Ava AbbottCrowdStrike is a cloud-based cybersecurity software company based in Sunnyvale, California. The company was founded in 2012 by George Kurtz, Dmitri Alperovitch, and Gregg Marston to provide cloud workload and endpoint security, threat intelligence, and cyberattack response services. In Jun 2019, CrowdStrike went public in a $612-million IPO.
CrowdStrike exploited skyrocketing demand for cloud-based cybersecurity protection in 2020 and 2021, driven by work-from-home and remote workforce trends. The company’s revenue surged by 82% in fiscal 2021 to $874.4 million. For fiscal 2022, CrowdStrike expects total sales to jump about 64%. The cybersecurity firm has 3,394 employees. [1]
CrowdStrike redefined security with an endpoint and workload protection platform that offers real-time protection and visibility across the enterprise. The CrowdStrike Falcon platform leverages cloud-scale AI, preventing attacks on endpoints and workloads. This solution is powered by the proprietary CrowdStrike Threat Graph and captures about 1 trillion high-fidelity signals daily in real-time from across the globe.
In Dec 2021, CrowdStrike named the top company in the 2021 Fortune Future 50 list. CrowdStrike faces strong competitors like Cisco, McAfee, Microsoft, Symantec, Sophos, and FireEye. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of top CrowdStrike’s competitors and alternatives:
1. Cisco
Year founded: 1984
Headquarter: San Jose, California
Cisco is a multinational tech company that offers communication equipment, networking software and hardware, and cybersecurity solutions. The company disrupted the tech sector by pioneering the concept of a local area network (LAN), linking distant computers wirelessly. In 2021, Cisco had a market cap of $192 billion and generated $49.8 billion in revenue. [3]
The main competitive advantage for Cisco over CrowdStrike is its end-to-end business solutions, including Voice-over-IP, hosted collaboration tools, and network emergency response.
In 2020, Cisco acquired Acacia for $4.5 billion. The company also owns OpenDNS, WebEx, Jabber, and Jasper. Its networking products systems enable 85% of global Internet traffic. Cisco is a formidable competitor for CrowdStrike.
2. McAfee
Year founded: 1987
Headquarter: San Jose, California
McAfee is a cybersecurity company that offers device-to-cloud solutions. The company has over 18 million subscribers and 7,000 employees across 43 locations globally. In 2020, McAfee added 2.8 million new subscribers and generated $2.91 billion in revenue.
McAfee went public in Oct 2020 in a $740 million IPO. The company is restructuring to become a pure-play consumer cybersecurity provider. In Jul 2021, McAfee sold its Enterprise assets to Symphony Technology Group for $4.0 billion to focus on cybersecurity. This strategy increases McAfee’s competitive advantage over CrowdStrike. [4]
3. Symantec
Year founded: 1984
Headquarter: Tempe, Arizona
Symantec is an endpoint protection and security software suite offered by Broadcom Inc. This solution consists of anti-malware, intrusion prevention, and a firewall. In 2019, Symantec’s enterprise security business was acquired by Broadcom for $10.7 billion.
In Jun 2021, Broadcom launched Adaptive Protection as part of the Symantec Endpoint Security solution. This advanced functionality leverages the latest machine learning techniques to deliver automated security customized to users’ environments. As a subsidiary of Broadcom, Symantec has enough resources to challenge CrowdStrike. [5]
4. FireEye
Year founded: 2004
Headquarter: Milpitas, California
FireEye is a cybersecurity firm that blends nation-state-grade solutions and works as an extension of the customer’s security operations. The company offers cybersecurity technologies, AI-based threat intelligence, and consulting.
For FY 2021, FireEye’s annualized recurring revenue was $638 million. Its platform, cloud subscription, and managed services generated $340 million.
Both FireEye and CrowdStrike specialize in cybersecurity technologies. FireEye also offers security consulting services via Mandiant to help companies anticipate and prevent cyberattacks. More than 10,100 customers from around 103 countries rely on FireEye’s cybersecurity solutions. FireEye is one of the best CrowdStrike alternatives for cybersecurity. [6]
5. VMWare Carbon Black
Year founded: 2002
Headquarter: Waltham, Massachusetts
VMware Carbon Black is a cybersecurity firm that offers cloud-native endpoint security. Its solutions detect malicious behavior and help organizations prevent cyberattacks. In 2021, Carbon Black had around 1,000 employees.
Carbon Black Cloud offers SaaS-delivered solutions for threat prevention and automatic attack detection. The platform leverages a Zero Trust strategy, allowing for risk-based security policies. In Aug 2021, VMware Carbon Black Cloud was named a Leader in the Forrester Wave Endpoint Security SaaS. Carbon Black is one of the top CrowdStrike competitors in the endpoint security software market. [7]
6. Sophos
Year founded: 1985
Headquarter: Abingdon, UK
Sophos is a worldwide leader in next-generation cybersecurity. The company develops security software and hardware products for communication endpoint, encryption, and threat management. In 2021, Sophos served more than 400,000 organizations in more than 150 countries.
Sophos provides network, email, and mobile security software to organizations with 100 to 5,000 employees. Its cloud-native and AI-powered solutions, powered by SophosLabs and SophosAI.
