# F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Messageware OWA Guard: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) is a commercial [access management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/access-management) solution by [F5](https://cybersectools.com/companies/f5). [Messageware OWA Guard](https://cybersectools.com/tools/messageware-owa-guard) is a commercial [access management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/access-management) solution by [Messageware](https://cybersectools.com/companies/messageware). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Our take

What our shortlists say about the one we picked.

### [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm)

Best for: F5 BIG-IP shops securing older web apps

It earns its place as the bridge for older apps, because it puts modern sign-in and MFA in front of them instead of rewriting them. It fits mid-sized and large companies that already run BIG-IP on premises. It works next to an identity provider rather than replacing one, so plan it as a second layer beside your main sign-in product.

From [Best Access Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-access-management-solutions), Fall 2026.

Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about).

Need the answer fast? [Best Access Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-access-management-solutions) picks Microsoft Entra ID, Okta Single Sign-On, Ping Identity Platform and 4 more.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access | Messageware OWA Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Access Management | Access Management |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | F5 | Messageware |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access | Messageware OWA Guard |
|---|---|---|
| ZTNA | Yes | – |
| Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | – |
| Authentication | Yes | Yes |
| Authorization | Yes | – |
| SSO | Yes | – |
| MFA | Yes | – |
| Proxy | Yes | – |
| Policy | Yes | – |
| Remote Access | Yes | – |
| Brute Force | – | Yes |
| Alerting | – | Yes |
| Microsoft | – | Yes |
| Outlook | – | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 | – | Yes |

### Core features

**F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Messageware OWA Guard**

7 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access**

10 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Messageware OWA Guard**

3 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Messageware OWA Guard](https://cybersectools.com/tools/messageware-owa-guard) fits if you are a small business.

## F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Messageware OWA Guard FAQ

Common questions when comparing F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Messageware OWA Guard for access management.

### What is the difference between F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Messageware OWA Guard?

**F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access**: Identity-aware proxy and ZTNA for per-request app access with SSO, MFA and VPN, built by F5.

**Messageware OWA Guard**: Exchange Server OWA security with logon controls, CAPTCHA & alerts, built by Messageware.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Messageware OWA Guard?

**F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** is made by F5. **Messageware OWA Guard** is made by Messageware. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access a good alternative to Messageware OWA Guard?

Often, yes. F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Messageware OWA Guard are both Access Management products, and both cover Authentication. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs SecureAuth](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-vs-secureauth)
- [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Curity Identity Server](https://cybersectools.com/compare/curity-identity-server-vs-f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm)
- [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs DualShield SSO](https://cybersectools.com/compare/dualshield-sso-vs-f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm)
- [Messageware OWA Guard vs SecureAuth](https://cybersectools.com/compare/messageware-owa-guard-vs-secureauth)
- [Messageware OWA Guard vs Curity Identity Server](https://cybersectools.com/compare/curity-identity-server-vs-messageware-owa-guard)
- [Messageware OWA Guard vs DualShield SSO](https://cybersectools.com/compare/dualshield-sso-vs-messageware-owa-guard)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm)
- [See all Messageware OWA Guard alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/messageware-owa-guard)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-vs-messageware-owa-guard

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Messageware OWA Guard: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md
