Guardian360 vs runZero
Alternative to runZero
Guardian360 is a genuine alternative to runZero. A US exposure-management platform built on unauthenticated active scanning, passive discovery and API integrations.
What runZero is good at
runZero offers exceptional discovery and fingerprinting, with safe OT scanning and one of the more credible NIS2 and DORA mapping narratives among scanners. Founded by the creator of Metasploit, it maps requirements article by article and labels each as direct or indirect support. It is a strong fit for teams whose main problem is understanding an unknown or complex network.
Side by side
How they compare
| Guardian360 | runZero | |
|---|---|---|
| Company origin & data residency | Netherlands, EU-only | United States (Austin); no published EU region |
| Partner model | Partner-only | Direct + partner; Infinity programme (VAR, MSSP) |
| Deployment approach | Agentless SaaS | Agentless; Explorer software deployed per segment |
| Compliance coverage | 25+ frameworks, continuously mapped | Article-level NIS2 and DORA mapping; no Dutch norms |
| Intrusion detection | Built-in honeypots | No (Thinkst Canary integration only) |
| Microsoft 365 insight | Included | Defender, Entra and Intune asset sync; no tenant posture |
| Container & cloud scanning | Planned for 2026 | Cloud asset sync via AWS, Azure, GCP, VMware, Wiz |
| Mobile app | Yes (Android & iOS) | No |
| Automation & ease of use | High | High (rules and alerts, API, scripting SDK) |
| Pricing / MSP model | MSP pricing per employee / IP | From USD 5,000; per asset, MSSP custom pricing |
| Auto-remediation | Partner-guided | No; ticket workflow with rescan verification |
| Free trial / quick scan | Yes, incl. free WordPress plugin | Yes: 21-day trial, free Community to 100 assets |
| Smallest client size | From 10 employees / IPs | 100 assets free; platform aimed at enterprises |
| Data sovereignty (EU-only) | Yes | No; self-hosted console is the only EU route |
| Supply-chain compliance | Yes, NIS2/Cbw + CRA questionnaires | Third-party asset visibility only; no questionnaires |
Based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Vendors evolve quickly, always verify the latest details with each provider.
When runZero may fit better
A team whose priority is deep, accurate discovery of an unknown or OT-heavy network, and that can self-host its console to keep data in the EU.
When Guardian360 fits better
An organisation that wants continuous scanning mapped to 25+ frameworks including the Dutch norms, with built-in honeypot detection, Microsoft 365 insight and EU hosting by default, delivered through a partner from 10 employees up.
Common questions
Guardian360 vs runZero, answered
Is Guardian360 an alternative to runZero?
For many SMEs and their partners, yes. Both offer agentless discovery and findings mapped to NIS2. Guardian360 Lighthouse adds honeypot detection, Microsoft 365 tenant insight and the Dutch norms such as NEN 7510, BIO and DigiD, and hosts in the EU by default rather than only via a self-hosted console.
What is the main difference?
runZero's strength is discovery and fingerprinting of complex networks. Lighthouse focuses on continuous scanning mapped to 25+ frameworks with built-in detection and Microsoft 365 insight, EU-hosted and partner-delivered.
See it on your own environment
Run a free Quickscan, start a trial, or talk to a partner. Guardian360 is delivered exclusively through our partners.