Best Zero Trust Security Solutions
Discover the top Zero Trust Security solutions. Compare key features including user authentication, data segmentation, deployment, and pricing.
Written by
Joel Witts
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Quick Summary
For organizations prioritizing deny-by-default endpoint control, ThreatLocker delivers strict application allowlisting and ringfencing that stops zero-day threats before they execute. JumpCloud is the best choice for teams consolidating identity, access, and device management from one cloud platform. For network-level zero trust without infrastructure overhead, NordLayer provides segmented access without traditional VPN complexity.
Zero trust is no longer optional. Perimeter-based security doesn’t work when your workforce is distributed, your applications span multiple clouds, and attacks target the gaps between trust boundaries. But zero trust is also not a single product-it’s an architecture that requires multiple layers of verification and enforcement.
The real problem isn’t understanding the concept-it’s finding solutions that actually implement zero trust principles without requiring you to rearchitect your entire infrastructure. You need endpoint controls that don’t slow down legitimate work, network segmentation that doesn’t fragment your environment, and identity verification that’s strong without being painful. Get it wrong and you either lock down so tightly that your team finds workarounds or you implement controls so porous that attackers slip through anyway.
We evaluated 11 zero trust solutions across endpoint protection, network access, identity and device management, and application control. We evaluated each for effectiveness at blocking unauthorized access, ease of deployment without infrastructure changes, and real-world operational complexity. We also reviewed customer feedback and deployment experiences to understand where vendor zero trust claims diverge from practical implementation.
This guide gives you the testing insights and decision framework to build zero trust architecture that actually works for your organization without creating impossible operational burden.
Our Recommendations
Zero trust spans multiple layers. You need endpoint controls, network segmentation, identity verification, and application-level enforcement. Different vendors excel in different areas. Here’s how to match solutions to your priorities.
- Best For Strict Endpoint Control: ThreatLocker enforces deny-by-default policies with ringfencing that restricts what approved applications can do.
- Best For Identity And Device Consolidation: NordLayer , JumpCloud combines identity management, device control, and conditional access in one platform.
- Best For Network Zero Trust: JumpCloud , NordLayer provides segmented network access without traditional VPN complexity.
- Best For Enterprise-Scale Identity: Cisco Duo Premier delivers conditional access and zero trust policies at enterprise scale.
- Best For Complex Multi-Cloud Environments: Check Point SASE provides unified zero trust security across diverse, multi-cloud application portfolios.
ThreatLocker is a zero trust endpoint protection platform that enforces deny-by-default policies across your environment. It blocks anything not explicitly approved, from executables to scripts to USB devices. Built for organizations serious about stopping ransomware and unauthorized software before it runs.
Locking Down Endpoints Without Slowing Down Operations
We found the allowlisting engine to be the real standout here. You define what runs. Everything else gets blocked. No exceptions, no gray areas. That approach eliminates entire categories of threats, including zero-days, because unknown code never executes in the first place.
Ringfencing adds another layer by restricting what approved applications can actually do. A trusted app can run but cannot access files, call the internet, or interact with other apps outside its defined boundaries. We think this is a smart answer to supply chain and living-off-the-land attacks. Network Control dynamically manages port access, only opening connections for authorized devices. Storage Control handles USB and file policies at a granular level.
What Customers Are Saying
The onboarding experience gets consistent praise. Sales-to-deployment support is responsive and hands-on, which matters for a product that requires upfront policy tuning. Once policies are dialed in, the platform runs quietly and effectively. Some customer reviews do flag that initial configuration can be a complex process, which is something to be aware of.
Where ThreatLocker Fits Best
If your priority is strict endpoint control with no room for unauthorized execution, this belongs on your shortlist. We think it fits well for SMBs and mid-market teams managing remote endpoints, IoT exposure, or compliance requirements. Larger enterprises with mature security stacks will appreciate the Ringfencing and network control capabilities as added containment layers.
Strengths
- Deny-by-default blocks unknown executables, including zero-day threats, before they run
- Ringfencing restricts what approved apps can access, limiting lateral movement
- Responsive onboarding support helps accelerate initial policy configuration
- Granular storage and USB controls give you tight media access management
Cautions
- Some users report that initial policy tuning demands significant upfront effort in complex environments
- Learning curve for building and managing allowlists across large device fleets
NordLayer is a zero trust network access (ZTNA) platform that replaces traditional VPN complexity with segmented, identity-based access to corporate resources. It targets teams of any size that want to move beyond full-network VPN tunnels and enforce least-privilege access instead.
Clean Access Controls Without the Networking Headache
We found the user management straightforward and fast. Adding, assigning, and removing users takes minutes, not hours. That matters when your team changes frequently or scales quickly. Network segmentation lets you restrict users to specific applications and data rather than exposing the full network.
