Microsoft's Azure Virtual Network service facilitates secure communication among resources like virtual machines and databases within a network. It offers network traffic isolation, segmentation, and routing, ensuring a secure and efficient networking environment.

In this article, we will discuss the top 10 alternatives to Azure Virtual Network.

1. Twingate

We may be biased, but we’re convinced that Twingate is the best option.

Twingate is committed to removing the friction and complexity of cybersecurity. Our ZTNA solution enables secure remote access, featuring detailed access controls, quick deployment, and an intuitive experience for both end users and administrators. Twingate is paving the way for organizations of various sizes to move past old-fashioned VPNs, offering a safer software-defined network appropriate for both private data and cloud settings. Perfectly suited for the sophisticated demands of technical teams, Twingate is crafted to enhance workflows in IT, DevOps, and Security roles.

What makes Twingate the go-to for remote access?

Twingate transforms remote access with its Zero Trust Network Access, providing robust access controls, extensive automation, and impressive speed. Here’s what sets Twingate apart:

• Strong peer-to-peer connections: Twingate creates secure direct connections to resources using NAT traversal and QUIC protocols, guaranteeing verified security for every request.

• Narrowed attack surface: This approach greatly reduces vulnerability and access points by restricting lateral traffic with detailed access control policies and eliminating the need for open, vulnerable inbound ports.

• Upgraded network monitoring: Twingate offers enhanced monitoring and adjustment of detailed access policies, along with comprehensive logging, analytics, and integration with major SIEM platforms.

• In-depth access controls: Establish and streamline least privilege access to safeguard vital corporate resources, including SaaS platforms and cloud environments, while removing redundant permissions.

• Wide-ranging multi-factor authentication (MFA): Twingate accommodates a variety of MFA methods, including TOTP, biometric, and security key-based authentication, applicable to diverse resources like SSH, RDP, and more traditional applications.

• Streamlined compliance process: Twingate meets rigorous standards for SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, etc., facilitating easier compliance.

• Simplified zero trust adoption: With an API-first approach, Twingate enables smooth integration and automated access across your security and infrastructure stack, including support for IaC tools like Terraform and Pulumi.

• Integrated internet security: Featuring DNS filtering capabilities and DoH, Twingate extends security beyond your network, allowing user protection anywhere while requiring just a single agent.

Explore Twingate's impactful features

• Features: Core features encompass multi-device support, unlimited bandwidth, real-time customer assistance, and dynamic access control.

• Use cases: Twingate is ideal for businesses looking for secure remote access, network segmentation, safeguarding data, replacing current VPNs, or implementing internet security measures like DNS filtering.

• Pricing: Twingate proposes a no-charge Starter plan, a Teams plan at $5 per user per month, a Business plan at $10 per user per month, and tailored pricing for Twingate Enterprise. Opt for yearly billing to receive a 15% discount on Teams and Business plans.

• Reviews: Twingate has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on G2.

Twingate is trusted by leading companies such as Webflow, Modern Health, Cameo, and Blend as their go-to security provider.

2. CloudConnexa

Cloud Connexa VPN Solution by OpenVPN is a cloud-based VPN service designed to provide secure connections and remote access for businesses. It offers a range of features, including Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), site-to-site networking, content filtering, and built-in intrusion prevention. Let's explore the specifics of Cloud Connexa:

• Use cases: Cloud Connexa is suitable for businesses seeking secure remote access, site-to-site networking, and content filtering. It can be used to create instant wide-area private clouds and provide service access from 30+ worldwide locations.

• Features: Key features of Cloud Connexa include Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), site-to-site networking with full-mesh connectivity, content filtering with 43 content categories, built-in intrusion prevention (IPS), and technical support.

• Price: Cloud Connexa offers three pricing plans: Free, Standard, and Custom. A free trial is also available.

• Reviews: Cloud Connexa has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on G2.

3. Absolute Secure Access

Absolute Platform is a network security software developed by Absolute, offering self-healing, intelligent security solutions. It provides secure network connectivity, encryption and access controls, and diagnostic and experience monitoring capabilities for businesses.

• Use cases: Absolute Platform is suitable for businesses seeking reliable and secure network connectivity, robust encryption and access controls, and diagnostic and experience monitoring capabilities.

• Features: Key features of Absolute Platform include secure network connectivity, encryption and access controls, and diagnostic and experience monitoring capabilities.

• Price: Pricing information for Absolute Secure Access is not available.

• Reviews: Absolute Secure Access has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on G2.

