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10 Best Security Tools in 2026

By Toolradar Team · Updated February 2026

Security and compliance tools

Key Takeaways
  • Proton VPN is our #1 pick for security in 2026, scoring 89/100.
  • We analyzed 10 security tools to create this ranking.
  • 4 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 17/100 — high-quality category.

How the Top Security Tools Compare

In 2026, Proton VPN leads the security category with an editorial score of 89/100, 10 points ahead of Carbonite (79/100) and Feedzai (N/A/100). Proton VPN — Privacy-focused VPN by Proton.

Pricing varies significantly among the top picks: Proton VPN (freemium (free tier available)), Descope (freemium (free tier available)) offer free access, while Carbonite and Feedzai require a paid subscription. Teams on a budget should start with Proton VPN, which scores 89/100 despite its free tier.

1
Proton VPN logo

Proton VPN

Privacy-focused VPN by Proton

89/100
Freemium4.8 community score

Proton VPN offers Swiss-based privacy protection with a strict no-logs policy and open-source apps. The free tier provides unlimited bandwidth while paid plans unlock faster servers in 60+ countries. Security-conscious users trust Proton's transparent approach and integration with the broader Proton privacy ecosystem.

2
Carbonite logo

Carbonite

Automatic cloud backup

79/100
Paid

Carbonite is a cloud backup service that automatically protects your files and data. Set it once and Carbonite continuously backs up your computers in the background. Recover files from any computer or mobile device. Features include file versioning, external drive backup, and ransomware protection. Carbonite offers plans for home users and businesses with server backup capabilities. Simple, set-and-forget protection for your important data.

3
Feedzai logo

Feedzai

AI-native platform for real-time fraud, scam, and money laundering prevention in financial services.

Paid

Feedzai is an AI-native fraud and financial crime prevention platform designed for banks, payment service providers, merchant acquirers, and government agencies. It provides an end-to-end solution covering the entire financial crime lifecycle, from account opening to fraud prevention and AML compliance. The platform leverages behavioral analytics and AI-based individual risk profiles to detect and prevent various types of financial crime, including transaction fraud, scams, and money laundering, in real-time. The platform aims to reduce fraud losses, decrease false positives, and improve the efficiency of compliance operations without adding friction for legitimate customers. It supports new payment types, multiple channels, and scores transactions in real-time, making it suitable for diverse financial environments. Feedzai helps organizations modernize their defenses, enhance digital trust, and ensure secure transactions while adapting to evolving threats.

4
Descope logo

Descope

Passwordless authentication and user management

Freemium

Descope is an authentication platform that enables passwordless login through passkeys, magic links, social login, and other methods. Provides drag-and-drop flows for user journeys.

5
OneLogin logo

OneLogin

Identity and access management platform

Paid

OneLogin is a cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution providing single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication, and user provisioning for enterprise applications.

6
Ping Identity logo

Ping Identity

Enterprise identity security solutions

Paid

Ping Identity provides enterprise identity and access management solutions including SSO, MFA, and API security. Designed for large organizations with complex security requirements.

7
JumpCloud logo

JumpCloud

Open directory platform for IT teams

Freemium

JumpCloud is a cloud directory platform that unifies identity, access, and device management. Provides SSO, MFA, device management, and directory services from a single platform.

8
Sigstore logo

Sigstore

A free, open source service for signing, verifying, and protecting software supply chains.

Free

Sigstore is a free, open-source service designed to enhance the security of software supply chains. It provides tools and infrastructure for developers to cryptographically sign software artifacts, such as release files, container images, and binaries. This signing process creates a verifiable record of who built the software and what was included, making it difficult for attackers to tamper with code without detection. Sigstore aims to make software signing accessible and easy to use for all developers, eliminating the need for complex key management. It integrates with existing CI/CD pipelines and offers transparency logs for immutable, publicly auditable records of all signing events. This ensures that consumers of software can verify the authenticity and integrity of the software they use, mitigating risks like supply chain attacks and unauthorized modifications. The service is primarily for developers, open-source projects, and organizations that need to secure their software delivery process. By providing a robust and transparent mechanism for software provenance, Sigstore helps build trust in the software ecosystem and reduces the attack surface for malicious actors.

9
Hyperproof logo

Hyperproof

Reinvent GRC with an intelligent, AI-powered platform for compliance, risk, and audit management.

Paid

Hyperproof is an AI-powered Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platform designed to transform GRC from a cost center into a growth engine. It centralizes compliance, risk, and security workflows, enabling organizations to streamline operations, mitigate risks, and build trust with stakeholders. The platform offers modules for Comply and Mitigate. The Comply module helps organizations establish continuous compliance at scale by automating control operations, mapping controls across frameworks, and managing policies. The Mitigate module provides complete visibility into an organization's risk posture, continuously monitoring threats, accelerating mitigation, and safeguarding business performance in real time, including centralized vendor risk management. Hyperproof is ideal for businesses looking to manage complex GRC requirements, reduce manual processes, and improve their security and compliance posture.

10
Digimarc logo

Digimarc

Providing a trust layer for physical products and digital content through advanced identification.

Paid

Digimarc offers a comprehensive platform for product digitization, enabling the identification, authentication, and protection of both physical goods and digital information. It addresses the growing need for verifiable authenticity and tamper detection in an AI-driven world where trust is increasingly challenged. The platform creates a 'digital twin' for every product, connecting physical items and packaging to a cloud-based record of their journey and interactions, utilizing various data carriers like digital watermarks, QR codes, RFID, and NFC. This solution is designed for a wide range of industries including retail, pharmaceuticals, media, consumer packaged goods, and government. It helps combat issues such as counterfeiting, fraud, piracy, and supply chain inefficiencies. By embedding robust, often covert, digital signals into products and content, Digimarc provides businesses with critical intelligence for authenticity verification, leak detection, internal compliance, and enhanced consumer engagement.

Best Security For

Related Categories

What is Security Software?

Security and compliance tools

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the security software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best security tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Editor's Take

“After evaluating 10 security tools, Proton VPN stands out with a score of 89/100, leading Carbonite (79/100) by 10 points. For budget-conscious teams, Proton VPN (89/100, free tier available) delivers strong value without the price tag. The security market is competitive — the gap between top tools is narrower than ever, so the best choice comes down to your team's specific workflow and priorities.”

— Toolradar Editorial Team · February 2026

Security Software: Key Data Points

10+
Tools analyzed on Toolradar
4
Offer free or freemium plans
89/100
Top editorial score

The security software market continues to grow as businesses prioritize digital transformation. According to Toolradar's analysis across 10+ products, 40% of security tools offer free or freemium plans, making it accessible for teams of all sizes. The top-rated tools average a score of 34/100, with Proton VPN leading at 89/100.

Common Features of Security Software

Automation

Automate repetitive security tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Security Software?

Security software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex security needs
Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Security Software

When evaluating security tools, consider these key factors:

  1. 1Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. 2Consider your budget. 4 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including Proton VPN and Descope.
  3. 3Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. 4Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. 5Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best security software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, Proton VPN ranks as the #1 security tool in 2026 with a score of 89/100. Other top-rated options include Carbonite and Feedzai.

Are there free security tools available?

Yes! Proton VPN, Descope, JumpCloud offer free plans. In total, 4 of the top 10 security tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank security tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in security software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Types of Security Software

Explore specialized subcategories within security:

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank security tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

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