Cloudflare Access vs Cato Universal ZTNA

Cloudflare Access9.3Visit CUCato Universal ZTNA8.0Visit

Higher score Cloudflare Access #1 in Zero Trust Network Access Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit site

vs

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

• Cloudflare Access fits best

  Organizations wanting broad, affordable ZTNA

• Cato Universal ZTNA fits best

  Enterprises needing cloud-native full ZTNA

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Cloudflare Access 9.3/10 Visit ↗	CUCato Universal ZTNA 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.0
Ranking	#1 in Zero Trust Network Access Software	#13 in Zero Trust Network Access Software
Best for	Organizations wanting broad, affordable ZTNA	Enterprises needing cloud-native full ZTNA
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request · 30-day trial
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, 2FA	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS
Integrations	11 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cloudflare Access 2/3 · Cato Universal ZTNA 2/3
Device posture checks	✓	✓
SIEM log export	✓	✓
Session recording	—	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model	Cloud	Cloud
Access methods	Both	Both
Private app connectors	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported app protocols	HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, SSH, RDP, SMB, VNC	HTTP/S, TCP/IP, UDP, RDP, SSH
Our review
Pros	Free plan plus $7 per user/month paid annually Clientless and client-based access across web, infrastructure, and private resources Device posture checks, audit logs, and SIEM export support broader controls	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
Cons	Browser-rendered access has protocol and hostname limitations Session recording is not included Contract-plan pricing is custom rather than published	Pricing requires contact with Cato representatives or partners No perpetual free plan is available Cloud deployment may not suit self-hosted requirements
Our verdict	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 →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cloudflare Access — where it wins

  • Free plan plus $7 per user/month paid annually
  • Clientless and client-based access across web, infrastructure, and private resources
  • Device posture checks, audit logs, and SIEM export support broader controls

  Where it doesn't

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

• 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

• Cloudflare Access9.3/10 · Free plan

  Broad cloud ZTNA coverage with a free plan, clientless access, and device posture checks.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• 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 →