Best VMware NSX Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from microsegmentation software ranked against VMware NSX on the same published basis.
- 1VMware NSX vs Zscaler Private Access
- 2VMware NSX vs ColorTokens Xshield
- 3VMware NSX vs Trellix Data Loss Prevention
- 4VMware NSX vs VMware Workstation Pro
- 5VMware NSX vs Calico Open Source
- 6VMware NSX vs HashiCorp Nomad
- 7VMware NSX vs Istio
- 8VMware NSX vs OVN-Kubernetes
- 9VMware NSX vs Zentera CoIP Access Platform
- 10VMware NSX vs Antrea
- 11VMware NSX vs Cilium
- 12VMware NSX vs Aviatrix Zero Trust for Workloads
- 13VMware NSX vs Calico Enterprise
- 14VMware NSX vs Elisity Microsegmentation
- 15VMware NSX vs Zero Networks Segment
- 16VMware NSX vs Tetrate Service Bridge
- 17VMware NSX vs Juniper Security Director
- 18VMware NSX vs Illumio Segmentation
- 19VMware NSX vs SUSE Multi-Linux Manager
- 20VMware NSX vs Hillstone Security Management
VMware NSX alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zscaler Private Access | 7.4 | No | — | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 2 | ColorTokens Xshield | 7.3 | No | — | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 3 | Trellix Data Loss Prevention | 7.0 | No | — | API, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 4 | VMware Workstation Pro | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted, Windows |
| 5 | Calico Open Source | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted, Windows |
| 6 | HashiCorp Nomad | 6.8 | No | — | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 7 | Istio | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, self-hosted |
| 8 | OVN-Kubernetes | 6.7 | No | — | API, Linux, self-hosted, Windows |
| 9 | Zentera CoIP Access Platform | 6.7 | No | — | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows |
| 10 | Antrea | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, self-hosted, Windows |
| 11 | Cilium | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted |
| 12 | Aviatrix Zero Trust for Workloads | 6.5 | No | — | Web |
| 13 | Calico Enterprise | 6.4 | No | — | Linux, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 14 | Elisity Microsegmentation | 6.4 | No | — | API, self-hosted, Web |
| 15 | Zero Networks Segment | 6.3 | No | — | API, Web |
| 16 | Tetrate Service Bridge | 6.2 | No | — | API, self-hosted, Web |
| 17 | Juniper Security Director | 6.1 | No | — | self-hosted, Web |
| 18 | Illumio Segmentation | 6.0 | No | — | Linux, Windows |
| 19 | SUSE Multi-Linux Manager | 5.9 | No | — | Linux |
| 20 | Hillstone Security Management | 5.8 | No | — | — |
The sponsored alternative slot on this page is labelled and never changes the order above.
Questions about VMware NSX alternatives
What is the best alternative to VMware NSX?
Zscaler Private Access, number 1 in microsegmentation software with a score of 7.4 out of 10. The others here: ColorTokens Xshield, Trellix Data Loss Prevention, VMware Workstation Pro and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to VMware NSX?
VMware Workstation Pro is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 5 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.