Best Of 2026

Best CASB for Unified SASE in 2026

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) are a critical component of unified SASE platforms, providing visibility and control over SaaS application usage, shadow IT discovery, and data protection. We evaluated the leading SASE vendors on their CASB capabilities including inline DLP, app risk scoring, API-mode coverage, and granular policy controls.

Last updated

How We Evaluated

Shadow IT Discovery

Ability to discover and catalog unsanctioned cloud application usage, assess risk, and provide actionable visibility into shadow IT across the organization.

Inline DLP

Real-time data loss prevention capabilities for cloud traffic, including exact data match, fingerprinting, OCR, and machine learning-based classification.

App Risk Scoring

Comprehensiveness of cloud application risk assessment, including the number of apps cataloged, risk attributes evaluated, and customizability of risk thresholds.

API-Mode Coverage

Depth of out-of-band API integrations with sanctioned SaaS applications for retroactive scanning, collaboration control, and at-rest data protection.

Granular Policy Controls

Ability to create fine-grained policies based on user, device, app, activity, and data sensitivity rather than simple allow/block decisions.

Top Recommendations

#1
NetskopeBest Data-Centric CASB

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription

Netskope's CASB capabilities are widely regarded as the strongest in the SASE market. Its Cloud Confidence Index catalogs over 80,000 cloud apps with granular risk scoring, and its inline DLP engine provides real-time data protection across managed and unmanaged SaaS applications. API-mode coverage for sanctioned apps is comprehensive, with out-of-the-box policies for all major SaaS platforms.

#2
ZscalerBest Inline CASB at Scale

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription

Zscaler's CASB benefits from its massive inline inspection infrastructure, providing real-time visibility and control over cloud application usage. Shadow IT discovery is automatic for all traffic flowing through the Zero Trust Exchange, and the platform's DLP engine handles structured and unstructured data across cloud apps. API-mode CASB covers major SaaS platforms with pre-built integrations.

#3
Skyhigh SecurityBest Standalone CASB Heritage

Custom pricing / Per-user subscription with feature tiers

Skyhigh Security (formerly McAfee MVISION Cloud) was a standalone CASB pioneer before the category merged into SASE. Its CASB engine offers deep API-mode coverage with granular activity-level controls, strong DLP with exact data match and fingerprinting, and comprehensive shadow IT reporting. The SASE integration is newer but the CASB fundamentals remain strong.

#4
Palo Alto Prisma AccessBest for Palo Alto Ecosystem

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-Mbps models

Prisma Access includes SaaS Security capabilities with inline and API-based CASB controls. Organizations already invested in the Palo Alto ecosystem benefit from unified policy management across NGFW, SASE, and CASB. App-ID technology provides granular application-level visibility and the DLP engine integrates with Enterprise DLP across all Palo Alto products.

#5
Cisco Secure AccessBest for Cisco-Centric Networks

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user bundled subscription

Cisco's CASB capabilities within Secure Access (formerly Umbrella) provide solid shadow IT discovery and cloud app control integrated with the broader Cisco security stack. Multimode CASB covers inline and API use cases, and Cisco's acquisition of CloudLock strengthened its API-mode capabilities for sanctioned app governance.

Detailed Tool Profiles

Netskope logoNetskope
SASE & Zero TrustVerified Feb 2026

Cloud-native SASE platform with industry-leading CASB and granular SaaS visibility

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription

Best For

Organizations that need the deepest SaaS visibility and granular cloud application control alongside SASE capabilities

Key Features
Cloud XD granular SaaS activity controlsNext-gen Secure Web Gateway (SWG)Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) inline and APIZero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)+4 more
Pros
  • +Strong CASB with the deepest SaaS app visibility and activity-level controls
  • +NewEdge network provides fast, full-compute security in 70+ regions
  • +Superior data protection with advanced DLP, exact data match, and fingerprinting
Cons
  • –Premium pricing comparable to Zscaler, difficult for mid-market budgets
  • –SD-WAN capabilities less mature than dedicated SD-WAN vendors
  • –Smaller global PoP footprint than Zscaler (70+ vs 150+)
Cloud
View Profile
Zscaler logoZscaler
SASE & Zero TrustVerified Feb 2026

Cloud-native SASE and zero trust platform for secure internet and private application access

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription

Best For

Cloud-native SASE and zero trust platform for secure internet and private application access

Key Features
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) secure web gatewayZscaler Private Access (ZPA) zero trust network accessInline TLS/SSL inspection at cloud scaleCloud Access Security Broker (CASB)+4 more
Pros
  • +Large global cloud with 150+ data centers for low-latency inspection
  • +True inline inspection of all traffic including encrypted TLS/SSL
  • +Eliminates VPNs and reduces attack surface with zero trust architecture
Cons
  • –Premium pricing puts it out of reach for SMBs and mid-market
  • –Complex deployment and configuration for large enterprises
  • –Vendor lock-in with proprietary architecture and limited interoperability
Cloud
View Profile
Skyhigh Security logoSkyhigh Security
SASE & Zero TrustVerified Feb 2026

Data-aware SSE platform with pioneering CASB technology and deep cloud data protection

