Zscaler vs Cisco Secure Access -- SASE & Zero Trust Compared

Zscaler vs Cisco Secure Access

Cisco Secure Access brings together Cisco's extensive security portfolio (Umbrella, Duo, Talos, ThousandEyes) into a converged SASE platform, making it compelling for existing Cisco shops. Zscaler offers a more mature, cloud-native SASE architecture with superior inline inspection performance and a simpler operational model. Cisco wins on breadth of security portfolio and installed base; Zscaler wins on cloud-native architecture, inspection depth, and SASE maturity.

The Verdict

Choose Cisco Secure Access if you are a Cisco-centric organization wanting to leverage existing investments in Umbrella, Duo, Meraki, and Talos within a unified SASE platform. Choose Zscaler if you want the most mature cloud-native SASE architecture with superior inline inspection, a simpler deployment model, and deeper CASB/DLP capabilities regardless of your existing vendor relationships.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCisco Secure AccessZscaler
ArchitectureConverged from Umbrella + Duo + AnyConnectCloud-native purpose-built proxy
Zero Trust AccessDuo + Secure Client ZTNAZPA — mature, dedicated ZTNA
Secure Web GatewayUmbrella SWG with DNS focusFull inline SWG with deep inspection
SD-WANMeraki SD-WAN integrationPartner integrations, no native SD-WAN
Threat IntelligenceCisco Talos (largest commercial team)ThreatLabz research
Digital ExperienceThousandEyes (industry-leading DEM)ZDX digital experience monitoring
MFA IntegrationDuo — native best-in-class MFAThird-party MFA integration
CASB/DLPMaturing CASB and DLP capabilitiesAdvanced CASB with granular controls

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Cisco Secure Access when:

  • +You have significant Cisco networking infrastructure (Meraki, Catalyst, ISR) and want vendor consolidation
  • +Cisco Talos threat intelligence and its scale are important to your security strategy
  • +You already use Duo for MFA and want to extend it to full zero trust access
  • +Integrated SD-WAN with Meraki for branch office connectivity is required
  • +ThousandEyes digital experience monitoring is a valued capability

Choose Zscaler when:

  • +You need a mature, cloud-native SASE platform built from the ground up for inline inspection
  • +Advanced CASB and DLP with granular SaaS application controls are required
  • +You want a unified SASE platform, not a converged collection of acquired products
  • +Deployment simplicity and fastest time-to-value for SASE are priorities
  • +You are replacing Cisco VPNs specifically and do not want to stay locked into the Cisco ecosystem

Pros & Cons Comparison

Cisco Secure Access

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
  • +Meraki SD-WAN integration for branch office connectivity
  • +ThousandEyes provides industry-leading digital experience monitoring

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
  • –Complex licensing with multiple SKUs inherited from different product lines
  • –Inline inspection and SSL decryption less performant than purpose-built cloud proxies

Zscaler

Pros

  • +Massive 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
  • +Comprehensive platform covering SWG, ZTNA, CASB, and DLP
  • +Proven at scale with Fortune 500 enterprises and millions of users

Cons

  • –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
  • –ZPA and ZIA sold as separate products, increasing total cost
  • –Limited customization compared to building with best-of-breed point solutions

Zscaler vs Cisco Secure Access FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Zscaler and Cisco Secure Access.

What is the main difference between Zscaler and Cisco Secure Access?

Cisco Secure Access brings together Cisco's extensive security portfolio (Umbrella, Duo, Talos, ThousandEyes) into a converged SASE platform, making it compelling for existing Cisco shops. Zscaler offers a more mature, cloud-native SASE architecture with superior inline inspection performance and a simpler operational model. Cisco wins on breadth of security portfolio and installed base; Zscaler wins on cloud-native architecture, inspection depth, and SASE maturity.

Is Cisco Secure Access better than Zscaler?

Choose Cisco Secure Access if you are a Cisco-centric organization wanting to leverage existing investments in Umbrella, Duo, Meraki, and Talos within a unified SASE platform. Choose Zscaler if you want the most mature cloud-native SASE architecture with superior inline inspection, a simpler deployment model, and deeper CASB/DLP capabilities regardless of your existing vendor relationships.

How much does Cisco Secure Access cost compared to Zscaler?

Cisco Secure Access pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user bundled subscription. Zscaler pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / Per-user subscription. Cisco Secure Access's pricing model is per-user annual subscription with bundled tiers, while Zscaler uses per-user annual subscription pricing.

Can I migrate from Zscaler to Cisco Secure Access?

Yes, you can migrate from Zscaler to Cisco Secure Access. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.

Related Comparisons & Guides

Comparison

Zscaler vs Netskope

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

Comparison

Zscaler vs Cloudflare Zero Trust

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

Comparison

Zscaler vs Palo Alto Prisma Access

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

Comparison

Zscaler vs Fortinet FortiSASE

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

Category

Enterprise SASE Platforms

Compare the best enterprise SASE alternatives to Zscaler in 2026. Palo Alto Prisma Access, Fortinet FortiSASE, Cisco Secure Access — features, pricing, and integration compared.

Use Case

Remote Access VPN Replacement

Compare the best Zscaler alternatives for VPN replacement and zero trust network access in 2026. ZTNA features, deployment, pricing, and remote access capabilities compared.

Use Case

Cloud Application Security

Compare 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 Case

Branch Office Security

Compare 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.