These products secure endpoints and networks against today’s most advanced cyber threats and cybercriminal tactics. In Dec 2021, Sophos was named Security Vendor of the Year by Channel Partner Insight. Sophos is one of the best CrowdStrike alternatives for endpoint and network security. [8]
7. Microsoft
Year founded: 1975
Headquarter: Redmond, Washington
Microsoft is a multinational tech company that develops and sells computer systems, software, and electronics. The company also offers cybersecurity solutions via the Azure cloud platform, competing with CrowdStrike’s solutions. In fiscal 2021, Microsoft’s revenue increased 18% to $168 billion.
Microsoft is the leader in enterprise solutions. But its customers are migrating to competitors due to its legacy security products.
In 2021, a Fortune 500 company switched from Microsoft to CrowdStrike after facing ransomware attacks, weeks of disruption, and losses in the tens-to-hundreds of millions of dollars. However, Microsoft’s comprehensive productivity tools and solutions can still poach some customers from CrowdStrike. [9]
8. SentinelOne
Year founded: 2013
Headquarter: Mountain View, California
SentinelOne is a cybersecurity startup that delivers autonomous endpoint protection. Its solutions help companies prevent, detect, and respond to attacks across all vectors. In 2021, SentinelOne had 700 employees and saw a 131% increase in annualized recurring revenue to $237 million.
SentinelOne and CrowdStrike compete in the $14-billion endpoint security industry. According to projections, CrowdStrike’s revenue growth will decelerate from 60% in 2021 to 36% in 2022. In Jul 2021, CrowdStrike blamed SentinelOne’s low prices for impeding its profitability. SentinelOne’s growth outpaces CrowdStrike’s.
The company’s customer base grew around 75% to over 5,400 customers, while CrowdStrike added 1,660 new subscribers to reach 13,080 subscription customers. SentinelOne is the top CrowdStrike competitor in the endpoint security sector. [10]
9. Palo Alto Networks
Year founded: 2005
Headquarter: Santa Clara, California
Palo Alto Networks is a global cybersecurity provider. The company’s cloud-centric solutions use advanced AI, analytics, automation, and orchestration to address security challenges. In 2021, Palo Alto’s revenue increased by 25% to $5.325 billion.
Palo Alto delivers an integrated platform, empowering tens of thousands of organizations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Its innovative adoption of AI and fast-growing ecosystem of partners can entice companies of all sizes. Palo Alto Networks is one of the top CrowdStrike competitors. [11]
10. Fortinet
Year founded: 2000
Headquarter: Sunnyvale, California
Fortinet is a multinational firm that develops and sells cybersecurity solutions. The company offers physical firewalls, antivirus, intrusion prevention systems, and endpoint security solutions. As of Sep 2021, Fortinet had 9,700 employees with $2.59 billion in revenue.
Fortinet accelerates the digital journeys for more than 530,000 customers, including enterprises, service providers, and government organizations. Its clients can use the Fortinet Security Fabric platform to access automated protections across the entire digital attack surface.
In Nov 2021, Fortinet was named a Leader in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Firewalls for the twelfth time. Fortinet is one of the most innovative CrowdStrike competitors. [12]
11. Securonix
Year founded: 2008
Headquarter: Addison, Texas
Securonix is a security analytics platform that uses computer-based training to detect, verify, and respond to cyber threats. This cloud-based cybersecurity platform also offers General Availability (GA) products. In 2021, Securonix made $60 million in revenue. The company added around 200 employees in 2021 and now has more than 600 employees.
In Mar 2021, Securonix raised $24 million in new funding round, bringing its total to $65 million. Thousands of organizations rely on Securonix to extract security insights from raw log data using super-enriched data, superfast search, and visualizations. Securonix is one of the top CrowdStrike competitors. [13]
References & more information
- Rossolillo, N. (2021, Jan 6). Why CrowdStrike Holdings Stock Fell 3% in 2021. The Motley Fool
- Benacci, K. (2021, Dec 2). CrowdStrike Ranked Number One on 2021 Fortune Future 50 List. Business Wire
- Alsop, T. (2021, Aug 26). Revenue Cisco Systems 2006-2021. Statista
- Fleites, E. (2021, Jul 27). McAfee Completes the Divestiture of Its Enterprise Business to STG. McAfee Press
- Broadcom Inc. (2021, Jun 2). Broadcom Pioneers Adaptive Protection to Maximize Endpoint Security. Globe Newswire
- FireEye, Inc. (2021, Jul 9). FireEye to announce Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results on Aug 5, 2021. Business Wire
- VMware (2021, Aug 10). VMware Carbon Black Named a Leader in the Forrester Wave Endpoint Security SaaS 2021. VMware Press
- Sophos (2021, Dec 1). Channel Partner Insight honors Sophos for innovative new offerings that advance the channel. Partner News
- Novinson, M. (2021, Aug 31). Fortune 500 Firm Drops Microsoft for CrowdStrike After Attack. CRN
- Cohan, P. (2021, Sep 19). SentinelOne’s 101% Revenue Growth Outpaces CrowdStrike’s. Forbes
- Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (2021, Aug 23). Palo Alto Networks Reports Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results. PRNewswire
- Fortinet, Inc. (2021, Nov 8). Fortinet Again Named a Leader in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Firewalls. Globe Newswire
- Womack, B. (2021, Mar 10). Addison tech company lands $24M investment from Capital One. Business Journal
- Featured Image by Adi Goldstein
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Kevin Johnson
S.K. Gupta
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