View all Network Security (SASE) Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to Zscaler
Stop paying Enterprise ($150+/user/yr). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Network Security (SASE)Verified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Cloudflare Zero Trust
FREEBest All-in-One Replacement
Why we like it
The only free tool that covers both ZIA (Gateway/DNS Filtering) and ZPA (Private Access) in one dashboard; free for up to 50 users; faster global network than Zscaler.
Keep in mind
The free plan has shorter log retention (24 hours); does not include the 'Sandbox' malware detonation found in Zscaler's high-end tiers.
Tailscale
FREEBest for Private Access (ZPA)
Why we like it
Replaces Zscaler Private Access with a 'Mesh' VPN; incredibly easy to set up; allows users to connect to internal servers directly without a central gateway; free for 3 users and 100 devices.
Keep in mind
Does not filter internet traffic (no ZIA equivalent); it is purely for connecting to private resources.
Twingate
FREEBest for Hiding Resources
Why we like it
Uses 'Connectors' to make your internal servers invisible to the internet (Zero Trust); highly granular access controls; free for up to 5 users.
Keep in mind
Strictly an access tool; does not perform deep packet inspection (DPI) or malware scanning on the traffic.
NetBird
Best Open Source Mesh
Why we like it
A self-hostable alternative to Tailscale and Zscaler ZPA; uses WireGuard technology; includes an access control dashboard to manage who can see which server.
Keep in mind
Requires self-hosting the management server to get unlimited users for free; younger ecosystem than Tailscale.
NextDNS
FREEBest for Web Filtering (ZIA)
Why we like it
Replaces Zscaler's 'Internet Access' DNS filtering; blocks malware, phishing, and ads at the network level; works on mobile and desktop instantly.
Keep in mind
It is a DNS filter, not a full proxy; it cannot inspect the full content of a webpage (like Zscaler's SSL inspection).
Control D
FREEBest for Geo-Proxying
Why we like it
Allows you to 'transparently proxy' traffic to specific countries (e.g., make BBC think you are in the UK) while blocking malware; highly customizable filtering rules.
Keep in mind
Advanced proxy features are part of the paid tier (though very cheap compared to Zscaler).
OpenZiti
Best for Embedded Security
Why we like it
Allows developers to embed 'Zero Trust' directly into their apps (SDKs), so the app itself is secure without needing a VPN client like Zscaler Client Connector.
Keep in mind
Extremely technical; requires code changes or specialized 'tunnelers' to work.
Wazuh
Best for Device Posture
Why we like it
If you use Zscaler to check 'Is this laptop infected?' before allowing access, Wazuh provides that endpoint visibility and XDR capability for free.
Keep in mind
Requires a dedicated server to manage agents; separate from your network access tool.
Zerotier
FREEBest for P2P Networking
Why we like it
Creates a virtual ethernet switch over the internet; older and very stable mesh networking solution; free for up to 25 nodes.
Keep in mind
Configuration is more manual than Tailscale; lacks the modern 'Zero Trust' policy engine of Twingate.
Technitium DNS Server
Best Self-Hosted Filter
Why we like it
Allows you to run your own 'Zscaler Internet Access' at home or in the office; blocks ads/malware via DNS; provides nice graphical logs.
Keep in mind
You must maintain the server hardware; only works for the location where it is installed (unless you VPN into it).
RethinkDNS
FREEBest Mobile Firewall
Why we like it
An Android app that acts as a local firewall and DNS filter; gives you Zscaler-like visibility into what apps on your phone are phoning home.
Keep in mind
Android only; simplistic compared to an enterprise fleet manager.
WireGuard (Vanilla)
Best for Raw Performance
Why we like it
The protocol that powers Tailscale and NetBird; if you want a simple, high-speed tunnel without any 'Cloud' management or dashboard, this is it.
Keep in mind
Zero management interface; you must edit config files manually; hard to scale beyond a few users.
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