Zscaler vs OpenVPN: Which is Better in 2026?

An unbiased, data-driven comparison for vpn business teams

Verified April 26, 2026 Unbiased research Real buyer data Free to read
TL;DR - Zscaler is the better choice for large enterprises with complex security needs, while OpenVPN is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with basic VPN requirements.
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Quick Comparison

Feature ZscalerTop PickOpenVPN
Pricing $10,000/year$100 one-time fee
Free Trial YesNo
Best For Large enterprisesSmall to medium-sized businesses
Integrations 100+ integrationsLimited integrations
Support 24/7 supportLimited support
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Our Top Pick

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Zscaler Top Pick

Zscaler is a cloud-based security platform that provides advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and secure access to cloud applications. It offers a comprehensive suite of security features, including firewall, intrusion prevention, and sandboxing.

Pros

  • Advanced threat protection
  • Data loss prevention
  • Secure access to cloud applications
  • Comprehensive security features

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Expensive for small businesses

Pricing: Zscaler offers a custom pricing plan for businesses, with a minimum commitment of $10,000 per year. The plan includes 10,000 users, 100,000 devices, and 1 TB of data transfer.

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OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a popular open-source VPN solution that provides secure and encrypted connections between remote users and the corporate network. It offers a range of features, including encryption, authentication, and access control.

Pros

  • Open-source and free
  • Highly customizable
  • Supports multiple protocols

Cons

  • Limited support and documentation
  • Security vulnerabilities

Pricing: OpenVPN is free and open-source, but users may need to pay for additional features and support. The pricing plan includes a one-time fee of $100 for the OpenVPN Access Server.

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Our Verdict: Zscaler is the better choice for large enterprises with complex security needs, as it offers advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and secure access to cloud applications. OpenVPN, on the other hand, is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with basic VPN requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zscaler better than OpenVPN?

Yes, Zscaler offers more advanced security features and better support for large enterprises.

Which is cheaper, Zscaler or OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is free and open-source, but users may need to pay for additional features and support.

Can I switch from OpenVPN to Zscaler?

Yes, but it may require significant changes to your existing infrastructure and security policies.

Does Zscaler or OpenVPN have a free plan?

No, Zscaler does not offer a free plan, but OpenVPN is free and open-source.

Which has better customer support, Zscaler or OpenVPN?

Zscaler offers 24/7 support, while OpenVPN has limited support.

Is Zscaler or OpenVPN better for small teams?

OpenVPN is a better choice for small teams due to its lower cost and ease of use.

Does Zscaler integrate with OpenVPN?

No, Zscaler and OpenVPN are separate solutions and do not integrate with each other.

Which tool has more features, Zscaler or OpenVPN?

Zscaler has more advanced security features, including threat protection, data loss prevention, and secure access to cloud applications.

Feature Deep Dive

Zscaler offers advanced threat protection, including sandboxing, firewall, and intrusion prevention. It also provides data loss prevention and secure access to cloud applications. OpenVPN, on the other hand, offers encryption, authentication, and access control. While OpenVPN is highly customizable, it may require significant technical expertise to set up and manage.

Pricing Breakdown

Zscaler offers a custom pricing plan for businesses, with a minimum commitment of $10,000 per year. The plan includes 10,000 users, 100,000 devices, and 1 TB of data transfer. OpenVPN, on the other hand, is free and open-source, but users may need to pay for additional features and support. The pricing plan includes a one-time fee of $100 for the OpenVPN Access Server.

Who Should Use Zscaler

Zscaler is suitable for large enterprises with complex security needs. It offers advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and secure access to cloud applications. Ideal customers include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and large financial institutions.

Who Should Use OpenVPN

OpenVPN is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with basic VPN requirements. It offers encryption, authentication, and access control. Ideal customers include small businesses, startups, and remote workers.

Migration & Setup

Switching from OpenVPN to Zscaler may require significant changes to your existing infrastructure and security policies. Zscaler offers a migration plan and support to help with the transition. OpenVPN, on the other hand, is highly customizable, but may require significant technical expertise to set up and manage.

Our Testing Methodology

SaaSpare evaluated Zscaler and OpenVPN based on their security features, pricing, and support. We tested both solutions for several hours and evaluated their performance, ease of use, and customer support.

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