When it comes to securing remote teams and simplifying network access, Perimeter 81 has been a popular choice for many businesses. But as cybersecurity needs grow and more companies adopt Zero Trust approaches, the demand for other solutions with different features and pricing options has skyrocketed.
Whether you’re looking for stronger integrations, more flexible access controls, or a solution that better fits your budget, there are plenty of solid options to explore. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top 10 Perimeter 81 alternatives to consider in 2025.
We’ll break down what each tool is, why it might be a better fit for your organization, and what makes it stand out.
Best Alternatives to Perimeter 81
1. Twingate
Twingate is a modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution designed to replace traditional VPNs with a simpler, more secure approach. Instead of giving broad network access, Twingate focuses on connecting users only to the resources they need, reducing the attack surface and improving overall security. It works seamlessly in the background, making the experience smoother for both IT teams and end users.
As a Perimeter 81 alternative, Twingate stands out for its strong focus on Zero Trust principles and easy deployment. It doesn’t require major network changes and integrates smoothly with identity providers and existing security tools. For businesses that want to move away from legacy VPN headaches and adopt a modern approach to access control, Twingate offers a compelling option.
Twingate is best suited for companies looking to secure distributed teams, developers, and contractors without the complexity of traditional VPN setups. It offers a free trial, allowing organizations to test its capabilities before making a commitment. This flexibility helps businesses understand the benefits without upfront investment.
Twingate offers responsive customer support, with dedicated onboarding assistance and detailed documentation to help teams get started quickly. The support team is known for being proactive and approachable, making it easier for companies to adopt and scale securely.
Pros:
- True Zero Trust architecture
- Easy to deploy and manage
- Smooth user experience without complex VPN client setups
- Strong integrations with identity providers
Cons:
- Might require a mindset shift for teams used to VPNs
- Can be more costly for very small organizations
2. Delinea
Delinea is a leading provider of privileged access management (PAM) and Zero Trust security solutions, and one of the best alternative to Perimeter 81. It focuses on securing access to critical systems and applications by ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data and resources. Delinea combines the best of PAM with Zero Trust principles to create a comprehensive security solution for businesses of all sizes.
Formerly known as Thycotic/Centrify, Delinea shines with its robust approach to managing privileged access and securing remote work environments. Its focus on least-privilege access and identity management helps companies tighten security without compromising user productivity.
Delinea’s integration with existing systems and security infrastructure makes it an excellent choice for organizations looking to add an extra layer of security to their operations.
Delinea is ideal for businesses that need to manage high-level access across various users and systems, particularly in industries like finance, healthcare, and government. It also offers a free trial, allowing organizations to explore its features and understand how it fits into their security strategy.
Customer support from Delinea is known to be highly responsive, with dedicated teams providing onboarding assistance and 24/7 support. They offer a wealth of resources, including in-depth documentation and training materials, to help teams integrate and optimize the platform efficiently.
Pros:
- Strong focus on privileged access management and Zero Trust
- Comprehensive security coverage with least-privilege access
- Easy integration with existing security infrastructure
- Offers a free trial for evaluation
Cons:
- More focused on privileged access than general network access
- May be overkill for small businesses without complex access needs
3. Zscaler Private Access
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) is a leading Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that provides secure, seamless access to private applications without the need for traditional VPNs. By leveraging Zscaler’s global cloud platform, ZPA allows users to securely access internal resources from anywhere, without exposing them to the public internet. ZPA eliminates the need for inbound VPN connections, reducing complexity and improving security.
As an alternative to Perimeter 81, Zscaler Private Access stands out for its cloud-native architecture, which supports scalability, performance, and ease of use. ZPA’s integration with Zero Trust principles and its ability to apply security policies based on user identity and device posture make it a robust choice for organizations looking to secure remote workforces. ZPA also supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, offering flexibility for modern IT infrastructures.
Zscaler Private Access is best suited for large enterprises with a distributed workforce or complex application architectures. It provides a highly secure, scalable solution that is ideal for organizations looking to implement a Zero Trust strategy across their entire network. ZPA offers a free trial, giving businesses the opportunity to explore its capabilities before committing to a full deployment.
Zscaler offers comprehensive customer support, with a dedicated team that assists with onboarding, implementation, and troubleshooting. Their resources include detailed documentation, training materials, and 24/7 technical support to make sure businesses get the most out of their ZPA deployment.
Pros:
- Cloud-native architecture for scalability and performance
- Strong Zero Trust capabilities for enhanced security
- Ideal for large enterprises and complex IT environments
- Offers a free trial for evaluation
Cons:
- May be too complex for smaller organizations
- Higher pricing compared to some competitors
4. Cloudflare Zero Trust
Cloudflare Zero Trust is a comprehensive solution for securing application access without relying on traditional VPNs. By leveraging Cloudflare’s global network, it provides secure access to internal resources based on user identity, device health, and location. Cloudflare Zero Trust integrates with existing identity providers to enforce strong security policies, making it a great choice for organizations embracing a Zero Trust security model.
