F5 BIG-IP APM vs OpenVPN CloudConnexa

F5 BIG-IP APM is now called F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access. The product secures and centralizes access to apps, APIs, and data across locations and hosting environments. Its identity-aware proxy applies context-based checks to each application request, while SAML, OAuth, and OIDC support authentication, federation, and single sign-on. Remote access options include per-app VPN, IPSec VPN, and end-to-end encrypted controls. Organizations can connect VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune, and IBM MaaS360 for mobile device management; REST API connectors can incorporate third-party UEBA and risk engines into access policies. It also integrates with Azure AD Conditional Access policies and F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management. Deployment options span virtual editions, hardware, and cloud environments. Pricing is on request, and there is no free plan. A 30-day BIG-IP VE trial includes Zero Trust Access with LTM, Advanced WAF, and Network Firewall (AFM). The trial supports several hypervisors and cloud platforms, including VMware ESXi, KVM, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

OpenVPN CloudConnexa is a cloud-managed networking service for connecting users, devices and sites through an overlay network. It supports OpenVPN and IPsec, site-to-site networking and split tunneling. Administrators manage access through a unified console with granular policies, audit logs and device posture controls. Security features include web filtering, intrusion detection and prevention, and threat defense. Identity options include LDAP, SAML and SCIM, with availability varying by plan; a public API and Terraform are listed for automation. CloudConnexa is fully cloud-based and managed by OpenVPN. Its overlay network has no default internet connection, so an Internet Gateway is required for internet access. Starter includes up to five seats, and each active user or connector uses one seat. Essential is $7 a month per seat and Premium is $9.50 a month per seat. Essential and Premium have a 14-day trial; charging begins only if a payment method was entered.