Absolute Secure Access vs Zscaler Private Access (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Zscaler Private Access grades higher than Absolute Secure Access: 1.8 against 1.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Zscaler Private Access grades higher on features and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Absolute Secure Access
Zero trust network access and SSE for hybrid workers
Paid
Which one is for you
Pick Absolute Secure Access if
- Fits if you are an IT team with a Windows-only fleet needing zero trust access
- Makes sense if you already use Absolute for device management
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Macs or phones, as the client is described for Windows only
- Watch out: no prices are published and the page offers a demo request only
- Pricey if you need web gateway, DLP or endpoint compliance, which need Enterprise
- Not for you if you want to control a PC from another device, since it is a security product
Pick Zscaler Private Access if
- Fits if you are a company security team replacing a VPN with per-app access
- Makes sense if you already buy Zscaler services
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want to remotely control a personal computer, as this is a business security service
- Watch out: no prices are published and the page offers a demo request only
- Watch out: the page doesn't list supported client platforms
- Tight if you want a trial, as none is listed
How we grade them
| 1.4GPAAbsolute Secure AccessWeak | 1.8GPAZscaler Private AccessWeak | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CNo price is published: the page offers a demo request and a sales phone number, so value sits at C. | CNo price is published: the page offers only a demo request and sales contact, so value sits at C. |
| Free plan and trial | FNo free plan and no trial is listed on the product page. | FNo free plan and no trial is listed on the product page. |
| Features | CZero trust access, a self-healing client, network visibility and edge additions are listed, but web security and compliance checks need Enterprise. | BApp-level access, app segmentation, privileged remote access, browser access and a private service edge cover the core of private app access. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record. It is a managed business product that has to be deployed and configured by IT. | CNo store rating on record. It is a business service that needs connectors, policies and a sign-in provider to be set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | DThe self-healing client is described for Windows only. No web, Mac, phone or integrations are listed. | CThe page lists web and AWS and Azure only, with no client platforms named. |
| Best for | zero trust network access for Windows fleets | private app access for company staff |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Absolute Secure Access and Zscaler Private Access. How we grade
Where they differ
- Absolute Secure Access also covers dashboards.
- Zscaler Private Access also covers remote desktop.
In commonVPN
At a glance
| Absolute Secure Access | Zscaler Private Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Starts at | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Absolute Security | Zscaler |
| Price read from | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Absolute Secure Access
- No prices are published; the page offers a demo request and a sales phone number.
- The self-healing client is described for Windows only.
- Web gateway, DLP and endpoint compliance features need the Enterprise edition.
- It is a business security product, not a tool for controlling a PC from another device.
Zscaler Private Access
- No prices are published; the page offers a demo request and sales contact only.
- The product page does not list supported client platforms or a free trial.
- It is a business security service, not a tool for remotely controlling a personal computer.
Key features
Absolute Secure Access
- Zero trust network access
- The Core edition provides zero trust access with dynamic policy enforcement and network access control for connections to public and private apps.
- Self-healing client
- A client for Windows acts as a distributed firewall and is built to keep the remote connection working despite network problems.
- Network visibility
- Absolute Insights for Network offers over 70 dashboards with drill-downs and 90-day data record retention.
- Edge edition additions
- Edge adds in-line CASB, digital experience monitoring, network performance diagnostics and AI-assisted threat notifications.
- Enterprise edition web security
- Enterprise adds a secure web gateway with multiple AV scans, remote browser isolation, content disarm and DLP.
- Comply to Connect
- Continuously checks device posture and blocks unhealthy devices from reaching sensitive applications.
Zscaler Private Access
- App-level access
- Connects authorized users directly to specific applications, so the corporate network and the apps are not exposed to the public internet.
- AI-assisted app segmentation
- Discovers applications automatically and suggests app segments and policies to limit lateral movement.
- Privileged Remote Access
- Gives remote workers and third parties clientless access to RDP, SSH and VNC production systems.
- Browser Access
- Lets users reach private apps through a browser, alongside lightweight client software.
- Private Service Edge
- Brings the same direct user-to-app, least-privileged access to users who are on premises.
- Business continuity
- Keeps policy-enforced access to critical applications available during connectivity outages.
Plans
Absolute Secure Access
Pricing could not be confirmed. See absolute.com.
Zscaler Private Access
Pricing could not be confirmed. See zscaler.com.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Absolute Secure Access or Zscaler Private Access?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Absolute Secure Access has no price we could confirm, and Zscaler Private Access has no price we could confirm.
Which has a free plan, Absolute Secure Access or Zscaler Private Access?
As of Nov 13, 2026, neither Absolute Secure Access nor Zscaler Private Access has a free plan.
Which platforms do Absolute Secure Access and Zscaler Private Access run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Absolute Secure Access lists a Windows app and only Zscaler Private Access lists a web app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.