In 2025, more IT teams are re-evaluating their tech stack—and BetterCloud is often on the list. A combination of rising subscription costs, platform complexity, and limited support for broader SaaS ecosystems has prompted many organizations to look elsewhere. Zenphi’s team conducted a research on Bettercloud alternatives based on budget limitations and platforms compatibility requirements you might have. This is what we found.
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BetterCloud Alternatives Selection Criteria
In 2025, more IT teams are re-evaluating their tech stack—and BetterCloud is often on the list. A combination of rising subscription costs, platform complexity, and limited support for broader SaaS ecosystems has prompted many organizations to look elsewhere and consider an alternative to BetterCloud. As budgets tighten and SaaS usage grows, teams are prioritizing tools that offer greater flexibility, deeper security capabilities, and more transparent pricing.
To help you navigate this shifting landscape, we evaluated leading alternatives to BetterCloud using the following criteria:
- User access controls (automated provisioning, deprovisioning, RBAC)
- Security monitoring (external file sharing, email forwarding, shadow IT visibility)
- Platform support for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or both
- Affordability vs. enterprise-grade capabilities
- Vertical-oriented platforms (built for SaaS) vs vertical agnostic solutions
We drew insights from vendor documentation presented on their websites, expert and user reviews on platforms such as Capterra and Software Advice, as well as platform comparisons on various websites and directories. Whether you’re a large enterprise or a lean IT team, this guide will help you identify the most viable BetterCloud alternatives in 2025—without the price tag shock.
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BetterCloud Alternatives in 2025: Security and Access Control Solutions
Enterprise-Level Solutions
1. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (Enterprise CASB by Microsoft)
- Key Features
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly MCAS) is a cloud access security broker that provides deep visibility and control over SaaS use. It offers machine-learning threat detection, classic DLP framework, compliance policy enforcement, and shadow IT discovery via Cloud Discovery logs.
For example, it can detect when users share sensitive files externally or set up suspicious email forwarding rules. Admins can define policies to automatically block risky activities (e.g. downloading on unmanaged devices) and label or quarantine sensitive data.
- Strengths
This solution integrates natively with Microsoft 365’s ecosystem – it’s particularly strong for Office 365 scenarios. It provides a central dashboard for SaaS security posture and leverages Microsoft’s extensive threat intelligence (over 90 risk factors and thousands of app risk ratings). A notable strength is real-time session control for web apps (allowing, for instance, blocking downloads or applying encryption on the fly). It also includes an OAuth app governance add-on to manage third-party app access to corporate data.
- Pricing & Target:
Commonly included in Microsoft 365 E5 or sold as a separate add-on, it is aimed at large enterprises that demand granular controls and have high compliance needs. Pricing is enterprise-oriented (negotiated via Microsoft sales); smaller organizations would need to purchase it as part of a premium security bundle – making it less cost-effective for SMB.
- Platform Support:
It naturally covers Microsoft 365 (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, etc.) and can also monitor third-party apps like Google Workspace and others via API connectors. This cross-platform support means a company using Google Workspace for collaboration, for example, can onboard Google into Defender to get unified alerts and apply policies to Google Drive and Gmail as well.
- Defender vs BetterCloud:
Unlike BetterCloud (which excels at SaaS administration and workflow automation across apps), Microsoft’s solution is security-first. It offers advanced anomaly detection (e.g. impossible travel logins, ransomware behavior) that BetterCloud lacks, and tight integration with Azure AD/Defender suite for a holistic security approach.
2. Netskope Security Cloud (Enterprise CASB/SASE by Netskope)
- Key Features
Netskope is a leading cloud security platform that includes a top-rated CASB. It gives full visibility into cloud app usage (managed and unmanaged apps) and granular control over data. Key capabilities include DLP across SaaS, IaaS, and web traffic, advanced malware detection for cloud.
Netskope can enforce security policies in real-time via proxy or API: for example, it can block a user from sharing a Google Drive file publicly or detect and stop downloads of sensitive files to unmanaged devices.
It also has a large library of app signatures (>36,000 apps covered) to identify “shadow IT” cloud services employees might be using without approval storage/email, and user behavior analytics
- Strengths
Netskope is known for rich integration and comprehensive coverage. It provides a unified console showing all cloud traffic, users, and devices in one place.
which is valuable for SOC teams. It integrates with many third-party solutions (SIEM, EDR, SSO, etc.) via its Cloud Exchange, enhancing an enterprise’s overall security ecosystem.
