F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) vs Zscaler Private Access comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) and Zscaler Private Access based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about F5, Citrix, HAProxy and others in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC).
To learn more, read our detailed Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"In terms of stability, it is stable.""It is a fast and available solution.""We have found the consistency of the application always being the way it is supposed to be as its most valuable feature.""The product is quite flexible.""We are fond of the load balancing feature for DNS and servers.""The most valuable features are the WAF and the big IP.""In my team, we work in a very agile environment and the solutions from BIG-IP, including BIG-IP WAF, suit us well when developing and serving our applications.""Valuable features include Link Controller and Server Load Balancer."

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"Zscaler Private Access is a platform that eliminates the complexity of VPN configuration.""The user interface of Zscaler Private Access is excellent. With proper knowledge and expertise, one can efficiently handle intricate enterprise environments without feeling overwhelmed. This leads to exceptional productivity for managed service providers. The user experience is remarkably streamlined, enabling the management of even the most complex enterprise setups without any excessive complications.""What I find most valuable in Zscaler Private Access is that it's a VPN. Its connectivity as a VPN is its most valuable feature.""It is a stable solution.""We don't need to connect anymore. It is automatically connected when you log on in Windows.""I find all Zscaler Private Access features valuable because each replaces flawed technologies, such as EPAs being replacements for VPN and PR as a replacement for PAM, so I can't mention only one valuable feature. Overall, Zscaler Private Access is a good solution.""The most valuable feature of Zscaler Private Access is we do not have to connect to a VPN, it is seamless. It is more convenient for us because we use one agent to cover the internet and VPN access.""The ZPA is a unique feature which offers VPN along with all the additional security needed."

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Cons
"It reaches a point where scaling is no longer possible.""I would like them to have more flexible models.""The solution is scalable.""F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager could improve by having an FNI feature for a single source to multi-domain load balancing.""F5 BIG-IP LTM can improve on the SSL loading which includes the authentication of certificates. Although, most of these issues have been solved there are still some issue that persists.""The solution's hardware quality needs improvement.""The user experience for dashboards and reports can be improved. They should make dashboards and the reporting system easier for users. They need to add more reports to the dashboard. Currently, for complicated reports, I have to do the customization. It should have more integration with network firewalls to be able to gather all the information required for traffic management.""In terms of native integrations, there is a lot of instability. Also, integration is not robust with F5."

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"I can't speak to any missing features.""Zscaler Private Access needs to improve its collaboration with applications without compromising security.""The pricing for Private Access seems to be on the expensive side, and I believe they should consider making it more competitive with other solutions.""It would be better if the Zscaler Private Access team made it easier for people to find subscriptions on the portal, mainly information on what my customers subscribed to or the type of licenses purchased.""Zscaler Private Access's reporting is poor. We should have more insight into the reports regarding what is blocked and allowed.""More on-prem infrastructure is required when Zscaler Private Access is to be implemented as a single point of entry.""We would like to extend the SASE applications for Zscaler.""Users report application access or latency issues with Zscaler Private Access."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Though functionality is high, its cost can be considered slightly higher than its competitors​."
  • "The licensing pricing seems relatively easy enough to get your head around. I would advise anyone to ensure that you have a conversation with an F5 consultant before purchasing, as you would with most products."
  • "Take a look at the modules that you are going to use. Look into the best bundles for them."
  • "The only area that has room for improvement would be pricing, so its competitors do not have a say."
  • "If your IT budget is good, go for it."
  • "This product is costly from a licensing perspective considering its competitors."
  • "Check other vendors like Cisco, Citrix or A10 Networks. There are plenty in the market with which you can achieve same thing."
  • "Great product for the money. But they can get really expensive, so get what meets your needs."
  • More F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Pricing for Zscaler Private Access is moderate. It's acceptable, though I can't give you the exact price currently. It's not too expensive, and on a scale of one to five, I would rate it a four out of five in terms of pricing."
  • "The cost is expensive. It depends on the number of users."
  • "My company is a Zscaler Private Access partner, so the customers pay for the license fees."
  • "The price is competitive."
  • "In terms of market positioning, I would describe Zscaler Private Access as offering optimal pricing. Based on our experience, Cato Networks tends to be slightly more expensive."
  • "Zscaler Private Access is extremely expensive."
  • "The solution is expensive."
  • "The technical support is good."
  • More Zscaler Private Access Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The support from F5 BIG-IP LTM is good.
    Top Answer:There are a few licensing options available for F5 BIG-IP LTM. You can have a perpetual license which is a lifetime license. You then only need to renew the support, if you choose to open a ticket… more »
    Top Answer:The pricing must be more flexible. We get billed for firewalls based on the usage. It will be helpful if the solution provides such flexibility.
    Top Answer: We looked into Prisma Access before choosing Zscaler Private Access (ZPA). Palo Alto’s Prisma Access is a secure access service edge (SASE) designed to deliver network security in a… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of Zscaler Private Access are reliability, scalability, and availability.
    Top Answer:Zscaler Private Access needs to improve its collaboration with applications without compromising security. The solution needs to improve native security, seamless protection, and user experience… more »
    Ranking
    Views
    10,717
    Comparisons
    8,912
    Reviews
    30
    Average Words per Review
    483
    Rating
    8.3
    2nd
    out of 34 in ZTNA as a Service
    Views
    7,395
    Comparisons
    5,837
    Reviews
    16
    Average Words per Review
    414
    Rating
    8.6
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    F5 BIG-IP, BIG-IP LTM, F5 ASM, Viprion, F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition , Crescendo Networks Application Delivery Controller, BIG IP
    Learn More
    Overview

    F5 BIG-IP LTM optimizes the speed and reliability of your apps via both network and application layers. Using real-time protocol and traffic management decisions based on app and server and connection management conditions, and TCP and content offloading, BIG-IP LTM dramatically improves application and infrastructure responsiveness. BIG-IP LTM's architecture includes protocol awareness to control traffic for the most important applications. BIG-IP LTM tracks the dynamic performance levels of servers and delivers SSL performance and visibility for inbound and outbound traffic, to protect the user experience by encrypting everything from the client to the server.

