Best Azure VPN Gateway Alternatives in 2026
The top Azure VPN Gateway alternatives are OpenVPN CloudConnexa, OpenVPN Access Server and F5 BIG-IP APM: 15 business VPN software our editors would look at instead of Azure VPN Gateway, in our ranking order.
Azure VPN Gateway: A strong Azure-centered VPN gateway for hybrid networks, with usage-based pricing and tiered limits. Where it falls short: no perpetual free plan.
Switching from Azure VPN Gateway? For most business vpn software buyers the best Azure VPN Gateway alternative is OpenVPN CloudConnexa, built for businesses wanting managed VPN and zero trust. On a budget, Proton VPN for Business starts at $6.99/user/mo.
Why People Look for an Azure VPN Gateway Alternative
- No perpetual free plan
- Usage-based pricing can include extra tunnel or connection charges
- Bandwidth and tunnel limits vary across gateway SKUs
- No free plan — 6 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallOpenVPN CloudConnexa9.3
Businesses wanting managed VPN and zero trust
Visit OpenVPN CloudConnexa - Lowest priceProton VPN for Business8.5
Paid plans from $6.99/user/mo
Visit Proton VPN for Business - Best free optionOpenVPN CloudConnexa9.3
Has a free plan (Azure VPN Gateway has none)
Visit OpenVPN CloudConnexa
All 15 Azure VPN Gateway Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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OpenVPN CloudConnexaVerified
Best forBusinesses wanting managed VPN and zero trust
- Better than Azure VPN Gateway:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.1
A managed business VPN with zero-trust controls, posture checks, and cloud networking.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
9.3/10★★★★★Visit OpenVPN -
OpenVPN Access ServerVerified
Best forOrganizations needing full-featured self-hosted VPN
- Better than Azure VPN Gateway:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.1
A flexible self-hosted VPN for organizations needing deep access and authentication controls.
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
- Audit logs
9.2/10★★★★★Visit OpenVPN -
Best forEnterprises needing hybrid VPN and application access
Enterprise access control combining VPN connectivity with identity-aware application access.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit F5 -
Best forOpen-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN
- Better than Azure VPN Gateway:
- Free plan
A flexible hybrid VPN with a free tier, self-hosting, and identity-based controls.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit NetBird -
Best forAWS users needing managed remote-access VPN
A flexible, AWS-centered VPN for managed remote access and detailed access control.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Audit logs
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Client VPN -
Best forCloud-first teams securing private applications
- Better than Azure VPN Gateway:
- Free plan
A cloud-delivered VPN alternative with identity, device, and application-aware controls.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forBusinesses wanting managed VPN with privacy features
A managed business VPN with strong administration, identity, and device-management coverage.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Audit logs
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Proton VPN -
Best forTeams needing broad VPN security controls
- Better than Azure VPN Gateway:
- Free plan
A broad business VPN platform combining private access, identity controls, and device checks.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit GoodAccess -
Best forModern teams needing flexible overlay networking
- Better than Azure VPN Gateway:
- Free plan
Flexible encrypted networking with strong identity, cloud, and infrastructure-as-code support.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Tailscale -
Best forAlibaba Cloud users needing low-cost VPN gateways
A low-cost VPN gateway for Alibaba Cloud hybrid networking and remote access.
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
- Audit logs
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Alibaba Cloud -
Best forEnterprises consolidating cloud security controls
A broad enterprise ZTNA platform for consolidating access, posture, and security controls.
8.1/10★★★★☆Contact Versa -
Best forEnterprises needing complete SASE networking
A broad cloud SASE platform for enterprises that need networking and security together.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cato Networks -
Best forSecurity-focused enterprises needing recorded sessions
A hybrid private-access platform with posture checks, threat controls, and recorded sessions.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Netskope -
Best forCitrix environments needing application-level access
A Citrix-focused ZTNA service for controlling access to private and cloud applications.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Audit logs
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Citrix -
Best forEnterprises needing advanced zero-trust private access
A focused VPN alternative for enterprises that need application-level access controls.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zscaler
Azure VPN Gateway Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Azure VPN Gateway?
OpenVPN CloudConnexa: #1 in our Business VPN Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A managed business VPN with zero-trust controls, posture checks, and cloud networking.
Is there a free alternative to Azure VPN Gateway?
Yes. OpenVPN CloudConnexa, OpenVPN Access Server, NetBird, Cloudflare Access and GoodAccess have a free plan or a free tier (6 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Azure VPN Gateway?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Proton VPN for Business starts lowest, at $6.99/user/mo.
Why do people look for Azure VPN Gateway alternatives?
No perpetual free plan; Usage-based pricing can include extra tunnel or connection charges; Bandwidth and tunnel limits vary across gateway SKUs.
How do I switch from Azure VPN Gateway?
Export your data from Azure VPN Gateway (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure VPN Gateway.
How to Switch from Azure VPN Gateway
- Export your data from Azure VPN Gateway (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Azure VPN Gateway.
Azure VPN Gateway vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | SSO / SCIM | Device posture | Site-to-site networking | Admin control level | Access model | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Azure VPN Gateway | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Vpn | 9.1 | |
| 1 | OpenVPN CloudConnexa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 9.3 | |
| 2 | OpenVPN Access Server | Yes | $7/unit/mo | Yes | Yes | Enterprise | Hybrid | 9.2 | |
| 3 | F5 BIG-IP APM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | NetBird | Yes | €6/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.8 |
| 5 | AWS Client VPN | No | $0.10/unit usage-based | Yes | Yes | No | Advanced | Vpn | 8.7 |
| 6 | Cloudflare Access | Yes | 8.6 | ||||||
| 7 | Proton VPN for Business | No | $6.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.5 | |
| 8 | GoodAccess | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Tailscale | Yes | $8/user/mo | 8.3 | |||||
| 10 | Alibaba Cloud VPN Gateway | No | $0.05 usage-based | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.2 | |
| 11 | Versa Zero Trust Network Access | 8.1 | |||||||
| 12 | Cato SASE Platform | 8.0 | |||||||
| 13 | Netskope One Private Access | No | 7.9 | ||||||
| 14 | Citrix Secure Private Access | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Ztna | 7.8 | |||
| 15 | Zscaler Private Access | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Azure VPN Gateway vs OpenVPN CloudConnexa
- Azure VPN Gateway vs OpenVPN Access Server
- Azure VPN Gateway vs F5 BIG-IP APM
- Azure VPN Gateway vs NetBird
- Azure VPN Gateway vs AWS Client VPN
- Azure VPN Gateway vs Cloudflare Access
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update