Best Zscaler Cloud IPS Alternatives in 2026
The top Zscaler Cloud IPS alternatives are Suricata, Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention and Check Point Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): 15 intrusion detection and prevention software our editors would look at instead of Zscaler Cloud IPS, in our ranking order.
Zscaler Cloud IPS: A cloud IPS for distributed users with inline detection, TLS inspection, and security integrations. Where it falls short: pricing requires contacting sales rather than showing numerical prices.
Switching from Zscaler Cloud IPS? For most intrusion detection and prevention software buyers the best Zscaler Cloud IPS alternative is Suricata, built for free open-source network IDS and IPS. On a budget, CrowdSec starts at $49/mo.
Why People Look for a Zscaler Cloud IPS Alternative
- Pricing requires contacting sales rather than showing numerical prices
- The listed platform is web only
- 24/7 support is limited to selected support offerings
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSuricata9.3
Free open-source network IDS and IPS
Visit Suricata - Lowest priceCrowdSec7.8
Paid plans from $49/mo
Visit CrowdSec - Best free optionSuricata9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Suricata
All 15 Zscaler Cloud IPS 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 forFree open-source network IDS and IPS
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.2
A capable free network IDS and IPS for teams prepared to manage self-hosted deployment.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Suricata -
Best forAdvanced zero-day and exploit prevention
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.2
A strong fit for Palo Alto environments needing inline zero-day and exploit prevention.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Palo Alto -
Best forEnterprise IPS with mature threat prevention
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.2
Enterprise IPS combining signature, behavioral, and virtual patching defenses.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forBroad hybrid IPS and malware defense
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.2
A broad hybrid IPS for organizations needing inline blocking and malware defense.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Trellix -
Best forNetwork appliances with detailed IPS controls
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.2
A focused network IPS for appliance-based deployments and granular policy control.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit AhnLab -
Best forAppliance-based network threat prevention
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.2
A broad appliance IPS for inline blocking, encrypted traffic inspection, and centralized control.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Hillstone -
Best forLinux teams seeking low-cost Snort-based detection
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.2
A low-cost Snort engine with inline blocking and flexible packet analysis.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Snort -
Best forOpen-source Suricata monitoring and hunting
- Better than Zscaler Cloud IPS:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 8.2
A free Suricata stack for network detection, hunting, dashboards, and packet analysis.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit SELKS -
Best forHigh-capacity network security appliances
A high-capacity appliance combining inline prevention, inspection, and centralized security management.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Huawei -
Best forAffordable multi-scope detection with threat sharing
A multi-scope, open-source IDS/IPS with free detection and paid threat-intelligence options.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Threat intelligence
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit CrowdSec -
Best forStraightforward appliance IPS deployment
A focused appliance IPS with SSL inspection, virtual patching, and weekly signatures.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Zyxel -
Best forUsage-priced IPS inside AWS networks
A usage-priced AWS firewall with deep inspection, TLS controls, and Suricata-compatible IPS rules.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forAzure-native cloud IPS
A focused Azure-native IPS for traffic inspection, filtering, and centralized firewall management.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forHybrid IPS with automation and cloud support
A hybrid firewall and IPS suite with cloud support, automation, and broad controls.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit FortiGate -
Best forOpen-source firewall with integrated Suricata IPS
A free, open-source firewall with integrated Suricata intrusion detection and prevention.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit OPNsense
Zscaler Cloud IPS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Zscaler Cloud IPS?
Suricata: #1 in our Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A capable free network IDS and IPS for teams prepared to manage self-hosted deployment.
Is there a free alternative to Zscaler Cloud IPS?
Yes. Suricata, Snort, SELKS, CrowdSec and OPNsense have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Zscaler Cloud IPS alternatives?
Pricing requires contacting sales rather than showing numerical prices; The listed platform is web only; 24/7 support is limited to selected support offerings.
How do I switch from Zscaler Cloud IPS?
Export your data from Zscaler Cloud IPS (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 Zscaler Cloud IPS.
How to Switch from Zscaler Cloud IPS
- Export your data from Zscaler Cloud IPS (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 Zscaler Cloud IPS.
Zscaler Cloud IPS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Network scope | Inline blocking | Encrypted traffic inspection | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Zscaler Cloud IPS | Cloud | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 1 | Suricata | Yes | Free | Software | Network | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention | No | $0.009/GB usage-based | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Check Point Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Trellix Intrusion Prevention System | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 5 | AhnLab AIPS | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | ||
| 6 | Hillstone Network Intrusion Prevention System | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 7 | Snort | Yes | $29.99/device/yr | Software | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 8 | SELKS | Yes | Free | Software | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 9 | Huawei HiSecEngine USG6800G | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 10 | CrowdSec | Yes | $49/mo | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 11 | Zyxel Intrusion Prevention System | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | ||
| 12 | AWS Network Firewall | No | $0.07/GB usage-based | Cloud | 7.5 | |||
| 13 | Azure Firewall Premium | No | Cloud | 7.4 | ||||
| 14 | FortiGate | No | Hybrid | 7.3 | ||||
| 15 | OPNsense | Yes | Hybrid | 7.2 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update