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Head-to-head · Network Access Control Software

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs Portnox 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
Portnox NAC #6 in Network Access Control Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Portnox

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager leads on 0 checks, Portnox 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
  • Free trialonly Portnox NAC

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager scores higher on our rubric for network access control software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

On deployment model, HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager gives you Hybrid where Portnox NAC offers Cloud.

HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager is the better fit for enterprise wired, wireless, and VPN access control. Portnox NAC is the better fit for cloud-first NAC with continuous risk assessment.

  • HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager fits best

    Enterprise wired, wireless, and VPN access control

  • Portnox NAC fits best

    Cloud-first NAC with continuous risk assessment

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 HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Portnox NAC 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Network Access Control Software #6 in Network Access Control Software
Best for Enterprise wired, wireless, and VPN access control Cloud-first NAC with continuous risk assessment
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not checked yet —
Free plan — —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 6 integrations 5 integrations
Features HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager 4/4 · Portnox NAC 4/4
Wired access control ✓ ✓
Wireless access control ✓ ✓
VPN access control ✓ ✓
802.1X support ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Cloud
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
  • Controls wired, wireless, and VPN access with cloud RADIUS
  • Combines posture assessment, quarantine, remediation, and segmentation
  • Integrates with Entra ID, Active Directory, Okta, Intune, and Google Workspace
Cons
  • No free plan is offered
  • Reseller pricing varies by location
  • Its broad enterprise scope may exceed smaller deployments
  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • There is no free plan
  • Cloud deployment may not fit on-premises-only requirements
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 →

Portnox NAC is a cloud-delivered network access control platform for organizations securing distributed, hybrid, and device-dense networks. It provides visibility across managed, unmanaged, BYOD, IoT, and OT devices, then applies…

Read the review →
  1. HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy ManagerNetwork Access Control Software 9.2Paid
  2. Portnox NACNetwork Access Control Software 8.6Pricing on request · 30-day trial

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

  • Portnox NAC — where it wins

    • Controls wired, wireless, and VPN access with cloud RADIUS
    • Combines posture assessment, quarantine, remediation, and segmentation
    • Integrates with Entra ID, Active Directory, Okta, Intune, and Google Workspace

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with sales
    • There is no free plan
    • Cloud deployment may not fit on-premises-only requirements
  • 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 →
  • Portnox NAC8.6/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A cloud-first NAC platform combining access control, risk assessment, and zero trust.

    Visit PortnoxFull 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