Why buy the battleship when
you only need the radar?
Porcia uses connected workspace email and SSO signals, with optional browser and desktop coverage — without requiring you to replace your security stack.
The honest comparison
Here's how Porcia stacks up against the companies that force you to buy their entire stack:
← Scroll to see all columns →
| Category | Porcia | Netskope | Zscaler | MS Defender | Prisma SaaS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core discovery method | Email + SSO (read-only) | Network proxy + API | Proxy + identity | Microsoft cloud logs + API | API + traffic inspection |
| Setup time | 5 minutes | Weeks to months | Weeks to months | Days to weeks | Weeks |
| Shadow AI discovery | Built-in from day one | Bolt-on feature | Limited | Basic | Basic |
| Developer / AI tool visibility | Optional Desktop Agent (real coverage) | Weak | Weak | Very limited | Very limited |
| Browser-level usage | Optional privacy-first extension | Requires full proxy | Requires full proxy | Not available | Not available |
| Agents required | None (Core setup) | Heavy network agents | Heavy proxy agents | Microsoft agents | Multiple agents |
| Platform bloat | None — just discovery | Full CASB + DLP + threats | Full Zero Trust platform | Full Microsoft security suite | Full Prisma Cloud suite |
| Pricing model | Lightweight & transparent | Enterprise contract | Enterprise contract | Bundled with Microsoft E5 | Enterprise contract |
| Privacy & control | Local processing on extension | Constant network monitoring | Constant network monitoring | Tied to Microsoft ecosystem | Heavy data collection |
| Time to initial inventory | Typically within 24 hours | 1–3 months | 1–3 months | 2–6 weeks | 1–3 months |
Porcia was built to answer one question extremely well:
"What is actually being used in this company?"
Everything else — the network proxies, the DLP engines, the policy frameworks, the six-month implementation timelines — is optional.
The others were built to sell you an entire security department. Discovery is just one small feature they bundle to justify the massive contract.
Netskope & Zscaler
They require routing all corporate web traffic through their proxy infrastructure just to see app usage patterns.
Microsoft Defender
Only works effectively if your organization is already entirely locked inside the Microsoft E5 licensing ecosystem.
Palo Alto Prisma
Positions SaaS visibility as a tiny component designed to pull you into their broader cloud security suite.
Where Porcia actually wins.
Start with connected signals
Start with email and SSO signals. Optional browser and desktop coverage can add context. Coverage depends on the sources you connect.
We actually built for Shadow AI
While the others are retrofitting AI detection into platforms designed before generative AI existed, Porcia tracks AI tools across email, SSO, browser activity, and developer configurations.
We give you control
Our browser extension processes logs locally for privacy. Our desktop agent is optional and lightweight. You decide how much visibility you want — not us.
We respect your time and budget
Set up in about 5 minutes. The initial inventory is typically available within 24 hours, depending on connected sources. No implementation team required for core discovery.
The bottom line
If you want…
A massive, multi-function security platform + network filtering + complex data loss prevention
If you want…
Clean, accurate, immediate SaaS and AI discovery — done right, in minutes, without the bloat
We're not here to replace your entire security stack. We're here to finally show you what's actually running — without making you buy an army to get a scout.
Stop overpaying for visibility you should've had from day one.
Set up in about 5 minutes. Your initial inventory is typically available within 24 hours, depending on connected sources.
No credit card required. No sales call needed.