Cloudflare Zero Trust is particularly appealing due to its seamless integration with Cloudflare’s vast content delivery and security infrastructure. It offers fast, reliable, and secure access with a focus on scalability and performance.
The platform helps businesses reduce the attack surface and gain visibility into user activity without slowing down network performance.
Cloudflare Zero Trust is best suited for businesses that already use Cloudflare for web security or content delivery, as it integrates smoothly with those services. It’s ideal for companies looking for a low-latency, cloud-native solution for secure remote access. A free trial is available, allowing businesses to explore the platform’s capabilities before making a decision.
Cloudflare Zero Trust provides 24/7 customer support, with a dedicated team to assist with deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting. In addition, it offers a comprehensive knowledge base and detailed documentation to support teams throughout the integration process.
Pros:
- Leverages Cloudflare’s global network for low-latency, high-performance access
- Seamlessly integrates with identity providers and Cloudflare’s broader security ecosystem
- Strong Zero Trust access controls based on user identity and device posture
- Scalable and cloud-native, ideal for growing or distributed organizations
Cons:
- Some advanced features may require integration with other Cloudflare services
- Configuration complexity can be high for teams unfamiliar with Zero Trust models
5. Cato Networks
Cato Networks is a pioneer in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) space, offering a converged platform that combines SD-WAN and network security services—including Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), firewall-as-a-service, and threat prevention—into a unified cloud-native architecture.
Rather than relying on point solutions stitched together, Cato Networks delivers a single-vendor SASE experience that reduces complexity and increases visibility. Its global private backbone improves performance compared to public internet routes, making it a powerful option for enterprises seeking both security and network optimization in one solution.
Cato Networks is best suited for mid-sized to large enterprises with distributed locations, remote workforces, and a desire to consolidate their network and security stack. It offers demos and guided trials through its sales team, which can help prospective customers evaluate fit before making a full commitment.
Cato Networks provides 24/7 global support with dedicated account teams and onboarding services. The company also offers detailed documentation, training resources, and a strong partner ecosystem to help organizations deploy and manage the platform effectively.
Pros:
- Fully converged SASE platform with integrated ZTNA, SD-WAN, and security features
- Global private backbone enhances performance and reliability
- Centralized visibility and management across networking and security
- Strong support and onboarding services for enterprise deployment
Cons:
- Likely overkill for smaller businesses with simpler needs
- Pricing is enterprise-focused and may not suit limited budgets
6. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Prisma Access is Palo Alto’s cloud-delivered Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform, extending their next-gen firewall capabilities into the cloud. It offers Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), secure web gateway (SWG), CASB, threat prevention, SSL decryption, malware protection, and data loss prevention—all managed centrally via Panorama or Prisma Cloud UI.
It’s a strong Perimeter 81 alternative because it combines broad security capabilities in a unified platform powered by Palo Alto’s threat intelligence and Precision AI. It delivers enterprise-grade performance and protects users, apps, and data globally, reducing complexity and security gaps.
Prisma Access is ideal for mid‑to‑large enterprises, hybrid and distributed workforces, and organizations needing deep traffic inspection across all network layers. It supports both managed and unmanaged devices (via GlobalProtect app or clientless VPN), and offers guided demos and proof-of-concept through Palo Alto’s sales team.
Customer support includes 24/7 global assistance, detailed documentation, and professional services. However, some users report complexity in setup and occasional UI quirks in Panorama during large deployments.
Pros:
- Full SASE suite on a single platform
- Centralized management via Panorama or cloud UI for consistent policies
- Scalable global infrastructure, seamless performance and auto-scaling
Cons:
- Complex to deploy at scale
- Some performance and routing limitations (e.g. IPv6, proxy, BGP filtering)
7. Cisco Secure Access
Cisco Secure Access is Cisco’s cloud-delivered Security Service Edge (SSE) solution grounded in a Zero Trust framework. It combines Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), DNS security, remote browser isolation (RBI), data loss prevention (DLP), and more accessible through a unified management console.
It’s a great alternative to Perimeter 81 as it delivers universal, identity-first access to all apps (modern and legacy), on any protocol or port. The platform also integrates with Cisco Duo, ISE, SD‑WAN, and Talos threat intelligence, offering seamless scalability, performance visibility, and comprehensive policy enforcement globally.
Ideal for mid‑to‑large enterprises that need a full SSE/SASE stack, Cisco Secure Access is well-suited for hybrid workforces, global teams, SaaS and legacy apps, IoT devices, and large branch deployments. Cisco supports evaluation via test drives, demos, and workshops.
Cisco offers 24/7 global support, extensive documentation, expert-led training, and workshops. However, some users report occasional support delays (up to two business days) and complexity stemming from licensing and service bundling.
