Alternatives to Cloudflare Access

{"intro": "Cloudflare Access protects self-hosted applications, SaaS services, and infrastructure by checking identity, device posture, and request context on every request. Its default-deny, resource-level policies can replace or supplement a legacy VPN, while browser access supports contractors, partners, and unmanaged devices through social identity providers or one-time PINs. It also covers SSH and RDP targets, and administrators can manage policies through APIs and Terraform. Integrations with SAML- and OIDC-compliant identity providers and several device-management partners broaden deployment options.\n\nReaders may seek alternatives for a VPN-style network, different device or site-to-site controls, or another deployment model. Access has a free plan for fewer than 50 users and paid service from $7/user/mo billed annually. Publishing a self-hosted public application requires an active Cloudflare domain with full or partial CNAME setup. Compare each option's access model, identity and device controls, networking scope, platform coverage, administration, and price before switching.", "rows": [{"ref": "sw:goodaccess", "name": "GoodAccess", "best_for": "Hybrid access with site-to-site networking and advanced administration", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $7/user/mo (annual); 14-day trial", "key_difference": "GoodAccess adds SSO, SCIM, device posture, and site-to-site networking in a hybrid model.", "choose_when": "Choose it when those controls and hybrid networking matter more than Cloudflare domain-based application publishing."}, {"ref": "sw:openvpn-cloudconnexa", "name": "OpenVPN CloudConnexa", "best_for": "Hybrid networking with OpenVPN-based administration", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $7/user/mo; 14-day trial", "key_difference": "CloudConnexa combines SSO, SCIM, device posture, and site-to-site networking in a hybrid access model.", "choose_when": "Choose it when you want those network controls without Access's active Cloudflare-domain requirement for public self-hosted apps."}, {"ref": "sw:tailscale", "name": "Tailscale", "best_for": "Peer-to-peer encrypted device networking", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $8/user/mo; 14-day trial", "key_difference": "Tailscale uses WireGuard for end-to-end encrypted, low-latency peer-to-peer connections between devices.", "choose_when": "Choose it when direct device-to-device networking and ACLs suit you better than Access's application-focused, context-checked model."}, {"ref": "sw:openvpn-access-server", "name": "OpenVPN Access Server", "best_for": "Self-hosted enterprise VPN deployment with audit logs", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $7/mo; 14-day trial", "key_difference": "Access Server offers self-hosted deployment, enterprise administration, audit logs, and broad server, client, container, hypervisor, and cloud support.", "choose_when": "Choose it when you need self-hosting and audit logs rather than Access's Cloudflare-centered application setup."}, {"ref": "sw:f5-big-ip-apm", "name": "F5 BIG-IP APM", "best_for": "Enterprise hybrid access with advanced device controls", "pricing": "Pricing on request", "key_difference": "BIG-IP APM is a paid hybrid platform with SSO, SCIM, device posture, and site-to-site networking.", "choose_when": "Choose it when enterprise administration and those network and device controls justify moving beyond Access's freemium pricing."}, {"ref": "sw:netbird", "name": "NetBird", "best_for": "Hybrid networking with audit logs and euro pricing", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from €6/user/mo", "key_difference": "NetBird provides hybrid access with SSO, SCIM, device posture, site-to-site networking, and audit logs.", "choose_when": "Choose it when audit logs and a €6/user/mo starting price fit better than Access's annual-dollar pricing."}, {"ref": "sw:twingate", "name": "Twingate", "best_for": "Resource-level zero-trust access with lower starting price", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $5/user/mo (annual); 14-day trial", "key_difference": "Twingate combines verified identities with authentication, device, location, time, and usage policies at resource, group, or network level.", "choose_when": "Choose it when those layered policies and the $5/user/mo annual starting price beat Access's $7/user/mo entry point."}]}