In short
Zscaler competitors for zero trust network access include Cisco Secure Access, Check Point Private Access, Barracuda SecureEdge Access, Sophos ZTNA, Timus, Todyl, Zero Networks Connect and Island. Cisco, Check Point and Sophos often suit their own firewall estates, Timus and Todyl MSP-managed teams. Forever Systems supplies all of them and can compare them with Zscaler for you.
Want to compare Zscaler with the ZTNA products we supply?
Tell us about your users, applications and current tools and we can show how the alternatives would fit, with a quote.
What Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) does
Zscaler's zero trust network access is Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), listed in Zscaler's navigation as Secure Private Access (ZPA) and built on its cloud platform, the Zero Trust Exchange. Zscaler says ZPA "brokers direct, one-to-one connections between authorized users and specific apps", so that users never access the corporate network and applications are never exposed to the public internet.
Zscaler's ZPA page (opens in a new tab) also lists capabilities including clientless Privileged Remote Access for RDP, SSH and VNC, Browser Access, Private Service Edge to bring ZTNA to on-premises users, and app segmentation. Source: Zscaler, checked 9 November 2026.
That per-application model is the same core idea behind every product on this page, which is why they are compared. If you are looking beyond private access at Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) or the whole Zero Trust Exchange, our sister site compares the platforms in Zscaler SASE compared (opens in a new tab).
Why businesses look at Zscaler alternatives
Organisations compare Zscaler with competitors for practical reasons of fit rather than any single feature:
- Existing vendor estate: businesses already running Cisco Secure Firewall, Secure Client and Duo, Check Point, Sophos or Barracuda firewalls often prefer zero trust access that shares the same management, agent or firewalls
- On-site enforcement on your own firewalls: Cisco universal ZTNA, Sophos ZTNA gateways and Barracuda private points of presence put the access point on kit you already own
- Size and team: smaller IT teams may want guided set-up, per-user or per-device licensing from a handful of users, and one console for access and web filtering
- Managed delivery: Timus is built for managed service providers and Todyl (opens in a new tab) is built with them in mind, which suits organisations that want an IT provider to help with day-to-day policy, with scope confirmed at quote
- A specific job: remote desktop only, contractors on unmanaged devices, or segmentation inside the network can each point to a more focused product
- Renewal timing: a contract renewal is a natural moment to check that the current product still matches how people work
None of these says one product is better in general. They decide which fits your organisation, which is how the NCSC frames assessing ZTNA services and providers.
Zscaler Private Access alternatives compared
Each row below is a ZTNA product we supply, drawn from the vendor's own public material:
| Alternative | How users connect | Where access is enforced | Often suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Secure Access | Cisco Secure Client, or clientless browser access; VPN as a service for legacy apps | Cisco's cloud, and on site on Secure Firewall Threat Defense with universal ZTNA | Cisco Secure Firewall, Secure Client and Duo estates |
| Check Point Private Access | Agent, agentless browser access for web, RDP, SSH and VNC, or Check Point Enterprise Browser (opens in a new tab) | Check Point's cloud gateways over its private backbone | Many third parties and multi-site organisations |
| Duo Network Gateway (opens in a new tab) (Cisco Duo Premier) | Any browser for internal web apps; DuoConnect for SSH, RDP and file shares | A gateway you host, after SAML sign-in, Duo MFA and a device check per application | Cisco Duo customers publishing a few internal apps without a VPN |
| Barracuda SecureEdge Access | SecureEdge Access Agent on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux | Barracuda's points of presence, or your Barracuda firewalls as private points of presence | Smaller IT teams and Barracuda firewall estates |
| Sophos ZTNA (opens in a new tab) | ZTNA agent or Sophos Protected Browser, with identity, MFA and device health checks | Sophos ZTNA gateway on Sophos Firewall, VMware ESXi or Hyper-V | Sophos Firewall and Sophos Endpoint estates |
| Timus ZTNA | Always-on Timus Connect agent | Timus cloud gateways, each with a static IP | MSP-managed teams wanting access, cloud firewall and static IPs for SaaS |
| Todyl ZTNA | Always-on agent shared with Todyl endpoint security | Todyl's Secure Global Network points of presence | MSP-managed organisations wanting access and endpoint security (opens in a new tab) from one platform |
| Zero Networks Connect | Lightweight WireGuard-based client | Host firewalls inside your network, opened after MFA | Pairing remote access with microsegmentation |
| Island Private Access | Inside the Island Enterprise Browser | In the browser, per app and per session, with connectors in your network | Contractors, BYOD and browser-centric work |
The licensing unit differs too: most are per user, Todyl is per device and Zero Networks Connect has its own Connect licence. Every product we supply is on ZTNA vendors, including Trend Micro ZTSA, NordLayer, Exium and TruGrid. Ask us for a quote for any of them.