Traffic encryption includes a Kill Switch that drops the connection if the VPN tunnel fails, preventing accidental data exposure. Device monitoring flags non-compliant endpoints and triggers alerts. We think the cross-platform support is well-executed, covering Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS from a single dashboard that non-networking staff can navigate without deep technical expertise.
What Customers Are Saying
Setup and day-to-day usability get strong marks. The interface is clean, login is fast, and switching between VPN connections works without friction. Customers also highlight the documentation and onboarding support as helpful for getting teams running quickly.
Some customers flag occasional connection drops, particularly on unstable networks. Advanced configurations like split tunneling require support requests rather than self-service controls, which slows changes down.
Right Fit for Your Network?
If you need quick-to-deploy zero trust access without heavy infrastructure, NordLayer delivers. We think it works best for small and mid-sized teams that prioritize ease of management over deep custom networking. Larger organizations with complex split tunneling or granular admin requirements should evaluate those workflows before committing.
Strengths
- Simple user management makes onboarding and offboarding fast across growing teams
- Network segmentation enforces least-privilege access without full-network exposure
- Cross-platform support covers all major operating systems from one dashboard
- Kill Switch prevents data leaks if the encrypted tunnel drops unexpectedly
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that advanced configuration changes require reaching out to support rather than self-service controls
JumpCloud is an open directory platform that unifies identity, access, and device management into a single cloud native console. It replaces the patchwork of Active Directory, scattered local accounts, and separate MDM tools with one place to control users and endpoints. Built for organizations moving away from on-prem directory infrastructure.
One Console for Identity and Every Endpoint
We found the consolidation to be JumpCloud’s strongest appeal. Instead of buying separate products for identity, MFA, device management, and password vaulting, you get one console. The cross-platform agent handles Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints from the same policy engine, which matters if you are managing diverse device fleets. Even devices that cannot support full MDM still get inventory tracking and baseline enforcement like encryption and firewall policies.
The identity-first approach ties everything together. SSO, MFA, conditional access policies, and user provisioning all run from the same platform. Onboarding a new hire means granting access once. Offboarding means revoking it everywhere simultaneously. Passwordless authentication options including biometrics and hardware keys reduce friction without compromising security.
What Customers Are Saying
Support gets consistently high marks. Responses are fast, knowledgeable, and practical. The AI chat built into the console also speeds up common troubleshooting tasks. Customers highlight how much easier fleet management becomes once everything is centralized, and smaller organizations especially value consolidating their identity stack without enterprise complexity.
Some customers flag that the interface could be complex for advanced workflows, with settings buried in nested menus that take time to learn.
Is JumpCloud Right for Your Team?
If your identity and device management is scattered across multiple tools, JumpCloud consolidates that fast. We think it fits best for small to mid-sized teams, especially distributed or hybrid workforces running mixed operating systems. Larger enterprises with deep MDM or advanced policy needs may find certain areas less mature than dedicated point solutions, but the range of what JumpCloud covers from one console is hard to match.
Strengths
- Consolidates identity, access, and device management into single cloud native platform
- Cross-platform agent handles Windows, Mac, and Linux from one policy engine
- Conditional access policies enforce zero trust logic based on device and user context
- Passwordless options with biometrics reduce friction without compromising security
Cautions
- Some customer reviews note that advanced configuration workflows can be complex to manage
Keeper Security combines an enterprise password manager with a full privileged access management (PAM) platform, all built on zero-knowledge encryption. It targets mid-sized to large organizations that need to secure both everyday credentials and high-privilege accounts under one roof.
Vault Security Paired with Privileged Access Control
We found the zero-knowledge architecture to be a strong foundation. Keeper encrypts everything locally before it reaches their servers, so even Keeper cannot access your data. The password vault supports MFA, FIDO2 passkeys, and biometric logins, giving you flexible authentication options across your workforce.
KeeperPAM helps to faciliate enterprise zero trust controls. It enforces least-privilege policies with session recording, remote browser isolation, and VPN-free access to web apps, RDP, SSH, and databases. We think bundling PAM alongside credential management makes sense for teams that want to avoid stitching together separate tools. Session monitoring and audit reporting give you the visibility compliance teams need.
What Customers Are Saying
Long-term users praise the vault’s reliability and the password generator. Support response times get positive mentions, with issues resolved within one to two business days. The interface is clean and the edit login feature makes managing shared or multiple-account credentials easy.
Some customers flag inconsistent autofill behavior, with the browser extension not always detecting login fields. The search function inside the vault has frustrated users who cannot locate records they know exist. Mandatory two-factor authentication has also locked some users out when their 2FA method becomes inaccessible. Upselling for add-on services draws complaints as well.
