Nightfall covers SaaS DLP broadly.
Aona governs AI on the endpoint.
Nightfall has a deep ML detector library and broad SaaS API coverage (Slack, M365, Drive, Salesforce). Aona is purpose-built for Workforce AI Security with native desktop AI app coverage, framework-aligned templates, and in-region data residency across 7 regions. They cover different surfaces and most regulated organisations need both.
AI-native DLP platform with mature SaaS API connectors, a browser plugin, and lightweight endpoint agents.
The Workforce AI Security platform for any company adopting generative AI, with broader endpoint coverage than the incumbents, a simpler trial, and one of the few that ships hard-block DLP for AI prompts and files.
Add Aona for AI prompt DLP at the browser and native endpoint layer: hard-block enforcement with layout-preserving file redaction, framework templates out of the box, in-region data residency across 7 regions, and a 30-day self-serve trial. Keep Nightfall for SaaS DLP across Slack, M365, Drive, and Salesforce. Complementary surfaces, not the same tool.
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Vendor facts last verified July 2026
When to pick which
Five scenarios. The honest answer for each one.
Your top requirement is SaaS DLP across Slack, M365, Drive, and Salesforce.
Nightfall has API connectors across most major SaaS surfaces. Aona does not cover SaaS APIs today.
Your IdP is Okta and you need SCIM auto-provisioning today.
Nightfall ships an Okta integration. Microsoft Entra is Aona's production path plus general OIDC/SAML; there is no native Okta or SCIM provisioning.
You need AI prompt DLP at the browser and native endpoint layer.
Aona ships browser plugin plus native desktop AI app interception (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude desktop). Nightfall focuses on SaaS-side and a smaller endpoint surface.
You are a regulated buyer in AU, the EU, the UK, or APAC who needs in-region data residency.
Aona ships in-region residency across 7 regions today (Australia, France, the UK, Germany, the US, Singapore, Hong Kong). Nightfall's default deployment is US-hosted and in-region options are not publicly documented.
You have a Slack / M365 DLP problem AND an AI prompt DLP problem.
Different surfaces, no conflict. Nightfall handles SaaS DLP; Aona handles the AI prompt and file surface on the endpoint.
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 | Nightfall AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover | |||
| Shadow AI inventory across endpoints | Browser surface | Browser plus native AI apps | Endpoint signal, less granular |
| SaaS API connectors (Slack, M365, Drive, Salesforce) | Core surface | ||
| Native desktop AI app interception (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude desktop) | Plus generic process-signature detection | Win / macOS agents; AI-app scope not explicit | |
| MCP / AI agent coverage | Limited rollout: process, network, MCP | MCP support incl. Claude hooks | |
| Govern | |||
| Out-of-the-box framework templates (EU AI Act, ISO 42001, sector) | |||
| Hard-block on prompt with no soft override | Block, sanitization, coaching options | ||
| Mature ML detector library (100+) | Smaller catalog today | Same catalog as browser | LLM-based classifiers; claimed 95% accuracy |
| Protect | |||
| Browser plugin (Chrome / Edge) | Plus native scope | ||
| File redaction with layout preservation (DOCX / XLSX / PDF) | Length-matched entity replacement | Length-matched entity replacement | Entity sub, layout fidelity unclear |
| Operations | |||
| Identity / SSO | Entra + OIDC/SAML, no Okta/SCIM | Entra + OIDC/SAML, no Okta/SCIM | Okta, Entra, Google Workspace |
| SCIM auto-provisioning | |||
| Data residency | 7 regions (AU, FR, UK, DE, US, SG, HK) | 7 regions (AU, FR, UK, DE, US, SG, HK) | US default; in-region options not documented |
Based on vendor documentation as of July 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)
- Identity provider for SSO (Okta or Entra)
- Browser MDM coverage
Where each one falls short
From public docs and customer interviews. If you find a factual error, email trust@aona.ai.
- macOS at enterprise scale is manual install. There is no Jamf, Workspace ONE, or Kandji deployment path today; Intune on Windows is the only automated push.
- No SaaS API connectors today (Slack, M365, Drive, Salesforce). Nightfall ships these as standard.
- No native Okta or SCIM. Microsoft Entra is the production SSO path plus general OIDC/SAML; there is no SCIM auto-provisioning.
- No FedRAMP or IRAP today. SOC 2 Type II is Aona's only certification as of July 2026.
- AI agent inspection is a limited rollout, not general availability. Plan coverage of agent traffic around that constraint.
- In-region data residency is not publicly documented. Default deployment is US-hosted AWS.
- Native desktop AI app interception (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude desktop) is not explicitly documented.
- Layout-preserving DOCX / XLSX / PDF redaction with length-matched entity replacement is not the same depth Aona ships.
- The pricing page lists tiers with placeholder values only; real numbers are quote-based behind a 7-day proof-of-value. A developer free tier exists (Firewall for AI API, 3 GB per month). As of July 2026.
- Gartner Peer Insights sits at 4.4 across 58 reviews with recurring detector-quality and alert-noise complaints. As of July 2026.
- Last disclosed funding round was the August 2022 Series B ($60.3M total raised). Independent as of July 2026; ask about runway and roadmap in diligence.
What your security review will ask
Certifications, pricing reality, data handling, and residency for both vendors, answered up front so your GRC and legal review can start from this page.
| Aona | Nightfall AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Certifications | SOC 2 Type II (audit window ended February 2026). No FedRAMP or IRAP today. | SOC 2 Type II. No ISO 27001 or FedRAMP publicly claimed. As of July 2026. |
| Pricing and trial | Published pricing: Business plan $9.99 per user per month, Enterprise custom. 30-day self-serve free trial, no credit card. As of July 2026. | Pricing page shows placeholder values; quotes are sales-led. 7-day proof-of-value; developer free tier (Firewall for AI API, 3 GB per month). As of July 2026. |
| Where prompts are processed | Prompt content is processed server-side by the Aona API in your chosen region. Retention configurable: 30, 90, or 180 days. | Content is classified by Nightfall's cloud detection engine (LLM-based classifiers). Regional processing options are not publicly documented (as of July 2026). |
| Data residency | 7 live regions: Australia, France, UK, Germany, US, Singapore, Hong Kong. Prompts, files, and audit logs stay in-region. | US-hosted by default. In-region residency options are not publicly documented (as of July 2026). |
| DPA and security docs | DPA available on request. Security overview at aona.ai/security. SOC 2 report under NDA. | Not publicly documented (as of July 2026) |
Competitor facts come from public documentation and pricing pages. Where a vendor does not publish a fact, we say so rather than guess. Corrections: trust@aona.ai.
How Aona and Nightfall AI work together
Run them at different surfaces. Nightfall handles SaaS DLP across the apps your organisation already uses (Slack, M365, Drive, Salesforce, etc.). Aona handles AI prompt and file DLP at the browser and native endpoint, where employees use ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and other AI tools. Together you get DLP coverage from collaboration tools to AI tools without overlap.
SaaS layer
Nightfall's API connectors scan content moving through Slack, M365, Drive, and other SaaS apps.
AI prompt layer
Aona intercepts at the browser plus native AI apps. Hard-block DLP on prompts and file uploads.
End-to-end DLP coverage
SaaS data is governed by Nightfall; AI prompts and files are governed by Aona.
Layer Aona on top of your Nightfall deployment
30-day self-serve free trial. Deploys via Intune and Entra in under an hour. No conflict with Nightfall, no SaaS reconfiguration.