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Head-to-head · Network Access Control Software

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs Belden NAC

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager #2 in Network Access Control Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit HPE Aruba
Belden NAC #5 in Network Access Control Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Belden

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager leads on 0 checks, Belden NAC on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager · 9.2/10

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager scores higher on our rubric for network access control software: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager is the better fit for enterprise wired, wireless, and VPN access control. Belden NAC is the better fit for teams needing event-driven, distributed NAC.

  • HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager fits best

    Enterprise wired, wireless, and VPN access control

  • Belden NAC fits best

    Teams needing event-driven, distributed NAC

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Side by side

Feature HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Belden NAC 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.7
Ranking #2 in Network Access Control Software #5 in Network Access Control Software
Best for Enterprise wired, wireless, and VPN access control Teams needing event-driven, distributed NAC
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not checked yet —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 6 integrations 9 integrations
Features HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager 4/4 · Belden NAC 4/4
Wired access control ✓ ✓
Wireless access control ✓ ✓
VPN access control ✓ ✓
802.1X support ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Hybrid
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Controls wired, wireless, VPN, guest, and non-802.1X access
  • Adds profiling, posture assessment, onboarding, and certificate provisioning
  • Supports clustering, REST APIs, and security integrations
  • 802.1X, RADIUS, VLAN management, and endpoint security checks
  • Event-driven enforcement through APIs, scripts, SNMP, and syslog
  • Distributed, fallback, and high-availability server architecture
Cons
  • No free plan is offered
  • Reseller pricing varies by location
  • Its broad enterprise scope may exceed smaller deployments
  • Pricing is quote-based through Belden or its resellers
  • There is no free plan or public self-service checkout
  • VPN authentication may require the SwitchViewer add-on
Our verdict

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager is a multi-vendor network access control platform for enterprises managing wired, wireless, and VPN environments. It centralizes authentication, authorization, accounting, profiling, posture…

Read the review →

Belden NAC is network access control software for IT and operational technology environments. It combines network visibility, endpoint discovery, topology visualization, authentication, VLAN-based segmentation, guest access, and…

Read the review →
  1. HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy ManagerNetwork Access Control Software 9.2Paid
  2. Belden NACNetwork Access Control Software 8.7Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager — where it wins

    • Controls wired, wireless, VPN, guest, and non-802.1X access
    • Adds profiling, posture assessment, onboarding, and certificate provisioning
    • Supports clustering, REST APIs, and security integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is offered
    • Reseller pricing varies by location
    • Its broad enterprise scope may exceed smaller deployments

  • Belden NAC — where it wins

    • 802.1X, RADIUS, VLAN management, and endpoint security checks
    • Event-driven enforcement through APIs, scripts, SNMP, and syslog
    • Distributed, fallback, and high-availability server architecture

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is quote-based through Belden or its resellers
    • There is no free plan or public self-service checkout
    • VPN authentication may require the SwitchViewer add-on
  • HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager9.2/10 · Paid

    A comprehensive enterprise NAC platform for identity, device, guest, and endpoint policy control.

    Visit HPE ArubaFull verdict →
  • Belden NAC8.7/10 · Pricing on request

    Distributed NAC with 802.1X, segmentation, guest access, and event-driven enforcement.

    Visit BeldenFull verdict →

More comparisons

All network access control software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update