Matching Keeper to Your Security Stack
If you need enterprise credential management and PAM in a single platform, Keeper covers both well. We think the sweet spot is mid-sized organizations that want zero-trust access controls without deploying separate tools for vaults and privileged sessions. Teams with simpler password management needs should weigh whether KeeperPAM pricing fits their budget.
Strengths
- Zero-knowledge encryption ensures even Keeper cannot access stored credentials
- KeeperPAM bundles session recording, browser isolation, and VPN-free privileged access
- Supports FIDO2 passkeys, biometrics, and flexible MFA across all endpoints
- Responsive support team resolves issues within one to two business days
Cautions
- Keeper is not a network-level solution, but offers zero trust controls for managing PAM and user credentials
Cisco Duo Premier
Cisco Duo Premier is an integrated identity and zero trust access platform that bundles MFA, SSO, passwordless authentication, and endpoint health checks into one solution. It targets enterprise organizations that want to secure application access without relying on traditional VPNs.
Push-Based MFA and VPN-Less Access
We found the MFA experience to be one of the smoothest in this category. Push notifications to a smartphone replace traditional passwords, and FIDO2 support opens the door to hardware key authentication. The simplicity here matters. Low friction for end users means fewer support tickets and higher adoption rates across your organization.
The Duo Network Gateway is where things get interesting. It provides secure access to internal web applications from any device or browser without a VPN tunnel. We think this is a strong fit for hybrid environments where your workforce connects from varied locations and devices. Granular access controls let you set policies per application, SSH server, and user group. Directory sync keeps identity data consistent across Active Directory, AirWatch, Meraki, and other integrations.
What Customers Are Saying
The setup process and daily user experience get high marks. Customers describe the interface as intuitive, and the push-based login flow as fast and frictionless. The reporting and monitoring tools give security teams visibility into access attempts and device posture, which helps with policy enforcement.
Customer feedback on Duo Premier specifically is limited compared to the broader Duo platform.
Enterprise Access Without the VPN Overhead
If your organization needs to move past VPN-dependent access while keeping strong identity verification in place, Duo Premier covers that well. We think it fits best for mid-size to large enterprises already in the Cisco ecosystem or those standardizing on a single identity and access platform. Smaller teams with simpler access needs may find the Premier tier more than they require.
Strengths
- Push-based MFA drives high user adoption with minimal friction and support burden
- Duo Network Gateway enables VPN-less access to internal apps from any device
- Granular per-application and per-group access policies support precise control
- Strong integration ecosystem including Active Directory, Meraki, and AirWatch
Cautions
- Premier-tier-specific customer feedback is limited, making long-term patterns harder to assess
- Some users mention that advanced ZTNA features add complexity beyond what simpler access requirements demand
Check Point SASE
Check Point SASE is a cloud-native platform that bundles zero trust network access, secure web gateway, SD-WAN connectivity, and threat prevention into a single service. It targets organizations that want to consolidate remote access, branch networking, and web security under one management console.
Unified Security With Serious Threat Prevention
We found the threat prevention capabilities to be a standout. Independent testing shows a near 99% malware block rate, which puts it at the top end for zero-day and advanced threat protection. The secure web gateway handles content filtering and malware inspection, while ZTNA controls private application access without traditional VPN tunnels.
Policy management is granular and updates propagate instantly across connected endpoints. We think the agentless deployment option is a practical addition for unmanaged devices, which is common in contractor or BYOD scenarios. Cross-platform support covers Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. The integration story is strongest if you already run Check Point firewalls or security tools, since the platform ties directly into that ecosystem.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praise the centralized dashboard and the speed of cloud-based deployment. Remote users report solid performance with low latency, thanks to on-device inspection that reduces backhauling traffic through central data centers. Policy flexibility gets positive marks across different organizational sizes.
Initial setup draws the most criticism, especially in hybrid environments mixing cloud and on-prem infrastructure.
Where Check Point SASE Makes Sense
If you need to consolidate remote access, web security, and branch connectivity into one platform, this does that well. We think it fits best for organizations already invested in Check Point’s ecosystem or those with distributed workforces needing strong threat prevention. Pure on-prem deployments will see less differentiation from existing VPN setups.
Strengths
- Near 99% malware block rate in independent testing for zero-day threat protection
- Centralized dashboard unifies ZTNA, SWG, and SD-WAN policy management
- Agentless deployment supports unmanaged devices in BYOD and contractor scenarios
- Instant policy propagation keeps security controls current across all endpoints
Cautions
- Based on customer feedback, Hybrid cloud and on-prem setup adds complexity during initial deployment
- Some users have noted that logging and analytics lack depth for granular troubleshooting and investigation
CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud-native endpoint protection platform that combines AI-powered threat detection, real-time response, and 24/7 managed threat hunting in a single lightweight agent. It targets mid-sized to large enterprises that want to consolidate endpoint, identity, and cloud workload defense without stacking multiple tools.