Its DLP is robust (supporting encryption and custom key management) and it has strong threat intelligence feeds (40+ sources) to spot anomalies.
Role-based admin controls make it suitable for large teams (differentiating super-admin, analysts, etc.)
- Pricing & Target:
Netskope is sold as an annual subscription per user. Precise pricing is custom-quoted, but it is targeted at large enterprises (thousands of users). Mid-market companies may find Netskope’s total cost high once all modules (CASB, Secure Web Gateway, etc.) are included. Its typical customers are in the enterprise (5,000+ employees) range who value the integration of CASB into a broader Security Service Edge platform.
- Platform Support:
Netskope supports both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 natively, alongside many other SaaS applications. For Google, it secures Drive, Gmail, Google Chat, etc., and for Microsoft it covers OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange Online, Teams, etc. It can also secure other major apps like Salesforce, Box, Slack, ServiceNow, and even custom cloud apps.
- Netscope vs BetterCloud:
Netskope’s focus is on real-time security enforcement and deep analytics, whereas BetterCloud focuses on IT process automation. Netskope can actually block or intercept user actions in real time (for instance preventing a file download or login based on device posture) – BetterCloud cannot do inline blocking, it acts after the fact via APIs. Moreover, Netskope’s shadow IT discovery (via analyzing network logs or agent data to find any cloud app usage) far exceeds BetterCloud’s scope, which typically only sees apps that are connected via SSO or IT-sanctioned. In contrast, BetterCloud’s differentiator is its workflow engine: for example, automatically removing a user from multiple SaaS apps during offboarding, or resetting permissions on files on a schedule – tasks that Netskope doesn’t handle (Netskope would flag the violations, but not orchestrate multi-app admin changes like account deprovisioning). In summary, large enterprises with a strong need for security enforcement and shadow IT control lean toward Netskope
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More Affordable Solutions
3. SpinOne (Spin.AI SaaS Security Platform)
- Key Features
SpinOne is an all-in-one SaaS security platform designed to protect data in Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and other apps. It combines SaaS security with backup and recovery. Key features include:
- SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM): full visibility into SaaS data sharing, misconfigurations, and user activity. It can detect risky file shares (like Google Drive files shared publicly or outside the domain) and flag or automatically revoke them
- Data Leak Prevention (DLP): SpinOne scans for sensitive information and policy violations, then allows one-click or automated remediation (e.g., remove a collaborator or change a document’s sharing link if it violates policy).
- Ransomware Detection & Response: a standout feature – SpinOne uses AI to detect ransomware encryption in cloud accounts and can halt an ongoing attack and recover data from backups
- Third-Party App Risk Management: SpinOne audits OAuth apps connected to Google/M365 accounts (shadow IT via OAuth) and assigns risk scores.
- Automated Backup & Restore: It provides daily backups for Gmail/Exchange, Google Drive/OneDrive, etc., and allows granular restore, serving as a safety net against data loss.
- Strengths
SpinOne’s strength lies in breadth of functionality for the price. It addresses security (through monitoring, DLP, threat response) and operational resilience (through backup), which means one subscription covers multiple IT needs. Users praise its ease of use and straightforward policy setup. – the interface is friendly for IT generalists. It’s also cloud-native and agentless, so deployment is very quick (just connect via API to your Google or Microsoft tenant). For mid-size companies, SpinOne can significantly reduce risk: one review noted it “provides easy-to-configure policies and reliable backups, streamlining cloud data protection”. nother strength is customer support, often highlighted in reviews as very responsive
- Pricing & Target:
SpinOne is more affordable than enterprise CASBs or BetterCloud. Pricing is typically on a per-user, per-year basis. While exact figures depend on the package (and they often tailor quotes), competitor analysis suggests its cost is in the mid single-digit dollars per user per month (in the $5-10/user/month range).
It offers a free trial and even a limited free tier for a small number of users, making it accessible to try. The target market is mid-market companies and even SMBs: organizations with tens to a few thousand users that need SaaS security and backup without enterprise complexity. SpinOne is used in sectors like education, tech startups, and any resource-constrained IT teams that want “one tool to do it all.”
