Best Cloudflare Access Alternatives in 2026
The top Cloudflare Access alternatives are Zscaler Private Access, Akamai Enterprise Application Access and AWS Verified Access: 15 zero trust network access software our editors would look at instead of Cloudflare Access, in our ranking order.
Cloudflare Access: Broad cloud ZTNA coverage with a free plan, clientless access, and device posture checks. Where it falls short: browser-rendered access has protocol and hostname limitations.
Switching from Cloudflare Access? For most zero trust network access software buyers the best Cloudflare Access alternative is Zscaler Private Access, built for enterprises needing privileged access controls. On a budget, Twingate starts at $5/user/mo. OpenVPN CloudConnexa has a free plan.
Why People Look for a Cloudflare Access Alternative
- Browser-rendered access has protocol and hostname limitations
- Session recording is not included
- Contract-plan pricing is custom rather than published
- No session recording — 7 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallZscaler Private Access9.1
Enterprises needing privileged access controls
Visit Zscaler Private Access - Lowest priceTwingate7.9
Paid plans from $5/user/mo
Visit Twingate - Best free optionOpenVPN CloudConnexa8.3
Has a free plan
Visit OpenVPN CloudConnexa - Best for session recordingZscaler Private Access9.1
Session recording (Cloudflare Access: no)
Visit Zscaler Private Access
All 15 Cloudflare 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 forEnterprises needing privileged access controls
- Better than Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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 Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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
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 Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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 Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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
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
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
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
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 Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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 Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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
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 Cloudflare Access:
- Session recording
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
A broad ZTNA and secure web access platform for enterprise environments.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit iboss Cloud -
Best forHybrid and air-gapped environments
Broad hybrid zero-trust connectivity for private applications, networks, and air-gapped environments.
- SIEM log export
- Device posture checks
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit NetFoundry
Cloudflare Access Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cloudflare Access?
Zscaler Private Access: #2 in our Zero Trust Network Access Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.1 out of 10. A broad ZTNA platform for enterprises needing application-level and privileged access controls.
Is there a free alternative to Cloudflare Access?
Yes. OpenVPN CloudConnexa, Boundary and Twingate have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Cloudflare Access?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Twingate starts lowest, at $5/user/mo.
Why do people look for Cloudflare Access alternatives?
Browser-rendered access has protocol and hostname limitations; Session recording is not included; Contract-plan pricing is custom rather than published.
How do I switch from Cloudflare Access?
Export your data from Cloudflare 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 Cloudflare Access.
How to Switch from Cloudflare Access
- Export your data from Cloudflare 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 Cloudflare Access.
Cloudflare Access vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Access methods | Device posture checks | Supported app protocols | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cloudflare Access | Yes | Cloud | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, SSH, RDP, SMB, VNC | 9.3 | |
| 1 | Zscaler Private Access | Hybrid | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, RDP, SSH, VNC | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | Akamai Enterprise Application Access | No | Hybrid | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, RDP, SSH, VNC, TCP, UDP, SFTP, SCP | 9.0 | |
| 3 | AWS Verified Access | No | $0.001/unit usage-based | Cloud | Both | Yes | HTTP(S), TCP, SSH, RDP | 8.9 |
| 4 | Check Point SASE Private Access | Hybrid | Browser | Yes | HTTP/S, RDP, SSH | 8.8 | ||
| 5 | Ivanti Neurons for Zero Trust Access | Hybrid | Both | Yes | HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP, SSH, RDP, ICA | 8.7 | ||
| 6 | Forcepoint ZTNA | Hybrid | Both | Yes | SSH, RDP, HTTP, HTTPS, SMB, SFTP | 8.6 | ||
| 7 | Lookout Secure Private Access | Cloud | Both | Yes | web, TCP, UDP, ICMP | 8.5 | ||
| 8 | Duo Network Gateway | No | $9/user/mo | 8.4 | ||||
| 9 | OpenVPN CloudConnexa | Yes | 8.3 | |||||
| 10 | Boundary | Yes | Hybrid | Both | TCP, SSH, RDP | 8.2 | ||
| 11 | Netskope One Private Access | No | Hybrid | Both | Yes | SSH, RDP, VoIP, SCCM | 8.1 | |
| 12 | Cato Universal ZTNA | No | Cloud | Both | Yes | HTTP/S, TCP/IP, UDP, RDP, SSH | 8.0 | |
| 13 | Twingate | Yes | $5/user/mo | Hybrid | Agent | Yes | TCP, UDP, ICMP | 7.9 |
| 14 | iboss Cloud | No | Hybrid | Both | Yes | SSH, RDP | 7.8 | |
| 15 | NetFoundry | Hybrid | Both | Yes | TCP, UDP | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Cloudflare Access vs Zscaler Private Access
- Cloudflare Access vs Akamai Enterprise Application Access
- Cloudflare Access vs AWS Verified Access
- Cloudflare Access vs Check Point SASE Private Access
- Cloudflare Access vs Ivanti Neurons for Zero Trust Access
- Cloudflare Access vs Forcepoint ZTNA
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update