Akamai Enterprise Application Access vs Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) comparison

Akamai and Check Point Software Technologies are both solutions in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) category. Akamai is ranked #17 with an average rating of 9.0, while Check Point Software Technologies is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5. Akamai holds a 2.0% mindshare in SASE, compared to Check Point Software Technologies’s 3.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Akamai users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 97% of Check Point Software Technologies users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 15, 2025

Akamai Enterprise Application Access and Check Point Harmony SASE compete in secure application access and network security. Akamai has the upper hand in integration and customer support, while Check Point Harmony SASE is favored for feature satisfaction and flexibility.

Features: Akamai is known for its robust security protocols, comprehensive feature set, and seamless integration capabilities. Check Point Harmony SASE is recognized for its flexibility, ease of use, and innovative features. Despite a strong security focus, Akamai's comprehensive scope sometimes overshadows Check Point's adaptability to diverse needs.

Room for Improvement: Akamai users suggest enhancing user experience, offering more customization options, and refining monitoring tools. Check Point Harmony SASE users point out the need for better reporting features, expanded integration options, and more depth in feature adaptability. Both solutions are viewed as needing improvements in monitoring capabilities, with Check Point requiring more adjustments in adaptability.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Akamai receives positive feedback for straightforward deployment and effective customer service support. Check Point Harmony SASE excels in easy initial setup but faces challenges with support response times. Akamai offers a smoother deployment process, while Check Point Harmony SASE users value self-service options despite occasional difficulties with support.

Pricing and ROI: Akamai is seen as offering a better ROI due to reliable support and effective deployment, justifying its higher initial setup costs. Check Point Harmony SASE provides competitive pricing with a good balance between cost and feature offerings. Despite higher costs, Akamai users find the ROI aligns with service quality and reliability, whereas Check Point offers satisfaction in cost-feature balance.

To learn more, read our detailed Akamai Enterprise Application Access vs. Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Akamai Enterprise Application Access vs. Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)

September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

iboss

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) category, the mindshare of iboss is 2.1%, up from 1.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Akamai Enterprise Application Access is 2.0%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) is 3.9%, down from 4.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)	3.9%
iboss	2.1%
Akamai Enterprise Application Access	2.0%
Other	92.0%

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Featured Reviews

Matt Crockford

Head of Cybersecurity at SES Water

It's easy to roll out, and their understanding of our business made it seamless

One aspect we value about iboss is its simplicity. Their customer service is brilliant, and they are super responsive and knowledgeable. It's easy to roll out, and their understanding of our business made it seamless. We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times. The user interface is highly intuitive. Our IT team picked it up with minimal training. It's arranged so that it's easy to find where things are. Another advantage is the single pane of glass console, which gives you visibility into what's happening. We're not fully there yet because we haven't implemented zero trust, but we're excited about the possibilities from the demos we've seen. We launched a POC of iboss' ChatGPT Risk Protection feature two weeks ago. AI is a great tool, but you need to be careful what you put into it. My biggest fear is employees inputting sensitive corporate information or customer PII data into one of these chatbots. I was impressed by our trial of the feature. It's exactly what we wanted. Now, when a user goes to ChatGPT, there's a banner warning them not to share information, and we can block conversations containing customer data like bank details and email addresses. I don't want to stop people from using it, but we need visibility. We've only tried it on a test group of 15 people. You can configure it to look for specific keywords or integrate it with your DLP policy if you have that configured

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Bill Lee

Cloud Architecture Consultant at Metaage

Very scalable, convenient, and stable protection against attacks

Our company uses the solution as a cloud perimeter and VPN. We don't need to use on-premises devices to open firewalls to inbound or outbound traffic. The solution is very convenient and stable because you don't have to worry about attacks to public IPs or public networks. The solution has two…

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Nasseer Qureshi

Pre Sales Consultant at Redington Group

Delivers seamless and secure remote access while enhancing security posture

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) offers strong features, but there are areas that could be improved. One area for improvement is integration with third-party identity providers. It works with standard SAML and SSO, but we would prefer deeper integrations with solutions such as Ping for more advanced identity-based policies. Additionally, a mobile-specific client or lightweight agent would be helpful for securing access from smartphones, especially in BYOD environments. We would appreciate more granular reporting and analytics, including better drill-down capabilities to investigate specific users or app activity. The logs are comprehensive, but filtering them can sometimes feel messy. The user interface on the management portal could be more intuitive, especially when managing multiple sites or remote offices. Some of the policy configuration steps are nested and could be streamlined.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We chose iboss for both zero trust and proxy (SWG) because their SWG was superior."

