Cato Universal ZTNA vs Bowtie Private Access

CUCato Universal ZTNA8.0Visit Bowtie Private Access6.8Visit

Higher score CU Cato Universal ZTNA #13 in Zero Trust Network Access Software 8.0/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Cato

vs

Bowtie Private Access #24 in Zero Trust Network Access Software 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Bowtie

• Cato Universal ZTNA fits best

  Enterprises needing cloud-native full ZTNA

• Bowtie Private Access fits best

  Small teams wanting low-cost hybrid access

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Side by side

Feature	CUCato Universal ZTNA 8.0/10 Visit ↗	Bowtie Private Access 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.0	6.8
Ranking	#13 in Zero Trust Network Access Software	#24 in Zero Trust Network Access Software
Best for	Enterprises needing cloud-native full ZTNA	Small teams wanting low-cost hybrid access
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Browser extension	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS
Support	Docs	Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Integrations	9 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cato Universal ZTNA 2/3 · Bowtie Private Access 2/3
Device posture checks	✓	✓
SIEM log export	✓	✓
Session recording	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model	Cloud	Hybrid
Access methods	Both	Agent
Private app connectors	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported app protocols	HTTP/S, TCP/IP, UDP, RDP, SSH	TCP, UDP, ICMP
Our review
Pros	Supports both browser-based and Cato Client endpoint access Applies risk-based policies with continuous device posture evaluation Exports SIEM events to platforms including Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel	Free plan plus an $11 monthly per-user Essentials tier Device posture policies, SIEM integration, and enhanced audit records Supports TCP, UDP, and ICMP through always-on agent connectivity
Cons	Pricing requires contact with Cato representatives or partners No perpetual free plan is available Cloud deployment may not suit self-hosted requirements	Access depends on device agents rather than agentless application access Smaller platform footprint than broader ZTNA suites Enterprise-only features include MDM deployment and priority Slack support
Our verdict	Cato Universal ZTNA provides identity- and context-based access to enterprise and private applications. It is designed for organizations that need cloud-delivered zero trust network access across managed endpoints, unmanaged devices,… Read the review →	Bowtie Private Access provides Zero Trust Network Access through encrypted connections between user devices and private resources. It is designed for small teams that need hybrid access to cloud, data-center, and office resources without… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cato Universal ZTNA — where it wins

  • Supports both browser-based and Cato Client endpoint access
  • Applies risk-based policies with continuous device posture evaluation
  • Exports SIEM events to platforms including Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contact with Cato representatives or partners
  • No perpetual free plan is available
  • Cloud deployment may not suit self-hosted requirements

• Bowtie Private Access — where it wins

  • Free plan plus an $11 monthly per-user Essentials tier
  • Device posture policies, SIEM integration, and enhanced audit records
  • Supports TCP, UDP, and ICMP through always-on agent connectivity

  Where it doesn't

  • Access depends on device agents rather than agentless application access
  • Smaller platform footprint than broader ZTNA suites
  • Enterprise-only features include MDM deployment and priority Slack support

• CUCato Universal ZTNA8.0/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A cloud-native ZTNA service combining clientless access, endpoint controls, and continuous inspection.

  Visit CatoFull verdict →
• Bowtie Private Access6.8/10 · Free plan

  A low-cost hybrid access option for small teams that prefer agent-based connectivity.

  Visit BowtieFull verdict →