Best 10 Browser Isolation Solutions for Business (2026)
We reviewed the leading browser isolation platforms on the fidelity of the isolation environment, how well DLP policies hold up for downloads and uploads, and the performance trade-offs that determine whether employees will actually use the solution.
Written by
Joel Witts
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Browser isolation isn’t new, but the way organizations think about it is shifting. The old choice was between accepting browser-based risks or deploying costly VDI infrastructure. Today’s solutions deliver isolation without that friction, but only if you pick the right one for your environment.
The hard part is matching isolation capability to your actual need. Some teams need it for phishing protection and malware containment. Others require complete anonymity for threat research. Still others want granular policy control without users noticing the security layer. Get the match wrong, and you’re either paying for capabilities you don’t use or discovering gaps during a breach investigation.
We evaluated 10 browser isolation solutions across cloud, hybrid, and on premises deployments, evaluating deployment complexity, performance impact and policy flexibility, plus actual user experience. We spoke with security teams running these in production and reviewed customer feedback to understand where vendor claims diverge from operational reality. What we found: the market splits cleanly into three categories, transparent solutions for everyday browsing, specialized platforms for threat research, and hybrid approaches that balance both.
This guide gives you the testing insights and decision framework to deploy isolation that protects without creating friction your team will work around.
What is Web Security?
Browser isolation moves your web browsing away from your computer and runs it somewhere safe instead. When you visit a website, the actual web code runs in a remote environment or a sandboxed container, and only a clean visual stream reaches your device. If a website contains malware or a phishing attack, it never touches your endpoint. You browse normally; the security layer works invisibly behind the scenes.
Browser isolation executes all web content in a disposable environment separated from the endpoint, typically a containerized browser instance in the cloud or a local sandbox on the device. The two dominant rendering approaches are pixel streaming, which sends only rendered pixels to the user, and DOM mirroring, which reconstructs a sanitized version of the page locally. Pixel streaming provides a stronger air gap but introduces more latency; DOM mirroring preserves a near-native browsing experience but requires more sophisticated content inspection. Most enterprise platforms add DLP controls for clipboard, file transfer, and print actions, plus session recording for compliance. The isolation layer can be applied selectively based on URL category, user risk score, or device posture, allowing organizations to balance security overhead against browsing performance.
Browser Isolation Solutions Compared
This table compares the 10 browser isolation platforms we reviewed across architecture type and key capabilities.
| Product | Best For | Type | DLP Controls | File Sanitization | Session Recording | Agentless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Keeper Security
|
Vault-integrated browser isolation
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Menlo Security
|
Transparent enterprise-wide isolation
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Authentic8 Silo
|
Threat research and regulated industries
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Cisco Umbrella RBI
|
DNS-layer protection with isolation
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Citrix Secure Browser
|
Citrix Workspace environments
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Forcepoint RBI
|
Role-based smart isolation
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
LayerX
|
Extension-based browser security
|
Browser Extension
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Seraphic Security
|
Fast deployment via extension
|
Browser Extension
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Skyhigh Security
|
SSE-integrated isolation
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Zscaler
|
AI-powered selective isolation
|
Cloud RBI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
How We Tested
We evaluated 10 browser isolation platforms across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises deployments, covering architecture, deployment ease, performance impact, policy flexibility, and real-world user experience. This guide was researched and written by Caitlin Harris, with technical review by Craig MacAlpine. Read our full methodology
Keeper Security
Best for Organizations using the Keeper vault that want VPN-free web access
Keeper Security is an enterprise password manager with built-in remote browser isolation powered by Keeper Connection Manager. We think it’s a strong option for organizations already using Keeper’s password vault that want to add secure, VPN-free access to internal web applications without deploying a separate browser isolation product.
