Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Zscaler Private Access comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Jul 31, 2023

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

  • Ease of Deployment: Zscaler's setup process is generally considered easy to use and simple, although there may be some complexity during the initial deployment. It is recommended to have Zscaler-certified personnel for a smoother implementation. In contrast, the setup process for Prisma Access can be more complex and time-consuming, especially for larger enterprises that may face additional challenges and a longer implementation time.
  • Features: Zscaler Private Access is known for its reliability, frequent cloud updates, and robust safeguarding of applications. Conversely, Prisma Access is commended for its user-friendly accessibility, advanced security features, and worldwide availability.
  • Room for Improvement: Users of Zscaler Private Access have expressed a need for enhancements in notifications, interface, security, reports, external access, and subscription accessibility. On the other hand, Prisma Access users have encountered difficulties with configuration, user interface, error handling, and authentication support.
  • Pricing: Zscaler Private Access has a variable setup cost depending on user count and required features. Reviewers have differing opinions, with some finding it moderate and others deeming it expensive. In contrast, Prisma Access is generally regarded as having higher pricing, which is justified by its quality and features. The licensing model for Prisma Access is described as complicated, whereas Zscaler Private Access has separate licenses for users and subscriptions.
  • ROI: Zscaler Private Access has a decent ROI rating, whereas Prisma Access provides multiple advantages, cost savings, and efficient security measures.
  • Service and Support: Zscaler Private Access has been praised for its exceptional and prompt customer service, while Prisma Access has received varied feedback, with a few users highlighting the need for better technical support.

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. 

To learn more, read our detailed Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs. Zscaler Private Access Report (Updated: September 2023).
745,341 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
"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."

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"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."

More Zscaler Private Access Pros →

Cons
"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."

More Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks Cons →

"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 Zscaler Private Access Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The initial prices of Prisma Access were okay. But as soon as you start deploying Palo Alto gear, the support prices and the recurring prices, which are the major operational costs, tend to increase over time."
  • "Based on what I have heard from others, it is a pricey solution as compared to its peers, but I am not sure. However, considering the features that it offers, it is a break-even point. You get whatever they are promising."
  • "The pricing can be difficult because it came to us with another agreement, but it can be negotiated. I highly recommend people to compare this product's performance and pricing against BetterCloud, because I feel BetterCloud is better than Prisma SaaS if they're starting from scratch."
  • "It is pretty expensive. We have to balance the cost of some features. They need to work on some of the services and products, price-wise."
  • "The licensing model for this product is complicated and changes all the time, making it very hard for the user to comprehend the configuration."
  • "They price their products using credit modules."
  • "I would advise choosing your options according to your company's needs. Just go for what you want and do not pay for anything extra in terms of licensing. You need to determine how much bandwidth is required in your company network, and according to that, you should pay for the license. The mobile user license is based on the number of users who are going to use the VPN solution. You need to determine how many mobile users you are going to have in your network, and you should pay according to that. There are no other costs in addition to licensing, but if you go for the consultant services of Palo Alto networks to deliver the solution for you, then you need to pay something extra. That is not a part of licensing."
  • "The pricing is very friendly. It's not confusing to figure out your workload and how much you'd be paying for the solution."
  • More Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks 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: 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:Palo Alto Firewall is one of the best firewalls in the world.
    Top Answer:I'm still comparing, but the solution is quite expensive.
    Top Answer:The product's most valuable features are cloud-based services and secure internet access. We don't have to set up any physical appliances.
    Top Answer:There could be more DLP-related features. Additionally, there needs to be flexibility for integrating ISP features.
    Top Answer:We use the product to provide secure access to our customer's environment consisting of on-premise and on-cloud applications.
    Ranking
    1st
    out of 33 in ZTNA as a Service
    Views
    8,254
    Comparisons
    5,689
    Reviews
    29
    Average Words per Review
    1,240
    Rating
    8.1
    2nd
    out of 33 in ZTNA as a Service
    Views
    8,258
    Comparisons
    6,532
    Reviews
    14
    Average Words per Review
    422
    Rating
    8.6
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access, Prisma Access, GlobalProtect, Palo Alto GlobalProtect Mobile Security Manager, Prisma SaaS by Palo Alto Networks, Prisma Access
    Learn More
    Overview

    Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks provides consistent security for all users and applications across your remote networks. Prisma Access grants users safe access to the cloud and data center applications and the internet as well. In addition, the solution combines all of your security and networking capabilities into a single cloud-delivered platform, enabling flexible hybrid workforces.

    Prisma Access can be managed two ways:

    1. Cloud Managed
    2. Panorama Managed

    Prisma Access delivers both networking and security services, including:

    • SD-WAN
    • VPN
    • Zero Trust network access (ZTNA)
    • Quality of service (QoS)
    • Clean Pipe
    • Firewall as a service (FWaaS)
    • DNS Security
    • Threat Prevention
    • Cloud secure web gateway (SWG)
    • Data loss prevention (DLP)
    • Cloud access security broker (CASB)

    Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks Features

    Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks has many valuable key features including: App-ID, User-ID, Device-ID, SSL Decryption, Dynamic User Group (DUG) Monitoring, AI/ML-Based Detection, IoT Security, Reporting, URL Filtering, Enterprise Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM)*, Logging, Policy Automation, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), and many more.

    Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks Benefits

    Some of the benefits of using Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks include:

    • Security: Prisma Access gives you consistent security to protect against cyberattacks, with enforcement of policy at every location. By implementing Prisma Access, you also gain protection that works to prevent known and unknown malware, exploits, credential theft, command and control, and many other attack vectors across all ports and protocols.

    • Global connectivity: Prisma Access provides global coverage through use of its connectivity layer.

    • Scalability: With Prisma Access, scaling is automatically managed and is scalable, flexible, and agile.

    • Instant deployment: Deployment is fast, eliminating wasted time that may otherwise be associated with setting up a solution, operating it, or shipping hardware in order to get started.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics

    users who are currently using the solution.

    PeerSpot user Partha D., Global Network Tech Lead at a computer software company, speaks about his experience using the product, saying, "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."

    Tejas J., a Sr. Cloud Security Architect at a computer software company, mentions that "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.

    Another PeerSpot reviewer, Max I., Associate Director at Cognizant, comments that "Security is absolutely spot-on, really top-notch. It's the result of all the components that come together, such as the HIP [Host Information Profile] and components like Forcepoint, providing end-user content inspection, and antivirus. It incorporates DLP features and that's fantastic because Prisma Access makes sure that all of the essential prerequisites are in place before a user can log in or can be tunneled into."

    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.”

    Offer
    Learn more about Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks
    Learn more about Zscaler Private Access
    Sample Customers
    Concord Hospital, State of Colorado, Essilor International, RheinLand Versicherungsgruppe, University of Westminster, Universidade Nove de Julho, SPAR Austria, CAME Group, ZipRealty, Greenhill & Co., IKT Agder, Aviva Stadium, Animal Logic, Management & Training Corporation, Brigham Young University Hawaii, School District of Chilliwack
    NOV, Growmark, Paychex, MAN Energy Solutions
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company48%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    University4%
    Government4%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company15%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    Government6%
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company43%
    Financial Services Firm14%
    Comms Service Provider14%
    Outsourcing Company14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Government8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise31%
    Large Enterprise41%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business18%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise68%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise9%
    Large Enterprise64%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise67%
    Buyer's Guide
    Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs. Zscaler Private Access
    September 2023
    Find out what your peers are saying about Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs. Zscaler Private Access and other solutions. Updated: September 2023.
    745,341 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    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.