A Lightweight Agent That Punches Above Its Weight
We found the single-agent architecture to be a real operational advantage. One install covers next-gen antivirus, endpoint detection and response, and threat intelligence. The agent runs quietly with minimal performance impact, which keeps end users productive and reduces help desk complaints about system slowdowns.
The detection engine uses behavioral analysis and machine learning rather than relying solely on signature-based scanning. That means unknown threats and zero-days get caught based on what they do, not just what they look like. We think the CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL) is a strong differentiator for security teams. It makes threat hunting and forensic investigation fast without requiring deep specialist training. Custom dashboards are quick to build and useful for operational monitoring.
What Customers Are Saying
Support quality is a consistent highlight. Customers describe the team as fast, knowledgeable, and available around the clock for setup issues, agent problems, and active security incidents. The centralized console and detection page get praise for organizing complex telemetry into actionable views.
Some customers flag that advanced features create a steep learning curve for newer security staff. The interface, while feature-rich, can feel cluttered with information overload. Onboarding and offboarding endpoints takes longer than expected, with synchronization delays on the console side. Air-gapped or isolated environments also present challenges since the agent depends on cloud connectivity to function properly.
Who Should Deploy Falcon
If your organization needs enterprise-grade endpoint protection with managed threat hunting built in, Falcon belongs on your shortlist. We think it fits best for teams that want deep visibility and detection capabilities without building a full in-house SOC. Smaller organizations or those with limited security staff should factor in the learning curve, but the protection and support quality justify the investment.
Strengths
- Single lightweight agent covers antivirus, EDR, and threat intelligence with minimal performance hit
- Behavioral and AI-based detection catches unknown threats beyond signature-based scanning
- CrowdStrike Query Language enables fast threat hunting without deep specialist training
- 24/7 support and managed threat hunting reduce the burden on internal security teams
Cautions
- Some customer reviews highlight that advanced features and dense telemetry create a steep learning curve for newer staff
- Based on customer reviews, Cloud-dependent agent struggles in air-gapped or isolated network environments
Microsoft Entra Private Access
Microsoft Entra Private Access is a ZTNA solution designed to replace traditional VPNs with identity-driven, per-application access controls. It plugs directly into Microsoft’s broader Entra identity platform, bringing conditional access, MFA, and SSO to private application connections. Purpose-built for organizations already running Microsoft infrastructure.
Identity-Driven Access Baked Into the Microsoft Stack
We found the integration with Microsoft’s conditional access engine to be the core differentiator. Access policies adapt based on user identity, device health, location, and risk signals, all enforced per application rather than at the network level. Microsegmentation goes down to the user, process, or device level, which gives you precise control over who reaches what.
Real-time monitoring and reporting provide visibility into access activity and potential threats. SSO and MFA work natively through the Entra platform, so there is no bolting on third-party authentication. We think this tight coupling reduces configuration overhead significantly if your organization already manages identities through Microsoft Entra ID.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers consistently praise the conditional access policies and MFA experience as low-friction but highly effective. SSO across Microsoft 365 and third-party apps reduces login fatigue, and admin reporting tools deliver actionable security insights. The overall identity management experience gets strong marks for reliability.
Built for Microsoft-First Organizations
If your identity infrastructure already runs on Microsoft Entra ID, Private Access is a natural extension. We think it fits best for enterprises standardizing on the Microsoft security stack who want ZTNA without introducing a separate vendor. Organizations with mixed or non-Microsoft identity environments will face more friction getting equivalent value from this platform.
Strengths
- Conditional access policies adapt to user, device, and risk context per application
- Native Entra ID integration eliminates the need for third-party authentication layers
- Microsegmentation controls access at the user, process, and device level
- Real-time monitoring and reporting provide actionable visibility into access patterns
Cautions
- Some users have reported that strongest value depends on existing investment in the Microsoft identity ecosystem
Okta Workforce Identity Cloud
Okta Workforce Identity Cloud is an identity and access management platform built around zero trust principles. It centralizes SSO, MFA, directory services, and lifecycle management into one system that connects to over 7,000 third-party applications. Designed for mid-sized and large enterprises that need scalable identity governance across cloud, on-prem, and hybrid environments.
A Single Identity Layer Across Everything
We found the integration catalog to be Okta’s strongest advantage. With 7,000-plus pre-built connections, getting SSO and MFA working across your application stack happens faster than with most competitors. The universal directory consolidates user identities into one source of truth, and automated onboarding and offboarding enforce least-privilege access from day one.
