Branch Office Security -- Zscaler Alternatives

Best Zscaler Alternatives for Branch Office Security in 2026

Securing branch offices has traditionally required deploying firewalls, routers, and security appliances at every location — an expensive and operationally complex model. Cloud-delivered SASE replaces this with direct-to-cloud connectivity where branch traffic is inspected in the nearest cloud PoP. Zscaler offers branch connectors and GRE/IPsec tunnels for branch traffic forwarding, but it lacks native SD-WAN capabilities. These alternatives provide integrated SD-WAN and security for branch offices, with Cato Networks and Fortinet FortiSASE leading for organizations that need converged networking and security at the branch.

How It Works

1

Audit Current Branch Infrastructure

Inventory all branch office networking and security equipment including routers, switches, firewalls, WAN links (MPLS, broadband, LTE), and local servers. Document bandwidth requirements, application dependencies, and current security controls at each branch. Identify branches running end-of-life equipment or facing capacity constraints as priority migration targets.

2

Design Branch Connectivity Architecture

Select the branch connectivity model: SD-WAN appliance with cloud security (Cato Socket, FortiGate, Meraki), GRE/IPsec tunnel from existing routers to cloud SASE, or thin-edge appliance with full cloud inspection. Define traffic routing policies — direct-to-cloud for SaaS and internet, SD-WAN overlay for inter-branch and data center connectivity, and local breakout policies for latency-sensitive apps.

3

Deploy Branch Edge Devices

Ship and install branch edge appliances (Cato Socket, FortiGate, Prisma SD-WAN ION, Meraki MX, or Cloudflare Magic WAN connector). Configure WAN links, LAN segments, and initial traffic routing. Most modern SD-WAN appliances support zero-touch provisioning — ship to the branch, connect to power and WAN, and configure remotely from the central management console.

4

Migrate Security Policies to Cloud

Translate on-premises branch firewall rules, URL filtering policies, and IPS signatures into cloud-delivered security policies. Route branch internet traffic through the cloud SASE for SWG inspection, threat prevention, and CASB controls. Maintain any necessary local security functions (east-west segmentation, IoT device policies) on the branch edge device while offloading internet security to the cloud.

5

Decommission Legacy Branch Equipment

Once branch traffic is flowing through the SASE platform and security policies are validated, decommission legacy branch firewalls, proxy appliances, and dedicated WAN optimization devices. Consider MPLS migration to broadband + SD-WAN overlay for significant recurring cost savings. Monitor branch performance through digital experience tools (ZDX, ADEM, ThousandEyes) to validate the new architecture meets SLA requirements.

Top Recommendations

#1

Cato Networks

SASE & Zero Trust

Custom pricing based on sites, users, and bandwidth

Cato provides the most architecturally pure branch office solution with SD-WAN and security fully converged on a private global backbone. Branch offices connect via Cato Socket appliances and immediately benefit from optimized routing, security inspection, and SLA-backed connectivity — all managed from a single console. No separate SD-WAN or firewall vendors required.

#2

Fortinet FortiSASE

SASE & Zero Trust

Custom pricing / Per-user tiers starting lower than Zscaler

FortiSASE delivers the most mature SD-WAN integration (Fortinet is the SD-WAN market leader) with FortiOS security inspection at the most competitive pricing. Existing FortiGate branch deployments can extend to FortiSASE seamlessly, and new branches can deploy thin-edge FortiGate appliances with cloud security offload.

#3

Palo Alto Prisma Access

SASE & Zero Trust

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-Mbps models

Prisma Access with Prisma SD-WAN (formerly CloudGenix) provides enterprise-grade branch connectivity with NGFW-level security inspection in the cloud. Best for organizations with existing Palo Alto branch firewalls that want to migrate to cloud-delivered security while maintaining consistent policy management.

#4

Cisco Secure Access

SASE & Zero Trust

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user bundled subscription

Cisco Secure Access with Meraki SD-WAN provides the most widely deployed branch networking infrastructure with cloud-delivered security. For the millions of organizations already running Meraki switches, access points, and SD-WAN at branches, adding Cisco's security services is the most natural extension.

#5

Cloudflare Zero Trust

SASE & Zero Trust

Free (up to 50 users) / Pay-as-you-go from $7/user/mo / Enterprise custom

Cloudflare Magic WAN and Magic Firewall provide branch connectivity and security through the world's largest Anycast network. While newer than competitors' SD-WAN offerings, Cloudflare's network proximity ensures low-latency connectivity for branches in virtually any location, with competitive pricing and simple deployment.