- Remote browser isolation runs sessions in a virtualized Chromium instance that streams through the Keeper vault, with credentials automatically injected and forms submitted without sensitive data reaching the user’s device
- Eliminates the risk of credential theft, DOM inspection, cross-site scripting, or device compromise by keeping all session data in the container
- Admins can restrict sessions to defined URLs or domains, disable file uploads/downloads and clipboard use, and record all activity for compliance
- Co-browsing lets multiple users work in the same session simultaneously, which is useful for training and QA
- The same zero-knowledge architecture that protects the password vault applies to browser isolation sessions
We were impressed by how browser isolation is integrated directly into the password vault rather than running as a separate tool. The approach of streaming sessions from a container means no credentials are ever exposed to the endpoint, which is a meaningful security advantage over traditional VPN-based access. Session recording and URL allow-lists give admins strong oversight. Browser isolation is included with KeeperPAM at $85 per user per month or available as a standalone add-on. With that said, this is primarily valuable for organizations already committed to the Keeper platform; the add-on pricing model means costs add up. If you need browser isolation tied to your credential vault with zero-knowledge security, Keeper is well worth considering.
Strengths
Cautions
Menlo Security
Best for Mid-to-large enterprises needing RBI with converged SWG and DLP
Menlo Security is an established leader in the browser isolation space, routing all browsing activity through a remote cloud-based browser to prevent threats from reaching endpoints. Alongside its Remote Browser Isolation solution, Menlo also offers a Secure Web Gateway, CASB, DLP, email isolation, and cloud firewall. We think the Adaptive Clientless Rendering (ACR) technology is the core differentiator; it uses DOM mirroring to transmit clean, lightweight web content to the endpoint, which delivers a better browsing experience than traditional pixel-streaming approaches. In 2026, Menlo launched a Browser Security Platform that secures both human users and AI agents.
- Secure cloud proxy renders browsing content in a contained environment, ensuring only safe content reaches the user
- Admins configure policies by user, user group, file type, or website category, defining whether content is displayed in original form, read-only, or completely blocked
- Built-in pop-up and ad blocker mitigates malvertising risks
- Converges SWG, CASB, DLP, and FWaaS into a single cloud-native service with 15 data centers worldwide for low-latency connections
- The 2026 Browser Security Platform adds a Menlo Secure Extension for local browser DLP and visibility, automatically routing high-risk activity to the Menlo Cloud for threat elimination
Customers say web isolation speed has improved significantly compared to earlier versions, making the experience smoother without website content loss. Teams report minimal end-user impact with little browser performance degradation; users typically don’t even know Menlo is working. Something to be aware of is that some page load slowdown can still occur in isolation mode, which is an inherent trade-off of remote browser isolation. Initial configuration also requires extensive policy tuning to optimize protection without impacting user experience.
We think Menlo Security is one of the strongest browser isolation platforms for mid-to-large enterprises that want RBI with converged SWG and DLP capabilities. The ACR technology provides a genuinely better experience than pixel streaming, and the 2026 expansion to secure AI agents is forward-looking. If browsing speed is a primary concern, test the isolation impact during evaluation; but for organizations prioritizing strong threat isolation with broad policy controls, Menlo is well worth the investment.
Strengths
Cautions
Authentic8 Silo Web Isolation Platform
Authentic8
Best for Regulated industries and threat research teams
Authentic8 Silo is a cloud-native web isolation platform trusted globally by organizations across all industries, designed for teams with strict compliance and data protection requirements. Fully cloud-based with no installation required, it’s accessible from any network or location. We think the compliance and audit capabilities set Silo apart; it holds FedRAMP authorization, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and SOC 2 certifications, and Authentic8 states that customers have experienced zero data loss events or identity leaks in over 10 years of use.
- Isolates all web code from the user’s endpoint regardless of device or network, with each session starting fresh and no local traces left behind
- Central management console provides real-time control to enable, restrict, or revoke web access from managed and unmanaged devices, including a kill switch to cut access mid-session
- Active Directory syncing enables role-based, group-level policies and permissions, with all admin activity captured for compliance auditing
- User sessions are recorded for forensic analysis with the option to erase via the admin console
- February 2026 release added Silo DVR Session Recording and Playback for visual oversight of user activity through controlled session recordings
Customers conducting digital investigations say the isolation gives them confidence browsing anywhere without fear of clicking malicious links. Researchers highlight strong attribution management and the ability to safely access dark web sources. Something to be aware of is that performance lags noticeably on media-heavy sites, especially with weaker internet connections. Some users also report delayed support response times after submitting queries. Copy-paste functionality requires a special window instead of standard keyboard shortcuts, which creates workflow friction.
