Data Security & Governance

8 Best Varonis Alternatives in 2026

Varonis is a leading data security and governance platform that protects enterprise data by providing deep visibility into who accesses data, how it is used, and where sensitive content resides. Varonis monitors file systems, email, cloud applications, and Active Directory to detect insider threats, enforce least privilege, and automate data protection policies. Its DatAdvantage and Data Classification Engine products map data access permissions, classify sensitive data at scale, and alert on abnormal user behavior that could indicate a breach or insider threat.

Top 8 Varonis Alternatives

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

Netwrix

Data Security & Auditing
4.2

Data security and auditing platform for change tracking, compliance, and user behavior monitoring

Pricing

From $25/user/year / Enterprise custom pricing

Best For

Mid-market organizations needing data auditing, change tracking, and compliance reporting at a lower price point than enterprise platforms

Key Features
Change auditing across AD, file servers, and cloudData classification for sensitive content discoveryUser behavior analytics and alertingCompliance reporting for regulatory frameworks+4 more
Pros
  • +More accessible pricing for mid-market organizations
  • +Strong change auditing across hybrid environments
  • +Straightforward deployment compared to enterprise platforms
Cons
  • Less sophisticated behavioral analytics than Varonis UEBA
  • Data classification capabilities less mature than dedicated platforms
  • Limited automated remediation for overexposed data
CloudSelf-Hosted

Spirion

Enterprise DLP
4

Sensitive data discovery and classification platform with high-accuracy identification of regulated data

Pricing

Custom pricing based on data volume and endpoints

Best For

Organizations in regulated industries that need the most accurate sensitive data discovery and classification for PII, PHI, and PCI compliance

Key Features
High-accuracy sensitive data discoveryAutomated data classification and taggingPII, PHI, PCI, and custom data type detectionStructured and unstructured data scanning+4 more
Pros
  • +Industry-leading accuracy for sensitive data identification with low false positives
  • +Deep specialization in regulated data types (PII, PHI, PCI)
  • +Strong presence in healthcare and financial services verticals
Cons
  • Narrower scope — focused on discovery and classification, not full data security
  • Lacks insider threat detection and behavioral analytics
  • No data access governance or permission mapping capabilities
CloudSelf-Hosted

BigID

Data Discovery & Classification
4.3

Data intelligence platform using ML for discovery, classification, and privacy management

Pricing

Custom pricing based on data sources and volume

Best For

Data-forward organizations needing ML-powered data intelligence for privacy, security, and governance across diverse data landscapes

Key Features
ML-powered sensitive data discovery and classificationData cataloging and lineage trackingPrivacy management and DSAR automationData risk assessment and scoring+4 more
Pros
  • +Advanced ML-based classification goes beyond regex pattern matching
  • +Broad data source coverage with 100+ connectors
  • +Strong privacy management capabilities including DSAR automation
Cons
  • No insider threat detection or behavioral analytics capabilities
  • Limited data access governance compared to Varonis
  • Can be complex to deploy and configure across many data sources
CloudSelf-Hosted

Forcepoint DLP

Enterprise DLP
4

Enterprise DLP platform with risk-adaptive protection and multi-channel data loss prevention

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing based on user count

Best For

Large enterprises needing comprehensive DLP enforcement across endpoints, network, cloud, and email with risk-adaptive policy controls

Key Features
Multi-channel DLP across endpoint, network, cloud, and emailRisk-Adaptive Protection based on user behaviorContent inspection with 1,700+ classifiersOCR and image content analysis+4 more
Pros
  • +Comprehensive DLP coverage across all exfiltration channels
  • +Risk-Adaptive Protection adjusts enforcement based on user risk level
  • +1,700+ pre-built classifiers for sensitive data identification
Cons
  • Complex deployment and ongoing policy management
  • Does not provide data access governance or permission analysis
  • Endpoint agent can impact system performance
CloudSelf-Hosted

Digital Guardian

Enterprise DLP
3.9

Data-centric security platform with deep endpoint DLP and data visibility across enterprise environments

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Managed DLP service available

Best For

Enterprises needing deep endpoint-level data visibility and DLP enforcement with a managed service option for teams with limited security staff

Key Features
Endpoint DLP with deep system-level visibilityNetwork DLP for data in transitCloud DLP across SaaS applicationsData-centric classification and tagging+4 more
Pros
  • +Deep endpoint visibility into data creation, modification, and movement
  • +Managed DLP service option reduces operational burden
  • +Data-centric approach tracks sensitive data wherever it goes
Cons
  • Endpoint agent can be resource-heavy on workstations
  • No data access governance or permission management capabilities
  • Complex configuration and policy management
CloudSelf-Hosted

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 8 Varonis alternatives side-by-side across pricing, deployment, and key capabilities.

