OpenVPN Access Server vs Zscaler Private Access comparison

Cancel
You must select at least 2 products to compare!
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between OpenVPN Access Server and Zscaler Private Access based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about OpenVPN, Fortinet, Cisco and others in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN.
To learn more, read our detailed Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 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
"It's an ideal gateway solution for small and medium businesses, i.e., around 300 devices can be easily handled.""The solution has good performance."

More Netgate TNSR Pros →

"The setup is easy.""The best thing is that it is open source and free of cost.""The features I have found to be most valuable are the levels of encryption I can enact and the compression I can apply to improve throughput.""OpenVPN Access Server provides remote secure access.""The most valuable feature of OpenVPN is that it is open source. I can do anything with the solution, such as change, build, and collect. Additionally, it is safe to use the solution and there are frequent updates.""OpenVPN Access Server allows us to establish a secure connection to an IP address that would otherwise be inaccessible without using a VPN.""The product’s adaptability is valuable.""Two-factor authentication allows us to not force frequent password changes."

More OpenVPN Access Server Pros →

"The most valuable features are the File Type Control and SSL bypass policies. We""The most valuable feature is the manageability of the micro tunnels.""I like the web filtering capabilities.""The ZPA is a unique feature which offers VPN along with all the additional security needed.""Zscaler Private Access is a platform that eliminates the complexity of VPN configuration.""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.""It is easy to use.""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."

More Zscaler Private Access Pros →

Cons
"There must be a more easy-to-use GUI."

More Netgate TNSR Cons →

"You do need expertise in implementation if you do the initial setup yourself.""The product’s connectivity is very slow. It could be faster.""I would like to see a simpler interface, so that we can make the connection between the local network using the LAN IP.""If there was a Graphical User Interface to help streamline the configuration, I believe OpenVPN would probably venture more into the non-geek realm as it were.""I would like to see continued advanced security implementation.""I would be more happy with the idea of licensing to have a reduced price with longer, grouped, annual fees. We have a lot of other software that does the same thing. It's a little higher price if you're going with a shorter stint, but there's a reduction in price for three- and five-year contracts.""It requires some experience of Linux server configuration to set it up.""They should make the solution more secure by adding some firewall functionalities."

More OpenVPN Access Server Cons →

"Zscaler Private Access could improve by improving external access. If external parties want to access locally to my company's services, we need to onboard them into our domain, otherwise, it doesn't work. Additionally, if their company also has Zscaler Private Access, then it doesn't work. They need to log in with our domain ID, not their company ID.""Zscaler Private Access needs to improve its collaboration with applications without compromising security.""We would like to extend the SASE applications for Zscaler.""More on-prem infrastructure is required when Zscaler Private Access is to be implemented as a single point of entry.""Zscaler Private Access's reporting is poor. We should have more insight into the reports regarding what is blocked and allowed.""SCMP support would be one of the biggest improvements in my opinion. More speed improvements are also required.""There is improvement in enhancing proper manageability, policies, and logs. So, log management could be improved.""There could be more DLP-related features. Additionally, there needs to be flexibility for integrating ISP features."

More Zscaler Private Access Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "There is not a license required for this solution but the price should be less expensive."
  • More Netgate TNSR Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "It is free, you buy support."
  • "The Pro Edition has a reasonable price per user."
  • "I would say the product's pricing is a good value. I would recommend to other companies to implement it. I've seen other software, in tandem with the service, to be very expensive."
  • "The product's pricing is good value, definitely. It is one of the best features, I would say. Evaluate the product before seeing which type of licensing is good for you. I think there is a good evaluation method available for OpenVPN, so you can just evaluate if it meets your needs. Then go forward with the right licensing policy."
  • "Begin with the community version and upgrade to paid one if the need arises."
  • "At one point I had to purchase addition connection licenses. I was very pleased with the pricing and licensing; so much easier than navigating the confusing jungle of Microsoft and Cisco licensing and pricing. That alone made the product a delight to manage."
  • "With regard to setup cost, pricing and/or licensing, the simple answer is that you'll need to set aside some time to learn it and experiment with it."
  • "It is an open-source solution, so we don't pay for anything."
  • More OpenVPN Access Server 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 →

