Is Varonis the same category as Lavawall®?

Overlapping but not identical. Varonis is a data-security platform with deep file-activity intelligence, sensitive-data classification, content inspection, and behavioural-anomaly detection on file shares, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace data stores. Lavawall® covers the file-change and identity-activity monitoring MSPs use for SOC 2, HIPAA, NIST, CMMC, and cyber-insurance compliance, plus the rest of an MSP platform, but does not perform deep file-content classification or DLP-style content inspection. For data-loss-prevention programs at enterprise scope, Varonis is the deeper specialist.

What does Varonis do that Lavawall® doesn't?

Varonis classifies file content (PII, PCI, PHI, intellectual property) and surfaces over-exposed data: the file shared with "Everyone" that contains 50,000 social-security numbers. It also performs behavioural-anomaly detection at deep scale on data-access patterns. Lavawall® covers file change activity (creates, writes, deletes, ACL changes, external sharing) but does not classify file content.

What does Lavawall® cover beyond file activity?

Cross-platform patching (7,400+ apps on Windows, macOS, and Linux), M365 / Entra / Azure configuration backup with structured rollback, administrator elevation and execution prevention (no kernel driver), GRC framework mapping (70+ frameworks), smart helpdesk, multi-tenant remote support, and AD & M365 user reporting in the same console. Varonis is a data-security specialist; Lavawall® is an RMM with file activity monitoring as one capability. Check Varonis’s documentation for its coverage of each.

Yes. The two products complement rather than collide. Some MSPs serving regulated-data clients run Varonis for content classification and DLP, and Lavawall® for the rest of the platform. Lavawall®'s file-change monitoring and Varonis's content classification are different layers; they don't fight each other on the same endpoint.

How does pricing compare?

For SMB and mid-market MSP clients, Lavawall® is materially less expensive at the file-activity-monitoring scope MSPs actually use. Varonis is enterprise-priced per data store and per user, with additional per-feature pricing typical of the data-security category. Lavawall® is per-tenant with public CAD and USD rates and multiple modules bundled. For enterprises with active DLP programs and content-classification requirements, Varonis pricing matches the depth it delivers.

Lavawall®: The Alternative to Varonis for MSPs

Lavawall®: The Alternative to Varonis

Lavawall® is a multi-tenant RMM and remote support platform for MSPs and IT teams, with patching, security monitoring, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace breach detection, and compliance built into the same agent and console. It is a Varonis alternative for MSPs: it covers the file activity monitoring MSPs use for compliance, bundled with the rest of an MSP platform. Varonis is the enterprise data-security specialist, with deep content classification, DLP, and behavioural-anomaly detection.

Varonis is the long-standing leader in data-security, the category that combines file activity monitoring, file content classification, over-exposed-data detection, and behavioural-anomaly detection on data-access patterns. It is deep, mature, and priced for enterprise. Varonis covers Windows file shares, SharePoint, OneDrive, Microsoft 365 in general, Google Workspace, NetApp, Dell EMC, and similar enterprise data stores. It classifies file content (PII, PCI, PHI, intellectual property), surfaces the file shared with "Everyone" that contains 50,000 social security numbers, and baselines user behaviour to catch the user who starts touching files outside their normal pattern.

Lavawall® covers the file-activity monitoring MSPs need to answer the SOC 2, HIPAA, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, and cyber-insurance questions that come up in routine MSP work (on-premises file change monitoring, SharePoint and OneDrive activity, Google Drive activity), bundled with the rest of an MSP platform that also handles patching, breach detection, configuration backup, GRC compliance, helpdesk, and remote support. Lavawall® does not classify file content or perform DLP-style inspection.

The decision is about depth versus breadth and price point. For enterprises with active DLP programs and content-classification requirements, Varonis remains the deeper specialist. For MSPs and lean IT teams delivering compliance-grade file activity monitoring as part of broader security operations, Lavawall® covers the ground at MSP price points.

Where Lavawall® wins

Bundled MSP platform. File activity monitoring is one Lavawall® capability; the same console handles 7,400+ application patching, M365 / Entra / Azure breach detection, M365 configuration backup with rollback, GRC compliance for 70+ frameworks, helpdesk, and remote support. Varonis is a data-security specialist; the rest of the security stack is separate procurement.

Cross-platform endpoint coverage. Lavawall®'s agent runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints and servers. File-change monitoring covers all three. Varonis is strongest on Windows file shares and Microsoft / Google cloud stores.

Multi-tenant MSP design. One Lavawall® console covers every client tenant from one login. Check Varonis’s documentation for multi-tenant MSP delivery.

M365 / Entra / Azure configuration backup and rollback. Lavawall® snapshots ~30 object types across Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune, and Azure subscriptions and offers a plan-approve-execute rollback workflow with dry-run preview. Check Varonis’s documentation for configuration rollback.

AD & M365 user reporting in the same module. Inactive users, privilege creep, MFA gaps, and licence recovery across AD, M365, and Google Workspace in one unified report set. Varonis covers identity activity related to data access but is not an AD-reporting specialist in the same sense.

MSP-native pricing. Per-tenant pricing in published CAD and USD with multiple modules bundled. Varonis is per-data-store + per-user enterprise pricing; comparable functional scope for an SMB-served MSP client is materially more expensive.

Where Varonis wins

File content classification. Varonis classifies file content (PII, PHI, PCI, intellectual property, source code, contracts) and ties classification to the user activity around classified files. Lavawall® does not classify content: it monitors changes regardless of content.

