Island

Island addresses a real pain point for large enterprises: the sprawl of security tools that slow down users and create blind spots. By building native security—like DLP, zero-trust network access, and AI governance—directly into a Chromium browser, it eliminates the need for separate VPN, VDI, and DLP solutions. The Forrester TEI study's 344% ROI figure is compelling, but it's based on large-scale deployments with substantial legacy infrastructure to replace. Where Island shines is in scenarios like BYOD, contractor access, and M&A integration. IT teams can onboard third parties in minutes with full visibility and control, something traditional VPNs struggle with. The native Claude Compliance API also stands out for organizations that want to let employees use AI tools without data leakage. That said, Island is not for every organization. There is no free tier or transparent pricing—you need to contact sales. Small businesses or teams looking for a cheap web filter will be overpaying for capabilities they don't need. Also, the platform is Chromium-based, so if your organization relies on non-Chromium browsers for certain workflows, migration may be painful. Compared to alternatives like Talon (a fork of Chromium with DLP) or Citrix (for VDI replacement), Island offers a broader feature set but at a higher cost and commitment. For enterprises already deep in Microsoft or Cisco ecosystems, Island's native integrations with Purview and Secure Access are a plus. In practice, Island works best when you have a dedicated IT/security team to manage policies and a budget large enough for per-seat licensing. If you're a Fortune 500 company looking to simplify security and improve productivity, Island is worth a demo. If you're a startup or SMB, look elsewhere.