We compared Zscaler Private Access and Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks across several parameters based on our users' reviews. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below
Comparison Results: Zscaler Private Access is commended for its easy setup and user-friendly interface, providing strong application protection and cloud updates. However, users express the need for better notifications, improved interface and security, and more SASE applications. Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is highly regarded for its user accessibility and performance, integration capabilities, and ability to safeguard all app traffic. Nevertheless, some users find it difficult to use and configure, and they request more automation and enhanced visibility. Pricing is a concern for both products, with Zscaler Private Access being seen as more moderate and Prisma Access as higher.
"Palo Alto Firewall is one of the best firewalls in the world."
"It protects all app traffic so that users can gain access to all apps. Unlike other solutions that only work from ports 80 and 443, which are predominantly for web traffic, Prisma Access covers all protocols and works on all traffic patterns... The most sophisticated attacks can arise from sources that are not behind 80/443."
"We have an application called ADEM that helps us troubleshoot network-related issues. It helps us to isolate an issue whether it is on the ISP level, endpoint level, or system access level."
"It is geographically dispersed, and it sits on top of Google and AWS platforms. Therefore, you don't face the standard issues, such as latency or bandwidth issues, that you usually face in the case of on-prem data centers."
"The solution improved the consistency of our security controls and the BCP. There has been a 20 percent reduction in TCO. Prisma Access also enabled us to deliver better applications by centralizing security management."
"Prisma Access gives us security from a single point. It controls mobile users and determines how secure their networks will be, including from where they will get internet access. We can optimize things and add security profiles centrally."
"The Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM) offered by Palo Alto is a good reporting tool. It gives insights into how things are going within the network. It takes all the data from the users' endpoints and does an analysis, and it suggests changes as well."
"Being able to use the user ID or Active Directory Group is one of the great features for control and providing more flexibility without worrying about IP addresses."
"The most valuable features are the File Type Control and SSL bypass policies. We"
"The product's most valuable features are cloud-based services and secure internet access. We don't have to set up any physical appliances."
"Zscaler Private Access is a platform that eliminates the complexity of VPN configuration."
"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."
"I like the web filtering capabilities."
"It is straightforward to set up."
"It is easy to use."
"The most valuable features of Zscaler Private Access are reliability, scalability, and availability."
"The initial support team is not very good. Most of the time, I have found that they are one to three years experienced only. They don't have network expertise. They know about Palo Alto products but don't know how to troubleshoot the issues. We have to guide them most of the time to troubleshoot correctly since their approach is not developed."
"The documentation is generally good, but they could provide a more detailed description of all the configuration steps. I have to search for information or call support. Palo Alto could add more knowledge base articles about configuration with screenshots and walkthroughs. That would be helpful. When configuring a product, you want to see examples of how it is done."
"There should be a dedicated portal or SASE-based solution. They're trying to add a plugin but it needs a dedicated portal because it is now an enterprise solution for multiple organizations. People should be able to directly log in to a dedicated page for Prisma Access, rather than going into a Panorama plugin, and always having to update the plugin."
"The frequency of updates could be reduced."
"The Cloud Management application has room for improvement. There are a lot of things on the roadmap for that application; things are going to happen soon."
"I would like the solution to support a different type of authentication. We can't configure a secondary method for our portal."
"We would like to see improvements in the licensing; currently, Palo Alto provides 500 to 1000 licenses for users, and we want to see 1500 to 2000 licenses for one version."
"It's not very easy to use. Sometimes it's buggy and there are problems when doing updates. The user interface is okay, but some configuration items are difficult. I would like it to be less buggy and easier to configure, to better streamline the user experience."
"There is improvement in enhancing proper manageability, policies, and logs. So, log management could be improved."
"The stability could be improved."
"We'd like to have two-factor authentication that is quite simple."
"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 needs to improve its collaboration with applications without compromising security."
"Users report application access or latency issues with Zscaler Private Access."
"We would like to extend the SASE applications for Zscaler."
"To enhance their offering, it is advisable for them to focus on strengthening the foundation of their architecture. Additionally, they should consider integrating a broader range of services that go beyond what managed service providers typically offer independently."
More Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks Pricing and Cost Advice →
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is ranked 1st in ZTNA as a Service with 27 reviews while Zscaler Private Access is ranked 2nd in ZTNA as a Service with 19 reviews. Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is rated 8.2, while Zscaler Private Access is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks writes "Makes us part of a bigger security ecosystem with updates taken care of for us, but pricing and support need work". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Zscaler Private Access writes "User-friendly implementation, responsive support, and handles intricate enterprise environments". Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is most compared with Netskope , Cisco Umbrella, Prisma SD-WAN, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Zscaler SASE, whereas Zscaler Private Access is most compared with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, Axis Security, Netskope Private Access, OpenVPN Access Server and Cloudflare Access. See our Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs. Zscaler Private Access report.
See our list of best ZTNA as a Service vendors.
We monitor all ZTNA as a Service 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.