View all Enterprise VPN & ZTNA Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to Ivanti Connect Secure (formerly Pulse)
Stop paying Enterprise (~$220 - $270 per user/yr). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Enterprise VPN & ZTNAVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
WireGuard
FREEBest for Speed & Modern Crypto
Why we like it
Extremely lightweight; uses state-of-the-art cryptography (ChaCha20); significantly faster than legacy SSL/IPsec tunnels; native in the Linux kernel.
Keep in mind
Lacks the built-in enterprise GUI and posture checks found in Ivanti (requires shells like Tailscale or NetBird).
Tailscale
FREEBest for Zero-Config Mesh VPN
Why we like it
Built on WireGuard; sets up a secure mesh network in minutes; no port forwarding required; handles 2FA/SSO via your existing provider (Duo, Okta, etc.).
Keep in mind
The 'Control Plane' is proprietary and centralized; performance relies on DERP relay servers if a direct peer-to-peer link can't be established.
Twingate
FREEBest for Granular Zero Trust
Why we like it
True ZTNA architecture; hides resources from the public internet entirely; no 'Tunnel' required—works via a split-routing proxy; easy for non-IT users.
Keep in mind
Requires a connector agent inside your network; can be complex to configure for legacy non-web-based protocols.
OpenConnect
FREEBest FOSS Client Replacement
Why we like it
The leading open-source alternative to the Pulse/AnyConnect protocols; supports modern 2025 Pulse gateways; multi-protocol support in one client.
Keep in mind
Mainly command-line focused; lacks the 'Identity Intelligence' and automated posture checks of the official Ivanti client.
Cloudflare One / Access
FREEBest for Web-App Security
Why we like it
Zero Trust access without any client software for web apps; leverages Cloudflare’s global edge network; incredible free tier for startups.
Keep in mind
Full-network tunneling (WARP) is less intuitive than traditional VPNs; requires moving DNS to Cloudflare.
Cisco Secure Client
The Direct Enterprise Rival
Why we like it
Unified agent for VPN, ZTNA, and Endpoint protection; deeper integration with Duo and ISE; trusted by global banking and government sectors.
Keep in mind
Premium 'Cisco Tax'; complex management interface; resource-heavy on older laptops.
SoftEther VPN
FREEBest for Complex Tunneling
Why we like it
Supports almost every VPN protocol (L2TP, IPsec, OpenVPN, EtherIP); can penetrate even the strictest firewalls; completely free and cross-platform.
Keep in mind
The interface is strictly utilitarian and dated; setup can be complex for beginners.
NetBird
FREEBest Open-Source ZTNA Mesh
Why we like it
Combines WireGuard speed with a modern ZTNA control plane; self-hostable; features an easy-to-use access control dashboard.
Keep in mind
Newer project compared to Tailscale; smaller feature set for mobile device management.
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)
Best for Cloud-First Enterprises
Why we like it
The pioneer of cloud-delivered ZTNA; no hardware appliances to manage; world-class threat prevention and user experience.
Keep in mind
Highly expensive; complex implementation that often requires professional services.
Heimdal Network Security
Best All-in-One Security Suite
Why we like it
Unifies VPN, patch management, and privileged access into one agent; 2026 version features predictive AI threat intelligence.
Keep in mind
Not as focused on 'Raw Tunneling' as dedicated VPN tools; can be overkill for teams just needing remote access.
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