- Platform Support:
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are fully supported (SpinOne integrates via OAuth/API with Google and via Graph API with Microsoft). This includes Gmail/Exchange Online, Google Drive/OneDrive, Calendars, Contacts, and even Google Chat/Teams to some extent. SpinOne also supports Salesforce and Slack, which indicates it can extend protection to other major cloud apps beyond just Google/M365.
- SpinOne vs BetterCloud:
SpinOne and BetterCloud have some overlap (both can remove risky file shares or suspicious email forwards), but SpinOne’s biggest differentiator is its data protection focus – the built-in backup and ransomware rollback. BetterCloud does not offer backup recovery; if a file is deleted or encrypted, BetterCloud can’t restore it, whereas SpinOne can.
Also, SpinOne’s ransomware and anomaly detection capabilities provide security value out-of-the-box – BetterCloud tends to rely on admins setting up their own workflows for alerts, rather than detecting anomalies with AI. In terms of user management automation, BetterCloud is stronger (SpinOne isn’t typically used for onboarding/offboarding across apps or setting up complex multi-app workflows). SpinOne is often chosen by organizations that might not have a full IT automation team but do need to cover the basics of cloud security and backup in one affordable solution.
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4. Zenphi — Flexible, Scalable Automation for Google Workspace-Centric Teams
- Key Features
If your organization runs on Google Workspace and is looking for a powerful alternative to BetterCloud, Zenphi is a standout. It offers the flexibility of Apps Script with none of the coding—empowering IT teams to build highly customized security and user access workflows tailored to their exact needs.
Just like enterprize-level tools, Zenphi can easily help IT teams to detect when users share sensitive files externally or set up suspicious email forwarding rules. Using Zenphi, Google admins can define policies to automatically block risky activities (e.g. downloading on unmanaged devices), automate file visibility change alerts and provide role-based access to sensitive data in Google environment and beyond. What makes Zenphi stand out:
- Built for Google Workspace IT, but not limited to it Zenphi was designed from the ground up to automate IT processes in Google-centric environments—user provisioning, access revocation, delegated inbox monitoring, external file audits, and more. But unlike rigid platforms, Zenphi gives you full workflow customization capabilities, allowing for laser-focused automation that fits your exact policies.
- Vertical-agnostic, department-inclusive While many tools like DoControl are security-only or IT-only, Zenphi lets you build automations that include other departments—like HR, Legal, or Procurement—when their input is needed in workflows (e.g., access reviews, compliance checks, or approvals). This makes Zenphi ideal for cross-functional workflows that still meet security goals.
- No-code agility with technical depth Zenphi delivers the agility of Apps Script without needing to write a single line of code. With Zenphi, you can call any external API, use webhooks, build multi-step logic flows, and branch actions based on conditions. This means you’re not boxed in by predefined templates—you can build precisely what your team needs, when you need it.
- Rich ecosystem of integrations Zenphi includes 100+ native integrations with systems across departments—CRMs (like Salesforce and Zoho), bookkeeping tools (like Xero), e-signature platforms (like DocuSign), and legal tech. This goes far beyond what traditional SaaS management platforms offer.
- Strengths
Zenphi’s primary strength is automation width and simplicity at the same time. It provides an scalable solution to enhance your security processes through highly customizable and easy to build workflows. Unlike tools focused only on security (e.g., DoControl), Zenphi supports business processes involving multiple departments while maintaining strong security controls. All in all, Zenphi provides access to enterprise (BetterCloud level) capabilities, while remaining SMB friendly. It can handle complex enterprise-grade automations but remains approachable for lean IT teams thanks to prebuilt templates and drag-and-drop design.
- Pricing & Target:
Unlike BetterCloud, Zenphi does not charge per user. You pay based on the number of workflows and operations you run, which means you can scale at your own pace without unexpected jumps in cost as your headcount grows. It’s ideal for teams that need enterprise power without the enterprise pricing structure.
- Platform Support:
Zenphi provides a native support for Google Workspace. However, the platform also has plenty of actions that address the needs of Microsoft users and allow them to automate Google Drive to Share drive data exchange, automate OneDrive and SharePoint, Excel Online, Teams, Outlook, Word Document approvals and more.
- Zenphi vs BetterCloud:
Unlike BetterCloud, Zenphi lets you build any logic you need—from a simple file permission reset to a cross-department employee onboarding process with HRIS data extraction—with no coding. BetterCloud’s automation is more limited to preset actions and integrations.
