SASE & Zero Trust
Zscaler is the world's largest inline cloud security platform, delivering Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and zero trust connectivity to enterprises globally. Built on a purpose-built cloud architecture with over 150 data centers worldwide, Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) inspect all traffic — including encrypted TLS/SSL — to enforce security policies, prevent data loss, and block threats without the latency and complexity of legacy appliance-based architectures. Zscaler eliminates the need for VPNs, firewalls at branch offices, and traditional network security stacks by routing all user traffic through its global cloud for inspection and policy enforcement.
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
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
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
Converged SASE platform powered by FortiOS with competitive pricing and integrated SD-WAN
Custom pricing / Per-user tiers starting lower than Zscaler
Mid-market and large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure that want SASE with integrated SD-WAN at competitive pricing
Cisco's unified SASE platform converging Umbrella, Duo, and Meraki into cloud-delivered security
Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user bundled subscription
Large enterprises with existing Cisco networking infrastructure wanting to consolidate security into a unified SASE platform
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
Data-aware SSE platform with pioneering CASB technology and deep cloud data protection
Custom pricing / Per-user subscription with feature tiers
Data-centric organizations in regulated industries that prioritize cloud data protection, CASB depth, and DLP over networking features
Cloud-native zero trust platform with FedRAMP authorization and competitive mid-market pricing
Competitive per-user pricing / Government and education discounts
Mid-market organizations and government agencies seeking FedRAMP-authorized zero trust security at competitive pricing
Compare all 8 Zscaler alternatives side-by-side across pricing, deployment, and key capabilities.
| Feature | Netskope 4.5/5 | Cloudflare Zero Trust 4.4/5 | Palo Alto Prisma Access 4.3/5 | Fortinet FortiSASE 4.2/5 | Cisco Secure Access 4.1/5 | Cato Networks 4.4/5 | Skyhigh Security 4/5 | iboss 4/5 |
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| Pricing Model | Per-user annual subscription | Per-user monthly or annual subscription | Per-user or bandwidth-based annual subscription | Per-user annual subscription with tiered bundles | Per-user annual subscription with bundled tiers | Per-site and per-user annual subscription | Per-user annual subscription | Per-user annual subscription |
| Open Source | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Cloud-Hosted | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Self-Hosted | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Best For | Organizations that need the deepest SaaS visibility and granular cloud application control alongside SASE capabilities | Developer-centric organizations and SMBs wanting enterprise-grade zero trust security at accessible pricing with API-first configuration | Enterprises already invested in Palo Alto Networks firewalls that want to extend their security policies to a cloud-delivered SASE architecture | Mid-market and large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure that want SASE with integrated SD-WAN at competitive pricing | Large enterprises with existing Cisco networking infrastructure wanting to consolidate security into a unified SASE platform | Mid-market and large enterprises wanting a true single-vendor SASE platform with a private global backbone and simplified management | Data-centric organizations in regulated industries that prioritize cloud data protection, CASB depth, and DLP over networking features | Mid-market organizations and government agencies seeking FedRAMP-authorized zero trust security at competitive pricing |
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The top Zscaler alternatives include Netskope, Cloudflare Zero Trust, Palo Alto Prisma Access, Fortinet FortiSASE, Cisco Secure Access, and more. Each offers different strengths in sase & zero trust.
Zscaler is a leading sase & zero trust tool, but the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements. Compare alternatives on this page to find the best fit.
Zscaler pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription. Pricing model: Per-user annual subscription. Compare with alternatives on this page to find the most cost-effective option.
Compare the best cloud-native SASE alternatives to Zscaler in 2026. Netskope, Cloudflare Zero Trust, Cato Networks — features, pricing, and architecture compared.
CategoryCompare the best enterprise SASE alternatives to Zscaler in 2026. Palo Alto Prisma Access, Fortinet FortiSASE, Cisco Secure Access — features, pricing, and integration compared.
CategoryCompare the best SMB zero trust alternatives to Zscaler in 2026. Cloudflare Zero Trust, iboss, Skyhigh Security — pricing, deployment, and features compared for small and mid-sized businesses.
Use CaseCompare the best Zscaler alternatives for secure web gateway in 2026. Netskope, Cloudflare, Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cato — SWG features, TLS inspection, and pricing compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Zscaler alternatives for VPN replacement and zero trust network access in 2026. ZTNA features, deployment, pricing, and remote access capabilities compared.
Use CaseCompare the best Zscaler alternatives for cloud application security in 2026. CASB, DLP, Shadow IT discovery, and SaaS security features compared across Netskope, Skyhigh, Cloudflare, and more.
Use CaseCompare the best Zscaler alternatives for branch office security in 2026. Cato Networks, Fortinet FortiSASE, Palo Alto Prisma, Cisco — SD-WAN, security, and branch connectivity compared.