We think Authentic8 Silo is one of the strongest browser isolation platforms for regulated industries and threat research teams. The FedRAMP authorization and forensic session recording make it a natural fit for government, financial services, and healthcare. If you don’t have strict compliance requirements or research use cases, the platform may offer more capability than you need; but for organizations where data sovereignty and attribution protection are non-negotiable, Silo is well worth considering.
Strengths
Cautions
Cisco Umbrella Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Cisco
Best for Organizations in the Cisco security ecosystem
Cisco Umbrella RBI is a browser isolation add-on within Cisco’s broader web security stack, which includes SWG, firewall, DNS-layer security, CASB, and DLP. We think the DNS-layer integration is the core appeal; RBI adds an isolation layer on top of existing Umbrella protections rather than operating standalone. It’s important to note that Cisco reached end-of-sale for legacy Umbrella SKUs in September 2025 and is actively transitioning customers to Cisco Secure Access, which includes expanded RBI controls built in collaboration with Menlo Security.
- Sandboxes all browsing activity in a secure cloud environment, then renders web content to the user’s machine with minimal latency
- DNS-layer blocking stops malicious domains before content even loads, reducing the overall latency impact
- File scanning lets users download sanitized versions of files locally after malware removal
- Admins configure granular controls for different risk profiles, applying stronger restrictions to high-risk users while keeping browsing smooth for everyone else
- Cisco Secure Access expansion adds clipboard restrictions, read-only browsing modes, and print controls
Customers praise the visibility and integration capabilities compared to other SASE platforms. Teams highlight easy implementation without deep technical knowledge required. The DNS-layer approach adds minimal latency while delivering solid protection. Something to be aware of is that RBI requires the existing Cisco Umbrella SIG investment to deploy, not a standalone product. Given the transition to Cisco Secure Access, buyers should confirm the migration timeline with their account team.
We think Cisco Umbrella RBI makes sense for organizations already invested in Cisco’s security ecosystem that want browser isolation bundled into their SASE strategy. The DNS-layer blocking and file sanitization are practical capabilities. Given the Umbrella end-of-sale and transition to Secure Access, new buyers should evaluate Cisco Secure Access directly rather than legacy Umbrella SKUs.
Strengths
Cautions
Citrix Secure Browser
Citrix
Best for Organizations running Citrix Workspace
Citrix Secure Browser, now officially Citrix Remote Browser Isolation, is a zero-trust browser isolation solution from Citrix, a cybersecurity provider whose solutions are trusted by over 100 million users globally, including 98% of the Fortune 500. Designed for organizations in the Citrix ecosystem, the solution extends Citrix’s existing remote access infrastructure with browser-level isolation. In March 2026, Citrix announced integration with Google Chrome Enterprise Premium, extending enterprise browser policies and DLP controls to unmanaged devices.
- Each user’s browsing activity runs in a secure remote server with zero data transferred between websites and the endpoint, and all browsing data is erased after each session
- Admins can create allow lists, configure URL filtering by category, and monitor active sessions in real time with the ability to disconnect sessions if threats appear
- 2026 updates added Azure Active Directory authentication, user activity logging with visited hostnames and timestamps, and cloud authentication through Citrix Cloud
- Chrome Enterprise Premium integration enables administrators to apply enterprise policies at the catalog level, with anti-keylogging and encrypted browser cache for unmanaged devices
- Available standalone or as part of Citrix Secure Private Access Advanced, which adds adaptive access controls, MFA, and ZTNA for TCP- and UDP-based apps
Customers say the isolation layer minimizes malware risk and lets them access corporate applications remotely without exposing personal devices. Teams highlight reduced attack surface and appreciate central management for deployment. Something to be aware of is that users report noticeable session response time slowdowns from recording and isolation processing overhead. The solution also requires constant internet connectivity, with performance degrading when connections fluctuate.
We think Citrix Secure Browser is a strong choice for organizations already running Citrix Workspace that want to add browser isolation without a new vendor. The Google Chrome Enterprise Premium integration is a practical addition for securing unmanaged device access. If you’re not in the Citrix ecosystem, standalone RBI platforms will be simpler to evaluate and deploy.
