For years, traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been the backbone of secure remote access for enterprises. However, as workforces become more distributed, applications move to the cloud, and cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, VPNs are showing their limitations. Organizations are now embracing Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) models that operate on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Instead of granting broad network access, modern solutions authenticate users and devices continuously and provide access only to specific applications.
TL;DR: Traditional VPNs are no longer sufficient for modern, cloud-centric enterprises. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions replace wide network access with granular, identity-based controls. Leading alternatives such as Zscaler, Cloudflare One, Palo Alto Prisma Access, Cisco Duo, Perimeter 81, and Twingate provide scalable, secure, and cloud-native frameworks for enterprise connectivity. Choosing the right platform depends on infrastructure, security maturity, and workforce distribution.
Below are six of the top enterprise VPN alternatives that are redefining secure access in the Zero Trust era.
1. Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)
Zscaler Private Access is a cloud-delivered ZTNA solution designed to eliminate the need for traditional VPNs. Instead of connecting users to the entire network, ZPA connects them only to specific applications based on identity and context.
Why it stands out:
- Brokered, application-level access rather than network-level exposure
- Integrated identity and context-aware policies
- Scalable cloud-native infrastructure
- Reduced attack surface by hiding internal apps from the internet
ZPA creates a secure “inside-out” connection between users and applications, meaning applications are never directly exposed. This dramatically reduces lateral movement risks and common VPN exploits. It is particularly attractive for organizations with large cloud migrations underway.
Best for: Large enterprises transitioning from datacenter-centric networks to hybrid or multi-cloud environments.
2. Cloudflare One
Cloudflare One combines ZTNA, secure web gateway (SWG), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), and remote browser isolation into a unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform.
Unlike traditional VPNs, which route traffic back to a centralized network hub, Cloudflare leverages its global edge network to inspect and route traffic efficiently. Users connect to the nearest Cloudflare data center, minimizing latency while maximizing security.
Key features include:
- Device posture checks before granting access
- Identity provider integrations (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace)
- Protection against phishing and malware
- Granular application segmentation
This architecture supports remote workers, branch offices, and third-party contractors without compromising performance. Additionally, Cloudflare’s massive global network helps defend against DDoS attacks and other external threats.
Best for: Organizations looking for a globally distributed, performance-optimized ZTNA solution bundled with broader security capabilities.
3. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Prisma Access extends Palo Alto Networks’ next-generation firewall capabilities to remote users and branch offices through a cloud-delivered SASE framework.
Where traditional VPNs simply encrypt traffic, Prisma Access applies advanced threat prevention, DNS security, and data loss prevention to every connection.
Notable strengths:
- Consistent security policies across remote users and on-prem infrastructure
- Deep integration with Palo Alto firewalls
- Threat intelligence powered by machine learning
- Comprehensive visibility and analytics
Prisma Access is particularly appealing to enterprises already invested in Palo Alto’s ecosystem. It enables consistent security enforcement while removing reliance on concentrator-based VPN hardware.
Best for: Enterprises seeking extensive network security features combined with Zero Trust access controls.
4. Cisco Duo Zero Trust
Cisco Duo is widely recognized for multi-factor authentication (MFA), but it has evolved into a robust Zero Trust access platform. Rather than replacing VPN encryption alone, Cisco Duo enhances and in some cases replaces VPN usage by implementing strict identity verification and device trust checks.
Duo verifies user identity, evaluates device health, and then grants access only to approved applications. The focus is not merely on connection security but on contextual and adaptive trust.
Core capabilities:
- Multi-factor authentication and passwordless login options
- Device health verification
- Microsegmentation integrations
- Risk-based adaptive authentication
Organizations often deploy Duo alongside existing infrastructure during phased migrations from VPN to ZTNA. It provides quick security gains without requiring a full architectural overhaul.
Best for: Companies prioritizing identity-first security and incremental Zero Trust adoption.
5. Perimeter 81 (now part of Check Point)
Perimeter 81 delivers a cloud-based ZTNA and Secure Service Edge solution tailored for modern, distributed teams. It takes a user-friendly approach to replacing VPN hardware with software-defined perimeters.
Instead of routing traffic into a single private network, Perimeter 81 creates segmented access gateways that isolate critical resources. Administrators can define policies based on identity, role, and location.
Advantages include:
- Simple deployment and intuitive management console
- Secure access for SaaS apps, cloud environments, and on-prem resources
- Granular network segmentation
- Integrated firewall and web filtering
This solution is especially beneficial for mid-sized enterprises that require enterprise-grade protection without overwhelming complexity. It reduces reliance on legacy VPN infrastructure while maintaining user-friendly connectivity.
Best for: Growing organizations seeking a manageable, scalable VPN alternative.
6. Twingate
Twingate is purpose-built as a modern VPN replacement with application-level access controls. It does not expose internal IP addresses and requires no inbound firewall ports to be opened.
Twingate’s architecture establishes outbound-only connections between connectors and its cloud service. Users are authenticated through identity providers, and access is granted only to explicitly permitted resources.
What makes Twingate compelling:
- No network-level access by default
- Rapid deployment without hardware appliances
- Strong identity integration
- Reduced lateral movement risk
Twingate is often favored by technology companies and startups that prioritize agility and simplicity. It delivers strong Zero Trust principles without heavy operational overhead.
Best for: Cloud-native organizations and DevOps-driven teams needing streamlined secure access.
Why Enterprises Are Moving Away from VPNs
Traditional VPNs were designed for a different era — one where most employees worked in centralized offices and applications resided within on-premises data centers. Today’s landscape is vastly different:
- Employees work from anywhere
- Applications run in public and private clouds
- Third-party collaboration is common
- Cyberattacks exploit lateral movement within networks
VPNs provide broad network access once authenticated. If credentials are compromised, attackers can often move laterally through the environment. Zero Trust solutions limit this risk by segmenting access at the application level and continuously validating trust signals.
Additionally, VPN appliances can become performance bottlenecks. Cloud-native ZTNA platforms distribute traffic more efficiently, improving user experience while strengthening security.
How to Choose the Right ZTNA Solution
Not all enterprises have the same requirements. When evaluating VPN alternatives, consider the following:
- Infrastructure maturity: Are you primarily on-prem, hybrid, or multi-cloud?
- Identity integration: Does the solution align with your identity provider?
- Scalability: Can it handle global remote teams?
- Security depth: Do you need advanced threat protection and DLP?
- User experience: Will it reduce latency and complexity?
Some organizations may favor a comprehensive SASE framework combining ZTNA with additional network security services. Others may prefer a specialized, lightweight alternative focused solely on replacing VPN access.
The Future of Enterprise Access
Zero Trust is no longer a buzzword; it is rapidly becoming the standard for enterprise cybersecurity. Regulatory demands, insurance requirements, and real-world breach experiences are pushing companies to rethink legacy network security models.
By adopting one of these top VPN alternatives, enterprises move away from perimeter-based security toward identity-driven, context-aware access control. This shift dramatically reduces risk, enhances visibility, and future-proofs connectivity strategies.
The question is no longer whether to replace the traditional VPN, but which Zero Trust solution best fits your organization’s evolving architecture.
