Fortra ZTNA vs OpenVPN CloudConnexa

Fortra ZTNA provides secure remote access to private applications and helps protect their data. It makes access decisions using user, device, and data context, so authorized people can reach only approved applications. An endpoint client monitors device posture and reports changes for access adjustments. The product can hide applications from the network, monitor traffic for lateral movement, and discover private applications to help organizations onboard them from an existing VPN. Private applications may be hosted in AWS, Azure, or GCP. Agent-based access supports browser and thick-client applications, while web applications can be accessed without an agent. Additional protections include digital rights management and data loss prevention policies, as well as inspection and blocking of files identified as infected with malware. Fortra describes a unified proxy architecture shared across its ZTNA, secure web gateway, and CASB offerings, with shared policies and monitoring. The product supports hybrid deployment and lists web as its supported platform. It is paid, has no free plan, and pricing is available on request.

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.