platforms typically offer basic anomaly detection and risk scoring but lack the depth of Varonis's behavioral baselines. If insider threat detection is a primary requirement, Varonis remains the stronger choice. Cloud platforms excel instead in data discovery, classification, and compliance automation.

Which cloud data security platform has the best data classification?

Cyera's AI and LLM-based classification provides the most advanced contextual understanding of data, going beyond regex patterns to understand data meaning. BigID also offers strong ML-driven classification. Microsoft Purview's trainable classifiers are powerful within the Microsoft ecosystem. For sheer accuracy in regulated data types like PII and PHI, Spirion remains the specialist leader. Your choice should depend on your data environment and whether you need broad contextual classification or precise regulated data identification.

What is DSPM and how does it relate to Varonis?

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) is an emerging category that focuses on discovering, classifying, and assessing risk for cloud data stores. DSPM platforms like Cyera and Securiti provide visibility into data exposure, misconfigured storage, and access risks across cloud environments. Varonis provides similar capabilities but with deeper access governance and remediation. DSPM is essentially a cloud-native evolution of the data security governance that Varonis pioneered for on-premises environments.

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