Phishing-resistant and adaptive MFA adds context-aware security without creating login friction. Server access controls extend identity governance beyond SaaS apps into infrastructure. We think the combination of broad integration coverage and automated lifecycle management makes Okta particularly effective for organizations scaling quickly or managing complex application portfolios.
What Customers Are Saying
The SSO experience gets consistent praise. Having one secure portal for all tools improves both security and daily efficiency. Customers highlight how easy it is to organize applications by team or department, which simplifies access management for new hires and role changes.
Some customers flag that configuration settings are scattered across multiple panels in the admin console, making single-pane management frustrating. Getting policies and access controls right requires navigating between different sections, which introduces risk of misconfiguration. Filtering and file management options within the portal also draw occasional criticism for lacking depth.
Where Okta Fits Your Identity Strategy
If you need an identity platform that connects to nearly everything and scales with organizational growth, Okta is a strong choice. We think it fits best for mid-sized and large enterprises managing diverse application ecosystems. Smaller teams with simpler access needs may find the platform more than they require, and the admin complexity rewards dedicated identity management resources.
Strengths
- Over 7,000 pre-built integrations accelerate SSO and MFA deployment across application stacks
- Automated onboarding and offboarding enforce least-privilege access throughout the user lifecycle
- Phishing-resistant adaptive MFA adds context-aware security without increasing login friction
- Universal directory consolidates identities into a single source across cloud and on-prem
Cautions
- Admin settings spread across multiple panels make single-pane policy management difficult
- Configuration complexity increases misconfiguration risk without dedicated identity management staff
Ping Identity PingOne for Workforce
PingOne for Workforce is a cloud-based identity and access management platform focused on adaptive authentication and SSO for enterprise environments. It provides a unified admin portal for managing employee login flows across SaaS, legacy, on-prem, and custom applications. Built for organizations embedding IAM into a zero trust framework.
Adaptive Authentication With Broad Application Reach
We found the adaptive authentication engine to be well-designed. Policies adjust based on contextual signals like device, location, and risk level, which lets you enforce zero trust without creating unnecessary friction for trusted login scenarios. SSO spans enterprise applications across modern and legacy environments, with SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect support covering hybrid setups.
Automated provisioning and deprovisioning handle user lifecycle management, reducing manual work during onboarding and offboarding. We think the integration flexibility is a real strength. Connecting SaaS applications alongside legacy and on-prem systems from one platform means you are not forced to choose between modern convenience and backward compatibility.
What Customers Are Saying
The SSO experience and security posture get strong marks. Customers highlight smooth SAML and OIDC integration, with clear metadata exchange guides that simplify application onboarding. The authentication and authorization capabilities are consistently praised, especially in regulated industries like banking and transportation.
Some customers flag that the Ping ecosystem involves multiple interfaces.
Does PingOne Fit Your IAM Strategy?
If your environment mixes modern SaaS with legacy and on-prem applications, PingOne handles that span well. We think it fits best for mid-sized to large enterprises, particularly those in regulated industries where adaptive authentication and protocol flexibility matter. Teams wanting a single, unified admin console should weigh the multi-interface experience before committing.
Strengths
- Adaptive authentication adjusts dynamically based on context without adding user friction
- SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect support covers hybrid and legacy environments
- Automated provisioning and deprovisioning streamline the full user lifecycle
- Strong integration flexibility connects SaaS, on-prem, and custom applications from one platform
Cautions
- According to customer feedback, multiple admin interfaces across the Ping ecosystem complicate daily management workflows
Twingate
Twingate is a ZTNA solution that replaces traditional VPNs with application-level access controls and split tunneling. It routes traffic directly to resources rather than backhauling through a central gateway, which reduces latency. Built for teams that want secure remote access without the overhead of managing VPN infrastructure.
Simple Admin Experience With Infrastructure-as-Code Flexibility
We found the admin console clean and fast to work with. Adding resources, creating groups, and managing policies takes minimal effort, even across large numbers of endpoints. The Terraform provider is a standout for infrastructure teams. Managing users, groups, connectors, service accounts, and resources as code fits modern DevOps workflows well.
Application-based access governance limits each user to specific resources rather than opening the full network. Integration with third-party authentication maps authorization to risk scores. We think the direct routing approach delivers a noticeably better end-user experience than traditional VPN tunnels, with faster connections and less latency across all supported platforms including macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
What Customers Are Saying
Setup speed and daily usability get strong marks. Customers highlight how easy it is to onboard users and manage group-based resource access. The client app receives positive feedback across all operating systems, and connectivity is described as fast and reliable.
Enterprise-scale MDM deployment is where the friction surfaces.
Small Teams Love It, Enterprises Should Test Deployment First
If you need a modern VPN replacement with low setup effort and strong day-to-day usability, Twingate delivers. We think it fits best for small to mid-sized teams and infrastructure-savvy organizations using IaC workflows. Larger enterprises should thoroughly test MDM deployment pipelines before committing, particularly on macOS.
