NordLayer vs Zscaler
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top business vpn software picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
NordLayer
Ranked #3 of 14 in this directory
Business VPN and network access security from the makers of NordVPN
Zscaler
Ranked #2 of 14 in this directory
The world's largest cloud security platform for Zero Trust transformation
Our pick: Zscaler. Our editors rank Zscaler higher overall in Business VPN Software — but NordLayer can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| NordLayer | Zscaler | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Traditional Vpn | Sase |
| Editorial rank | #3 of 14 | #2 of 14 |
Strengths
NordLayer
- ✓Deploys in under 10 minutes with minimal IT expertise needed
- ✓Affordable pricing starting at $8/user/month
- ✓Combines traditional VPN with modern Zero Trust features
- ✓30+ global server locations for fast connections
- ✓Backed by Nord Security's proven security infrastructure
Zscaler
- ✓Market leader processing 400B+ daily transactions
- ✓True Zero Trust — users never touch the network, only specific apps
- ✓Used by 40% of the Fortune 500 with proven scale
- ✓Comprehensive SASE: SWG, CASB, DLP, and ZTNA in one platform
- ✓150+ global data centers for low-latency access worldwide
Watch out for
NordLayer
- !Less feature-rich than enterprise ZTNA platforms like Zscaler
- !Limited advanced policy controls compared to Cloudflare Zero Trust
- !Some users report speed reduction on distant server locations
- !No free tier — only 14-day trial available
Zscaler
- !Enterprise pricing — expensive for small and mid-market companies
- !Complex deployment requiring professional services
- !Long sales cycles and contract negotiations
- !Can introduce latency for real-time applications
Best use cases
NordLayer
- →SMBs needing business VPN without complex enterprise deployment
- →Remote teams requiring quick, easy-to-use secure connectivity
- →Companies transitioning from consumer VPN to proper business solution
Zscaler
- →Enterprise Zero Trust transformation replacing legacy VPN infrastructure
- →Securing cloud application access for 10,000+ employee organizations
- →Implementing comprehensive SASE architecture for global operations
About each tool
NordLayer
NordLayer (from Nord Security, makers of NordVPN) provides business-grade VPN and Zero Trust network access in an easy-to-deploy package. It offers dedicated servers, site-to-site connectivity, device posture checks, and smart remote access. NordLayer stands out for its quick setup — most teams are running in under 10 minutes. Pricing starts at $8/user/month, making it accessible to SMBs. It bridges the gap between consumer VPNs and enterprise ZTNA platforms.
Zscaler
Zscaler is the market leader in cloud-delivered security, processing 400+ billion transactions daily. Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) replaces VPNs with application-level Zero Trust access — users connect to specific apps, never the network. Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) provides secure web gateway, CASB, and DLP. Used by 40% of the Fortune 500, Zscaler is the enterprise standard for Zero Trust transformation. It's designed for the largest, most complex environments.
Still deciding? Browse all 14 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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