4. Netgate pfSense

Netgate offers secure networking solutions, including pfSense Plus and TNSR software, which are firewall, router, and VPN solutions suitable for personal users, professional users, and organizations looking for secure and reliable internet connectivity.

• Use cases: Netgate is suitable for individuals and organizations seeking secure and reliable internet connectivity through firewall, router, and VPN solutions.

• Features: Key features of Netgate include pfSense Plus and TNSR software, offering firewall, router, and VPN functionalities, as well as a strong commitment to open-source contribution and enterprise-class customer support.

• Price: Netgate offers various pricing plans for pfSense Plus, including turnkey appliances starting at $189, cloud options starting at $0.01/hr, and software options starting at $129/yr.

• Reviews: Netgate pfSense has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on G2.

5. GoodAccess

GoodAccess is a cybersecurity platform that provides secure access to digital resources for businesses. It offers a range of features, including a free business VPN, zero-trust network access, software-defined perimeter, secure web gateway, and remote access VPN.

• Use cases: GoodAccess is suitable for businesses seeking secure access to their digital resources, with features catering to work-from-anywhere teams and remote access needs.

• Features: Key features of GoodAccess include dedicated VPN gateway, static IP address, split tunneling, DNS filtering, central dashboard, and more.

• Price: GoodAccess offers various pricing plans, including Starter (free), Essential ($7 per user/month), Premium ($11 per user/month), and Enterprise (on request). A full-featured 14-day trial is available for all plans.

• Reviews: GoodAccess has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on G2.

6. Perimeter 81

Perimeter 81 is a cybersecurity platform that provides secure access to digital resources for businesses. Developed by Perimeter 81, this platform offers a range of features, including a private global network, wide device support, dedicated static IP, agentless access, and automatic Wi-Fi security.

• Use cases: Perimeter 81 is suitable for businesses seeking secure access to their digital resources, with features catering to work-from-anywhere teams and remote access needs.

• Features: Key features of Perimeter 81 include a private global network, wide device support, dedicated static IP, agentless access, and automatic Wi-Fi security.

• Price: Perimeter 81 offers plans priced from $8 to $16 per user per month, with customized Enterprise pricing available. Each plan entails a $40 monthly gateway fee. A 30-day money-back guarantee is provided.

• Reviews: Perimeter 81 has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on G2.

7. NordLayer

NordLayer is a network access and security solution that offers a range of features, including SASE, Zero Trust, Hybrid Work Security, Regulatory Compliance, and more.

• Use cases: NordLayer is suitable for businesses seeking to safeguard their network, control access to company resources, and ease their compliance journey.

• Features: Key features of NordLayer include SASE, Zero Trust, Hybrid Work Security, Regulatory Compliance, cloud-based firewall, secure web gateway, and support for all key OS versions, infrastructure, and applications.

• Price: NordLayer offers various pricing plans, including Lite ($8 per month), Core ($11 per month), Premium ($14 per month), and Custom (contact sales for pricing).

• Reviews: NordLayer has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on G2.

8. Cato Networks

Cato Networks is a provider of SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), SD-WAN, and network security services in the cloud.

• Use cases: Cato Networks is ideal for organizations seeking MPLS migration to SD-WAN, secure remote access, secure branch internet access, optimized global connectivity, and secure hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments.

• Features: Key features of Cato Networks include SASE, SD-WAN, Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS).

• Price: Pricing details for Cato Networks are not publicly available.

• Reviews: Cato SASE Cloud has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on G2.

9. Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks Panorama is a network security management solution that provides centralized management and visibility for Palo Alto Networks firewalls.

• Use cases: Palo Alto Networks Panorama is suitable for businesses seeking centralized management and visibility for their network security infrastructure, including policy updates and consistent security enforcement.

• Features: Key features of Palo Alto Networks Panorama include centralized management, policy updates, visibility, and consistent security enforcement across multiple firewalls.

• Price: Pricing information for Palo Alto Networks is not available.

• Reviews: Palo Alto Networks Panorama has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2.

10. Netskope

Netskope is a global cybersecurity leader offering an Intelligent Security Service Edge (SSE) platform that helps organizations apply zero trust principles to protect data and provides fast and easy-to-use security solutions for people, devices, and data.

• Use cases: Netskope is suitable for organizations seeking comprehensive security solutions and advanced threat protection capabilities for their cloud applications and services.

• Features: Key features of Netskope include integrated data context, visibility, and instance awareness, adaptive policy controls, and complete threat and data protection with sensitive data awareness.

• Price: Pricing information for Netskope is not available.

• Reviews: Netskope has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2.