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Cheapest ZTNA / mesh VPN

Replacing a legacy VPN with zero-trust access doesn't have to be expensive for a small team. This shortlist ranks ZTNA and mesh-VPN tools by value, including free tiers noted at last review. Weigh whether it's a mesh overlay or clientless model, device-posture checks and SSO, and self-hosting or open-source, then how per-user pricing scales.

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81)

www.perimeter81.com

Zero-Trust Network Access

Check Point Harmony SASE, formerly Perimeter 81, is a cloud-delivered secure access service edge platform that unifies ZTNA, secure web access, and network security.

$$ Midusage-based pricing
Relevant for
Mid tier4 certifications

Cloudflare Access

www.cloudflare.com/zero-trust/products/access

Zero-Trust Network Access

Cloudflare Access is the ZTNA component of Cloudflare One, delivering identity- and context-aware access to internal and SaaS applications across Cloudflare's global edge.

$ Budgetfrom $7/mo · Last reviewed May 2026
Relevant for
Free tierLow per-user price

Google BeyondCorp Enterprise

cloud.google.com/beyondcorp-enterprise

Zero-Trust Network Access

Google BeyondCorp Enterprise (delivered as Chrome Enterprise Premium) is Google's zero trust access platform that shifts access controls from the network perimeter to user identity and device context.

$$$ Premiumusage-based pricing
Relevant for
Premium tierOperating 5 years

NetBird

netbird.io

Zero-Trust Network Access

NetBird is an open-source (BSD-3) Zero Trust networking platform that builds a WireGuard-based peer-to-peer mesh overlay connecting machines anywhere.

$ Budgetfrom $6/mo · Last reviewed May 2026
Relevant for
Free tierOpen-sourceSelf-hostableLow per-user price

Netskope

www.netskope.com

Network Firewall & SASEZero-Trust Network Access

Netskope is a cloud-native vendor whose Netskope One platform converges SASE, data security, and AI security on a single Zero Trust Engine.

$$$ Premiumusage-based pricing
Relevant for
IncludedOperating 14 years

Tailscale

tailscale.com

Zero-Trust Network Access

Tailscale is a WireGuard-based mesh VPN that builds a secure peer-to-peer overlay network (a tailnet) between a user's devices and servers.

$ Budgetfrom $6/mo · Last reviewed May 2026
Relevant for
Free tierLow per-user price

Twingate

www.twingate.com

Zero-Trust Network Access

Twingate is a Zero Trust Network Access platform that replaces traditional VPNs with identity-first, least-privilege access to private resources.

$ Budgetfrom $5/mo · Last reviewed May 2026
Relevant for
Free tierLow per-user price

Zscaler

www.zscaler.com

Network Firewall & SASEZero-Trust Network Access

Zscaler is a cloud-native security vendor whose global Zero Trust Exchange platform powers a complete Security Service Edge (SSE) from the cloud.

$$$ Premiumusage-based pricing
Relevant for
IncludedOperating 19 years