"The console is cloud-based, which is something I really appreciate."

"Content filtering is the most useful feature of iboss."

"iboss is among the few products providing inline filtering where no application is needed on the device."

"Valuable features: Within the filter: Controls (Web categories, applications, and Allow/Block list) and Network (local Subnets). Within the reporter: Logs (Event Log) and Reports."

"We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times."

"iboss has significantly lowered the number of security incidents. It is crazy how much it blocks and how much it is aware of the outside danger."

"Our primary use case for this product is DLP,"

More iboss pros

"The solution is very convenient and stable because you don't have to worry about attacks to public IPs or public networks."

"My favorite part of the Akamai Enterprise Application Access service is its SSO and auto-scaling capabilities."

"Application Access's most valuable feature is the accessibility of enterprise tech protection."

"The capability of Akamai Enterprise Application Access is what you're looking for, it's giving you the service that you're looking for. It's simple and doesn't use an agent. It uses LCSD responders, and they have a lot of services around the globe. That's the reason that we were very interested in using it because it has a lot of coverage. This is because it's under the GDS umbrella."

"Harmony SASE helps us to manage compliance by regulating the amount of access to each department and user. We control the relevant apps and websites, which can be accessed from company-owned devices. Harmony SASE uses its own threat intelligence data from the cloud for threat prevention, and detect and manage threats with their own threat intelligence data and SASE firewall features."

"The product has a reasonably high pricing."

"Using the preboot VPN option, we can reset a user who is working remotely that has forgotten their Windows login credentials."

"It's improved the security of every single OS in the organization as well as the visibility and security capabilities."

"What I like about Harmony Connect is that every packet through the network is screened and filtered so that only clean packets can enter the PC. This is useful for a variety of security reasons because you no longer need to worry about things like DDoS attacks."

"It is a very stable solution."

"The installation is very easy."

"Their split tunneling feature has been very valuable to our company since implementing the Perimeter 81 solution."

More Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) pros

Cons

"File integrity monitoring would be very advantageous as an additional feature."

"Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern."

"Sometimes the agent stops working in iboss, and we have to reinstall the agent."

"Fold that in with the risk intelligence they're getting from all of the different subscriptions they are a part of. Now, these security companies subscribe to things like emerging threats, databases, etc. You can fold all this intelligence to decide what's happening on an endpoint. I would love to see them start moving into that space. That would compete directly with Microsoft. Maybe that's why they haven't. Having that ability native within the solution would be great. The other area in which I would love to see improvement is more detailed descriptions of why they block websites."

"The solution could be stronger on the integration side and offer more cloud applications like G Suite or Oracle."

"Their on-premise hardware's network interface is capped at one gigabit, which is sort of a problem. If you stand a filter up where all traffic flows through that, according to them, in order to go above a gigabit, you have to have multiple devices, which in today's IT seems a little bit silly. They could easily put in an SFP port into their device that could accommodate 10 gigs or at least offer a box."

"SSL decryption: We had issues with learners using apps instead of using web browsers. This type of encryption is tough for any appliance in a BYOD environment."

"Iboss is growing so fast that it is often hard for them to keep up with the challenges."

More iboss cons

"The solution has two agents so should combine its enterprise application and security access into one agent."

"The technical enablement sessions are quite limited, and Akamai could help by providing more of them."

"The pricing could be lower for Akamai Enterprise Application Access."

"We need another approach to bring the solution to the cloud. In addition to Access Management, we would like to see if we can jump into Directories. I think ADs are going to go away and everything is going to be cloud-based and minimize the use of ADs because of the cost and some other dependencies to the cloud. Every time you buy AD it is more hardware, and everything's changing to software. The network's changing, the applications are changing, and for IT it is hard to keep up with it."