Strengths
Cautions
Forcepoint Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Forcepoint
Best for Larger enterprises needing role-based isolation with CDR
Forcepoint RBI is a remote browser isolation solution available standalone or as part of the Forcepoint ONE security platform. We think the Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) technology is the standout; rather than detecting malware, Forcepoint’s Zero Trust CDR extracts safe information from documents, verifies it, and reconstructs a clean, fully functional file. This eliminates file-based risks entirely rather than relying on signature-based detection.
- Smart Isolation automatically switches between full isolation for high-risk users and targeted isolation for the general population, reducing performance overhead while maintaining protection where it matters most
- Zero Trust CDR extracts safe information from documents, verifies it, and reconstructs clean files, eliminating file-based risks entirely
- Role-based clipboard controls restrict or permit copy-paste functions to prevent interaction with phishing pages
- CDR also sanitizes images before upload to prevent steganographic data loss
- Supports all HTML5-compatible browsers and integrates with identity providers via LDAP and SAML and SIEM platforms for centralized reporting
Customers report stable, reliable performance with no downtimes since implementation. Teams highlight the modern interface design and user-friendly structure. The Smart Isolation approach gets positive feedback for balancing security with user experience. Something to be aware of is that advanced data search runs slower than expected during investigations. Upgrades are also cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring extensive planning before implementation.
We think Forcepoint RBI is a strong option for larger enterprises that want intelligent browser isolation with granular, role-based controls. The CDR technology is a genuine differentiator for organizations concerned about file-based threats. If you’re already using Forcepoint ONE, adding RBI is straightforward. Smaller organizations may find the platform more complex than they need for basic browser isolation.
Strengths
Cautions
LayerX Enterprise Browser Extension
LayerX
Best for Organizations needing browser-level protection without infrastructure changes
LayerX’s Enterprise Browser Extension is a web security solution that secures company data, devices, and SaaS apps against web-based threats such as phishing, malware, and attacker-controlled webpages. While this isn’t a browser isolation tool, it delivers the benefits of remote browser isolation without compromising the user experience or requiring the infrastructure changes often associated with traditional browser isolation.
- Proprietary engine analyzes web sessions in real time, observing browser modifications and changes in webpage or user behavior
- Determines the risk context of each event and flags high-risk events to admins, with automatic action against suspicious activity including disabling risky browser features or terminating sessions
- Admins configure access and activity policies for protecting data, apps, and devices, and can enforce an additional authentication factor via the browser extension
- Conducts local analysis on the browser extension so that PII never leaves the endpoint
- Deploys onto any browser and integrates with most IDP and security platforms
We recommend LayerX for organizations of any size looking for strong web protection that’s easy to deploy without infrastructure changes. The solution deploys onto any browser and integrates with most IDP and security platforms. Because of its granular enforcement capabilities and high-resolution visibility into web sessions, most safe and legitimate browsing activities aren’t subject to any restriction or blocking, which is good to see.
Strengths
Cautions
Seraphic Security
Seraphic Security
Best for Mid-to-large organizations needing fast, large-scale deployment
Seraphic Security is a browser extension that replaces traditional VDI and browser isolation infrastructure with in-browser security controls. We think the JavaScript engine-level approach is the core differentiator; rather than routing traffic through cloud proxies, Seraphic hooks directly into the browser’s JavaScript engine and intercepts all incoming code and user actions in real time. This gives it detection depth that network-layer and DOM-level alternatives can’t match. In January 2026, CrowdStrike announced a definitive agreement to acquire Seraphic, which will integrate the technology into CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform.
- JavaScript engine integration catches zero-day exploits, phishing, malware, drive-by downloads, and clickjacking without slowing down browsing
- DLP controls let you disable copy and paste on sensitive sites, block downloads, and restrict actions based on context
- Identity controls add policy-based authentication requirements and tie browser actions to specific users for investigation purposes
- Works across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, plus Electron-based desktop apps like Teams and Slack
- Integrations with IDPs, EDRs, SIEMs, and SDRs slot into existing stacks without requiring changes
One enterprise deployed Seraphic to 4,500 employees in 30 days with zero stability issues over 13 months of continuous use. The extension automatically discovers all installed browsers on endpoints and starts protecting them without manual configuration. DLP and URL filtering policies are straightforward to configure and modify. Something to be aware of is that Electron-based thick client application protection remains in development and isn’t production-ready yet. Some customers also note visibility gaps in certain edge case scenarios.