Still not sure which way to go? Ask us
Tell us what matters most to you and we can go through the options we supply with you.
Companies like Zscaler: four kinds of alternative
When people ask who Zscaler's competitors are, the answer depends on which part of Zscaler they mean. For private access, the alternatives we supply fall into four groups:
- Large security platforms: Cisco Secure Access and Check Point Private Access combine zero trust access with web security and firewall estates, much as Zscaler combines ZPA with ZIA
- Firewall-linked ZTNA: Barracuda SecureEdge Access and Sophos ZTNA can use firewalls you already run as access points or gateways
- MSP-focused platforms: Timus, built for managed service providers, and Todyl, built with them in mind, licensed per user or per device
- Focused tools: Zero Networks Connect for segmentation and Island Private Access for browser-based access with data controls
Many organisations combine two: one main ZTNA product, plus a browser or focused tool for contractors or remote desktop.
Moving from Zscaler Private Access to another ZTNA
- Export what you have: the application segments, access policies, user groups and posture rules in place today.
- Map identity and devices: confirm the identity provider, MFA and device management the new product will use.
- Shortlist and trial: run two alternatives with a pilot group and real applications; the NCSC recommends trials or proof-of-concept deployments.
- Run side by side: move applications one group at a time, so each user has one clear route to each application.
- Align with renewal: plan the cut-over around your Zscaler contract dates.
- Retire the old connectors and any routes they used once every application has moved.
The same approach applies to any ZTNA change; the general version is on how to implement zero trust network access.
Weighing up Zscaler alternatives?
We can map the ZTNA products we supply against your own requirements and talk you through the trade-offs.
How Forever Systems helps
Because we supply all of the alternatives above, we can compare them against Zscaler Private Access for your organisation. We can:
- Assess your users, applications, identity provider, devices and current firewalls
- Shortlist two or three products and explain the trade-offs in plain terms
- Quote each option, with billing terms confirmed at quote
- Pilot, deploy and support the product you choose, with scope confirmed at quote
Contact us to talk it through.
How Forever Systems helps with ZTNA
Forever Systems supplies and supports several zero trust network access platforms, so we can recommend what fits how your people work and the tools you already run.
- Assess first: we look at your current VPN, firewall, identity set-up and the applications people need to reach before suggesting anything new
- Vendor-aware advice across the ZTNA products we supply, including Cisco Secure Access (opens in a new tab) and Check Point Private Access
- Pilots and phased roll-out: we can help you start with one group of users or one application, then extend access policy by policy
- VPN replacement: planning the move away from remote access VPNs, including identity provider integration and device posture checks
- Ongoing support: policy changes, licence reviews and renewals, with the details confirmed at quote
We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations. Pricing depends on users, features and term, so ask us for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Who are Zscaler's competitors?
For zero trust network access, Zscaler competitors include Cisco Secure Access, Check Point Private Access, Barracuda SecureEdge Access, Sophos ZTNA, Timus, Todyl, Zero Networks Connect and Island Private Access, all of which Forever Systems supplies. Which suits depends on your existing vendors, size, devices and whether you want a managed service.
What is the alternative to Zscaler Private Access?
Any ZTNA product that grants per-application access instead of network access can replace Zscaler Private Access. Cisco Secure Access, Check Point Private Access, Barracuda SecureEdge Access and Sophos ZTNA are common choices, especially where you already run that vendor's firewalls or endpoint security.
Which companies are like Zscaler?
Cisco and Check Point are the closest in scope, combining zero trust access with web security in large platforms. Barracuda and Sophos link ZTNA to their firewalls, while Timus is built for managed service providers and Todyl with them in mind.
Is Zscaler Private Access the same as Secure Private Access?
Yes. Zscaler's product page calls it Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), and Zscaler's navigation lists it as Secure Private Access (ZPA). Both names refer to its ZTNA service on the Zero Trust Exchange.
Can we run another ZTNA alongside Zscaler during a migration?
Usually, yes. Moving applications one group at a time, with each user given one clear route per application, lets you trial the alternative before the Zscaler contract ends. We check agent compatibility on your devices first.
Still deciding?
Ask us and a member of our team will get back to you.
More zero trust access guides
Check Point ZTNACheck Point Private Access: agent-based and agentless zero trust network access over a private backbone.
Cisco universal ZTNAOne per-app zero trust policy for remote and on-site users, enforced by Secure Access and Secure Firewall.
Timus ZTNAContinuously adaptive ZTNA from Timus: checks before sign-in, during the connection and through the session, with a static IP on every gateway.
Island Private AccessZTNA inside the Island Enterprise Browser, with last-mile data controls for staff, contractors and BYOD.