Top 15 Shadow IT Discovery Tools in 2025

Top 10 IT Detection Tools for Shadow IT

The biggest threat to your company’s data isn’t hackers with black hoodies; quite often, it can be your own employees. They put your data at risk, not because they mean any harm, but because they want to get work done faster. Employees often turn to shadow IT to make their jobs easier and complete tasks more efficiently. Shadow IT is the use of technology systems, devices, software, apps, or services without IT approval. Today, most shadow IT comes in software, especially in SaaS. This is sometimes called SaaS sprawl, shadow SaaS, or unsanctioned SaaS. The reality is, there’s more of it than most companies realise.

The causes of Shadow IT

• Cloud adoption - Shadow IT has grown rapidly with cloud-based apps and services, many of which bypass internal controls and are invisible to IT.
  
  
• Remote working - IT teams often feel pressured to ease security rules to keep remote work flowing, while employees may push back on new policies.
  
  
• Employee efficiency - Staff use shadow IT to get tasks done more quickly, sometimes feeling they have no choice but to sidestep company security rules and tedious procurement processes.
  
  
• Collaboration - Cloud tools for file sharing and teamwork can unintentionally expose sensitive data if not managed properly.
  
  
• Personal email - Sending work files to personal accounts or using unsecured home networks puts company data at risk.
  
  
• Shadow IoT - Unauthorised IoT devices, from cameras to smart coffee machines, can connect to company networks without IT knowing, creating hidden security vulnerabilities.

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Top 10 IT Detection Tools for Shadow IT

1. Corma - Corma is a SaaS Management and Identity Access Management (IAM) platform designed to help organisations streamline and automate their software operations. It focuses on license management, access control, and cost optimisation, providing visibility into application usage, automating onboarding and offboarding, and helping IT teams maintain security and compliance across all SaaS applications. 

Made for: Small and mid-size companies managing SaaS apps and ensuring security compliance.

2. BetterCloud - BetterCloud gives visibility into cloud applications and automates policy enforcement. It helps IT teams monitor user activity, identify unauthorised apps, and secure sensitive company data, while providing detailed reporting on SaaS usage.

Made for: Companies of all sizes looking to automate SaaS management and enforce IT policies efficiently.

3. Netskope - Netskope offers a comprehensive cloud security platform that discovers shadow IT and prevents data leaks. It collects usage details from multiple applications, analyzes patterns of access, and provides recommendations for risk reduction.

Made for: Enterprises that need robust cloud security and threat detection across multiple SaaS applications.

4. Torii – Torii is a SaaS Management and Automation platform designed to help organisations gain full visibility and control over their software ecosystem. It focuses on discovering all SaaS applications in use, optimising license usage, detecting Shadow IT, and automating onboarding and offboarding processes.

 Made for: Medium to large enterprises that need visibility into SaaS usage and want to reduce shadow IT risks.

5. Cisco CloudLock - CloudLock identifies unauthorised cloud applications, monitors user activity, and secures sensitive information. It provides actionable insights and enables organisations to take proactive measures to protect their data.

Made for: Companies looking for cloud-native security tools to detect and control risky SaaS usage.

6. Symantec CloudSOC - Symantec CloudSOC monitors SaaS usage across the enterprise, detects unapproved apps, and assesses associated risks. It helps IT teams enforce policies and maintain security compliance throughout the organisation.

Made for: Large enterprises needing real-time monitoring of SaaS apps with advanced risk assessment.

7. Productiv - Productiv is a SaaS management platform that provides deep visibility into how applications are being used across an organisation. It helps IT and finance teams track adoption, manage renewals, and optimise license spend. With real-time usage analytics, Productiv enables businesses to eliminate redundant apps, rightsize subscriptions, and improve ROI on their software investments.

Made for: Mid to large companies aiming to optimise SaaS usage and reduce unnecessary software costs.

8. Obsidian Security - Obsidian Security provides full visibility into SaaS environments, tracks usage patterns, and alerts IT teams to suspicious activity. It helps ensure proper access controls and safeguards sensitive data.

Made for: Organisations that need advanced monitoring and threat detection for their SaaS applications.

9. Zscaler - Zscaler provides cloud security services that help organisations discover and control shadow IT. It identifies unsanctioned applications, analyzes risk, and blocks unsafe usage while allowing secure access to approved tools. With its cloud-native approach, Zscaler helps IT teams maintain visibility, enforce policies, and protect sensitive data across all user activity.

Made for: Enterprises seeking scalable cloud security and control over shadow IT without complex on-prem infrastructure.

10. Cledara - Cledara is a UK-based SaaS management platform designed to give organisations full visibility and control over their software stack. It helps IT and finance teams discover shadow IT, track spending, and manage app usage in one place. By consolidating payments, monitoring adoption, and automating approvals, Cledara reduces risk, eliminates redundant apps, and ensures compliance with company policies.

Made for: Small to medium businesses wanting consolidated SaaS management with finance oversight.

Summary

Shadow IT allows employees to work faster and adopt tools they find useful, but it also creates hidden risks for data security, regulatory compliance, and unnecessary software costs. For smaller teams and startups, tools like Corma are ideal, helping uncover and manage unapproved apps, streamline workflows, and control software spend. For larger teams and enterprises, platforms such as Torii, BetterCloud, and Netskope provide visibility, enforce policies, and maintain security across complex SaaS environments, keeping everyone productive and protected.

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