We think Seraphic is a strong fit for mid-sized to large organizations that want browser-level threat detection and DLP without the cost and complexity of VDI or traditional RBI infrastructure. The deployment speed is impressive, and the JavaScript-level detection gives it real advantages over surface-level tools. The CrowdStrike acquisition is significant; buyers should clarify how the product will be integrated into Falcon and whether standalone availability will continue.
Strengths
Cautions
Skyhigh Remote Browser Isolation
Skyhigh Security
Best for Enterprises committed to an SSE platform
Skyhigh Remote Browser Isolation is part of Skyhigh Security’s SSE platform, which unifies SWG, CASB, ZTNA, and DLP under a single management console. We think the integrated SSE approach is the main appeal; browser isolation is a built-in capability within the broader data protection platform rather than a separate product. Skyhigh emerged from McAfee Enterprise in 2022 and has continued developing the cloud data protection portfolio.
- Renders a sanitized version of each webpage on the user’s endpoint via a dynamic visual stream that responds to typing, clicking, and scrolling
- When downloads are permitted, Skyhigh scans files before delivery to eliminate threats
- Admins define granular user-level permissions for file downloads and view browsing activity reports for insider threat detection, compliance monitoring, and productivity tracking
- Full isolation licenses can be added for high-risk users like C-suite or SOC staff who need to access risky sites for research
- DLP from the SSE platform extends data protection into isolated sessions
Customers are satisfied with the product, support, and customer success management. Teams highlight proactive ownership and prompt issue resolution, with quick response times from the CSM team. The platform is easy to operate with a user-friendly GUI, and documentation helps teams learn the SSE solution. Something to be aware of is that macOS support and updates lag behind Windows, creating delays for Apple-heavy environments. The platform is also only available as part of the wider SSE platform, not as standalone RBI.
We think Skyhigh fits larger enterprises already committed to an SSE platform that want RBI bundled into their data protection stack. The integrated DLP and compliance monitoring add real value for regulated industries. If you need standalone browser isolation or run primarily macOS environments, this platform may not be the right fit.
Strengths
Cautions
Zscaler Cloud Browser Isolation
Zscaler
Best for Organizations running the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange
Zscaler Cloud Browser Isolation (formerly Appsulate) creates an air gap between endpoints and the web using pixel streaming technology within the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. It covers on-premises locations, mobile devices, remote sites, and both managed and unmanaged devices, with no software agent installation required, making it quick and easy to deploy. We think the AI-powered Smart Isolation is the standout feature; it uses user risk scores, device posture, and AI analysis to determine which sessions need isolation rather than applying blanket isolation to all traffic.
- Pixel streaming renders web pages in secure containerized browsers in the cloud and sends only pixels to the user’s device, preventing malware, ransomware, and phishing from reaching endpoints
- AI-powered Smart Isolation uses user risk scores, device posture, and AI analysis to determine which sessions need isolation
- Admins configure policies to restrict uploads, downloads, clipboard access, print actions, and enforce read-only browsing
- Content Disarm and Reconstruction enables users to download flattened, safe PDFs of documents
- GenAI data protection prevents leakage via AI prompts and restricts harmful actions during AI tool interactions
- Agentless deployment extends access to web-based and SaaS applications for employees, contractors, and BYOD users
Customers say the platform works smoothly in the background once configured, requiring no ongoing intervention. The GUI is straightforward with lag-free performance, and remote workers report stable connections. Teams in regulated sectors highlight the integration capabilities with the broader Zscaler platform. Something to be aware of is that significant false positives can occur when first introduced; one organization took nine months to resolve most initial issues. Proxy configurations can also conflict with corporate setups, creating operational friction for development teams.
We think Zscaler Cloud Browser Isolation is a very strong option for organizations already running or planning to deploy the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, and its scalability makes it suitable for organizations of any size with large remote or hybrid workforces. The AI-powered Smart Isolation avoids the performance cost of isolating everything, and the GenAI protection controls address a growing risk area. Expect significant configuration time upfront and plan for false positive tuning. If you’re not in the Zscaler ecosystem, the platform commitment may be more than you need for isolation alone.
