Head-to-head · Zero Trust Network Access Software
Portnox ZTNA vs Bowtie Private Access
Portnox ZTNA leads on 0 checks, Bowtie Private Access on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scorePortnox ZTNA · 6.9/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Portnox ZTNA
- Most featuresPortnox ZTNA · 3 of 3
Portnox ZTNA scores higher on our rubric for zero trust network access software: 6.9 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #23 and #24.
On access methods, Portnox ZTNA gives you Both where Bowtie Private Access offers Agent.
Portnox ZTNA is the better fit for security-focused teams wanting session controls. Bowtie Private Access is the better fit for small teams wanting low-cost hybrid access.
- Portnox ZTNA fits best
Security-focused teams wanting session controls
- Bowtie Private Access fits best
Small teams wanting low-cost hybrid access
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Side by side
| Feature | Portnox ZTNA 6.9/10 Visit ↗ | Bowtie Private Access 6.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 6.9 | 6.8 |
| Ranking | #23 in Zero Trust Network Access Software | #24 in Zero Trust Network Access Software |
| Best for | Security-focused teams wanting session controls | Small teams wanting low-cost hybrid access |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan · 30-day trial | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| Support | Community, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Live chat, Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 10 integrations | 6 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Portnox ZTNA 3/3 · Bowtie Private Access 2/3 | ||
| Device posture checks | ✓ | ✓ |
| SIEM log export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Session recording | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Access methods | Both | Agent |
| Private app connectors | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Supported app protocols | RDP, SSH, VNC, Telnet | TCP, UDP, ICMP |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Portnox ZTNA is a cloud-native zero trust network access service for teams that need identity-aware, device-aware access to SaaS and private applications. It evaluates user identity, device certificates, and device security posture before… 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
Portnox ZTNA — where it wins
- Passwordless, certificate-based authentication with continuous posture checks
- Supports SaaS, private applications, RDP, SSH, VNC, and Telnet
- Session recording, remediation, audit trails, monitoring, and alerts
Where it doesn't
- The free version may have different feature scope from paid offerings
- Private resources require a Docker-based gateway for hosted access
- It is proprietary rather than open source
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
- Portnox ZTNA6.9/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
A posture-aware ZTNA service with passwordless access, session controls, and broad integrations.
Visit PortnoxFull 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 →
All zero trust network access software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update