LayerX secures the whole browser.
Aona governs AI use specifically.
LayerX is a broad enterprise browser-security platform: web and SaaS DLP, malicious-extension control, account and identity protection, plus GenAI DLP, all from a browser extension. Aona is narrower and deeper on one surface: workforce AI. It adds shadow-AI discovery, real-time coaching at the moment of a risky prompt, AI-specific DLP, and AI upskilling. Both operate at the browser layer, so the overlap on GenAI DLP is real. The question is whether you are buying broad browser security or focused AI governance.
Enterprise browser-security platform delivered as a browser extension, covering web and SaaS DLP, GenAI DLP, account and identity protection, and malicious-extension control.
Workforce AI Security platform purpose-built for AI governance: shadow-AI discovery, real-time coaching, AI-specific DLP, and AI upskilling, on a browser plugin and native endpoint app.
Choose LayerX if your mandate is broad browser security: web and SaaS DLP, risky-extension control, phishing and identity protection across the whole browser. Choose Aona if your mandate is workforce AI specifically: shadow-AI discovery, real-time coaching, AI DLP, and upskilling, with native desktop AI app coverage LayerX's extension cannot reach. There is genuine GenAI DLP overlap, so most buyers pick the one that matches their primary mandate rather than running both.
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When to pick which
Five scenarios. The honest answer for each one.
Your mandate is broad browser security, not AI specifically.
LayerX covers web and SaaS DLP, malicious-extension control, phishing protection, and identity protection across the whole browser. Aona is scoped to workforce AI and does not cover those non-AI browser-security surfaces.
You need to discover and control risky third-party browser extensions.
LayerX continuously inventories installed extensions, scores their permissions and reputation, and can block high-risk ones. Aona does not manage the browser-extension attack surface.
Your IdP is Okta or Google Workspace and you want one console for all browser risk.
LayerX integrates with major identity providers and consolidates web, SaaS, and GenAI risk in one place. Aona is Microsoft Entra only and focuses on the AI surface, not general SaaS or web risk.
Your priority is real-time AI coaching and shadow-AI discovery, not just blocking.
Aona is built around coaching employees at the moment of a risky AI prompt and discovering shadow AI across the workforce. LayerX's GenAI control is enforcement-first (monitor, warn, block) rather than a coaching and AI-upskilling program.
You need AI coverage in native desktop AI apps, not only the browser.
Aona ships a native endpoint app that covers desktop AI apps (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude desktop) beyond the browser. LayerX is delivered as a browser extension, so coverage stops at the browser.
What each tool actually does
Three columns on the Aona side because the browser plugin and the native endpoint app cover different surfaces. Browser-only customers will see fewer green checks than customers with both.
| Capability | Aona browser plugin | Aona native app | LayerX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover | |||
| Shadow AI discovery across the workforce | Browser surface | Browser plus native AI apps | Maps GenAI usage in-browser |
| Shadow SaaS / risky web app discovery | Core surface for LayerX | ||
| Native desktop AI app coverage (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude desktop) | Native endpoint app, beyond the browser | Browser extension only | |
| Malicious / risky browser-extension control | Inventory, scoring, blocking | ||
| Govern | |||
| Out-of-the-box AI framework templates (EU AI Act, ISO 42001) | Policy engine, not AI-framework packs | ||
| Real-time employee coaching at the moment of a risky prompt | Warning messages with policy links | ||
| AI upskilling / employee enablement program | |||
| SSO / non-corporate-account enforcement for AI tools | Entra-based identity controls | Entra-based identity controls | Enforces SSO, blocks personal logins |
| Protect | |||
| GenAI prompt and file DLP in the browser | Real-time monitor, warn, block | ||
| Web / SaaS DLP (uploads to personal Drive, websites) | Core surface for LayerX | ||
| File redaction with layout preservation (DOCX / Excel) | Length-matched entity replacement | Length-matched entity replacement | Block uploads; redaction depth unclear |
| Operations | |||
| Identity / SSO | Microsoft Entra only | Microsoft Entra only | Entra, Okta, Google Workspace |
| Deployment shape | Browser plugin | Plugin plus native endpoint app | Browser extension only |
Based on vendor documentation as of April 2026. Email trust@aona.ai if you find a factual error.
What it takes to ship each one
- Microsoft Intune (Windows MDM, only path shipped)
- Microsoft Entra (admin SSO + user/group sync)
- Device management for managed devices (Group Policy / MDM)
- Identity provider for SSO enforcement (Entra, Okta, Google Workspace)
Where each one falls short
From public docs and customer interviews. If you find a factual error, email trust@aona.ai.
- No general web or SaaS DLP. LayerX covers uploads to personal Drive, Gmail, and external sites; Aona does not.
- No malicious-extension or phishing protection. LayerX governs the whole browser attack surface; Aona is scoped to AI.
- Microsoft Entra only for SSO. LayerX integrates with Okta and Google Workspace too.
- Browser extension covers only the browser; native desktop AI app coverage is a limited rollout, not GA.
- No out-of-the-box AI governance framework templates (EU AI Act, ISO 42001).
- GenAI control is enforcement-first (monitor, warn, block), not a real-time coaching and AI-upskilling program.
- Browser extension only; no native desktop AI app coverage beyond the browser.
- Broad browser-security scope can over-spec a buyer whose only problem is workforce AI governance.
Migrating from LayerX
If your only problem is workforce AI usage, Aona is the more focused fit and ships AI governance, coaching, and upskilling LayerX does not. If you also need broad browser security (web and SaaS DLP, extension control, identity protection), LayerX covers surfaces Aona does not, and running both on the same browser is the wrong move. Pick the platform that matches your primary mandate; only layer if the AI-governance gap is the deciding factor and you accept duplicate GenAI DLP.
- Existing identity provider and MDM (Entra / Intune)
- LayerX for broad browser security, if web/SaaS DLP and extension control matter to you
- Existing browser estate; both deploy as a browser-layer install
- LayerX's GenAI DLP module, for orgs whose only AI problem is workforce usage
- Enforcement-only AI control, replaced by coaching plus AI upskilling
- Generic warning messages, replaced by AI-framework-aligned governance templates
- Duplicate GenAI DLP enforcement on the same browser
- Overlapping AI-usage policies once a single owner is chosen
See focused AI governance next to broad browser security
30-day free trial. Deploys via Intune and Entra in under an hour. Shadow-AI discovery, real-time coaching, AI DLP, and upskilling, purpose-built for workforce AI.