Strengths
Cautions
Web Security Pricing
Browser isolation pricing varies significantly by vendor, architecture, and deployment model. Many platforms are quote-based or bundle RBI into broader security platforms. The prices below reflect publicly available starting points; contact vendors directly for enterprise quotes.
| Product | Starting Price | Billing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Keeper Security
|
$85/user/month (KeeperPAM)
|
Annual
|
|
|
Menlo Security
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual
|
|
|
Authentic8 Silo
|
$1,000/user/year (Basic)
|
Annual
|
|
|
Cisco Umbrella RBI
|
Contact for quote (part of SIG Advantage)
|
Annual
|
|
|
Citrix Secure Browser
|
Consumption-based (5,000 pooled hours included)
|
Annual
|
|
|
Forcepoint RBI
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual
|
|
|
LayerX
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual
|
|
|
Seraphic Security
|
Contact for quote
|
Annual
|
|
|
Skyhigh Security
|
Contact for quote (part of SSE platform)
|
Annual
|
|
|
Zscaler Cloud Browser Isolation
|
$10-$25/user/year (add-on)
|
Annual
|
|
Web Security Checklist
These are the configuration and operational steps we recommend to get the most out of your browser isolation deployment.
The market splits between transparent everyday protection, threat research isolation, and hybrid approaches; choosing the wrong category wastes budget or leaves gaps.
Pixel streaming and DOM mirroring affect latency differently, and media-heavy sites or weak connections amplify the impact beyond what demo environments reveal.
Default-open DLP settings let sensitive data leave isolated sessions through channels you assumed were blocked.
Applying full isolation to every user creates unnecessary performance overhead; target it at high-risk roles and unknown or uncategorized sites.
Forensic session logs provide the audit trail regulators expect and the evidence security teams need during incident investigations.
Most platforms generate significant false positives at launch; allocating time upfront prevents user frustration and shadow IT workarounds.
Not all platforms sanitize the same file formats, and some flatten documents into PDFs rather than preserving the original format.
Without IDP integration, isolation policies apply by IP or device rather than by user role, which limits the granularity of your controls.
Several vendors in this space have been acquired or are transitioning products; understanding the roadmap prevents buying into a platform with an uncertain future.
Starting with the users who benefit most from isolation validates the security value before you commit to a full rollout.
The Bottom Line
No single browser isolation solution fits every organization. Your choice depends on whether you need transparent protection for everyday browsing, complete isolation for threat research, or something in between.
If user experience matters and you need smooth, transparent protection, Menlo Security delivers with minimal performance impact. The platform has improved significantly and works well for mid-market and enterprise teams.
If you want zero trust architecture with pixel streaming and cloud-native scale, Zscaler Cloud Browser Isolation provides strong isolation without agent installations. Expect significant configuration time upfront and be prepared for false positives.
If research teams need to safely access dark web resources or conduct threat intelligence, Authentic8 Silo provides bulletproof isolation with zero attribution risk.
If you need fast deployment without infrastructure overhead, Seraphic Security deploys at scale as a browser extension. One organization hit 4,500 users in 30 days. Pick this if you need speed and have mid-market to enterprise scale to justify the cost.
If you’re already invested in Cisco infrastructure, Cisco Umbrella RBI bundles browser isolation into your SASE stack. You get DNS-layer blocking and file sanitization without managing standalone infrastructure. Watch total cost of ownership if you’re a smaller organization.
Read the individual reviews above to dig into deployment specifics, performance characteristics, and which trade-offs matter for your environment.
Browser Isolation Solutions FAQs
Browser isolation is an approach to web security that isolates or sandboxes online threats instead of blocking access to them, as more traditional web filtering solutions do. Remote browser isolation solutions do this by executing all browsing activity in a remote server that’s isolated from your local environment; local or on-premises browser isolation solutions execute browsing activity in a secure server elsewhere within your organization’s private network.
This means that when a user visits a malicious webpage or clicks to download a malicious file, the malware is executed in that isolated sandbox and cannot affect the user’s device.
When accessing the internet via a browser isolation solution, users should be able to browse as normal and with minimal latency, including using commands such as “copy” and “paste”.
