Best CASB solutions for enterprise security in 2026

Cloud Access Security Brokers were designed for a world with defined network perimeters. That world no longer exists. Employees access SaaS from personal devices, contractor endpoints, and home networks—using apps IT never sanctioned and connecting tools IT has never seen. CASB solutions have had to evolve accordingly, shifting from proxy-only architectures toward API-based, identity-centric, and perimeter-less approaches.

In 2026, the strongest CASB solutions have either evolved into full Security Service Edge platforms or adopted an identity-first model that governs access regardless of device or network path. Understanding which architectural approach fits your environment is the right starting point for any CASB evaluation.

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10 best CASB solutions for enterprise security

1. Nudge Security

Nudge Security takes a fundamentally different approach to cloud application governance: rather than intercepting traffic at the network layer, it discovers and governs every SaaS app tied to a corporate identity—across every device and network path. No proxy, no agent, no network reconfiguration required. It surfaces 175,000+ apps, including shadow SaaS and AI tools, through email metadata analysis, then governs access through behavioral engagement rather than hard blocks.

Best for: Organizations that need governance across unmanaged devices and shadow SaaS without proxy deployment or network reconfiguration.

Pricing: $5 per active user/month for 150–2,500 accounts; $750/month for under 150 accounts.

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2. Netskope

Netskope is a market-leading cloud-native CASB, consistently recognized for depth of coverage and inline DLP capabilities. Its NewEdge network delivers global performance while enabling real-time inspection of cloud traffic across sanctioned and unsanctioned applications.

Best for: Large enterprises with mature cloud governance programs requiring real-time DLP and deep visibility into cloud traffic.

Pricing: Quote-based.

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3. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access

Prisma Access delivers CASB as a native component of Palo Alto's Security Service Edge platform, with ML-based app risk scoring and DLP integrated across the same policy engine that governs network and zero-trust access.

Best for: Palo Alto Networks customers seeking to consolidate cloud access security within an existing SASE or SSE investment.

Pricing: Quote-based as part of the Palo Alto platform.

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4. Zscaler CASB

Zscaler integrates CASB into its Zero Trust Exchange as a native capability for organizations already using ZIA and ZPA. Multi-mode DLP runs across both sanctioned and unsanctioned apps through the same zero-trust architecture.

Best for: Zscaler customers extending their zero trust architecture into SaaS application governance.

Pricing: Quote-based as part of the Zscaler platform.

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5. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps

Microsoft's CASB benefits from deep integration across the M365 ecosystem—covering SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and 300+ third-party SaaS applications. Conditional Access app control and Entra ID integration create a unified access governance layer.

Best for: Microsoft-first organizations extending governance across SaaS without leaving the Microsoft security stack.

Pricing: Included in Microsoft 365 E5; available standalone via Microsoft licensing.

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6. Forcepoint ONE

Forcepoint ONE combines CASB, Secure Web Gateway, and ZTNA into a single SSE platform with a data-centric security model. Its DLP is among the most mature in the market, built for regulated industries where content-aware controls are non-negotiable.

Best for: Regulated enterprises in financial services, healthcare, and government requiring mature DLP tightly integrated with cloud access governance.

Pricing: Quote-based.

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7. Cato Networks

Cato delivers CASB as part of a cloud-native SASE platform, with real-time cloud app visibility and policy enforcement integrated with SD-WAN and zero trust access.

Best for: Organizations undertaking a network and security transformation who want CASB built into a SASE architecture.

Pricing: Quote-based.

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8. Broadcom (Symantec) CloudSOC

CloudSOC inherits Symantec's heritage as one of the original enterprise CASB platforms, with broad SaaS coverage, mature DLP, and comprehensive audit and forensics capabilities.

Best for: Large enterprises with complex compliance requirements seeking a proven platform with strong audit and forensic capabilities.

Pricing: Quote-based.

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9. Skyhigh Security

Skyhigh Security provides cloud-native CASB, SWG, and DLP as a standalone SSE platform, maintaining independence from major platform vendors.

Best for: Organizations seeking a dedicated, vendor-neutral cloud security platform without platform lock-in.

Pricing: Quote-based.

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10. iboss

iboss delivers cloud access security through its zero trust SASE platform, combining CASB capabilities with secure web gateway, ZTNA, and browser isolation.

Best for: Distributed enterprises and government organizations needing CASB as part of a broader zero trust network architecture.

Pricing: Quote-based.

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Conclusion

CASB as a standalone network-proxy product is giving way to broader Security Service Edge architectures and identity-first governance platforms. The most effective approaches in 2026 combine real-time enforcement for managed infrastructure with discovery-based governance for the unmanaged devices, personal accounts, and shadow SaaS that traditional CASB architectures were never designed to reach. Selecting the right CASB solution starts with understanding which part of that spectrum represents your primary gap.

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FAQ

Are CASBs still relevant in 2026?

CASB functionality remains highly relevant—but the standalone network-proxy CASB is increasingly absorbed into SSE and SASE platforms.

• Most enterprise buyers evaluate CASB as a component of broader cloud security strategy, not a discrete product
• API-based approaches have grown substantially, providing governance without network dependencies
• The shift from perimeter-based to identity-based access has accelerated this evolution
• Shadow AI has added new urgency: tools adopted on personal devices and personal accounts are invisible to inline CASB

What's the difference between CASB and SSPM?

CASB focuses on data in motion—controlling what flows between users and cloud apps. SSPM focuses on the static configuration of those apps—misconfigured settings, excessive permissions, and risky integrations inside the app itself.

• CASB enforces access and data policies at the network or proxy layer
• SSPM connects to SaaS APIs to analyze internal configurations, identity settings, and OAuth grants
• The distinction is narrowing as vendors add capabilities from both directions
• Most mature programs use both: CASB for data in motion, SSPM for application posture

Can CASB detect shadow AI tools?

Inline CASB can identify traffic to known AI platforms—but misses significant portions of shadow AI exposure.

• Personal devices accessing AI tools off-network are invisible to inline CASB
• AI capabilities embedded in trusted SaaS apps (Notion AI, Salesforce Einstein, Slack AI) generate traffic indistinguishable from normal app use
• AI tools connected via OAuth rather than browser don't generate inspectable traffic at all
• Discovery-first platforms that map OAuth grants and identity relationships provide more complete shadow AI visibility

What's the difference between CASB and a secure web gateway (SWG)?

CASB governs access to specific cloud applications. SWG controls general web browsing and internet access.

• SWG enforces URL filtering, malware scanning, and acceptable use policies across all web traffic
• CASB provides deeper, application-aware governance—per-activity controls, DLP within SaaS, and identity-linked policies
• Modern SSE platforms (Netskope, Zscaler, Palo Alto) combine both in a unified architecture
• Organizations still running legacy proxies as their primary gateway are often evaluating SSE to consolidate

Nudge Security governs every SaaS and AI tool tied to your corporate identities—without proxy deployment or network reconfiguration. See your full SaaS attack surface in 24 hours at nudgesecurity.com.