The Zscaler Private Access Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Zscaler Private Access in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Zscaler Private Access
The Insider’s Guide
Zero trust access to private apps without a VPN
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among remote desktop apps, read from Zscaler Private Access’s own pages.
Made by Zscaler · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Zscaler Private Access’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Zscaler Private Access’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.8
GPA, above 6 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) is a zero trust network access service from Zscaler. It brokers one-to-one connections between authorized users and specific private apps, so users do not join the corporate network. It is sold to organizations, with pricing given on request after a demo.
To get you started, here are 7 things to know about Zscaler Private Access, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No prices are published, the page lists no client platforms or trial, and it is a business security service, not a personal tool.
- 1
Best for private app access for company staff
Zscaler Private Access gives staff access to private apps without a network-wide VPN, with app-level rules and browser access.
- 2
It runs on Web
Web.
- 3
App-level access
Connects authorized users directly to specific applications, so the corporate network and the apps are not exposed to the public internet.
- 4
AI-assisted app segmentation
Discovers applications automatically and suggests app segments and policies to limit lateral movement.
- 5
Privileged Remote Access
Gives remote workers and third parties clientless access to RDP, SSH and VNC production systems.
- 6
A 1.8 GPA, above 6 of 85
That is against the other remote desktop apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 7
Keep it
To replace Zscaler Private Access you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Zscaler Private Access at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Zscaler
- Category
- Remote Desktop
- Our grade
- 1.8 GPA, weak
The report card
Best for private app access for company staff
Zscaler Private Access gives staff access to private apps without a network-wide VPN, with app-level rules and browser access. No prices are published, the page lists no client platforms or trial, and it is a business security service, not a personal tool.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | No price is published: the page offers only a demo request and sales contact, so value sits at C. |
| Free plan and trial | F | No free plan and no trial is listed on the product page. |
| Features | B | App-level access, app segmentation, privileged remote access, browser access and a private service edge cover the core of private app access. |
| Ease of use | C | No 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 | C | The page lists web and AWS and Azure only, with no client platforms named. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Zscaler Private Access is for
- Fits if you are a company security team replacing a VPN with per-app access
- Makes sense if you already buy Zscaler services
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Enterprises replacing VPNs and VDI for private app access
- Organizations giving contractors clientless RDP or SSH access
- Companies already using Zscaler's wider security platform
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Zscaler Private Access's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site.
No price is published: the page offers only a demo request and sales contact, so value sits at C.
We could not confirm Zscaler Private Access’s current prices from its own site, so this guide lists no plans. zscaler.com has them.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Zero trust access to private apps without a VPN. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: vPN, remote desktop.
The page lists web and AWS and Azure only, with no client platforms named.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- AWS
- Microsoft Azure
Zscaler Private Access is made by Zscaler.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
6/85
Other remote desktop apps it is graded above
Zscaler Private Access's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 6 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on features (B, above 55 of 85) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 86 remote desktop apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Zscaler Private Access’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 7 of 85
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 85
- BFeaturesAbove 55 of 85
- CEase of useAbove 10 of 85
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 12 of 85
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Zscaler Private Access you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 73 of the 85 other remote desktop apps grade higher.
What you could not
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- A fast, secure link to another computer through any network.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Zscaler Private Access’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Twingate, Absolute Secure Access, Ivanti Connect Secure and FortiClient
The 4 tools Zscaler Private Access is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Twingate
Free plan · from $5/mo
Zero trust network access to replace a company VPN.
- Twingate has a free plan. Zscaler Private Access does not.
- Only Zscaler Private Access lists a web app.
- Only Twingate lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- 1.4GPA
Absolute Secure Access
Paid
Zero trust network access and SSE for hybrid workers.
- Only Zscaler Private Access lists a web app.
- Only Absolute Secure Access lists a Windows app.
- Zscaler Private Access also covers remote desktop.
- 1.8GPA
Ivanti Connect Secure
Paid
Enterprise SSL VPN gateway for secure remote access.
- Only Ivanti Connect Secure lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Zscaler Private Access also covers remote desktop.
- Ivanti Connect Secure also covers reports.
- 2.2GPA
FortiClient
Free plan
Fortinet endpoint agent for VPN, ZTNA and endpoint protection.
- FortiClient has a free plan. Zscaler Private Access does not.
- Only Zscaler Private Access lists a web app.
- Only FortiClient lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Zscaler Private Access free?
No. Zscaler Private Access is a paid product.
What platforms does Zscaler Private Access work on?
Zscaler Private Access is available on Web.
Does Zscaler Private Access have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Zscaler Private Access is listed for Web.
Does Zscaler Private Access have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Zscaler Private Access is listed for Web.
Is Zscaler Private Access open source?
Zscaler Private Access is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does Zscaler Private Access integrate with?
Zscaler Private Access's listing names AWS and Microsoft Azure. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Zscaler Private Access?
Zscaler Private Access is made by Zscaler.
What are the alternatives to Zscaler Private Access?
The closest alternatives to Zscaler Private Access in our directory are Twingate, Absolute Secure Access, Ivanti Connect Secure and FortiClient.
How does Zscaler Private Access compare with other remote desktop apps?
Zscaler Private Access's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 6 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 6.
Could I make my own version of Zscaler Private Access?
To replace Zscaler Private Access you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Zscaler Private Access’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Zscaler's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Zscaler. Prices change, so check zscaler.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Zscaler Private Access, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/zscaler-private-access
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Zscaler Private Access: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/zscaler-private-access
Know someone choosing between remote desktop apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/zscaler-private-access/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded remote desktop apps after Zscaler Private Access, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Remote Desktop Insider's GuideEvery one of the 86 remote desktop apps we grade, compared
- Chrome Remote Desktop Insider's GuideGoogle's free remote access to your own computers from a browser3.2 GPA
- DWService Insider's GuideFree browser-based remote access to computers via an agent3.2 GPA
- HopToDesk Insider's GuideFree open-source remote desktop with a paid device dashboard3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Zscaler Private Access’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Zscaler Private Access is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Zscaler. Prices and plans change: check zscaler.com before you buy.