When it comes to securing remote access, there’s no shortage of options—and that’s exactly the problem.

You’ve likely heard of enterprise browsers. Maybe you’ve even tried one. They’re clean, simple, and effective, especially if your users live entirely in web and SaaS apps.

But what if your world isn’t just browser tabs?

What if you’ve got Windows apps, legacy software, on-prem servers, or even full virtual desktops to secure?

That’s where Sonet.io comes in.

Enterprise Browsers: The Right Tool for a Specific Task

Enterprise browsers are designed to lock down web activity. If your workforce is primarily using SaaS and web-based apps, browser-based security tools can be a fast, efficient solution.

And the category is growing. According to Gartner, by 2026, 25% of enterprises will be using managed browsers or extensions, up from less than 10% today (source). They’re especially appealing for unmanaged device access, enforcing browser-level policy controls, and reducing the need for VPNs.

But there’s a catch—this only applies to web applications.

What Happens When Work Leaves the Browser?

Most mid-market and enterprise IT teams support a mix of:

• Legacy Windows applications
• Internal line-of-business tools
• Terminal servers and SSH interfaces
• Full virtual desktops for power users and contractors

Enterprise browsers simply don’t reach that far. That’s the gap Sonet.io was built to fill.

Why Sonet.io? Because Most IT Environments Aren’t 100% SaaS

Web security is important, but most IT environments are more complex than just a set of browser tabs. Teams often rely on legacy software, internal systems, or Windows apps that live outside the SaaS ecosystem.

And attackers know it.

According to analyst Gabe Knuth at ESG during the EUC World Independence conference in October that:

• 97% of companies use at least one Windows application
• 44% of organizations have 50+ Windows apps
• 26% have 100+ Windows apps
• And while 32% say they’ll retire all of them in 3 years, the panel was skeptical—it would require migrating 1.4 apps per month, per company

Even in tech-forward industries, Windows apps remain a critical part of enterprise infrastructure.

Security Surface Area Matters

Recent research highlights how endpoint-based access remains a major security risk:

• CISA warns of actors moving from web exploits to deeper system access
• Microsoft documented destructive attacks starting from unmanaged endpoints
• Palo Alto Networks calls out that hybrid infrastructure is under sustained attack and can’t rely solely on endpoint controls

In short: the browser is just one surface. To secure your environment, you need broader control, especially for delivering apps outside the browser.

Architecture Matters

Enterprise browsers run apps locally in a hardened browser. That means:

• The app and data are still processed on the device
• Cookies, cache, and session info live locally
• You’re still patching, managing, and securing the endpoint
  
  

Sonet.io streams apps from a secure cloud environment. Nothing is processed locally. The result:

• No data on the endpoint
• Consistent experience across devices
• Less risk, less maintenance

Still Not Sure Which to Choose?

Here’s a simple decision framework:

Bottom Line

Enterprise browsers and Sonet.io aren’t competitors, they’re built for different jobs.

• Enterprise browsers: Ideal for SaaS-first orgs needing lightweight browser-based controls
• Sonet.io: Built for enterprises with a hybrid mix of SaaS, Windows, legacy, and desktop apps

We’re not here to replace your browser, we’re here when your browser isn’t enough.

Want to see how it works?