Best HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager Alternatives in 2026
The top HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager alternatives are FortiNAC, ExtremeControl and Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI): 15 network access control software our editors would look at instead of HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager, in our ranking order.
HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager: A comprehensive enterprise NAC platform for identity, device, guest, and endpoint policy control. Where it falls short: no free plan is offered.
Switching from HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager? For most network access control software buyers the best HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager alternative is FortiNAC, built for large hybrid networks needing broad NAC coverage. PacketFence has a free plan, which HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager does not. PacketFence offers the most device limit (250 devices).
Why People Look for an HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager Alternative
- No free plan is offered
- Reseller pricing varies by location
- Its broad enterprise scope may exceed smaller deployments
- No free plan — 3 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFortiNAC9.3
Large hybrid networks needing broad NAC coverage
Visit FortiNAC - Best free optionPacketFence8.5
Has a free plan (HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager has none)
Visit PacketFence - Most device limitPacketFence8.5
250 devices
Visit PacketFence
All 15 HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forLarge hybrid networks needing broad NAC coverage
- Better than HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.2
Broad NAC coverage for enterprise wired, wireless, VPN, and hybrid networks.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
9.3/10★★★★★Visit FortiNAC -
Best forMixed networks needing mature endpoint controls
A broad NAC platform for organizations managing mixed wired, wireless, VPN, and IoT access.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
9.1/10★★★★★Visit ExtremeControl -
Best forHybrid networks focused on identity and device posture
A broad NAC platform for hybrid networks that connect identity, device posture, and segmentation.
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
- Wireless access control
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Arista -
Best forTeams needing event-driven, distributed NAC
Distributed NAC with 802.1X, segmentation, guest access, and event-driven enforcement.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Belden -
Best forCloud-first NAC with continuous risk assessment
A cloud-first NAC platform combining access control, risk assessment, and zero trust.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Portnox -
Best forBudget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC
- Better than HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager:
- Free plan
A broad NAC platform with strong open-source value and flexible paid support options.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit PacketFence -
Best forSelf-hosted NAC in Ivanti-centered environments
A self-hosted NAC platform for identity-aware access, segmentation, and endpoint posture control.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Ivanti -
Best forIdentity-focused cloud RADIUS and VPN access
A focused choice for identity-driven Wi-Fi, VPN, directory, and certificate access.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Foxpass -
Best for250-device deployments needing detailed NAC operations
Detailed NAC operations for 250-device environments, with self-hosted deployment and a paid model.
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
- Wireless access control
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit macmon NAC -
Best forTeams wanting broad NAC with a free plan
- Better than HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager:
- Free plan
A broad NAC platform with a free Basic edition and wired, wireless, and endpoint controls.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Genian NAC -
Best forSmall deployments needing affordable broad NAC
- Better than HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager:
- Free plan
Broad NAC coverage with a free entry plan and quotation-based paid licensing.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit NACVIEW -
Best forCloud NAC centered on certificates and compliance
A cloud NAC platform for certificate-led access control across users, devices, guests, and IoT.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit SecureW2 -
Best forCloud RADIUS for multi-vendor wireless networks
A focused cloud RADIUS service for multi-vendor wired and wireless access control.
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
- Wireless access control
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudi-Fi -
Best forCertificate-heavy enterprise network authentication
A broad enterprise authentication appliance for certificate-heavy network access policies.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit NetAttest EPS -
Best forMulti-organization NAC with strong certificate controls
A broad hybrid NAC platform for organizations managing certificates, access, and segmentation.
- VPN access control
- 802.1X support
- Wired access control
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit NACIO
HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager?
FortiNAC: #1 in our Network Access Control Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. Broad NAC coverage for enterprise wired, wireless, VPN, and hybrid networks.
Is there a free alternative to HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager?
Yes. PacketFence, Genian NAC and NACVIEW have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager alternatives?
No free plan is offered; Reseller pricing varies by location; Its broad enterprise scope may exceed smaller deployments.
Which HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager alternative has the most device limit?
PacketFence, with 250 devices.
How do I switch from HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager?
Export your data from HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager.
How to Switch from HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager
- Export your data from HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager.
HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Wired access control | Wireless access control | VPN access control | 802.1X support | Deployment model | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 9.2 | |
| 1 | FortiNAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | ExtremeControl | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 9.1 | |
| 3 | Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 9.0 | |||
| 4 | Belden NAC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 8.7 | |
| 5 | Portnox NAC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | 8.6 | |
| 6 | PacketFence | Yes | $5,000/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 8.5 |
| 7 | Ivanti Policy Secure and Profiler | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 8.4 | |
| 8 | Foxpass | No | 8.3 | ||||||
| 9 | macmon NAC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 7.9 | ||
| 10 | Genian NAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 7.8 | |
| 11 | NACVIEW | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 7.7 | |
| 12 | SecureW2 Cloud NAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | 7.5 | ||
| 13 | Cloudi-Fi Cloud NAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cloud | 7.4 | |||
| 14 | NetAttest EPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 7.3 | ||
| 15 | NACIO | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs FortiNAC
- HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs ExtremeControl
- HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI)
- HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs Belden NAC
- HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs Portnox NAC
- HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager vs PacketFence
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update