Pros:
- Unified SSE/SASE platform with ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, RBI, DLP, DNS security
- Consistent access across apps, devices, and locations with real-time posture checks and monitoring
- Integration with Cisco Duo, ISE, SD-WAN, Meraki simplifies SASE adoption
Cons:
- Licensing is complex and can be costly, especially when bundling multiple services
- Global coverage relies on Cisco cloud infra—organizations may need additional cloud services for scale
8. Fortinet FortiSASE
FortiSASE is Fortinet’s cloud-delivered SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) service that combines secure internet access (SWG), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), Universal ZTNA, CASB, SD-WAN, DLP, and advanced threat protection (managed via FortiClient and FortiCloud) bringing FortiOS-grade policy and inspection capabilities to remote and on-network endpoints.
It’s a compelling Perimeter 81 alternative because it delivers deep security like SSL inspection, AI-based threat detection, IPS, and DLP, unified with SD-WAN and ZTNA, all within Fortinet’s single-vendor ecosystem. This convergence simplifies operations while leveraging Fortinet’s global infrastructure and threat intelligence .
Targeted at mid-market to large enterprises already invested in Fortinet products—especially those using FortiGate, FortiClient, EMS, or SD-WAN. It supports agent-based, agentless, and site-based deployments with secure private and SaaS access use cases. Proof-of-concept evaluations are available via Fortinet or partner-led demos.
Fortinet provides 24/7 global support, detailed documentation, and a strong knowledge base. Customers generally rate support highly, especially for troubleshooting and issue resolution. However, some users report that initial deployments can be complex and may require help from engineers familiar with the Fortinet ecosystem.
Pros:
- Includes ZTNA, FWaaS, SWG, CASB, SD‑WAN, DLP, SSL inspection, and threat prevention
- FortiGuard AI/ML proactively detects zero‑day and unknown threats
- Scalable cloud-delivered infrastructure
Cons:
- Requires familiarity with FortiClient, FortiGate, EMS, and SD‑WAN
- Some users find FortiSASE expensive and struggle to quantify ROI
9. Akamai Enterprise Application Access
Akamai Enterprise Application Access (EAA) is a cloud-native Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that provides secure, seamless access to internal applications without exposing them to the internet or requiring traditional VPNs. It leverages Akamai’s globally distributed edge platform to deliver fast, reliable connectivity with strong security policies based on user identity, device posture, and contextual factors.
Akamai EAA is a prominent Perimeter 81 alternative due to its global scale and performance. The platform eliminates inbound firewall holes by routing application access through a secure gateway, reducing the attack surface. Furthermore, it integrates with identity providers and supports multi-factor authentication.
Akamai EAA is best suited for medium to large enterprises with distributed workforces and complex application environments, including hybrid and multi-cloud setups. It offers free trials through direct engagement with Akamai’s sales team, enabling organizations to evaluate the platform in their environment before full deployment.
Customer support includes 24/7 global assistance, onboarding help, and extensive documentation. Akamai’s support team is known for its expertise in cloud and network security, providing timely and effective resolution for enterprise customers.
Pros:
- Leverages Akamai’s global edge network for low-latency, high-performance access
- Strong Zero Trust access policies with integration to major identity providers
- Supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments seamlessly
Cons:
- Pricing and trials require sales engagement, potentially slowing initial evaluation
- Less focus on general network access, more oriented to application-level access
10. Appgate SDP
Appgate SDP (Software Defined Perimeter) is a modern Zero Trust Network Access solution that dynamically creates secure, one-to-one connections between users and specific applications or resources. Unlike traditional VPNs that grant broad network access, Appgate SDP enforces the principle of least privilege by limiting access strictly to authorized assets, minimizing attack surfaces and insider threat risks.
Appgate SDP offers adaptive access control, granular segmentation, and strong identity-based policies. It supports dynamic policy enforcement that adapts in real time based on user behavior, device posture, and risk scores. The platform integrates with a wide range of identity providers and security tools, and its flexible architecture suits hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-prem environments alike.
Appgate SDP is ideal for enterprises and government organizations that require high security for sensitive data and critical infrastructure, especially those with complex compliance requirements. The company offers free trials and demos upon request, allowing organizations to evaluate the solution before full adoption.
Customer support includes 24/7 assistance, dedicated onboarding, and comprehensive documentation. Appgate is known for proactive customer engagement and providing tailored guidance to ensure successful deployments.
Pros:
- True Zero Trust approach with granular, adaptive access control
- Supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments with flexible deployment options
- Strong integration with identity providers and security ecosystems
- Dynamic, real-time risk-based policy enforcement
Cons:
- Can be complex to configure and manage for smaller teams without dedicated security staff
- Pricing may be higher than simpler VPN or basic ZTNA solutions
- Initial learning curve due to advanced feature set and policy options
Final Word
Choosing the right Zero Trust Network Access solution is critical as organizations adapt to increasingly complex security challenges and distributed workforces.
While Perimeter 81 remains a strong contender, the alternatives discussed above offer diverse strengths (from seamless cloud-native architectures to deep integration with existing security ecosystems), giving you the flexibility to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget.
Arsalan Rashid
July 1, 2025
3 months ago