Browser isolation solutions fetch and execute web-based commands in secure, remote servers. These servers can be in the cloud or on-prem—the main point is that they’re completely isolated from your users’ devices. When a user starts a browsing session, their browsing activities are carried out in the isolated server. The browser isolation vendor then renders the session on the user’s device in one of three ways: by streaming the browser, inspecting and rewriting each page and then sending it to the local browser, or sending a vector graphic representation of the final webpage to the user.
One way to think of this is like using an interactive, live screen recording. It gives the user a completely normal, unrestricted browsing experience, whilst protecting them against web-based threats such as malware.
There are positives and negatives to both types of browser isolation—the one you choose really depends on what your priorities are as a business.
Remote browser isolation solutions are cloud-based, so they don’t require you to install any plug-ins, agents, or clients. This makes them highly scalable, and it also means that they’re compatible with all devices and operating systems.
Local browser isolation solutions require you to provide your own isolation servers, which can be expensive, and the isolation must usually occur within your firewall; when using remote browser isolation, it occurs outside your firewall. This means that, with local browser isolation, your internal network may still be at risk even though user devices are protected against malware. Finally, local browser isolation solutions can be difficult to scale across multiple networks, which makes them difficult to implement for companies with multiple offices or remote workers. However, local browser isolation often has less latency than remote browser isolation.
Local and remote browser isolation solutions both offer three key benefits:
- Reduce web-based threats. Browser isolation solutions greatly reduce the risk of malware from spreading across your network by preventing users from downloading malicious code to their devices. Some browser isolation vendors also offer integrations with email clients, thereby help prevent phishing attacks administered this way. When a user clicks on a malicious link or file in a phishing email, the browser isolation solution displays a safe “read-only” version of the file or page.
- Increase user productivity. Some more traditional web security solutions, such as DNS filters, can cause friction in the browsing experience as they may falsely identify pages as being harmful and restrict user access to them. Browser isolation provides users with a native, unhindered browsing experience; they can visit any page, using any browser, and download any file, without it being flagged as malware and blocked. Users can even use commands such as “copy”, “paste”, and “print”.
- Save admin resources. Browser isolation requires less management after initial set-up than traditional web filters do; they don’t require admins to set up allow/deny lists or investigate alerts that tell them a user has attempted to visit a site that may be unsafe. Some isolation solutions, however, still do offer website classification that enables admins to restrict access from certain types of web page, such as adult content or social media sites.
There are a few key features that you should look for when choosing a browser isolation vendor or solution:
- Browser isolation for malware blocking. Your chosen solution should execute browsing sessions in an environment isolated from your end users’ devices—this could be in an on-premises sandbox (local browser isolation) or in a remote cloud server (remote browser isolation). This will ensure any malicious code is “detonated” in the secure sandbox environment and can’t be downloaded onto a user device.
- Email integration for phishing protection. The best browser isolation solutions offer integrations with popular email clients so that, when a user opens a link in an email, that link is opened in the secure sandbox, rather than locally on their device. This means that even if a user were to accidentally click on a phishing link, they wouldn’t download any malicious content.
- Document isolation for protection against malicious files. By opening documents such as PDFs, Microsoft 365, and Google files in an isolated environment (rather than directly to their device from the internet), browser isolation and remote browser isolation solutions protect users against malicious downloads. Admins should, however, be able to allow users to download the original file if they need to once it’s been rendered, tested, and marked as safe.
- “Read-only” modes for protection against credential theft. Your chosen browser isolation solution should enable you to configure “read only” modes for suspicious or unknown web pages. This means that if a user were to visit a phishing page, they wouldn’t be able to enter their credentials into any forms on that page; they’d only be able to view its content without interacting. Some solutions also enable admins to prevent users from uploading files to certain websites.
- Reporting and analytics. Any strong browser isolation solution should provide admins with reports on attacks that the solution has prevented. This will enable admins to identify which users are visiting malicious web pages so they can carry out further investigation or assign security awareness training if needed, as well as identify which threats their business is most commonly facing.
Web Security Resources
Further reading on web security from Expert Insights — buyers' guides, comparison articles, and platform-specific shortlists.
Written By
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davis, formerly J2Global (NASDAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.