Best Of 2026
Best Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for SASE in 2026
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is the core access component of SASE, replacing legacy VPNs with identity-aware, least-privilege connectivity to applications. We evaluated the leading SASE vendors on their ZTNA maturity including identity integration, micro-segmentation, app discovery, client and clientless access options, and VPN replacement capabilities.
Last updated
How We Evaluated
Identity-Aware Access
Depth of identity integration including support for multiple IdPs, MFA enforcement, device posture checks, and continuous adaptive trust evaluation during sessions.
Micro-Segmentation
Ability to enforce per-application access policies that prevent lateral movement, with granular controls based on user identity, device posture, and contextual risk.
App Discovery
Tools to discover and catalog private applications across the network to facilitate VPN-to-ZTNA migration and ensure complete coverage.
Client and Clientless Access
Support for both agent-based access (for non-web protocols like SSH, RDP, thick clients) and browser-based clientless access for web applications.
VPN Replacement Maturity
Proven ability to fully replace legacy VPN infrastructure, including support for all application types, split tunneling alternatives, and migration tooling.
Top Recommendations
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) pioneered the ZTNA category and remains among the most mature implementations. Its inside-out architecture ensures applications are never exposed to the internet, while identity-aware micro-segmentation provides per-app access policies. ZPA supports both agent-based and browser-based access, and its app discovery feature helps organizations map their entire private application landscape before migration.
Free (up to 50 users) / Pay-as-you-go from $7/user/mo / Enterprise custom
Cloudflare Access provides ZTNA built on Cloudflare's global network with transparent pricing and API-first management. Its clientless access for web applications is seamless, the WARP client handles non-web traffic, and Terraform-based management appeals to infrastructure-as-code teams. The breadth of identity provider integrations and the simplicity of deployment make it accessible for organizations of all sizes.
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-Mbps models
Prisma Access ZTNA 2.0 extends Palo Alto's security inspection to private application access, applying App-ID, threat prevention, and DLP to ZTNA connections. Security teams familiar with Palo Alto firewalls can apply the same policy model to zero trust access, and the platform's continuous trust verification goes beyond initial authentication.
Custom pricing based on sites, users, and bandwidth
Cato's ZTNA is natively built into its single-vendor SASE backbone, providing zero trust access without separate infrastructure. Users connecting via Cato's client get the same security inspection and policy enforcement as branch office traffic, making the experience consistent across remote and on-site users. App discovery and micro-segmentation are built into the core platform.
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription
Netskope Private Access provides ZTNA with the added benefit of Netskope's data protection capabilities applied to private application traffic. Organizations concerned about data exfiltration through private apps benefit from inline DLP inspection of ZTNA connections, and the NewEdge infrastructure provides consistent global performance.
Detailed Tool Profiles
Cloud-native SASE and zero trust platform for secure internet and private application access
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription
Cloud-native SASE and zero trust platform for secure internet and private application access
- +Large global cloud with 150+ data centers for low-latency inspection
- +True inline inspection of all traffic including encrypted TLS/SSL
- +Eliminates VPNs and reduces attack surface with zero trust architecture
- –Premium pricing puts it out of reach for SMBs and mid-market
- –Complex deployment and configuration for large enterprises
- –Vendor lock-in with proprietary architecture and limited interoperability
Developer-friendly zero trust platform built on Cloudflare's global Anycast network
Free (up to 50 users) / Pay-as-you-go from $7/user/mo / Enterprise custom
Developer-centric organizations and SMBs wanting enterprise-grade zero trust security at accessible pricing with API-first configuration
- +Largest global network (300+ cities) with sub-50ms latency for most users worldwide
- +Generous free tier for up to 50 users makes it accessible to small teams
- +Developer-friendly with Terraform, API-first design, and infrastructure-as-code workflows
- –CASB and DLP capabilities are less mature than Zscaler and Netskope
- –Enterprise support and professional services less established than legacy vendors
- –Fewer pre-built integrations with enterprise IT service management tools
Enterprise SASE platform extending Palo Alto's next-gen firewall to cloud-delivered security
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-Mbps models
Enterprises already invested in Palo Alto Networks firewalls that want to extend their security policies to a cloud-delivered SASE architecture
- +Seamless policy extension for existing Palo Alto NGFW customers
- +ZTNA 2.0 provides continuous trust verification beyond initial authentication
- +Comprehensive SASE stack with integrated SD-WAN (Prisma SD-WAN)
- –Most expensive SASE option with complex licensing and add-on costs
- –Not truly cloud-native — evolved from on-prem firewall architecture
- –Management complexity with multiple consoles (Panorama, Strata Cloud Manager)
Single-vendor cloud-native SASE platform with private global backbone and converged architecture
Custom pricing based on sites, users, and bandwidth
Mid-market and large enterprises wanting a true single-vendor SASE platform with a private global backbone and simplified management
- +True single-vendor SASE built from scratch — not assembled from acquisitions
- +Private global backbone provides predictable, SLA-backed performance
- +Simplest management experience with a single unified console
- –Smaller PoP footprint than Zscaler and Cloudflare (80+ vs 150+/300+)
- –Less mature CASB and DLP compared to Netskope and Zscaler
- –Fewer integrations with third-party security tools
Cloud-native SASE platform with industry-leading CASB and granular SaaS visibility
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription
Organizations that need the deepest SaaS visibility and granular cloud application control alongside SASE capabilities
- +Strong CASB with the deepest SaaS app visibility and activity-level controls
- +NewEdge network provides fast, full-compute security in 70+ regions
- +Superior data protection with advanced DLP, exact data match, and fingerprinting
- –Premium pricing comparable to Zscaler, difficult for mid-market budgets
- –SD-WAN capabilities less mature than dedicated SD-WAN vendors
- –Smaller global PoP footprint than Zscaler (70+ vs 150+)
Best Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for SASE FAQ
What is the difference between ZTNA and VPN?
VPN provides network-level access — once connected, users can typically reach any resource on the network. ZTNA provides application-level access based on identity, granting access only to specific applications a user is authorized for. ZTNA eliminates the lateral movement risk inherent in VPN and doesn't require exposing network infrastructure to the internet.
Should I use agent-based or agentless ZTNA?
Agent-based ZTNA (using a client on the device) supports all application types including non-web protocols like SSH, RDP, and thick clients. Agentless ZTNA works through a browser and is ideal for web applications, third-party contractor access, and BYOD scenarios. Most organizations deploy both: agent-based for managed devices and agentless for unmanaged or third-party access.
How do I migrate from VPN to ZTNA?
Start with application discovery to identify all private applications accessed via VPN. Then onboard applications in phases, beginning with web-based apps (easiest) and moving to non-web protocols. Run ZTNA in parallel with VPN during migration to avoid disruption. Most SASE vendors provide migration guides and professional services to assist with the transition.
Sources & References
- Zscaler — Official Website[Vendor]
- Zscaler Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Zscaler Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Cloudflare Zero Trust — Official Website[Vendor]
- Cloudflare Zero Trust Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Cloudflare Zero Trust Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Palo Alto Prisma Access — Official Website[Vendor]
- Palo Alto Prisma Access Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Palo Alto Prisma Access Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Cato Networks — Official Website[Vendor]
- Cato Networks Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Cato Networks Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
- Netskope — Official Website[Vendor]
- Netskope Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
- Netskope Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
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