
Valence Security has carved out a niche in the SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) space by focusing on SaaS-to-SaaS integrations and third-party app connections. But as organizations evaluate their options, many are discovering that Valence's strengths come with significant trade-offs, particularly around data protection, pricing transparency, and coverage breadth.
Whether you're evaluating Valence for the first time or looking to replace it with a more comprehensive solution, this guide breaks down the top alternatives and what each actually delivers.
Before diving into competitors, it's important to understand where Valence falls short for many teams:
Data security isn't the focus. Industry analysts consistently note that while Valence excels at configuration and identity visibility, data access governance and DLP aren't primary capabilities. Organizations whose top priority is preventing sensitive data exposure often find Valence lacking the granular, content-aware controls they need.
Enterprise pricing creates barriers. According to Vendr transaction data, Valence's average annual cost is approximately $78,000, with contracts ranging up to $101,000. This enterprise-only pricing model, with no published tiers, makes it inaccessible for mid-market organizations and difficult to budget for anyone.
Limited coverage for niche applications. Gartner Peer Insights reviewers note that Valence "works with major vendors like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack" but has "limited coverage for niche or custom SaaS applications." Organizations with diverse SaaS stacks find themselves with persistent blind spots.
Small market presence. With only 3.4% mindshare in the SSPM category according to PeerSpot, Valence remains a smaller player in a competitive market. This raises questions about long-term viability and innovation pace compared to larger, better-funded competitors.
Integration-focused, not security-complete. Valence's strength in SaaS-to-SaaS integration monitoring doesn't translate to comprehensive security posture management. Teams still need additional tools to address the full spectrum of SaaS risks.
When evaluating SSPM platforms, prioritize:
Best for: Complete SaaS security with transparent pricing and immediate results
Perimeters delivers what security teams actually need: comprehensive SaaS visibility, automated remediation, and transparent pricing, all without the enterprise sales cycle that Valence requires.
While Valence focuses narrowly on SaaS-to-SaaS integrations and charges $78,000+ annually for the privilege, Perimeters provides full-spectrum SSPM capabilities at $3 per user per month. The difference isn't just price. It's philosophy. Perimeters believes security tools should be accessible, fast to deploy, and automated by default.
Key advantages over Valence:
The cost comparison speaks for itself:
FactorPerimetersValence SecurityAnnual cost (500 users)$18,000$78,000+ averagePricing transparencyPublishedQuote-onlyTime to valueMinutesWeeksFree trialYesNoData security focusCore capabilityLimited
What customers say:
"Perimeters gives us a central point of control, providing clear findings and remediation tools to save time and reduce confusion."
"With Perimeters I can spend a few minutes at a time taking care of well-defined issues with all the information in one place."
Pricing: $3 per active user per month. Straightforward, predictable, and roughly 75% less than Valence.
Best suited for: Organizations of any size seeking comprehensive SSPM without enterprise pricing, lengthy implementations, or gaps in data security coverage.
Best for: Organizations with specific DLP requirements for collaboration tools
DoControl emphasizes data loss prevention and access governance, particularly for collaboration applications like Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft 365.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
DoControl addresses a specific use case well but requires supplementation for comprehensive SaaS security.
Best for: Salesforce-dominated enterprises with deep pockets
AppOmni built its reputation on deep Salesforce integration and has expanded to cover other major enterprise applications like ServiceNow and Microsoft 365.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Organizations centered entirely on Salesforce may find value; everyone else should look elsewhere.
Best for: Security operations teams with investigation resources
Obsidian differentiates by combining SSPM with User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA), positioning itself as a threat detection and investigation platform for SaaS environments.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Obsidian works as a SOC tool for large enterprises, not as a primary SSPM for most organizations.
Best for: Organizations wanting to dip a toe into SSPM
Wing Security offers a freemium model providing basic SaaS inventory at no cost, with paid tiers adding security controls.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Wing provides an entry point but rarely serves as a long-term solution.
Best for: Existing CrowdStrike customers seeking platform consolidation
CrowdStrike acquired Adaptive Shield in late 2024, rebranding it as Falcon Shield and integrating it into the broader Falcon platform.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Organizations already invested in CrowdStrike may find value in consolidation; others should evaluate purpose-built alternatives.
Best for: Organizations committed to Netskope's security platform
Netskope includes SSPM as part of its Security Service Edge (SSE) offering, providing SaaS configuration monitoring alongside CASB and zero-trust capabilities.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Netskope SSPM makes sense only for organizations already committed to Netskope's ecosystem.
Best for: Organizations with significant on-premises data security needs
Varonis built its business on on-premises data security and has extended into cloud and SaaS environments, including Microsoft 365 and Salesforce.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Organizations with hybrid on-premises/cloud environments may find value; SaaS-first organizations should look elsewhere.
Best for: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 backup with basic security
SpinOne combines SaaS backup with security capabilities, targeting organizations that need both data protection and basic SSPM.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
SpinOne works for small organizations wanting backup and basic security in one tool, but it's not a serious Valence alternative.
Best for: Shadow SaaS discovery as a starting point
Grip emphasizes SaaS discovery and identity-centric security, helping organizations understand the scope of their SaaS sprawl.
What it offers:
Where it falls short:
Grip helps organizations understand their SaaS footprint but provides limited value beyond initial discovery.

The SSPM market has fragmented into specialized niches, each vendor optimizing for different use cases. When evaluating Valence alternatives:
For comprehensive, accessible SSPM: Perimeters delivers complete visibility, automated remediation, and transparent pricing at a fraction of Valence's cost. Organizations that want to secure their entire SaaS estate, not just integrations, without enterprise complexity should start here.
For specific use cases: DoControl suits collaboration-focused DLP, Obsidian suits investigation-heavy SOC teams, and platform-bundled options (Netskope, Falcon Shield) suit organizations already committed to those ecosystems.
For enterprises with unlimited budgets: AppOmni or Varonis may provide depth in narrow areas, but expect six-figure annual costs and lengthy implementations.
The reality is that most organizations don't need Valence's $78,000 average contract to secure their SaaS environment. They need a tool that delivers comprehensive visibility, fixes problems automatically, and doesn't require a procurement committee to approve.
Ready to see what comprehensive SSPM looks like without enterprise pricing?
Start your free trial at Perimeters and get complete visibility in minutes, not weeks.