AWS Client VPN vs Cloudflare Access

AWS Client VPN8.7Visit Cloudflare Access8.6Visit

Higher score AWS Client VPN #6 in Business VPN Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit AWS Client VPN

vs

Cloudflare Access #7 in Business VPN Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cloudflare

• AWS Client VPN fits best

  AWS users needing managed remote-access VPN

• Cloudflare Access fits best

  Cloud-first teams securing private applications

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Side by side

Feature	AWS Client VPN 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Cloudflare Access 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.6
Ranking	#6 in Business VPN Software	#7 in Business VPN Software
Best for	AWS users needing managed remote-access VPN	Cloud-first teams securing private applications
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$0.10/unit usage-based	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs
Compliance	SSO/SAML, 2FA	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, 2FA
Integrations	7 integrations	11 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AWS Client VPN 3/4 · Cloudflare Access 0/4
SSO / SCIM	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Device posture	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Site-to-site networking	—	Not checked yet
Audit logs	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Admin control level	Advanced	Not checked yet
Access model	Vpn	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Windows 11, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, web console, AWS CLI/API	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports Active Directory, certificates, and SAML 2.0 authentication Connects with VPC, Transit Gateway, Lambda, and CloudWatch Logs Adds authorization rules, posture checks, and connection monitoring	Free plan and $7/user/month annual pay-as-you-go tier Supports identity, device posture, and protocol-aware access policies Exports Zero Trust logs to SIEM or storage destinations
Cons	Usage-based pricing adds separate endpoint and connection charges Additional charges apply for data transfer, logs, Lambda, and public IPv4 Its platform coverage is narrower than broader VPN services	Clientless browser access has protocol and hostname limitations Session recording is not included Contract-plan pricing is custom rather than published
Our verdict	AWS Client VPN is a managed, client-based VPN for remote users who need access to AWS resources and on-premises networks. It uses OpenVPN-based encrypted connections and supports Windows, macOS, Linux, web access, and AWS CLI/API… Read the review →	Cloudflare Access is a cloud-delivered zero trust network access service for employees, contractors, and other users. It applies identity, device posture, and contextual policies to self-hosted, SaaS, private-network, and infrastructure… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AWS Client VPN — where it wins

  • Supports Active Directory, certificates, and SAML 2.0 authentication
  • Connects with VPC, Transit Gateway, Lambda, and CloudWatch Logs
  • Adds authorization rules, posture checks, and connection monitoring

  Where it doesn't

  • Usage-based pricing adds separate endpoint and connection charges
  • Additional charges apply for data transfer, logs, Lambda, and public IPv4
  • Its platform coverage is narrower than broader VPN services

• Cloudflare Access — where it wins

  • Free plan and $7/user/month annual pay-as-you-go tier
  • Supports identity, device posture, and protocol-aware access policies
  • Exports Zero Trust logs to SIEM or storage destinations

  Where it doesn't

  • Clientless browser access has protocol and hostname limitations
  • Session recording is not included
  • Contract-plan pricing is custom rather than published

• AWS Client VPN8.7/10 · Paid

  A flexible, AWS-centered VPN for managed remote access and detailed access control.

  Visit AWS Client VPNFull verdict →
• Cloudflare Access8.6/10 · Free plan

  A cloud-delivered VPN alternative with identity, device, and application-aware controls.

  Visit CloudflareFull verdict →