Best Zscaler Alternatives for VPN Replacement in 2026

Replacing legacy VPNs with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is one of the primary drivers for SASE adoption. Traditional VPNs grant broad network access upon authentication, creating lateral movement risk and poor user experience. Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) pioneered cloud-deli

Best picks for this use case

#1

Cloudflare Zero Trust

Cloudflare Access provides the most accessible ZTNA with a free tier for up to 50 users and the simplest deployment model. Its application-level access controls, integration with any identity provider, and support for SSH, RDP, and web applications make it the fastest path to VPN replacement — often deployable in hours rather than weeks.

Developer-friendly zero trust platform built on Cloudflare's global Anycast network

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#2

Palo Alto Prisma Access

Prisma Access ZTNA 2.0 goes beyond initial authentication to continuously verify trust throughout the session, monitoring for threats and policy violations in real time. Best for enterprises that need the deepest ZTNA with post-connection security inspection and integration with existing Palo Alto GlobalProtect VPN infrastructure.

Enterprise SASE platform extending Palo Alto's next-gen firewall to cloud-delivered security

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#3

Netskope

Netskope Private Access provides ZTNA with the added benefit of inline data protection, preventing sensitive data from leaking through private application access. The combination of ZTNA and DLP makes Netskope the strongest choice for organizations where VPN replacement must also address data security concerns.

Cloud-native SASE platform with industry-leading CASB and granular SaaS visibility

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#4

Cato Networks

Cato's ZTNA runs on its private global backbone, providing predictable performance for remote access to private applications without the variability of internet-based ZTNA. Its integrated SD-WAN means branch offices and remote users share the same optimized network path to applications.

Single-vendor cloud-native SASE platform with private global backbone and converged architecture

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#5

Cisco Secure Access

Cisco Secure Access combines Duo zero trust MFA — the most widely deployed MFA solution — with ZTNA capabilities from the Secure Client. For organizations already using Duo and AnyConnect VPN, this provides the smoothest migration path from traditional VPN to zero trust access.

Cisco's unified SASE platform converging Umbrella, Duo, and Meraki into cloud-delivered security

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How to implement this

  1. 1

    Inventory VPN-Accessed Applications

    Document every internal application currently accessed through VPN, including web applications, SSH/RDP servers, thick-client apps, and legacy systems. Map each application to its user population, required access frequency, and data sensitivity level. Identify quick-win applications for initial ZTNA migration — typically modern web apps and SSH/RDP access.

  2. 2

    Deploy Application Connectors

    Install lightweight connectors (Zscaler App Connectors, Cloudflare Tunnel, Netskope Publishers, Cato Socket) in the network segments hosting private applications. Connectors establish outbound-only connections to the ZTNA cloud, eliminating inbound firewall rules and reducing attack surface. No changes to applications themselves are required.

  3. 3

    Configure Identity-Based Access Policies

    Integrate your identity provider (Azure AD, Okta, Google Workspace) with the ZTNA platform. Define per-application access policies based on user identity, group membership, device posture, and contextual risk signals. Enforce multi-factor authentication for all private application access. Configure posture checks for device compliance, OS version, and endpoint protection status.

  4. 4

    Run ZTNA in Parallel with VPN

    Deploy the ZTNA agent alongside the existing VPN client and migrate applications in waves. Start with low-risk web applications and SSH/RDP access, then progress to business-critical applications. Monitor user experience, connectivity reliability, and application performance during the parallel period. Gather user feedback and resolve access issues before proceeding.

  5. 5

    Decommission VPN Infrastructure

    Once all applications are migrated and validated through ZTNA, decommission VPN concentrators, remove VPN client software, and close inbound VPN firewall rules. Calculate cost savings from eliminated VPN hardware, licensing, and operational overhead. Establish ongoing monitoring for ZTNA performance, policy effectiveness, and access anomalies.

Frequently Asked Questions

VPN creates a network-level tunnel that gives authenticated users broad access to network segments — once connected, a user can reach anything on that network, creating lateral movement risk. ZTNA provides application-level access — users can only reach specifically authorized applications through the cloud broker, never the underlying network. This means a compromised user account can only access their authorized applications, not move laterally to discover and attack other systems. ZTNA also provides better performance since traffic is routed through the nearest cloud PoP rather than backhauled to a central VPN concentrator.

Cloudflare Access is the fastest to deploy — its tunnel-based connector can publish internal applications in minutes, and the free tier supports up to 50 users with no commitment. Cato Networks also offers rapid deployment with simple socket-based connectors. Zscaler ZPA and Netskope Private Access require more planning but offer deeper features. For a quick proof-of-concept, start with Cloudflare Access to validate ZTNA for your environment before committing to a larger platform.

Yes, but with varying levels of support. All major ZTNA platforms support TCP-based thick-client applications through their agent-based connectors. Zscaler ZPA, Netskope, and Cato provide broad protocol support including UDP, ICMP, and custom protocols. Cloudflare Access handles most TCP applications and is adding broader protocol support. For the most challenging legacy applications (multicast, UDP-heavy, or proprietary protocols), Cato's private backbone and Palo Alto's GlobalProtect integration typically provide the broadest compatibility.

Direct cost savings include eliminating VPN concentrator hardware (typically $50,000-$200,000 per appliance pair), VPN licensing ($20-50/user/year), and management overhead (20-40 hours/month for patching, monitoring, and troubleshooting). Indirect savings come from reduced help desk tickets (ZTNA auto-connects to apps vs. manual VPN dial-in), improved productivity from faster access, and reduced security incident costs from eliminated lateral movement risk. Most organizations report 30-50% total cost reduction after VPN decommission, with payback within 12-18 months.
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