    BIG-IP LTM provides enterprise-class Application Delivery Controller (ADC). You get granular layer 7 control, SSL offloading and acceleration capabilities, and advanced scaling technologies that deliver performance and reliability on-demand. The highly optimized TCP/IP stack combines TCP/IP techniques and improvements in the latest RFCs with extensions to minimize the effect of congestion and packet loss and recovery. Independent testing tools and customer experiences show LTM's TCP stack delivers up to a 2x performance gain for users and a 4x increase in bandwidth efficiency.

    Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) is a top ZTNA service solution that redefines private application access with advanced connectivity, segmentation, and security capabilities to protect your business from threats while providing a great user experience.

    Zscaler Private Access Features

    ZPA has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:


    • Risk-based policy engine: Continuously validate access policies based on user, device, content, and application risk posture with a powerful native policy engine to ensure only valid, authenticated users can access private applications.


    • Unified client and clientless access: Choose the optimal method of protection for your hybrid environment. Client-based access ensures managed users are protected even when they are off the corporate network through a lightweight agent, the Zscaler Client Connector. Clientless access provides unmanaged users with frictionless app access from any device and web browser, no client needed.


    • Browser access: Allow BYOD and third-party users to freely use their own devices to seamlessly and securely access internal apps leveraging any web browser, no client needed.


    • Disaster recovery: Uninterrupted access to mission-critical applications even during a black swan event with a customer-controlled business continuity solution creating the access path to critical private applications through ZPA Private Service Edge.


    Zscaler Private Access Benefits

    There are many benefits to implementing ZPA. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:


    • Boost hybrid workforce productivity: Fast, seamless access to private apps whether you’re at home, in the office, or anywhere else.
    • Mitigate the risk of a data breach: Minimize the attack surface and lateral movement by making applications invisible to attackers while enforcing least-privileged access.


    • Stop the most advanced adversaries: First-of-its-kind private app protection minimizes the risk of compromised users and active attackers.


    • Extend zero trust across apps, workloads, and devices: Zscaler Private Access is a complete ZTNA platform that brings least-privileged access to private apps, workloads, and OT/IIoT devices.


    • Reduce operational complexity: The solution’s cloud-native platform eliminates legacy VPNs that are difficult to scale, manage, and configure.


    • Exceptional user experience: By providing consistently fast connectivity that doesn’t require logging in and out of VPN clients, remote users gain a faster, more secure access experience.



    Reviews from Real Users

    ZPA is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it is user-friendly, has good connectivity, and has other helpful features such as web filtering.

    Senthilkumar B., Technical Consultant at a tech vendor, shares what he finds most valuable about the solution. “[It is] user-friendly, easy to customize, and simple to implement.”

    “Its connectivity as a VPN is its most valuable feature,” says Harjinder S., Sr. Architect at a tech vendor.

    Another PeerSpot user, Ben A., Cloud Architect Azure at Thales, mentions “The integration with cloud providers, like Azure or GCP, is easy. The Live Logs are a cool feature. We can directly identify issues and divert user traffic.

    Inderjeet S., Administrator at a tech vendor, says, “[The solution has] “good web filtering and good internet security notifications with a nice interface.” He also adds, “There aren’t too many bugs, and it is easy to debug when necessary. There are good Outlook features available. The scalability has been good.”

    Sample Customers
    Riken, TransUnion, Tepco Systems Administration, Daejeon University, G&T Bank, Danamon, CyberAgent Inc.
    NOV, Growmark, Paychex, MAN Energy Solutions
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider20%
    Financial Services Firm15%
    Computer Software Company15%
    Media Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm17%
    Computer Software Company15%
    Government9%
    Comms Service Provider6%
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company43%
    Financial Services Firm14%
    Comms Service Provider14%
    Outsourcing Company14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    Government8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business33%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise50%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business18%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise68%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise9%
    Large Enterprise64%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business21%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise66%
    Buyer's Guide
    Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about F5, Citrix, HAProxy and others in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC). Updated: March 2024.
    765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) is ranked 1st in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) with 116 reviews while Zscaler Private Access is ranked 2nd in ZTNA as a Service with 21 reviews. F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) is rated 8.2, while Zscaler Private Access is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) writes "Helps deliver applications to users in a reliable, secure, and optimized way". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Zscaler Private Access writes "A VPN alternative that delivers a zero trust model". F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) is most compared with Citrix NetScaler, Fortinet FortiADC, Microsoft Azure Application Gateway, NGINX Plus and OpenVPN Access Server, whereas Zscaler Private Access is most compared with Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks, Axis Security, Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, OpenVPN Access Server and Appgate SDP.

    We monitor all Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.