Detailed Tool Profiles

Cato Networks

SASE & Zero Trust
4.4

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

Pricing

Custom pricing based on sites, users, and bandwidth

Best For

Mid-market and large enterprises wanting a true single-vendor SASE platform with a private global backbone and simplified management

Key Features
Private global backbone with SLA-backed connectivitySingle-pass cloud engine for all security inspectionIntegrated SD-WAN with optimized routingSecure Web Gateway with TLS inspection+4 more
Pros
  • +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
Cons
  • 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

Fortinet FortiSASE

SASE & Zero Trust
4.2

Converged SASE platform powered by FortiOS with competitive pricing and integrated SD-WAN

Pricing

Custom pricing / Per-user tiers starting lower than Zscaler

Best For

Mid-market and large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure that want SASE with integrated SD-WAN at competitive pricing

Key Features
FortiOS-powered cloud securityIntegrated SD-WAN with application steeringSecure Web Gateway with SSL inspectionCloud Access Security Broker (CASB)+4 more
Pros
  • +Most competitive pricing makes enterprise SASE accessible to mid-market
  • +Consistent FortiOS experience for existing Fortinet customers
  • +Industry-leading SD-WAN natively integrated into the SASE platform
Cons
  • Smaller global PoP footprint than Zscaler and Cloudflare
  • Cloud-native capabilities less mature than purpose-built cloud SASE platforms
  • CASB and DLP features are less granular than Netskope or Zscaler
Cloud

Palo Alto Prisma Access

SASE & Zero Trust
4.3

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

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user or per-Mbps models

Best For

Enterprises already invested in Palo Alto Networks firewalls that want to extend their security policies to a cloud-delivered SASE architecture

Key Features
ZTNA 2.0 with continuous trust verificationCloud-delivered next-gen firewall (FWaaS)Secure Web Gateway with full app visibilityInline CASB and SaaS Security+4 more
Pros
  • +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)
Cons
  • 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)
Cloud

Cisco Secure Access

SASE & Zero Trust
4.1

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

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user bundled subscription

Best For

Large enterprises with existing Cisco networking infrastructure wanting to consolidate security into a unified SASE platform

Key Features
Umbrella DNS security and SWGDuo zero trust access and MFASecure Client VPN and ZTNAMeraki SD-WAN integration+4 more
Pros
  • +Cisco Talos provides massive threat intelligence from the world's largest commercial security research team
  • +Unified platform for organizations already invested in Cisco networking and security
  • +Duo provides the most established zero trust MFA and access solution in the market
Cons
  • Platform still maturing — recently converged from separate Umbrella, Duo, and AnyConnect products
  • Integration between acquired components can be inconsistent
  • Cloud-native SASE capabilities lag behind Zscaler and Netskope
Cloud

Cloudflare Zero Trust

SASE & Zero Trust
4.4

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

Pricing

Free (up to 50 users) / Pay-as-you-go from $7/user/mo / Enterprise custom

Best For

Developer-centric organizations and SMBs wanting enterprise-grade zero trust security at accessible pricing with API-first configuration

Key Features
Secure Web Gateway with DNS and HTTP filteringCloudflare Access for zero trust application accessRemote Browser IsolationInline CASB and SaaS security+4 more
Pros
  • +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
Cons
  • 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
Cloud

Branch Office Security FAQ

Why does Zscaler lack native SD-WAN for branch offices?

Zscaler was built as a security-focused cloud proxy and deliberately chose to partner with SD-WAN vendors rather than build its own networking stack. This means Zscaler customers need a separate SD-WAN vendor (like Cisco Viptela, VMware VeloCloud, or Silver Peak) for branch connectivity, adding cost and management complexity. Alternatives like Cato Networks, Fortinet FortiSASE, Palo Alto Prisma Access, and Cisco Secure Access all offer integrated SD-WAN, providing a single vendor for both branch networking and security.

Is a private backbone necessary for branch office connectivity?

A private backbone (like Cato's) provides predictable, SLA-backed performance for inter-branch and branch-to-data-center traffic, which is important for latency-sensitive applications like VoIP, video, and real-time databases. Internet-based SASE platforms (Zscaler, Netskope, Cloudflare) route traffic over the public internet, which generally works well for cloud/SaaS traffic but may introduce variability for private application access. If your branches primarily access SaaS and internet resources, internet-based SASE is sufficient. If inter-branch communication and data center access are critical, a private backbone or SD-WAN overlay provides better control.

Can I eliminate MPLS with cloud-delivered branch security?

Yes. Many organizations replace expensive MPLS circuits with broadband (cable, fiber, LTE/5G) plus SD-WAN overlay when migrating to cloud SASE. The SD-WAN provides application-aware routing, link bonding, and failover across multiple broadband connections, while cloud SASE provides the security inspection that was previously handled by data center firewalls through backhauled MPLS traffic. Organizations typically save 50-70% on WAN costs by replacing MPLS with broadband + SD-WAN + cloud SASE.

How do I handle local breakout for SaaS applications at branches?

Configure your SD-WAN or branch edge device to route SaaS traffic (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, etc.) directly to the nearest cloud SASE PoP for inspection and then directly to the SaaS provider, rather than backhauling through a data center. This is called local internet breakout. The cloud SASE platform provides security inspection at the PoP closest to the branch, and the SaaS traffic takes the shortest path to the application. All SASE platforms support this model, and it typically reduces SaaS application latency by 30-60% compared to backhauled architectures.

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