Over-exposed-data detection. Varonis surfaces the file shared with "Everyone" that contains regulated data, and the folder open to far more users than its content warrants. Lavawall® covers external sharing events (the share happening) but not over-exposure of internal content (the existing permission that's too broad).

Deep behavioural baselining on data access. Varonis baselines user behaviour over time and catches deviations: the user who suddenly starts accessing files outside their normal pattern. Lavawall® covers explicit patterns (mass downloads, anomalous external sharing) but not the same depth of user-behavioural baselining.

Mature enterprise data-store coverage. NetApp, Dell EMC Isilon, Nutanix Files, Nasuni, Pure Storage FlashBlade, EMC VMAX, and similar enterprise file appliances. Lavawall® covers Windows / Linux file servers running standard SMB / NFS but does not target enterprise file appliances at the same depth.

DLP-style content inspection. Varonis can identify and act on data-loss patterns based on file content. Lavawall® is not a DLP product.

Lavawall vs Varonis: feature comparison

Feature	Lavawall®	Varonis
Windows file-server activity monitoring	Yes	Yes, deep with classification
Linux file-server activity monitoring	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
macOS file-change monitoring on endpoints	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
SharePoint Online activity monitoring	Yes	Yes, deep
OneDrive for Business activity monitoring	Yes	Yes
Google Drive / Shared Drive change monitoring	Yes	Yes
File content classification (PII / PHI / PCI)	No	Yes, flagship strength
Over-exposed data detection	Yes (external sharing); no content-based	Yes (content-based)
Behavioural-anomaly detection on data access	Yes (mass-download patterns)	Yes, deep behavioural baselining
DLP-style content inspection	No	Yes
External-sharing visibility (M365 + Google)	Yes	Yes
AD & M365 user reporting	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
M365 / Entra / Azure configuration backup & rollback	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
Multi-tenant ITDR breach detection	Yes	Yes, Varonis MDDR
Cross-platform patching (7,400+ apps)	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
GRC framework mapping (70+ frameworks)	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
Administrator elevation and execution prevention (no kernel driver)	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
Bundled smart helpdesk & remote support	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation
Multi-tenant for MSP delivery	Yes, design point	Check Varonis’s documentation
Pricing model	Per-tenant, public CAD & USD	Per data store + per user; enterprise quote
Native CAD billing	Yes	Check Varonis’s documentation

Who should pick which?

Pick Lavawall® if…

MSPs and lean IT teams who need compliance-grade file activity monitoring for SOC 2, HIPAA, NIST, CMMC, and cyber-insurance, without the per-data-store + per-user enterprise pricing of a content-classification platform.

Teams supporting mixed Windows / macOS / Linux environments who want one agent for activity monitoring across all three.

MSPs that want file activity monitoring bundled with patching, breach detection, configuration backup, GRC, and the rest of an MSP platform.

Buyers who want public per-tenant pricing in CAD and USD.

Pick Varonis if…

Enterprises with active data-loss-prevention programs that require deep file content classification on every data store.

Organizations with regulated data on enterprise file appliances (NetApp, Dell EMC, Nutanix) where deep behavioural baselining and content classification are board-level concerns.

Teams that need to identify over-exposed data based on file content rather than purely on access events.

Larger MSPs or co-managed-IT shops with enterprise clients whose DLP and content-classification budgets justify Varonis pricing.

Frequently asked

Is Varonis the same category as Lavawall®?: Overlapping but not identical. Varonis is a data-security platform with deep file-activity intelligence, sensitive-data classification, content inspection, and behavioural-anomaly detection on file shares, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace data stores. Lavawall® covers the file-change and identity-activity monitoring MSPs use for SOC 2, HIPAA, NIST, CMMC, and cyber-insurance compliance, plus the rest of an MSP platform, but does not perform deep file-content classification or DLP-style content inspection. For data-loss-prevention programs at enterprise scope, Varonis is the deeper specialist.
What does Varonis do that Lavawall® doesn't?: Varonis classifies file content (PII, PCI, PHI, intellectual property) and surfaces over-exposed data: the file shared with "Everyone" that contains 50,000 social-security numbers. It also performs behavioural-anomaly detection at deep scale on data-access patterns. Lavawall® covers file change activity (creates, writes, deletes, ACL changes, external sharing) but does not classify file content.
What does Lavawall® cover beyond file activity?: Cross-platform patching (7,400+ apps on Windows, macOS, and Linux), M365 / Entra / Azure configuration backup with structured rollback, administrator elevation and execution prevention (no kernel driver), GRC framework mapping (70+ frameworks), smart helpdesk, multi-tenant remote support, and AD & M365 user reporting in the same console. Varonis is a data-security specialist; Lavawall® is an RMM with file activity monitoring as one capability. Check Varonis’s documentation for its coverage of each.
Can I run both?: Yes. The two products complement rather than collide. Some MSPs serving regulated-data clients run Varonis for content classification and DLP, and Lavawall® for the rest of the platform. Lavawall®'s file-change monitoring and Varonis's content classification are different layers; they don't fight each other on the same endpoint.
How does pricing compare?: For SMB and mid-market MSP clients, Lavawall® is materially less expensive at the file-activity-monitoring scope MSPs actually use. Varonis is enterprise-priced per data store and per user, with additional per-feature pricing typical of the data-security category. Lavawall® is per-tenant with public CAD and USD rates and multiple modules bundled. For enterprises with active DLP programs and content-classification requirements, Varonis pricing matches the depth it delivers.