Strengths
- Terraform provider enables full infrastructure-as-code management of access resources
- Direct routing reduces latency compared to traditional VPN backhauling approaches
- Clean admin console makes resource and group management fast at scale
- Cross-platform client app gets consistently positive usability feedback
Cautions
- Policy management lacks Terraform support, requiring manual console configuration
Other Network Security Services
A cybersecurity architecture which drives secure access without the need for a VPN.
Secure access to internal apps without a VPN using identity and device posture.
Context-aware access to applications and data based on risk.
Delivers ZTNA and secure access via a unified SASE platform.
Cloud-native platform enforcing least-privilege access across users and apps.
What To Look For: Zero Trust Solutions Checklist
When evaluating zero trust solutions, we’ve identified eight essential criteria. Here’s the checklist of questions you should be asking:
- Deny-By-Default Enforcement: Does the solution block unknown code before execution or require explicit approval? Can you configure allowlists for applications, network connections, and storage access? Are policies granular enough to support your deployment model?
- Device Compliance Verification: Does it verify device health before allowing access? Can it detect compromised or non-managed endpoints? Does it enforce encryption, firewall, and antivirus requirements? Can you segment access based on device risk?
- Adaptive Authentication: Does the platform adjust authentication requirements based on risk context? Can it analyze user behavior, location, time of day, and device posture? Does it trigger step-up authentication only when necessary rather than constant challenges?
- Network Segmentation: Can you limit access to specific applications rather than exposing the full network? Does the solution support least-privilege access controls? Can it enforce segmentation without architectural changes?
- Passwordless Authentication: Does it support FIDO2, hardware keys, and biometrics? Can you enforce passwordless policies without leaving password fallbacks? Does it prevent phishing and credential theft?
- Cross-Platform Support: Does it manage Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android from one console? Can it enforce policies consistently across device types? Does it support unmanaged device access with appropriate security controls?
- Visibility And Threat Detection: Can you see access decisions and policy violations in real time? Does it detect suspicious behavior like impossible travel or credential misuse? Can you investigate access events for security incidents?
- Implementation Complexity: How much upfront configuration is required? Does the solution require dedicated security engineering staff? Can you pilot with a subset of users before full deployment? What’s the learning curve for your team?
Weight these criteria based on your threat model. Organizations facing ransomware should prioritize deny-by-default endpoint controls. Teams managing remote work need strong device compliance. Enterprises with diverse applications benefit from adaptive authentication. Smaller organizations should focus on simplicity and implementation speed.
How We Compared The Best Zero Trust Security Solutions
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our Editor’s Scores are based solely on product quality. Before testing, we map the full vendor landscape for each category, identifying all active vendors from market leaders to emerging challengers.
We evaluated 11 zero trust platforms across endpoint protection, network access, identity governance, and device management, covering deny-by-default enforcement, adaptive authentication, device compliance verification, and cross-platform support. Each solution was deployed in isolated test environments simulating enterprise conditions. We assessed setup workflows, policy configuration complexity, and day to day operational overhead managing devices, users, and access policies.
Beyond hands on testing, we conducted extensive market research on zero trust approaches and reviewed customer feedback to validate vendor claims against real deployment experiences. We spoke with security and IT teams to understand architecture decisions, operational pain points, and trade-offs between security strictness and user productivity. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products.
This guide is updated quarterly. For full details on our evaluation process, visit our How We Test & Review Products.
The Bottom Line
Zero trust requires multiple layers. No single vendor solves your entire zero trust challenge. Your architecture needs endpoint controls, network segmentation, identity verification, and ongoing threat detection.
If your priority is strict endpoint protection with deny-by-default controls, ThreatLocker delivers application allowlisting and ringfencing that stops unknown code before execution.
For network-level zero trust without complex VPN infrastructure, NordLayer provides quick deployment with least-privilege segmentation. Small and mid-sized teams benefit from the straightforward user management and cross-platform support.
To consolidate identity, access, and device management, JumpCloud provides one platform replacing Active Directory and scattered MDM tools.
For Microsoft-heavy environments, Microsoft Entra Private Access delivers conditional access and device compliance verification integrated with Microsoft 365.
At enterprise scale managing diverse applications, Okta Workforce Identity Cloud and Ping Identity PingOne for Workforce provide adaptive authentication that adjusts to risk context. Expect significant implementation resources and dedicated identity staff.
Read the individual reviews above to understand deployment specifics, policy tuning requirements, and the trade-offs that matter for your organization’s zero trust journey.
FAQs
Zero Trust Security: Everything You Need To Know (FAQs)
The zero Trust model is a security strategy that recommends not trusting any users, devices, or systems within your network, until they have been authenticated to be genuine.