Pricing

Custom pricing / Per-user subscription with feature tiers

Best For

Data-centric organizations in regulated industries that prioritize cloud data protection, CASB depth, and DLP over networking features

Key Features
Cloud Registry of 40,000+ cloud servicesAPI-based and inline CASBAdvanced DLP with exact data match and OCRSecure Web Gateway (SWG)+4 more
Pros
  • +Industry-pioneering CASB with the deepest cloud service risk assessment database
  • +Advanced DLP with OCR, exact data match, and ML-based classification
  • +Strong in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare) with compliance-focused features
Cons
  • –Brand identity and product roadmap still stabilizing after McAfee separation
  • –SWG and ZTNA capabilities are less mature than pure-play SASE vendors
  • –Smaller global network footprint than Zscaler, Cloudflare, and Netskope
Cloud
View Profile
Palo Alto Prisma Access logoPalo Alto Prisma Access
SASE & Zero TrustVerified Feb 2026

Enterprise SASE platform extending Palo Alto's next-gen firewall to cloud-delivered security

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-Mbps models

Best For

Enterprises already invested in Palo Alto Networks firewalls that want to extend their security policies to a cloud-delivered SASE architecture

Key Features
ZTNA 2.0 with continuous trust verificationCloud-delivered next-gen firewall (FWaaS)Secure Web Gateway with full app visibilityInline CASB and SaaS Security+4 more
Pros
  • +Seamless policy extension for existing Palo Alto NGFW customers
  • +ZTNA 2.0 provides continuous trust verification beyond initial authentication
  • +Comprehensive SASE stack with integrated SD-WAN (Prisma SD-WAN)
Cons
  • –Most expensive SASE option with complex licensing and add-on costs
  • –Not truly cloud-native — evolved from on-prem firewall architecture
  • –Management complexity with multiple consoles (Panorama, Strata Cloud Manager)
Cloud
View Profile
Cisco Secure Access logoCisco Secure Access
SASE & Zero TrustVerified Feb 2026

Cisco's unified SASE platform converging Umbrella, Duo, and Meraki into cloud-delivered security

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user bundled subscription

Best For

Large enterprises with existing Cisco networking infrastructure wanting to consolidate security into a unified SASE platform

Key Features
Umbrella DNS security and SWGDuo zero trust access and MFASecure Client VPN and ZTNAMeraki SD-WAN integration+4 more
Pros
  • +Cisco Talos provides massive threat intelligence from the world's largest commercial security research team
  • +Unified platform for organizations already invested in Cisco networking and security
  • +Duo provides the most established zero trust MFA and access solution in the market
Cons
  • –Platform still maturing — recently converged from separate Umbrella, Duo, and AnyConnect products
  • –Integration between acquired components can be inconsistent
  • –Cloud-native SASE capabilities lag behind Zscaler and Netskope
Cloud
View Profile

Best CASB for Unified SASE FAQ

What is CASB in SASE?

CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) is one of the core security components in a SASE platform, alongside SWG, ZTNA, and FWaaS. Within SASE, CASB provides visibility into cloud application usage, enforces data protection policies, discovers shadow IT, and governs access to sanctioned SaaS applications — all delivered from the same cloud platform as other SASE services.

Should I use a standalone CASB or a CASB within SASE?

For most organizations, a CASB within a unified SASE platform is the better approach. It eliminates the integration complexity of a standalone CASB, provides consistent policy enforcement across web and cloud traffic, and reduces vendor sprawl. Standalone CASBs may still make sense if you need the deepest possible API-mode coverage and already have separate SWG and ZTNA solutions.

How does CASB help with shadow IT visibility?

CASB discovers shadow IT by analyzing all cloud-bound traffic flowing through the SASE platform. It identifies which cloud applications employees are using, categorizes them by risk level, and provides reports on usage volume, data uploads, and user counts. This visibility helps security teams make informed decisions about which apps to sanction, restrict, or block.

Sources & References

  1. Netskope — Official Website[Vendor]
  2. Netskope Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  3. Netskope Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  4. Zscaler — Official Website[Vendor]
  5. Zscaler Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  6. Zscaler Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  7. Skyhigh Security — Official Website[Vendor]
  8. Skyhigh Security Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  9. Skyhigh Security Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  10. Palo Alto Prisma Access — Official Website[Vendor]
  11. Palo Alto Prisma Access Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  12. Palo Alto Prisma Access Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  13. Cisco Secure Access — Official Website[Vendor]
  14. Cisco Secure Access Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  15. Cisco Secure Access Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]

Related Guides

Best Of

Best Cloud-Native SWG

Best cloud-native secure web gateways in 2026. Replace legacy proxies with cloud-delivered web security ranked by performance and threat detection.

Best Of

Best Code Security & Secret Scanning Tools

Best code security and secret scanning tools in 2026. Compare Semgrep, SonarQube, Snyk, GitHub Advanced Security, and Checkmarx for SAST, SCA, and secret detection.

Best Of

Best CrowdStrike Alternatives

Compare the best CrowdStrike alternatives in 2026. Expert-ranked endpoint protection platforms evaluated on detection, deployment, pricing, and support.

Best Of

Best CrowdStrike Alternatives 2026

Updated for 2026: the best CrowdStrike alternatives ranked by detection, price, and deployment. Expert picks for enterprise endpoint protection.