Absolute Secure Web Gateway vs DefensX: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)

Absolute Secure Web Gateway

SMB and mid-market teams without a dedicated threat intelligence operation should pick Absolute Secure Web Gateway for its remote browser isolation model, which stops zero-day exploits before they reach endpoints rather than hoping detection catches them afterward. The five incremental protection levels let you tune policy granularity per user or group without overhauling your whole security stack, and NIST PR.DS coverage confirms data loss prevention is genuinely integrated, not bolted on. Skip this if you need network-wide lateral movement detection; Absolute prioritizes web-layer containment and DLP over post-compromise hunting.

DefensX

MSPs protecting SMB and mid-market clients need DefensX primarily for its browser isolation that doesn't require endpoint agents, letting you secure legacy Windows systems and BYOD devices without deployment friction. The platform covers four NIST CSF 2.0 functions (Platform Security, Data Security, Identity Management, and Continuous Monitoring), which is uncommon for browser isolation tools that typically excel only at perimeter defense. Skip this if you're an enterprise buyer expecting advanced threat hunting or post-compromise investigation; DefensX prioritizes blocking over forensics and lacks the depth of a full EDR layer.