Zscaler Private Access | TechRadar
feature
One of ZPA’s key advantages over traditional VPNs is that it provides seamless, always-on connections. In a typical VPN setup, users must log in, establish a connection, and then access corporate resources. This process can be cumbersome, especially for employees who frequently switch networks, such as from a wired connection to Wi-Fi or from Wi-Fi to a mobile data network.
With ZPA, there is no concept of “logging into” a VPN. Once registered, users have continuous access to their applications without the need to manually connect or reconnect. This instant access means ZPA delivers a smoother, more efficient experience, ensuring employees can stay productive without constant interruptions.
The user experience when switching networks has been further improved. While VPN users typically need to reconnect each time they switch to a different network, ZPA automatically adjusts to maintain uninterrupted access to company resources. This eliminates the hassle of reconnection prompts and ensures seamless access, making ZPA even more convenient for employees who frequently move between networks or work on the road.
ZPA also excels at providing detailed visibility and control over user activity that traditional VPNs lack. You can gain real-time insights into user activity, showing which applications are being accessed, how often they are used, and which users are consuming the most bandwidth. This level of visibility enables administrators to more effectively monitor and manage application access, identify potential security threats, and optimize network performance.
The management dashboard focuses on user and application management rather than traditional network elements such as ports and protocols. This approach complies with modern security practices and allows administrators to manage access based on user roles and application requirements rather than IP addresses or network segments.
Pricing and plans
Zscaler does not advertise prices on their website, which means you have to contact them directly and get a quote centered around your business needs. There are three levels to choose from, with Essentials offering the basic protection offered by the company, including the VPN alternative paradigm that the Zscaler product is based on. The business layer relies more on a complete ZTNA approach with network segmentation and advanced threat defense. Finally, the transformation layer focuses on Zscaler’s complete offering, targeting large enterprises with dozens of on-site and off-site employees, providing access to company assets.
While pricing isn’t available directly, you can get an idea of ​​the cost by checking the Azure Marketplace, which advertises a business plan priced at $192 for a full year for a single user. We are sure that if you contact us directly you can get a customized quote at a better price, but remember that Zscaler is one of the most well-known brands in this field and you will get a premium package with all the modern ringtones and associated with the ZTNA method whistle.
Performance
Zscaler delivers consistent high performance through its extensive global network of data centers. This extensive network ensures users experience low latency even during peak hours, as connections are always routed through the nearest and most efficient data center. Because Zscaler runs entirely in the cloud, it provides 99.999% availability, ensuring your team can securely access resources from anywhere without interruption.
Additionally, Zscaler optimizes traffic through split tunneling, which means that only traffic meant for the corporate network is routed through the VPN, while other traffic goes directly to the internet. This approach reduces bandwidth usage and increases overall speed and efficiency. However, if the service goes down, the entire company will lose access to the Internet. This situation is rare, but it can happen and should be considered when deciding whether to use Zscaler or another solution.
Privacy and security
ZPA uses the ZTNA model, which means users can only access the specific applications they need, rather than the entire network. During the demo, ZPA users cannot see any other devices or resources on the network, while VPN users can scan and view the various ports and devices connected to the corporate environment. This stark difference illustrates ZPA’s superior security model as it minimizes the attack surface and reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
By not assigning IP addresses to user devices on the corporate network, ZPA prevents lateral movement, ensuring that even if one application is compromised, it does not lead to a broader network vulnerability. This makes ZPA more secure than traditional VPNs, which essentially trust any device connected to the network.
alternative
For businesses looking for alternatives, checkpoint quantum is a viable solution that provides software and hardware solutions for online security. Similar to Zscaler, their product is based on the ZTNA approach and is also highly priced, especially if you opt for the hardware + software combo. Nonetheless, you’ll get the best protection on the market.
ProtonVPN is another viable business VPN alternative to Zscaler. While it looks lightweight in comparison, it certainly isn’t thanks to its combination of double jump and security core, and you’ll be able to protect all your assets with ease. It’s much simpler to set up and deploy, and it’s also cheaper in comparison. That doesn’t mean you don’t have scalability options or top-notch security; so if you’re a small to medium-sized business, Proton may be a better choice.
final verdict
If you’re looking for a modern, scalable, and highly secure VPN solution, Zscaler’s ZPA may be the right tool for your organization. Enterprises that prioritize security, remote access and data protection can rely on its zero-trust architecture, cloud-based delivery and real-time threat protection to stay ahead of threats.
This is one of the differences between ZPA and traditional VPNs. Of course, there’s a learning curve if you’re transitioning from a standard VPN solution, but the enhanced security, performance, and ease of management make Zscaler a worthwhile purchase for businesses that rely heavily on remote work or remote access to company resources. investment. As the shift to cloud-based applications and remote work continues, adopting a zero-trust model like ZPA can help enterprises stay ahead of potential threats while maintaining efficient, secure access to critical resources.
