OpenVPN Access Server vs. Zscaler Comparison


OpenVPN Access Server OpenVPN	Zscaler	+	+
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		Related Products Cloudbrink If you’ve ever dealt with slow VPNs, or clunky ZTNA agents that degrade app performance, you’re not alone. Many IT teams are stuck balancing security with usability—and often end up sacrificing both. Here is a different approach. The high-performance ZTNA service that is part of a personal SASE solution from Cloudbrink can upgrade or replace traditional VPNs while fixing the performance and complexity that come from other vendors in the ZTNA and SASE space. Built as a software-only service, Cloudbrink delivers sub-20ms latency and 1Gbps+ speeds per user using dynamically deployed FAST edges and a proprietary protocol that recovers packet loss before it impacts the app. Security isn’t bolted on—it’s built in. With mutual TLS 1.3, short-lived certs, and no exposed IPs, Cloudbrink provides real zero trust without making users suffer through poor connections or overloaded POPs. If you’ve been burned by “next-gen” solutions that still feel like 2008, it might be time for something new. 28 Ratings Visit Website Proton VPN Protect your business against damaging data breaches and easily comply with security frameworks like ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. Our software-only virtual private network easily integrates with your existing infrastructure to provide a flexible and scalable way to protect your organization. With our VPN Professional plan, you can securely access your LAN and SaaS resources by assigning and segmenting permissions to private dedicated VPN servers, allowing employees to access only what they need. With all plans, your network traffic is secured using strong AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption. You can further strengthen your organization's security with enforced 2FA and seamless login through single sign-on (SSO) with SCIM support for automated user provisioning. Proton VPN's high-speed server network is one of the largest in the world and is part of a suite of open source end-to-end encrypted products from the makers of Proton Mail that are designed to keep your business secure. 41,009 Ratings Visit Website Private Internet Access (PIA) Browse anonymously with a private IP, and enable strong encryption to protect yourself from your ISP and public Wi-Fi networks. Enjoy unrestricted access to our anonymous VPN network. Unlock any geographic restrictions and protocol filters. Whether you're browsing or streaming, Private Internet Access will deliver. Private Internet Access has the largest network capacity across the globe to provide the highest speeds and most encryption. Private Internet Access is the only proven no-log VPN service in the world. 151 Ratings Visit Website NordVPN We help companies keep their networks and Internet connections secure. Our VPN service adds an extra layer of protection to secure your communications. We do this by applying strong encryption to all incoming and outgoing traffic so that no third parties can access your confidential information. Protect your organization against security breaches. Secure remote team access. Simplify business network security. Access region-specific online content from anywhere in the world 1,609 Ratings Visit Website IPVanish IPVanish VPN protects your personal data in the heat of privacy threats with one touch. Keep your connection safe over hotspots and unsecured networks today. Whether you need a Wi-Fi hotspot shield, or safe file access, we have a solution for you. IPVanish VPN and storage tools simplify online security for the whole home with setups for desktop, mobile, consoles, and routers. Shield your internet activity with VPN privacy, or pair VPN + storage for complete online protection. It takes more than a private internet browser to go incognito. Keep your internet activity private with our anonymous IP addresses, and we’ll help keep network hackers, ISPs, and advertisers out of your connection. Secure your Wi-Fi connection and armor your location data with VPN. The best data defense pairs security with convenience. Safeguard access to your most important files with encrypted backup, automated syncing, and remote wiping controls. 223 Ratings Visit Website Control D Control D is a customizable DNS filtering and traffic redirection platform that leverages Secure DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-QUIC, with support for Legacy DNS. - Block malicious threats - Block unwanted types of content network wide (ads & trackers, IoT telemetry, adult content, socials, and more) - Deploy in minutes on fleets of devices using RMM - Manage clients using sub-organizations - Gain visibility on network events and usage patterns, with client level granularity - Re-route traffic via proxies (through DNS) for improved privacy and security - Enjoy superior UX and simplicity Think of it as your personal Authoritative DNS resolver for the entire Internet that gives you granular control over what domains get resolved, redirected or blocked. 183 Ratings Visit Website Keeper Security Keeper Security is transforming the way people and organizations around the world secure their passwords and passkeys, secrets and confidential information. Keeper’s easy-to-use cybersecurity platform is built on a foundation of zero-trust and zero-knowledge security to protect every user on every device. Keeper’s solution deploys in minutes and seamlessly integrates with any tech stack to prevent breaches, reduce help desk costs and ensure compliance. Trusted by millions of individuals and thousands of organizations globally, Keeper is the leader for best-in-class password and passkey management, secrets management, privileged access, secure remote access and encrypted messaging. 