Best Bowtie Private Access Alternatives in 2026
The top Bowtie Private Access alternatives are Cloudflare Access, Zscaler Private Access and Akamai Enterprise Application Access: 15 zero trust network access software our editors would look at instead of Bowtie Private Access, in our ranking order.
Bowtie Private Access: A low-cost hybrid access option for small teams that prefer agent-based connectivity. Where it falls short: access depends on device agents rather than agentless application access.
Switching from Bowtie Private Access? For most zero trust network access software buyers the best Bowtie Private Access alternative is Cloudflare Access, built for organizations wanting broad, affordable ZTNA. On a budget, Twingate starts at $5/user/mo.
Why People Look for a Bowtie Private Access Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCloudflare Access9.3
Organizations wanting broad, affordable ZTNA
Visit Cloudflare Access - Lowest priceTwingate7.9
Paid plans from $5/user/mo
Visit Twingate - Best free optionCloudflare Access9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Cloudflare Access
All 15 Bowtie Private Access 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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Best forOrganizations wanting broad, affordable ZTNA
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 6.8
Broad cloud ZTNA coverage with a free plan, clientless access, and device posture checks.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
9.3/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forEnterprises needing privileged access controls
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.8
A broad ZTNA platform for enterprises needing application-level and privileged access controls.
- Session recording
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Zscaler -
Best forLarge enterprises with complex private apps
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.8
A deep hybrid ZTNA service for complex private-app environments, with contact-sales pricing.
- Session recording
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Akamai -
Best forAWS-centric teams with usage-based pricing
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.8
A strong AWS-native choice for identity- and device-aware access with usage-based billing.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forBrowser-centric enterprises needing session controls
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.8
A browser-centric zero trust access service with strong session and posture controls.
- Session recording
- Device posture checks
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forOrganizations needing hybrid application publishing
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.8
A hybrid ZTNA platform with granular policies, posture checks, and broad protocol support.
- Session recording
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Ivanti -
Best forTeams prioritizing private-app data protection
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.8
A focused ZTNA option for protecting private-app data with contextual controls.
- Device posture checks
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Forcepoint -
Best forZTNA with layered data and threat inspection
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.8
Layered access, posture, data, and threat controls for private applications.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Lookout -
Best forSmall teams needing VPN-less internal app access
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.8
A focused gateway for VPN-less access to web apps, servers, file shares, and TCP services.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco Duo -
OpenVPN CloudConnexaVerified
Best forTeams needing ZTNA alongside site-to-site networking
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.8
A broad ZTNA and private-networking platform with free access and paid controls.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit CloudConnexa -
Best forTeams wanting open-source infrastructure access
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.8
A flexible, open-source access layer for infrastructure teams that need least-privilege control.
- Session recording
- SIEM log export
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Boundary -
Best forSecurity teams needing DLP and threat detection
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.8
A broad hybrid ZTNA platform for teams that need DLP, posture checks, and threat detection.
- Session recording
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Netskope -
Best forEnterprises needing cloud-native full ZTNA
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.8
A cloud-native ZTNA service combining clientless access, endpoint controls, and continuous inspection.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cato -
Best forTeams seeking affordable agent-based private access
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.8
Affordable agent-based private access with posture checks, connectors, and policy controls.
- Session recording
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Twingate -
Best forEnterprises combining ZTNA and secure web access
- Better than Bowtie Private Access:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.8
A broad ZTNA and secure web access platform for enterprise environments.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit iboss Cloud
Bowtie Private Access Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Bowtie Private Access?
Cloudflare Access: #1 in our Zero Trust Network Access Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. Broad cloud ZTNA coverage with a free plan, clientless access, and device posture checks.
Is there a free alternative to Bowtie Private Access?
Yes. Cloudflare Access, OpenVPN CloudConnexa, Boundary and Twingate have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Bowtie Private Access?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Twingate starts lowest, at $5/user/mo.
Why do people look for Bowtie Private Access alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Bowtie Private Access?
Export your data from Bowtie Private Access (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 Bowtie Private Access.
How to Switch from Bowtie Private Access
- Export your data from Bowtie Private Access (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 Bowtie Private Access.
Bowtie Private Access vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Access methods | Device posture checks | Supported app protocols | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Bowtie Private Access | Yes | Hybrid | Agent | Yes | TCP, UDP, ICMP | 6.8 | |
| 1 | Cloudflare Access | Yes | Cloud | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, SSH, RDP, SMB, VNC | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Zscaler Private Access | Hybrid | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, RDP, SSH, VNC | 9.1 | ||
| 3 | Akamai Enterprise Application Access | No | Hybrid | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, RDP, SSH, VNC, TCP, UDP, SFTP, SCP | 9.0 | |
| 4 | AWS Verified Access | No | $0.001/unit usage-based | Cloud | Both | Yes | HTTP(S), TCP, SSH, RDP | 8.9 |
| 5 | Check Point SASE Private Access | Hybrid | Browser | Yes | HTTP/S, RDP, SSH | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | Ivanti Neurons for Zero Trust Access | Hybrid | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, SSH, RDP, ICA | 8.7 | ||
| 7 | Forcepoint ZTNA | Hybrid | Both | Yes | SSH, RDP, HTTP, HTTPS, SMB, SFTP | 8.6 | ||
| 8 | Lookout Secure Private Access | Cloud | Both | Yes | web, TCP, UDP, ICMP | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | Duo Network Gateway | No | $9/user/mo | 8.4 | ||||
| 10 | OpenVPN CloudConnexa | Yes | 8.3 | |||||
| 11 | Boundary | Yes | Hybrid | Both | TCP, SSH, RDP | 8.2 | ||
| 12 | Netskope One Private Access | No | Hybrid | Both | Yes | SSH, RDP, VoIP, SCCM | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Cato Universal ZTNA | No | Cloud | Both | Yes | HTTP/S, TCP/IP, UDP, RDP, SSH | 8.0 | |
| 14 | Twingate | Yes | $5/user/mo | Hybrid | Agent | Yes | TCP, UDP, ICMP | 7.9 |
| 15 | iboss Cloud | No | Hybrid | Both | Yes | SSH, RDP | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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