    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Enterprise Infrastructure VPN solutions are best for your needs.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:It's an ideal gateway solution for small and medium businesses, i.e., around 300 devices can be easily handled.
    Top Answer:The product is very cost-effective and has no requirement for additional licenses. The setup is not easy. Users need… more »
    Top Answer:THe solution is used as a primary gateway with two lease lines of 450 Mbps total. Around 200 users are under it. There… more »
    Top Answer:Fortinet FortiClient is a feature-rich solution that is easy to use and deploy without sacrificing safety and security… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable thing about OpenVPN Access Server is its ease of use.
    Top Answer:Licensing for OpenVPN is generally hassle-free. Server-side access is usually included, and there is flexibility with… more »
    Top Answer: We looked into Prisma Access before choosing Zscaler Private Access (ZPA). Palo Alto’s Prisma Access is a secure… 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… more »
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    TNSR
    OpenVPN
    Learn More
    Overview

    TNSR is an advanced open source-based secure networking software platform with highly-scalable packet processing, manageability, and service expansion capabilities. This video provides a high-level introduction. that address a number of commonly asked new product questions - in just a couple of minutes.

    OpenVPN Access Server is a comprehensive VPN solution that enables secure remote access and site-to-site connectivity. It uses the open-source OpenVPN protocol with added encryption and authentication for robust security. The web-based admin interface simplifies setup and centralized management of users, devices, and access controls.

    OpenVPN Access Server's ease of setup, comprehensive security features, and professional support make it a viable option for businesses looking to facilitate secure remote access and inter-office connectivity. However, potential users should be mindful of the technical requirements for setup and the possibility of network performance issues in specific scenarios.

    Based on over 30 independent peer reviews, OpenVPN garners consistently positive feedback for its stability, security, and free open-source licensing. The most common complaints relate to initial setup complexity and occasional connection drops. Despite these drawbacks, most reviewers highly recommend OpenVPN Access Server due to its robust encryption standards, flexible access options, and scalability across organization sizes.

    Versatile Installation and Client Support:

    • OpenVPN Access Server can be installed on various Linux OS platforms, offering flexibility to adapt to different network environments. This includes popular distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
    • OpenVPN Access Server supports a comprehensive range of VPN clients, ensuring broad compatibility and user accessibility. This includes clients for Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, enabling users to connect securely from various devices.

    User Authentication and Security:

    • OpenVPN Access Server incorporates a built-in user authentication system, which can be managed via a web-based interface. This allows administrators to manage user accounts, passwords, and access permissions easily.
    • For enhanced security, OpenVPN Access Server supports integration with external authentication systems like PAM, LDAP, RADIUS, and SAML. This allows you to leverage your existing authentication infrastructure for VPN access.
    • The solution provides the flexibility to implement custom Python programming for advanced authentication methods, catering to specific security requirements.
    • OpenVPN Access Server utilizes the OpenVPN protocol, renowned for its robust encryption and security. VPN tunnels are secured with TLS authentication, credentials, certificates, and optional MAC address lock, ensuring a high level of protection for data transmission.

    Flexible Access Control and Tunneling Options:

    • OpenVPN Access Server provides comprehensive access control rules, allowing administrators to specify user or group access to IP addresses and subnets. This enables granular control over network access and resource utilization.
    • OpenVPN Access Server supports both full-tunnel and split-tunnel redirection. Full-tunnel mode routes all VPN client internet traffic through the VPN tunnel, while split-tunnel mode allows selective routing of specific traffic.

    OpenVPN offers professional support for Access Server, with a global team of experts available through an online ticket system. This ensures that users have timely access to assistance when needed.

    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
    UCLA, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, shopify
    Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung
    NOV, Growmark, Paychex, MAN Energy Solutions
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Comms Service Provider11%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Retailer6%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider25%
    Financial Services Firm13%
    Educational Organization13%
    Computer Software Company13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Comms Service Provider12%
    Educational Organization7%
    Government7%
    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
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise57%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business57%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise26%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business31%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise52%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise9%
    Large Enterprise64%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business21%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise66%
    Buyer's Guide
    Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about OpenVPN, Fortinet, Cisco and others in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    OpenVPN Access Server is ranked 1st in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN with 43 reviews while Zscaler Private Access is ranked 2nd in ZTNA as a Service with 21 reviews. OpenVPN Access Server is rated 8.4, while Zscaler Private Access is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of OpenVPN Access Server writes "An easy-to-use tool with which its users can access networks from home or external locations". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Zscaler Private Access writes "A VPN alternative that delivers a zero trust model". OpenVPN Access Server is most compared with Fortinet FortiClient, Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, Check Point Remote Access VPN and SonicWall Netextender, whereas Zscaler Private Access is most compared with Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks, Axis Security, Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, Netskope Private Access and Cloudflare Access.

    We monitor all Enterprise Infrastructure VPN 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.