1,812 Ratings Visit Website Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security Bitdefender Small Business Security delivers enterprise-grade, layered cyber-protection designed specifically for small organizations. It covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices with centralized, easy-to-use management, so businesses without a dedicated IT staff can deploy and monitor security from one dashboard. Key features include multi-layered endpoint protection (machine learning, behavioral analytics, real-time monitoring, process termination, and rollback) to prevent known and unknown threats. It offers ransomware prevention and mitigation (detecting abnormal encryption attempts and restoring files from backups), fileless attack protection (memory/back-injection interference, script blocking), phishing & fraud prevention (blocking deceptive sites and warning users), and advanced exploit protection (real-time shield of browsers, Office apps, Adobe Reader) for comprehensive endpoint defense. 5 Ratings Visit Website Admin By Request Endpoint Privilege Management Admin By Request EPM gives organizations control over who and what can elevate on their endpoints, without standing up servers, databases, or a dedicated admin team to run it. The model is least privilege: a user or an application receives the specific access its task requires and nothing more. This closes off a common attack route, since permanent local admin rights are what an attacker inherits when malware executes or a credential is stolen. Removing admin rights does not push users back into support queues. When someone needs a longer stretch of elevated work, they run an Admin Session that expires on its own. When they need only one program elevated, Run As Admin handles that alone and leaves the rest of the system unprivileged. Requests can be approved through the portal, the mobile app, or the API. Files receive an OPSWAT MetaDefender reputation check before elevation, and software that has already been vetted can clear automatically through pre-approval or the AI and Machine Learning approval engine. A single agent supports Windows, macOS, and Linux and behaves the same whether the endpoint is online or offline. Auditing and inventory are included as standard. 107 Ratings Visit Website ThreatLocker ThreatLocker is a Zero Trust Platform that prevents cyber threats by blocking unknown applications, enforcing least privilege, and controlling what can run across your environment. Using Allowlisting, Ringfencing, Network Control, and more, ThreatLocker stops ransomware, zero-day attacks, and unauthorized activity before execution, rather than relying on detection after the fact. Built for modern IT and cybersecurity teams, the platform delivers centralized visibility and policy management across endpoints, users, and applications. ThreatLocker reduces attack surface, limits lateral movement, and supports compliance with detailed audit logs. With fast deployment, a large built-in application library, and streamlined approvals, organizations can strengthen security while minimizing operational overhead and maintaining business continuity. 705 Ratings Visit Website
About OpenVPN Access Server is a self-hosted Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and business VPN solution that gives organizations full control over their own secure network. It's software organizations deploy directly into their own environment — on-premises hardware or their own cloud account on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or others — with tunnel traffic flowing directly between users and the server. With Access Server Link, teams can go from zero to a fully configured deployment in minutes: point-and-click setup across AWS, Azure, and GCP, automatic SSL certificate provisioning and renewal, and a web-based admin portal for managing users, certificates, and access — no SSH or manual DNS work required. Access is granted per application and per identity using domain names rather than broad network-level access, so users only reach what they're explicitly permitted to, and lateral movement is structurally blocked.	About Zscaler, creator of the Zero Trust Exchange platform, uses the largest security cloud on the planet to make doing business and navigating change a simpler, faster, and more productive experience. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange enables fast, secure connections and allows your employees to work from anywhere using the internet as the corporate network. Based on the zero trust principle of least-privileged access, it provides comprehensive security using context-based identity and policy enforcement. The Zero Trust Exchange operates across 150 data centers worldwide, ensuring that the service is close to your users, co-located with the cloud providers and applications they are accessing, such as Microsoft 365 and AWS. It guarantees the shortest path between your users and their destinations, providing comprehensive security and an amazing user experience. Use our free service, Internet Threat Exposure Analysis. It’s fast, safe, and confidential.
