Top 10 Microsoft Purview Alternatives

Though Microsoft Purview is a popular DLP software, it can be hard to use and provides limited policy customization options. We analyzed the top 10 DLP products across five dimensions to identify the top Microsoft Purview alternatives. See their features, strengths, and weaknesses:

Comparison of the top 10 alternatives

Features

User review & ratings

* Based on the total number of reviews and average ratings (on a 5-point scale) from reputable B2B review platforms.

**The number of employees is gathered from LinkedIn.

Ranking: The vendors are ranked by total number of reviews, with Microsoft Purview at the top and sponsors following. 

See definitions for common and differentiating features.

Microsoft Purview’s shortcomings

Reviewers have identified the following flaws, which have been raised multiple times:

1. Policy customization

Multiple reviewers mention that the program lacks policy customization options.

2. Ease of use

Multiple reviewers have found the program setup cumbersome.

3. Short expiration period

As of February 2026, Microsoft is enforcing a 14-day expiration on all Azure blob containers used for eDiscovery export data.¹

Note: Microsoft Purview has expanded it into data security posture management (DSPM), which finds sensitive data across Microsoft 365, Azure, and connected third-party platforms. A separate module, DSPM for AI, tracks how AI tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot and outside AI apps use company data. Buyers comparing alternatives should decide whether they need endpoint DLP, broader posture management, or both.

Detailed analysis of the top 3 alternatives

1. Netwrix Endpoint Protector

Key features

• Comprehensive device control: Netwrix Endpoint Protector provides control over 30+ removable devices and peripherals, including USB drives, Bluetooth devices, smartphones, and more. This is the highest among all competitors. Its data classification was also accurate and performed well during our tests.
• Panic functionality: Instantly lock/wipe devices during security incidents.
• Accurate data classification: Detects PII, financial data, and intellectual property, which feeds the rules that control how that data can be moved.

Strengths

• Smooth implementation: Reviewers describe setup as straightforward and praise support, though some note the onboarding team could be more responsive.
• Thin client support: Ideal for virtualized environments (e.g., Citrix, VMware).

Weaknesses

• Limited cloud-native features: Less useful for cloud apps than competitors.

2. Symantec DLP by Broadcom

Key Features

• Automated data classification: Categorizes content automatically to support compliance reporting.
• Broad coverage: Inspects data across endpoints, network, storage, email, and web.
• User prompts: Shows on-screen notices to warn users before a risky action.
• Network controls: Blocks or quarantines data in transit, with some configuration limits.

Strengths

• Mature detection: Long-established content inspection and policy options.
• Compliance support: Built-in rules for common regulations.

Weaknesses

• Complex setup: Reviewers describe configuration as time-consuming.
• Network Prevent limits: Some controls in this module are restricted.

3. Forcepoint DLP

Forcepoint has combined DSPM and DDR into a single Data Security Cloud platform following its acquisition of Getvisibility. This moves it beyond endpoint DLP toward broader data security.

Key features

• Activity monitoring policies: Adjust controls based on user behavior and context. This enables security administrators to identify real-time sensitive data exposure within applications and trace user behaviors leading to incidents.
• Cross-platform visibility: Monitors data across email, cloud, and endpoints.
• Compliance templates: Pre-built frameworks for GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

Strengths

• User-friendly UI: Simplified policy management for non-technical teams.

Weaknesses

• No Linux support: Limits compatibility for tech-heavy industries.
• Weak OCR: Struggles with image-based document analysis.

Common features of Microsoft Purview alternatives

We selected vendors that deliver cloud-based device control policy management, device monitoring, and data encryption, including data-in-transit encryption and data-at-rest features.

Don’t miss our benchmarks and data-driven insights. The button opens Google; selecting AIMultiple confirms that you wish to see AIMultiple more often in Google search results.

Add as preferred source

Differentiating features of Microsoft Purview alternatives

• Multi-OS compatibility: Integration with established operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. 
• On-premises deployment: Runs on your own servers instead of the vendor’s cloud, which suits organizations with strict data residency or air-gapped requirements.
• USB control & encryption: See USB blocking and encryption.
• Data classification: Categorizing data based on sensitivity, importance, and confidentiality level.
• Inline web traffic inspection: Involves real-time inspection of HTTP/HTTPS traffic, specifically tuned for prompt fields in GenAI tools.

How DLP, DSPM, and DDR differ

Data loss prevention (DLP) stops sensitive data from leaving the organization. It works on endpoints, email, and web traffic using rules and content matching.

Data security posture management (DSPM) finds where sensitive data sits across cloud and SaaS apps, shows who can access it, and flags risky exposure. It focuses on visibility, not blocking.

Data detection and response (DDR) watches data as it moves and reacts to risky use in real time. It works much like endpoint detection and response (EDR) does for devices.

Most buyers now want a mix of the three. The market has shifted from finding data to responding to how it moves.

Further reading

• Top ZTNA Solutions
• Top 9 Endpoint Management Software
• DLP Review: Benchmark Testing of 6 DLP Products

Cite this research

Pick the format that matches where you're publishing. Pasting the link version into your CMS preserves the backlink.

@misc{dilmegani2026,
  author = {Dilmegani, Cem},
  title  = {{Top 10 Microsoft Purview Alternatives}},
  year   = {2026},
  month  = jun,
  howpublished    = {\url{https://aimultiple.com/microsoft-purview-alternatives}},
  note   = {AIMultiple. Retrieved June 17, 2026}
}

Reference Links

1.

Azure updates | Microsoft Azure

Cem Dilmegani

Principal Analyst

Follow On

Cem has been the principal analyst at AIMultiple since 2017. AIMultiple informs hundreds of thousands of businesses (as per similarWeb) including 55% of Fortune 500 every month.

Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.

Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.

He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.

Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

View Full Profile

Be the first to comment

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required. Comments are left in their original language.

Name

Email Address

Comment

0/450

Post Comment