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Head-to-head · User Threat Prevention Software

Cisco Umbrella vs Abnormal Security

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Cisco Umbrella #1 in User Threat Prevention Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Cisco
Abnormal Security #4 in User Threat Prevention Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit site

Cisco Umbrella leads on 0 checks, Abnormal Security on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCisco Umbrella · 9.2/10
  • Free trialonly Cisco Umbrella
  • Most featuresAbnormal Security · 3 of 5

Cisco Umbrella scores higher on our rubric for user threat prevention software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Cisco Umbrella is the better fit for organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection. Abnormal Security is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise email threat teams.

  • Cisco Umbrella fits best

    Organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection

  • Abnormal Security fits best

    Mid-market and enterprise email threat teams

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cisco Umbrella 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Abnormal Security 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #1 in User Threat Prevention Software #4 in User Threat Prevention Software
Best for Organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection Mid-market and enterprise email threat teams
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 14-day trial Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web
Support Tickets, Phone, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 14 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cisco Umbrella 0/5 · Abnormal Security 3/5
Phishing simulations Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Browser isolation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Attachment sandboxing Not checked yet Not checked yet
User report button Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Automated remediation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Protected channels Not checked yet Multi_surface
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks malicious and unwanted domains at the DNS layer
  • Applies scheduled policies by network, device, user, or identity
  • Protects roaming endpoints and offers activity reports and APIs
  • Detects phishing, BEC, and account takeover using email and identity signals
  • Automates malicious-email remediation and reported-message triage
  • Extends messaging security to Slack, Teams, and Zoom
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting Cisco sales
  • Cisco is transitioning Umbrella to Cisco Secure Access
  • No free plan; the free trial lasts 14 days
  • No free plan; pricing is quote-based
  • Cloud deployment only
  • Focused on organizational email, identity, and collaboration security
Our verdict

Cisco Umbrella filters DNS requests and web traffic to block threats and unwanted content before users connect. It is aimed at businesses, schools, government organizations, and distributed workforces that need protection across networks…

Read the review →

Email threats rarely stay confined to an inbox. Abnormal Security is a cloud-based behavioral security platform for organizations seeking protection against phishing, business email compromise, vendor fraud, and account takeover across…

Read the review →
  1. Cisco UmbrellaUser Threat Prevention Software 9.2Pricing on request · 14-day trial
  2. Abnormal SecurityUser Threat Prevention Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cisco Umbrella — where it wins

    • Blocks malicious and unwanted domains at the DNS layer
    • Applies scheduled policies by network, device, user, or identity
    • Protects roaming endpoints and offers activity reports and APIs

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting Cisco sales
    • Cisco is transitioning Umbrella to Cisco Secure Access
    • No free plan; the free trial lasts 14 days
  • Abnormal Security — where it wins

    • Detects phishing, BEC, and account takeover using email and identity signals
    • Automates malicious-email remediation and reported-message triage
    • Extends messaging security to Slack, Teams, and Zoom

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; pricing is quote-based
    • Cloud deployment only
    • Focused on organizational email, identity, and collaboration security
  • Cisco Umbrella9.2/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

    DNS-layer protection with policy controls for networks, users, devices, and roaming endpoints.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →
  • Abnormal Security8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    Behavioral threat detection and automated response for email and identity teams.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update