Platforms Supported Windows Supported Mac Supported Linux Supported Cloud Supported On-Premises Supported iPhone Supported iPad Supported Android Supported Chromebook Not Supported	Platforms Supported Windows Not Supported Mac Not Supported Linux Not Supported Cloud Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported
Audience SMBs and Enterprises looking for a Zero Trust VPN as a foundation of their network security	Audience IT security teams in search of a solution to improve all their network operations and increase security
Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported	Support Phone Support Supported 24/7 Live Support Supported Online Supported
API Offers API Not Supported	API Offers API Not Supported
Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos
Pricing Free Up to 2 connections Dependent on the number of connections and monthly or annually. If annual, under 100 connections, $7 per connection per month. If monthly, under 100 connections, $9 per connection per month. Over 100 connections will get lower pricing. Free Version Supported Free Trial Supported	Pricing No information available. Free Version Not Supported Free Trial Not Supported
Reviews/Ratings Overall 5.0 / 5 ease 4.5 / 5 features 5.0 / 5 design 5.0 / 5 support 5.0 / 5 Read all reviews	Reviews/Ratings Overall 5.0 / 5 ease 5.0 / 5 features 5.0 / 5 design 5.0 / 5 support 4.7 / 5 Read all reviews
Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros Open Source. lots of customization options. Create your own VPN profile using free networks available on sites such as vpnbook. Also available as a service - pay as you go model. Cross Platform. The software made the process of setting up a Virtual Private Network so much easier. It has a lot of configuration options available including the use of DNS servers, user permissions and more. OpenVPN has support that will help with any issues needed. Cons Initial setup is difficult - creating profiles, installing certificate (at least on windows). It still requires a fair bit of work to actually set up the Virtual Private Network.	Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros 1) Zscaler provides a Secure Web Gateway to protect users from malicious internet traffic, phishing, malware, and other online threats. It performs deep inspection of web traffic (including SSL/TLS encryption) and enforces security policies for safe browsing. This functionality is key to mitigating web-based threats for remote and mobile users 2) Zscaler offers a cloud-based next-gen firewall with advanced capabilities such as application-based control, intrusion prevention, URL filtering, and DNS filtering. The firewall is capable of securing both north-south (data center-to-cloud) and east-west (internal network) traffic. It’s highly scalable, eliminating the need for on-premises firewall appliances 3) Zscaler includes DLP capabilities that help organizations prevent sensitive data from leaving the network. This feature works across web, cloud, and email traffic to enforce policies on data sharing, ensuring that no unauthorized data is uploaded or shared 4) Zscaler employs advanced threat detection techniques, including threat intelligence, anomaly detection, and machine learning, to identify and mitigate sophisticated cyberattacks. By monitoring traffic in real time, it can detect and block malware, ransomware, and other malicious activities 5) Zscaler enables secure access to private applications without the need for a VPN. By using Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), users can securely connect to internal applications (both legacy and cloud-based) from any device or location, reducing the complexity of managing VPNs Zscaler Proxy operates entirely in the cloud, eliminating the need for on-premises hardware or complex infrastructure. This allows for easy scalability and a simplified architecture, which is particularly advantageous for organizations with remote or distributed teams. As a next-gen proxy, Zscaler Proxy offers real-time security inspection of all web traffic, ensuring protection from malware, ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats. It uses advanced threat intelligence and machine learning to detect and block malicious activity before it can reach users or critical systems. Zscaler’s proxy ensures that users experience minimal latency while their web traffic is being secured. Since the service is cloud-based, users are automatically routed through the nearest data center, ensuring fast and uninterrupted access to web resources. The platform provides robust policy control, allowing organizations to enforce detailed security rules for web traffic, such as access restrictions, content filtering, data loss prevention (DLP), and URL categorization. Administrators can configure policies based on user identity, location, device type, and