"When it comes to Check Point Quantum SASE, though the OEM provides security, it is not 100 percent full-fledged to meet the requirements from the customers' end."

"The cost is a bit expensive for most users."

"Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) could be improved as there's complexity during initial configuration, and there's a learning curve."

"Branding could be better."

"Currently, I am not able to define a different country or location, which can result in negative experiences as the tool is being recognized by websites and this can make it difficult to access them or force me to disable the program temporarily."

"The integration from a management perspective could be improved so that the management can, from an existing Check Point firewall, manage a Harmony firewall through one pane of glass."

"The Point locations need to improve the latency and speed."

"The suspend feature needs more control."

More Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is not expensive, and it is also not cheap. iboss is priced right in the sweet spot for the number of features it offers."

"It is expensive compared to one of its competitors."

"We have not priced the solution recently, but they were competitive with other vendors in the past."

"It is probably in line with other solutions, but I do not deal with the financial side."

"The overall pricing for iboss is very competitive and transparent."

"We had the cost of purchasing a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs. However, the following year, the cost of just licensing was similar to what was paid the previous year for a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs."

"The price is great it is all-inclusive, they use an enterprise cost model. That's what we like compared to other users. This is one of the main attractions of Akamai Enterprise Application Access. It's already an enterprise cost model established with us for services."

"Licensing is based on user count."

"The license can be shared based on the number of active users."

"The pricing is good, especially when you compare it to other firewall or UTM solutions from FortiGate or SonicWall, where you would have to invest about four hundred thousand rupees for 100 users over a three-year period."

"The product is reasonably priced."

"Perimeter 81 charges separately for gateways and VPN connectivity, but compared to Azure, it seemed more reasonable."

"The cost of the solution's licenses depends on the particular use cases."

"The solution's pricing model may not be suitable for smaller companies, as they might find it expensive. Larger companies tend to receive more value due to many users."

"Annual licenses cost $30 to $40 each."

"I consider the product to be a medium-priced solution. There are no additional costs attached to the tool."

"The pricing of Check Point is relatively high when compared to other competitors like Palo Alto and Fortinet. While Palo Alto may be on the higher side in terms of cost, Check Point's pricing is similar to that of Fortinet. In some cases, Check Point offers better value for the features it provides. We initially considered other options but ultimately decided to purchase hardware that came with three years of iOS. This approach eliminated the need for any additional costs associated with Check Point. I would rate it 10 out of 10."

More Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

14%

Computer Software Company

10%

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	5

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	52
Midsize Enterprise	18
Large Enterprise	15

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with iboss?

For zero trust implementation, we encountered complexity issues, especially with a large infrastructure company Exxon...

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What is your primary use case for iboss?

Previously when I used iboss, we did the POC for iboss for ExxonMobil. Four or five people wanted to move from our ol...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for iboss?

Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern. There are cheaper alte...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Akamai Enterprise Application Access?

The pricing could be lower for Akamai Enterprise Application Access.

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What needs improvement with Akamai Enterprise Application Access?

The pricing is a bit expensive for our market. Although it is cheaper compared to alternatives, Akamai Enterprise App...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Akamai Enterprise Application Access?

We use Akamai Enterprise Application Access ( /products/akamai-enterprise-application-access-reviews ) for centralize...

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What do you like most about Harmony Connect?

The product's initial setup phase is very simple.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Harmony Connect?

I am not aware of the pricing, setup cost, and licensing, but I would say the setup cost is our resource, and we have...

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What needs improvement with Harmony Connect?

Check Point Harmony SASE needs improvement as it is a very new product that lacks very basic features, and it can sta...

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Product Reports

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iboss

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ZTNA as a Service

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Akamai Enterprise Application Access report

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Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)

October 2025

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) report

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Also Known As

iBoss Cloud Platform

Soha

Check Point Quantum SASE

Overview

Iboss offers a comprehensive cloud-based security platform valued for its scalability and autonomous features, ensuring robust security with easy deployment and management capabilities.

