Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)

Best Alternatives to Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)

Explore Zscaler ZPA alternatives with session-level controls, visual recording, and purpose-built PAM capabilities — not just connection-level Zero Trust.

Why Teams Look for Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) Alternatives

Common challenges that drive organizations to explore other options

Connection-level access only — no visibility into what happens inside sessions

No session recording for SSH, RDP, or database sessions

Private access is one module in a large SASE platform with complex pricing

Requires Zscaler Client Connector on every device

Missing PAM features like JIT access, approval workflows, and credential vaulting

Why OnePAM Is the Top Alternative

Purpose-built for secure infrastructure access with full session recording

Session-level Zero Trust

  • Control and record what happens inside every session
  • Per-command authorization for sensitive operations
  • Keystroke logging and database query auditing
  • Real-time session monitoring and termination
Go beyond connection-level access — see and control every action inside every session.

Purpose-built PAM without SASE overhead

  • All PAM capabilities in a focused product
  • No bundled CASB, SWG, or DLP
  • Simple per-user pricing
  • Deploy in hours, not enterprise sales cycles
Get the access controls you need without buying a full SASE platform.

Browser-based, no client connector

  • All protocols from the browser
  • No Zscaler Client Connector required
  • Instant contractor and vendor access
  • Works on any device without enrollment
True browser-based access — no client software for any protocol.

Other Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) Alternatives

Other options to consider when evaluating alternatives

Netskope Private Access

SASE platform with private access capabilities.

Strengths
  • Comprehensive SASE
  • Good DLP features
  • Enterprise presence
Weaknesses
  • Same SASE-bundling issue
  • No session recording
  • Complex pricing
Best for: Enterprises wanting a Zscaler competitor with similar SASE scope.

Cloudflare Access

Zero Trust access on Cloudflare's global edge.

Strengths
  • Global edge performance
  • Simpler pricing
  • Good web app access
Weaknesses
  • Infrastructure access is secondary
  • SSH needs client
  • Limited PAM features
Best for: Teams on Cloudflare wanting basic Zero Trust access without SASE complexity.

Teleport

Infrastructure access platform with certificate-based authentication.

Strengths
  • Open-source option
  • Strong SSH model
  • Good Kubernetes support
Weaknesses
  • Requires tsh client
  • Complex PKI
  • Per-resource pricing
Best for: Engineering-led teams comfortable with certificate infrastructure.

How to Migrate from Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)

A straightforward path from Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) to OnePAM

1

Document ZPA application segments, server groups, and access policies

2

Deploy OnePAM agents on infrastructure endpoints (servers, databases, Kubernetes)

3

Configure IdP integration (same SAML/OIDC providers ZPA uses)

4

Create OnePAM RBAC policies with JIT access and session recording

5

Transition infrastructure access to OnePAM while keeping ZPA for web security if needed

Common Questions

What teams ask when switching from Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)

We use Zscaler for our entire security stack — can we partially migrate?
Absolutely. Use OnePAM specifically for privileged infrastructure access (SSH, RDP, databases) where you need session recording. Keep Zscaler for web security (ZIA), CASB, and DLP.
ZPA uses App Connectors — how does OnePAM's architecture compare?
OnePAM uses lightweight endpoint agents (similar to App Connectors) that create outbound connections. The key difference: OnePAM records full sessions and provides PAM controls that ZPA doesn't.
Is OnePAM's Zero Trust as strong as Zscaler's?
OnePAM provides deeper Zero Trust — not just connection-level access but session-level controls, keystroke logging, and per-command authorization. Every session is identity-verified, recorded, and auditable.

Who Should Switch?

OnePAM is the right choice if this sounds like your team

OnePAM is ideal for

  • Organizations paying for SASE but primarily needing infrastructure access controls
  • Security teams that need session recording ZPA doesn't provide
  • Companies wanting PAM capabilities without the complexity of a full SASE platform
  • Teams needing compliance-ready audit trails for privileged access

Ready to Make the Switch?

Start your free trial and see why teams are choosing OnePAM over Zscaler Private Access (ZPA).

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