Pricing is obviously is a big differentiator as well. BetterCloud’s per-user pricing often becomes expensive at scale, while Zenphi’s workflow-based pricing grows more predictably and allows companies expand automations at their own pace.
A strong part of Zenphi is that it is not just IT-focused. Zenphi can bring HR, finance, legal, and other teams into the workflow. Which is in most cases is the reality, as IT doesn’t exist in isolation, and IT teams also need to approve expenses and leaves, go through legal to onboard a vendor etc.
Zenphi also has stronger integration capabilities. It supports any system via API, including tools outside the SaaS management space (legal, accounting, etc.), while BetterCloud focuses on managing SaaS apps it directly integrates with.
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4. DoControl (No-Code SaaS Security Platform)
- Key Features
DoControl is a dedicated SaaS Security Platform focused on preventing data breaches due to unauthorized access or sharing. Its hallmark is a no-code policy builder that lets IT or security teams automate responses to SaaS risks. Key capabilities include:
- Comprehensive Visibility: It connects to apps like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Slack, Box, and others to inventory all files, folders, and sharing links, as well as map out which users and external parties have access to what data.
- Threat Detection: DoControl uses policy-based and anomaly-based detection to flag things like sensitive data exposure (e.g., files with PII shared publicly), insider threats or misuse (mass downloads, permission changes by departing users), and suspicious OAuth applications.
- Automated Remediation Workflows: A standout feature – administrators can configure if/then workflows to remediate issues automatically. For instance, “If a file in Drive marked Confidential is shared outside the company, remove the external share and notify Security,” or “If any user creates a mail forwarding rule to an external domain, immediately disable that rule.” These actions can run without manual intervention, or with an approval step. DoControl emphasizes that these workflows are easy to create via a visual interface, no coding or scripting needed.
- Identity and Access Management Integration: It can integrate with identity providers and chat platforms to involve end-users in the remediation loop. For example, if DoControl finds an external collaborator on a file, it could message the file owner on Slack to confirm if that share is intentional, and if not, automatically remove it.
- Strengths
DoConrol states that the primary strength of their tool is automation simplicity. Reviews and descriptions note it provides “granular, cost-effective security policy enforcement” through easy workflows. It’s cloud-native and agentless, so setup is quick – typically just API connectors and read/write permissions to your SaaS apps. This makes it appealing to lean IT teams.
- Pricing & Target:
Pricing for DoControl is not publicly listed in detail, but it is positioned as more affordable than traditional CASB solutions – aiming at the mid-market that finds CASBs too expensive or complex. It’s delivered as a SaaS subscription, priced per user or per number of SaaS assets.
- Platform Support:
DoControl supports a range of popular platforms – Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are fully supported (covering Drive, Gmail, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.), as are collaboration tools like Slack and Box. It also supports Salesforce and can likely integrate with other apps via APIs. Essentially, it focuses on where data lives (file storage, CRM, messaging) and has connectors for those.
- DoControl vs BetterCloud:
DoControl is in many ways aiming to solve a similar problem to BetterCloud (securing SaaS through automation), but it leans even more into security use-cases whereas BetterCloud straddles IT operations and security.
A key differentiator is that DoControl was built with no-code security workflows at its core – this is something BetterCloud also has, but BetterCloud’s workflows address admin tasks broadly (for example, creation of a Slack channel or updating a user’s profile can be a BetterCloud workflow). DoControl’s workflows are more action-focused: e.g., file access, sharing, OAuth app actions.
Making the Switch: Choosing the Right BetterCloud Alternative for 2025
As pricing for security workflow automation platforms like BetterCloud continues to rise, IT leaders are rethinking their toolkit. And the 2025 market offers compelling alternatives.
From security-first platforms like Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Netskope, to agile, automation-driven tools like DoControl, SpinOne, and Zenphi, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on your ecosystem, security needs, automation goals, and budget flexibility.
For Google Workspace–centric teams in particular, Zenphi offers a uniquely powerful blend of deep security automation, no-code customization, and cross-functional workflow support—without locking you into per-user pricing.
Whichever direction you choose, the key is to find a solution that scales with your needs, aligns with your stack, and gives your team the control and visibility they need—without overpaying for features you don’t use.