Renowned for its robust security architecture, Iboss integrates seamlessly within diverse networks, delivering efficient granular filtering and advanced content categorization. Its single pane of glass console provides ease of management, allowing rapid scalability suitable for rapidly deploying environments. Operates in BYOD setups due to inline filtering without device installation. Integration with cloud-based applications enhances user control, and features like SASE, SSL inspection, and ChatGPT risk protection stand as highlights. Despite its strengths, users have pointed out areas for enhancement like direct navigation in reports, SSL decryption, and better cloud integration while having room to improve data loss prevention.

What are the most important features of Iboss?

Scalability: Supports rapid deployment across diverse networks.
SASE: A consolidated approach to secure access.
SSL Inspection: Ensures safe data transmission.
Granular Filtering: Detailed control over accessible content.
Single Pane Management: Unifies control through a centralized console.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Cost-effectiveness: Offers competitive pricing with robust features.
Autonomous Operation: Reduces management overhead.
Responsive Support: Provides assistance when needed.
Flexible Deployment: Available for both cloud and on-premises environments.

The usage of Iboss spans educational institutions, specifically K-12, to enforce internet policies, protect data, and support remote work environments. It provides web filtering and security frameworks to ensure safe browsing. Its platform-as-a-service model offers flexibility for both cloud-based and on-premises requirements, integrating seamlessly to deliver enhanced security features suitable for various deployment needs including zero trust, CASB, and network security for work-from-home setups.

iboss

Akamai Enterprise Application Access is a cloud-based solution that provides secure access to enterprise applications and data from any device, anywhere. It eliminates the need for traditional VPNs and allows organizations to easily manage access to applications and data for employees, partners, and customers. With its zero-trust approach, it ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information, reducing the risk of data breaches.

Akamai

Check Point Harmony SASE, formerly Perimeter 81, offers robust security features like split tunneling, MFA, and Zero Trust Network Access focused on secure remote access and optimized connectivity for remote teams.

Check Point Harmony SASE delivers advanced security through a user-friendly interface, efficient VPN connections, and a centralized management console. It enhances security with real-time threat intelligence from ThreatCloud and traffic management via built-in optimization. Firewall as a Service and Secure Web Gateway safeguard against unauthorized access and phishing. While users seek enhanced networking customizations and better integration with identity providers, there's an emphasis on improving reporting, real-time analytics, and policy management. Requests also include a Chrome extension, traffic balancing, and simplified configuration to address some resource-intensive aspects.

What are the key features of Check Point Harmony SASE?

Split Tunneling: Manages internet traffic more efficiently by routing only necessary data through the VPN.
MFA: Provides an additional layer of security through multi-factor authentication.
Zero Trust Network Access: Ensures secure connections by validating every user and device.
ThreatCloud: Enhances protection with real-time threat intelligence.
Firewall as a Service: Protects against unauthorized access and threats.
Secure Web Gateway: Prevents phishing attacks and unauthorized internet access.

How can organizations benefit from using Check Point Harmony SASE?

Improved Security: Real-time threat intelligence and robust authentication minimize risks.
Centralized Management: Simplifies control over network security and policies.
Optimized Connectivity: Efficient traffic routing enhances user experience.
Flexible Integration: Seamlessly integrates with existing IT infrastructure, enhancing strategic security deployment.

Check Point Harmony SASE is used across industries for secure remote access and connectivity, protecting sensitive data, and managing access to corporate resources. It is ideal for those with hybrid cloud models and requires comprehensive security measures combined with existing IT infrastructures to meet specific industry demands.

Check Point Software Technologies

Sample Customers

More than 4,000 global enterprises trust the iboss Cloud Platform to support their modern workforces, including a large number of Fortune 50 companies.

Bugcrowd, InPowered, Spirent Communications

Aqua Security, Cognito, Multipoint, Kustomer, Postman, Meredith

Buyer's Guide

Akamai Enterprise Application Access vs. Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)

September 2025

Free Report: Akamai Enterprise Application Access vs. Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)

Find out what your peers are saying about Akamai Enterprise Application Access vs. Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.

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