Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, choosing the right endpoint protection platform can make or break your organization’s defense against threats. Today, we’re diving into a head-to-head comparison between SentinelOne and Broadcom (which includes Symantec and Carbon Black). This isn’t just about buzzwords; it’s about real capabilities that keep your data safe in a landscape riddled with zero-day attacks, ransomware, and sophisticated malware. Based on detailed insights from industry evaluations and product features, SentinelOne often edges out with its AI-driven approach, while Broadcom struggles with integration issues and outdated methods. Let’s break it down section by section to see why one might suit your needs better than the other.
AI Capabilities: The Brain Behind the Defense
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a nice-to-have in cybersecurity—it’s essential for staying ahead of threats that evolve faster than human analysts can keep up. SentinelOne shines here with its Purple AI, touted as the most advanced AI security analyst available. Imagine querying your security data in natural language, like asking, “Show me any unusual activity from last week,” and getting instant summaries, hunting suggestions, and follow-up questions. It’s all unlimited and baked into their Singularity Complete package, making threat hunting accessible even for teams without deep expertise.
On the flip side, Broadcom falls short in this arena. They don’t offer a generative AI assistant or even assisted querying, which means more manual work for your team. This can lead to burnout, slower responses, and the need for highly skilled (and expensive) analysts just to sift through alerts. In a world where threats don’t sleep, relying on human power alone feels like bringing a knife to a gunfight. SentinelOne’s AI not only detects but anticipates, reducing the workload and boosting efficiency.
Deployment: Ease vs. Complexity
Deployment might sound mundane, but a clunky rollout can disrupt operations and leave vulnerabilities open. SentinelOne keeps it simple with a single, lightweight agent that uses on-device AI for real-time threat detection. This means fewer alerts bogging down your team and superior behavioral models that catch threats without constant updates. Plus, it’s flexible—deploy in the cloud, on-premises, hybrid setups, or even air-gapped environments for ultra-secure scenarios.
Broadcom, however, complicates things by forcing choices between Symantec and Carbon Black (or both), leading to compartmentalized consoles and a heavy system footprint. Procurement gets messy, and the resource drain can impact performance across your infrastructure. Customers often report major slowdowns, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to protect without hindering productivity. SentinelOne’s streamlined approach wins for organizations looking for quick, low-impact implementation.
Detections: Catching Threats in Real Time
At the heart of any security solution is its ability to detect threats accurately and swiftly. SentinelOne’s Behavioral AI engines are autonomous powerhouses, blocking malicious activity on the spot, including sneaky fileless attacks and zero-days. In the latest MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations, they nailed 100% threat detection with 88% fewer alerts than the average competitor. That’s not just impressive—it’s a game-changer for reducing false positives and focusing on real dangers.
Broadcom’s detection game is weaker, relying heavily on signatures that can’t keep pace with modern, polymorphic threats. They haven’t even participated in MITRE evaluations since 2023, when both their products showed excessive misses. This gap means potential blind spots, especially against evolving malware. If detection is your top priority, SentinelOne’s proactive, AI-fueled method provides better coverage without overwhelming your SOC.
Investigations: Speed and Context Matter
When a potential breach pops up, investigations need to be fast and thorough. SentinelOne’s Purple AI enhances this with threat hunting quick starts, enriched alert summaries, and guided workflows that scale responses. Their Storyline feature ties related events together, offering real-time context that turns chaos into actionable insights. It’s like having a digital detective piecing the puzzle for you.
Broadcom’s setup is more fragmented, with disjointed consoles and poor third-party integrations. Without a built-in SIEM, you’re constantly switching tabs or portals, which slows everything down. Investigations become tedious, increasing the risk of missing critical details. For teams handling high volumes of alerts, SentinelOne’s integrated tools make the process smoother and more effective.
Response and Remediation: From Alert to All Clear
Detection is great, but response is where the rubber meets the road. SentinelOne excels with lightning-fast automation, including one-click remediation and rollback features that reverse malicious changes instantly. This outperforms manual methods, minimizing downtime and getting your systems back to normal without hassle.
Broadcom sticks to manual containment or scripted responses, lacking true rollback or advanced automation. It’s a legacy approach that’s slow and risky, potentially leaving your business exposed longer. In today’s fast-paced threat environment, SentinelOne’s automated response capabilities provide a clear advantage, ensuring quicker recovery and less operational impact.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR): Built-In vs. Bolt-On
For organizations without in-house expertise, MDR services are a lifeline. SentinelOne offers a native MDR option, giving you flexibility in operational models while maintaining top-tier protection. It’s seamless, integrated directly into their platform.
Broadcom doesn’t have native MDR; you’re stuck with third-party providers, which brings integration headaches, coverage gaps, data silos, and extra costs. This fragmented approach can dilute effectiveness and inflate budgets. If managed services are on your radar, SentinelOne’s in-house solution simplifies things and ensures consistent quality.
Analyst Recognitions and Customer Trust
Credibility counts, and SentinelOne has it in spades. They’ve been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms for five straight years, up to 2025. In the 2024 MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Evaluation, they achieved perfect detection scores, and they’re the top performer in the 2025 Frost Radar for Endpoint Security. These accolades highlight their autonomous, scalable prowess.
Broadcom lacks similar recent validations, with their absence from key evaluations raising questions. SentinelOne is trusted by major players in insurance, cloud services, and government, backed by leading analysts and associations. This trust isn’t accidental—it’s earned through consistent performance.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
When pitting SentinelOne against Broadcom, the former stands out for its innovative AI, seamless deployment, superior detections, and automated responses. While Broadcom has its strengths in legacy environments, it often feels disjointed and behind the curve in today’s AI-centric world. If you’re seeking a future-proof endpoint security solution that scales with your needs and reduces manual effort, SentinelOne is the way to go. Ultimately, assess your specific requirements, but the data points to SentinelOne as the more robust option for modern threats.