In practice, this means continuous authentication of internal users and devices to reduce potential security risks, alongside enforcing the principle of least privilege. This ensures that users and systems only have access to the specific applications they need for the prescribed function of their job role.
It’s important to note that Zero Trust is not a ‘type’ of security solution (although many vendors have evolved their product suites to fit the Zero Trust model and now advertise their solutions as ‘Zero Trust’ services) but is a philosophy for how to approach security and verify access. Zero Trust can only be achieved by using a combination of technologies, including continuous authentication, network segmentation, network access control, and user management. As such the above list covers solutions that span these categories and can help organizations on their Zero Trust journey.
Zero Trust architecture is becoming increasingly adopted by both vendors and organizations looking to improve endpoint security and control access. As cyber-crime has continued to become more advanced and targeted, many organizations have opted to adopt zero trust strategies to secure their network. Organizations are adopting more complex network environments with the rise of cloud applications. As users have shifted from the office to hybrid ways of working, the threat landscape has become much more dynamic.
All these factors, in addition to others, have led the traditional perimeter-based security approach – which assumes everything outside the network is a security risk, while everything inside is secure – to become outdated when faced with the complexity of the modern cyber-threat landscape.
This has led many analysts, governments, and regulatory bodies to recommend organizations look to a Zero Trust to improve resilience. After the Colonial Pipeline cyber-attack of May 2021, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order mandating that all federal agencies implement a “Zero Trust” architecture and urged private organizations to do the same.
Zero Trust Software is a broad term to describe solutions that enable organizations to implement a Zero Trust approach into their network security strategies. This can include multiple different features and tools, such as network microsegmentation, user privileges management, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and identity controls such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO) which ensures users are continuously verified and monitored.
The Zero Trust strategy we know today was designed in 2010 by John Kindervag, who was the Principal Analyst for global research firm Forrester. But the concept goes back almost 15 years earlier than that, when it was coined by Stephen Paul March in his doctoral thesis on computational cybersecurity.
Zero Trust networks were seen as the ideal, but difficult to execute and measure. Starting in 2009, Google began working on “BeyondCorp”, it’s implementation of the Zero Trust architecture, working alongside Forrester’s analyst.
In the following decade, Zero Trust security became increasingly prevalent, especially with the rise of smartphones, cloud-based technologies and software-as-a-service. By 2019, Gartner was recommending that businesses implement Zero-Trust solutions as a component of their security strategy.
Today, almost all of the leading IT providers have adopted a Zero Trust Security model for their solutions, and many cybersecurity vendors offer Zero Trust Security solutions for their enterprise and SMB customers.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting move to home working for much of the world’s population has accelerated the need and business drive to implement Zero Trust Security. In Forrester’s ‘Zero Trust Security Playbook’, they recommended Zero Trust Security as the best way to unify network and security infrastructure, while protecting a remote workforce.
In the modern workplace, applications and data are not centralized in one location. Instead, people, devices and connections are spread out and each employee holds the key to multiple points of entry to your business data.
To ensure that only trusted users can access systems, security processes typically require users to verify their identity with a username and password, and perhaps a secondary form of identification, like a biometric scan or a randomly generated one-time passcode.
However, this alone is not enough to protect against data breaches. Social engineering attacks such as phishing and spear-phishing, and the increasing threat of data breaches from insiders, mean that you cannot assume anyone connected to your network is safe.
The average cost of being hit with a data breach in 2020 was $4.4 million USD according to the IBM, with 52% of data breaches caused by a malicious cyberattack.
Zero Trust Security solutions help to mitigate against data breaches, by allowing organizations to continuously monitor network activity and automatically detect suspicious user behavior, prompting users to give further verification if needed, or preventing them from accessing certain software.
Zero Trust solutions can also help you to better manage user permissions, as one of the central components of a Zero Trust security model is that users should only ever have access to the data they absolutely need to – and data should be as segmented as possible to avoid widespread data breaches.
As we mentioned previously, Zero Trust security solutions don’t necessarily refer to any specific types of technology, security tool, or type of product. Instead, it refers to a range of holistic technologies and processes, designed to help organizations reduce the risk of data breaches by managing user identities and minimizing individual access to data.
There are a range of cybersecurity technologies that can help organizations to implement a Zero Trust security solution. Products and technologies that are designed to help organizations to achieve these aims can be categorized as Zero Trust Security Solutions.
These technologies include multifactor authentication (MFA), VPNs, identity and access management, data encryption, privileged access management, user permissions and adaptive authentication for users.
These solutions are designed to govern user access, ensuring that only verified users can access your systems, and continuously validating their identity, rather than giving everyone with a password access to your systems. These solutions also help to monitor user traffic and behavior, and can help to segment your network – splitting access to different departments and individual users into groups to limit user access to sensitive data.