more, ensuring tailored protection. Since Zscaler Proxy routes traffic through its globally distributed cloud platform, it can improve network performance and reduce latency. By caching frequently accessed content at local points of presence, Zscaler ensures fast delivery of content while optimizing bandwidth usage. Very fast set up and it connects right away. Great VPN to use and is user friendly. Also has great connection! Cons 1) Since Zscaler is a cloud-based security solution, it requires an active internet connection to function. If users are offline or disconnected from the Zscaler cloud infrastructure, they may lose access to security features, leaving them vulnerable. This can be a disadvantage for users in remote locations or those with intermittent network access 2) Zscaler's cloud-based architecture means that data is processed and stored in its global data centers. This could raise concerns for organizations with strict data residency or compliance requirements, particularly in highly regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, finance, government). Some organizations may prefer on-premises or private cloud solutions for better control over data location and storage As a cloud-based solution, Zscaler Proxy is heavily reliant on internet connectivity. While the global infrastructure is designed to mitigate connectivity issues, any internet outages or disruptions could potentially impact traffic inspection and user access to the web. While basic configurations are straightforward, some of the more advanced settings (such as SSL inspection, custom policies, and integration with third-party systems) can be challenging for new users. The learning curve may require dedicated resources to fully utilize the platform’s capabilities. Sometimes I notice my pages take a little longer to load but other than that I have no cons I can name.
Training Documentation Supported Webinars Supported Live Online Supported In Person Not Supported	Training Documentation Supported Webinars Supported Live Online Supported In Person Supported
Company Information OpenVPN Founded: 2001 United States openvpn.net	Company Information Zscaler Founded: 2008 United States www.zscaler.com
Alternatives Cloudbrink	Alternatives Kitecyber
Private Internet Access (PIA) Private Internet Access	Cloudbrink
NordVPN Nord Security	Cisco Duo Cisco
UTunnel VPN and ZTNA Secubytes LLC	Netskope
Check Point SASE Check Point Software View All	Check Point SASE Check Point Software View All
Categories IT Management Supported IT Security Supported IT admins & managers love Access Server - OpenVPN can help make network security and secure remote access easier — whether you have years of experience as an IT Admin or are just beginning your career. If you’re a Linux person, Access Server is for you. Access Server is an easy to deploy, cost-effective way to bolster your network security in a self-hosted environment. Network Security Supported OpenVPN’s scalable, easy-to-deploy solutions are built on our time-tested, industry standard open source protocol. With the ability to split traffic and only tunnel sensitive data, you won’t sacrifice internet performance or speed for security. With OpenVPN, you can say goodbye to your legacy VPN and traditional hardware and architecture that made it difficult to scale and grow. You’ll be able to harness next-gen VPN technology that grows with you and protects your business no matter where your team is working, whether from a tablet at their kitchen table, a laptop in a coffee shop, or a mobile phone at their desk. Proxy Servers Supported OpenVPN supports connections through an HTTP proxy, with the following authentication modes: no proxy authentication, basic proxy authentication, and NTLM proxy authentication. Secure Remote Access Supported With OpenVPN’s multi-layered solution, you can ensure that your mobile workforce is logging into corporate networks and third-party cloud services safely and securely. Minimize your attack surface & increase internet security levels - only authenticated users and compliant devices get access to authorized applications. VPN Supported OpenVPN business solutions provide secure, scalable, and flexible virtual private networking for organizations of all sizes. Built on the trusted OpenVPN protocol, they enable encrypted remote access, site-to-site connectivity, and seamless cloud integration. With centralized management, granular access controls, and support for modern authentication, businesses can protect sensitive data while ensuring employees and partners connect safely from anywhere. OpenVPN Access Server scales from small teams to enterprise deployments, offering reliability, strong encryption, and easy deployment across on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments. Trusted worldwide, OpenVPN combines open-source transparency with enterprise-grade features. