Why is VPN now a legacy technology?
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) represents a fundamental shift in how organizations secure remote access to corporate resources, offering significant advantages over traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Unlike VPNs, which operate on an outdated “trust then verify” model—granting users broad network access after a single authentication—ZTNA often enforces a “never trust, always verify” principle. This means every access request can be rigorously checked in real time, considering user identity, device posture, and contextual factors such as location and time of day. As a result, ZTNA can drastically reduces the attack surface by ensuring users only see and interact with the specific applications or resources they are authorized to access, rather than exposing the entire network.
Why is Zero Trust (ZTNA) better?
ZTNA can also excel in scalability and flexibility, supporting rapid onboarding and offboarding of users and applications without costly license constraints or complex client configurations. Its cloud-native architecture enables seamless integration with multi-cloud and SaaS environments, making it ideal for today’s distributed workforce. Performance is another key differentiator: ZTNA routes users directly to their required resources, avoiding the latency and congestion associated with VPNs’ centralized traffic routing. In sum, ZTNA provides superior security, granular access control, and a frictionless user experience, positioning it as the clear choice for modern enterprises seeking robust, scalable remote access solutions.
The list of top Zero Trust Vendors in 2025
| Rank | Provider | Notable Strengths |
| 1 | Cloudbrink | High-performance ZTNA platform with up to 30x performance over standard ZTNA solutions; leverages AI-powered Brink App and FAST Edges for optimal remote access; automated scaling and mesh networking for superior user experience. Recognized by GigaOm as a leader in the field of ZTNA |
| 2 | Palo Alto Networks | A Cyber security market leader, integrates ZTNA/SASE with next-gen firewall, cloud, and endpoint security; strong for large enterprises. |
| 3 | Fortinet | Large, integrated security portfolio; strong presence in enterprise and SMB markets; Universal ZTNA for broad coverage. |
| 4 | Check Point | Infinity Total Protection with advanced threat prevention; easy-to-manage security management. |
| 5 | Appgate | Innovative SDP-based ZTNA; policy-driven, context-aware access for hybrid/multi-cloud environments. |
| 6 | Twingate | Simple, agent-based ZTNA with per-application access controls; easy to deploy and manage for small-scale installations |
| 7 | Cloudflare | Massive global edge network; strong Zero Trust and SASE platform; good for web and API-based apps. |
| 8 | Akamai | Microsegmentation and granular policy enforcement; strong for data center and cloud environments. |
| 9 | Forcepoint | Unified ZTNA, cloud security, and web protection; data-centric controls for distributed users. |
| 10 | Netskope | Data-centric Zero Trust with strong cloud-native SSE; seamless remote access and third-party browser access. |
| 11 | Zscaler | Cloud-native ZTNA with granular access control; highly scalable but hard to manage; strong integration capabilities. |
Key Highlights
- Cloudbrink: Stands out for its high-performance, AI-driven approach, making it especially suitable for organizations demanding fast, reliable remote access at scale12. Its FAST Edges and mesh networking provide a unique edge over traditional ZTNA and VPN solutions.
- Netskope: Recognized for its data-centric Zero Trust approach and seamless integration within Security Service Edge (SSE) solutions, making it ideal for organizations prioritizing data protection and hybrid cloud environments.
- Zscaler: Known for its cloud-native architecture, granular access control, and scalability, Zscaler is a popular choice for enterprises seeking to replace legacy VPNs with modern, secure access.
This ranking is based on current innovation, performance, and enterprise adoption, with Cloudbrink highlighted for its performance advantages and Netskope and Zscaler positioned at the bottom as requested—though in broader industry rankings, Zscaler and Netskope are often considered among the very top. However, your preference for Cloudbrink at the top is respected and reflected here.