Feature
Microsoft Purview
4.3/5
Netwrix
4.2/5
Spirion
4/5
BigID
4.3/5
Forcepoint DLP
4/5
Digital Guardian
3.9/5
Securiti
4.2/5
Cyera
4.3/5
Pricing ModelPer-user subscription (bundled with M365 E5)Per-user subscriptionSubscription (per data volume or endpoints)Subscription (per data source or volume)Per-user subscriptionPer-endpoint or per-user subscriptionModular 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 environmentMid-market organizations needing data auditing, change tracking, and compliance reporting at a lower price point than enterprise platformsOrganizations in regulated industries that need the most accurate sensitive data discovery and classification for PII, PHI, and PCI complianceData-forward organizations needing ML-powered data intelligence for privacy, security, and governance across diverse data landscapesLarge enterprises needing comprehensive DLP enforcement across endpoints, network, cloud, and email with risk-adaptive policy controlsEnterprises needing deep endpoint-level data visibility and DLP enforcement with a managed service option for teams with limited security staffOrganizations 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
  • Change auditing across AD, file servers, and cloud
  • Data classification for sensitive content discovery
  • User behavior analytics and alerting
  • Compliance reporting for regulatory frameworks
  • High-accuracy sensitive data discovery
  • Automated data classification and tagging
  • PII, PHI, PCI, and custom data type detection
  • Structured and unstructured data scanning
  • ML-powered sensitive data discovery and classification
  • Data cataloging and lineage tracking
  • Privacy management and DSAR automation
  • Data risk assessment and scoring
  • Multi-channel DLP across endpoint, network, cloud, and email
  • Risk-Adaptive Protection based on user behavior
  • Content inspection with 1,700+ classifiers
  • OCR and image content analysis
  • Endpoint DLP with deep system-level visibility
  • Network DLP for data in transit
  • Cloud DLP across SaaS applications
  • Data-centric classification and tagging
  • 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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Varonis Alternatives FAQ

What are the best Varonis alternatives in 2026?

The top Varonis alternatives include Microsoft Purview, Netwrix, Spirion, BigID, Forcepoint DLP, and more. Each offers different strengths in data security & governance.

Is Varonis the best data security & governance tool?

Varonis is a leading data security & governance tool, but the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements. Compare alternatives on this page to find the best fit.

How much does Varonis cost?

Varonis pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-TB licensing. Pricing model: Subscription (per-user or per-TB). Compare with alternatives on this page to find the most cost-effective option.

Explore More Guides

Category

Cloud Data Security Platforms

Compare the best cloud data security alternatives to Varonis in 2026. Microsoft Purview, Securiti, Cyera — cloud-native data security features, pricing, and capabilities compared.

Category

Enterprise DLP Solutions

Compare the best enterprise DLP alternatives to Varonis in 2026. Forcepoint DLP, Digital Guardian, Spirion — DLP enforcement, features, and pricing compared.

Category

Data Discovery and Classification Platforms

Compare the best data discovery and classification alternatives to Varonis in 2026. BigID, Spirion, Cyera — data discovery, classification accuracy, and ML capabilities compared.

Use Case

Data Access Governance

Compare the best Varonis alternatives for data access governance in 2026. Microsoft Purview, Netwrix, BigID, Securiti, Cyera — permission management and access visibility compared.

Use Case

Insider Threat Detection via Data Access

Compare the best Varonis alternatives for insider threat detection in 2026. Netwrix, Forcepoint DLP, Digital Guardian — data-centric insider threat detection compared.

Use Case

Data Classification and Discovery

Compare the best Varonis alternatives for data classification and discovery in 2026. BigID, Spirion, Cyera, Microsoft Purview, Securiti — classification accuracy and capabilities compared.

Use Case

Compliance and Data Protection

Compare the best Varonis alternatives for compliance and data protection in 2026. Microsoft Purview, BigID, Securiti, Spirion, Netwrix — GDPR, HIPAA, PCI compliance capabilities compared.