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Supported We make ZTNA a reality for your business. Access Server and CloudConnexa® can be used to implement a zero trust network access solution that secures your network resources while limiting access to only what is necessary. Zero Trust Security Supported Transition to a Zero Trust framework with OpenVPN Access Server. Our self-hosted solution gives businesses of all sizes the ability to enforce zero trust essentials. Transition beyond protecting only what is inside of your corporate perimeter, and reduce your attack surface. With Access Server, you can protect workers using home and public WiFi networks, and SaaS applications, outside your network perimeter. We also provide all the tools and capabilities necessary for building a strong zero trust network to block or significantly mitigate attacks.	Categories AI Cybersecurity Supported AI Usage Control Supported Application Control Supported Browser Isolation Supported Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB) Supported Cloud Edge Security Supported Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) Supported Cloud Security Supported Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) Supported DNS Filtering Supported Firewall Supported IT Security Supported Microsegmentation Supported Network Security Supported OT Secure Remote Access Supported SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) Supported Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Supported Secure Web Gateways Supported Shadow AI Detection Supported Shadow IT Discovery Supported Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) Supported Threat Hunting Supported Zero Trust Security Supported
Network Security Features Access Control Supported Analytics / Reporting Supported Compliance Reporting Not Supported Firewalls Not Supported Internet Usage Monitoring Not Supported Intrusion Detection System Not Supported Threat Response Not Supported VPN Supported Vulnerability Scanning Not Supported Show More Features IT Management Features Capacity Monitoring Not Supported Compliance Management Not Supported Event Logs Not Supported Hardware Inventory Not Supported IT Budgeting Not Supported License Management Not Supported Patch Management Not Supported Remote Access Supported Scheduling Not Supported Software Inventory Not Supported User Activity Monitoring Not Supported VPN Features Anonymous Browsing Not Supported DNS Leak Protection Not Supported For Digital Security Supported For Financial Security Supported For Gaming Supported For Streaming Supported Kill Switch Not Supported Multi-Language Not Supported Multi-Protocol Not Supported Peer-to-Peer Not Supported Policy Management Supported Remote Access Supported Web Inspection Not Supported White Label Not Supported	Show More Features Cloud Security Features Antivirus Supported Application Security Supported Behavioral Analytics Supported Encryption Supported Endpoint Management Not Supported Incident Management Not Supported Intrusion Detection System Supported Threat Intelligence Supported Two-Factor Authentication Not Supported Vulnerability Management Supported Firewall Features Alerts / Notifications Supported Application Visibility / Control Supported Automated Testing Supported Intrusion Prevention Supported LDAP Integration Supported Physical / Virtual Environment Supported Sandbox / Threat Simulation Supported Threat Identification Supported
Integrations AWS Marketplace Supported Azure Marketplace Supported 1Kosmos Supported ADrive Enterprise Supported AuthLite Supported Daylight Not Supported Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager Supported Elastic Observability Not Supported Google Chrome Enterprise Not Supported IGEL Not Supported Optiv Managed XDR Not Supported Polarity Not Supported Proofpoint Digital Risk Protection Not Supported Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Not Supported Rublon Supported SecLytics Augur Not Supported SecureW2 Not Supported The Respond Analyst Not Supported ThreatAware Not Supported TrustCloud Not Supported Show More Integrations View All 59 Integrations	Integrations AWS Marketplace Supported Azure Marketplace Supported 1Kosmos Not Supported ADrive Enterprise Not Supported AuthLite Not Supported Daylight Supported Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager Not Supported Elastic Observability Supported Google Chrome Enterprise Supported IGEL Supported Optiv Managed XDR Supported Polarity Supported Proofpoint Digital Risk Protection Supported Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Supported Rublon Not Supported SecLytics Augur Supported SecureW2 Supported The Respond Analyst Supported ThreatAware Supported TrustCloud Supported Show More Integrations View All 61 Integrations
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