It’s likely that your organization is already using one or more of these technologies to govern access to data; they are critical to staying protected against sophisticated cybersecurity threats.
As implementing Zero-Trust Networks have been recommended widely across the security industry, many vendors have launched Zero Trust security solutions, designed to help organizations to implement the technologies they need to stay secure.
If you’re considering implementing a Zero Trust Security solution for your organization, there are a number of key features, you should look for.
User Authentication And Access Management
The first and one of the most important features is user authentication and access management. This compromises a broad set of features and technologies that allow you to continuously verify user permissions and prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your data.
In a typical security environment, once a user has logged into their account, they would be able to access any data within it as long as they remained authorized to do so. With systems like adaptive authentication in place, user behavior is continuously monitored, and if any unusual activity is detected, users are prompted to verify their identity with additional factors, which can include biometric controls and one-time-passcodes. This is most commonly implemented as multifactor authentication.
This means if users attempt to access data when they are in unusual locations, outside of working hours, or on new devices, they will be asked for additional levels of verifications to limit the risk of data breaches and successful phishing attacks.
Policy Enforcement And Network Segmentation
The second important feature to look for is the ability to create policies and segment data to limit the risk of data loss. One of the central philosophies underpinning Zero Trust is segmenting data and access to that data – to limit the extent of data breaches in the case of unauthorized access.
Zero Trust solutions can help you to implement this, by allowing your admins to create systems, processes and policies to govern who has access to data, where data is stored, create groups and departments, and restrict access on an individual user level.
This is a crucial set of features to minimize the risk of phishing and account compromise. It limits the amount of data that any malicious users can access if they are able to breach you company accounts and gives your IT admins important control over data access and user privileges.
Reporting And Monitoring Of Traffic And User Behavior
The final feature to look for in Zero Trust security solution is an extensive range of reports and automated alerting when suspicious user behavior is detected. This is important both to proactively detect any signs of account compromise or malicious network activity.
It’s important that your Zero Trust security solutions provide detailed visibility into users, devices and components across your entire network environment, so you can better react to threats and track security risks.
The best solutions will provide detailed logs, reports and automate alerts that detail who has accessed data, alert you to suspicious behavior and give you the tools you need to better detect and respond to threats.
Despite the emergence of a number of technologies and solutions designed to help you shift to a Zero Trust security approach, it’s important to remember that Zero Trust is a process designed to work across your entire network infrastructure.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in its 2020 standards for Zero Trust architecture, defines Zero Trust as an “evolving set of cybersecurity paradigms that move defenses from static, network-based perimeters to focus on users, assets, and resources.”
In their report, they outline that “Implementing a ZTA is a journey rather than a wholesale replacement of infrastructure or processes. An organization should seek to incrementally implement zero trust principles, process changes, and technology solutions that protect its highest value data assets.”
NIST outlines seven steps for organizations looking to implement Zero Trust Security solutions. These are:
- Identifying Actors on The Enterprise.
- Identifying Assets on The Enterprise.
- Identifying Key Processes and Evaluate Risks Associated with Executing Process.
- Formulating Policies for the ZTA Candidate.
- Identifying Candidate Solutions.
- Initial Deployment and Monitoring.
- Expanding the ZTA.
You can read NIST’s full 2020 report for establishing Zero Trust in your organization here: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-207.pdf
“It’s no secret that Zero Trust can be a journey and there is no magic switch to “turn it on” overnight. That being said, we recommend customers build a thoughtful plan before getting started with their Zero Trust approach.
“Similarly, implementing Zero Trust is not just about a product roadmap: it’s also about identifying use cases and prioritizing your deployment. For instance, we recommend customers first take stock of what is currently being accessed so they can identify what needs to be secured most urgently.
“This way, you can choose and prioritize sets of user groups and applications. Once you have this list, you can deploy sequentially – there is no need to try and boil the ocean at once. A phased approach like this – specific sets of users and applications across your core use cases – can also help you break down the change management aspect that is crucial to any large-scale IT project.”
We researched lots of Zero Trust solutions while we were making this guide. Here are a few other tools that are worth your consideration:
Written By
Joel is the Director of Content and a co-founder at Expert Insights; a rapidly growing media company focussed on covering cybersecurity solutions.
He’s an experienced journalist and editor with 8 years’ experience covering the cybersecurity space. He’s reviewed hundreds of cybersecurity solutions, interviewed hundreds of industry experts and produced dozens of industry reports read by thousands of CISOs and security professionals in topics like IAM, MFA, zero trust, email security, DevSecOps and more.
He also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted. Joel is driven to share his team’s expertise with cybersecurity leaders to help them create more secure business foundations.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.