ISE vs ClearPass

Network Access Control (NAC) is becoming a vital layer in enterprise security as organizations face growing threats from unmanaged devices, BYOD, and remote work. Two of the leading NAC solutions in the market today are Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager.

If you’re evaluating NAC for your organization, this guide breaks down the key differences — with a focus on why Cisco ISE may be the better fit in Cisco-centric environments.

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What is Network Access Control (NAC)?

NAC solutions help organizations:

• Authenticate users and devices before allowing access to the network.
• Enforce policies based on user identity, device type, security posture, and more.
• Provide visibility into everything connected to the network.
• Segment or isolate suspicious or non-compliant devices.

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Cisco ISE vs. Aruba ClearPass: Feature Comparison

Feature	Cisco ISE	Aruba ClearPass
Gartner Peer Insights Rating	4.3/5 (Gartner)	4.6/5 (Gartner)
Deployment Options	Physical appliance, virtual machine, or cloud-based	Physical appliance, virtual machine, or cloud-based
Scalability	Enterprise-grade scalability; ideal for large networks	Highly scalable, but especially strong in wireless-centric environments
Network Integration	Seamless with Cisco infrastructure (switches, routers, wireless, firewalls)	Multi-vendor support; better for diverse environments
Policy Enforcement	Advanced enforcement with dynamic ACLs and Cisco TrustSec (SGTs)	Role-based access control with flexible conditions
Device Profiling	Deep profiling (especially with Cisco hardware)	Robust profiling with customizable fingerprinting
Guest Access	Highly customizable portals	Strong, user-friendly self-registration and sponsor approval
BYOD Onboarding	Native workflows and mobile device management integration	Smooth onboarding with support for certificates and MDM integration
Posture Assessment	Integrated with Cisco AnyConnect	Built-in or integrates with 3rd-party tools
Reporting & Analytics	Detailed dashboards and logs; pxGrid for sharing with security tools	Strong reporting via ClearPass Insight
Ease of Use	Powerful but complex; requires Cisco expertise	More intuitive UI and policy builder
Licensing Model	Tiered (Base, Plus, Apex, Device Admin)	Per concurrent device – simpler

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Cisco ISE vs. Aruba ClearPass – Final Comparison (Technical Use Cases)

Here is an in-depth comparison based on internal technical evaluation of both NAC platforms across specific use cases:

Use Case	Cisco ISE	Aruba ClearPass	Cisco ISE Rating (%)	ClearPass Rating (%)
VLAN Segregation & Access List Creation	Supports dynamic VLAN assignment and downloadable ACLs (dACLs) per policy.	Supports VLAN assignment and downloadable user roles with dynamic ACLs.	90	85
Device Authentication & Profiling	Advanced profiling with device sensor and endpoint context directory; strong asset visibility.	Comprehensive profiling via ClearPass OnGuard; extensive third-party context sharing.	95	90
Posturing (Health Checks / Compliance)	Robust posture assessment with AnyConnect agent; supports posture-based policies.	Strong posturing with built-in health check tools; integrates with OnGuard agent.	90	90
TACACS or Similar Device Admin	Built-in TACACS+ server for network device administration.	Uses ClearPass Device Insight and RADIUS CoA; TACACS available via extensions.	95	90
Palo Alto Integration	Well-supported integration with Palo Alto NGFWs for user-ID and policy sync.	Integrates with Palo Alto for user-ID, policy enforcement and context sharing.	90	85
Guest Access Management	Provides customizable guest portals, sponsor approval workflows, and time-limited access with built-in reporting.	Offers rich guest access features with branded captive portals, sponsor authentication, and SMS/email-based credentials.	85	90
Implementation/Installation and Support	Requires detailed planning and Cisco expertise; strong partner and TAC support available.	Slightly more flexible during deployment; strong Aruba partner ecosystem and support.	88	90
Previous Experience & Internal Expertise	In-house certified staff with prior deployment and operational experience available.	Limited internal exposure; would require additional training or partner support.	95	80

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Why Cisco ISE Stands Out

• Unmatched integration with Cisco infrastructure (TrustSec, pxGrid, SecureX).
• Powerful policy engine with granular control and dynamic access enforcement.
• Enterprise scalability proven in large-scale deployments.
• Internal familiarity and operational experience with ISE reduces learning curve and risk.

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When to Consider Aruba ClearPass Instead

Choose Aruba ClearPass if:

• You’re running a multi-vendor or non-Cisco network.
• You prioritize ease of use and faster deployment.
• You want simpler licensing based on concurrent users.

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Conclusion

Both solutions are excellent, but the best choice depends on your environment and team expertise.

Cisco ISE is ideal for:

• Cisco-heavy networks
• Security-focused environments
• Teams with Cisco experience

Aruba ClearPass is ideal for:

• Heterogeneous networks
• Organizations new to NAC
• Teams wanting ease of deployment

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References

• Gartner Peer Insights: NAC Reviews
• Cisco ISE: Cisco.com
• Aruba ClearPass: Arubanetworks.com

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