# F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Unixi Shadow AI: 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). [Unixi Shadow AI](https://cybersectools.com/tools/unixi-shadow-ai) is a commercial [non-human identity](https://cybersectools.com/categories/non-human-identity) solution by [Unixi](https://cybersectools.com/companies/unixi). 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 | Unixi Shadow AI | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Access Management | Non-Human Identity | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | On-Premises | Cloud | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | F5 | Unixi | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access | Unixi Shadow AI | |---|---|---| | ZTNA | Yes | – | | Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | – | | Authentication | Yes | – | | Authorization | Yes | – | | SSO | Yes | Yes | | MFA | Yes | – | | Proxy | Yes | – | | Policy | Yes | – | | Remote Access | Yes | – | | Shadow AI | – | Yes | | Non-Human Identity | – | Yes | | Data Exfiltration | – | Yes | | AI Governance | – | Yes | | Agentic AI Security | – | Yes | | Visibility | – | Yes | | GenAI Security | – | Yes | | LLM Security | – | Yes | ### Core features **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Unixi Shadow AI** 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. **Unixi Shadow AI** No integrations listed. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) fits if you need to run it on your own servers. - [Unixi Shadow AI](https://cybersectools.com/tools/unixi-shadow-ai) fits if you want a cloud product and you are a small business. ## F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Unixi Shadow AI FAQ Common questions when comparing F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access vs Unixi Shadow AI for access management. ### What is the difference between F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Unixi Shadow AI? **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access**: Identity-aware proxy and ZTNA for per-request app access with SSO, MFA and VPN. Built by F5. **Unixi Shadow AI**: Discovers shadow AI tools & controls NHI OAuth/API access to corporate SaaS. Built by Unixi. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Unixi Shadow AI? **F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access** is made by F5. **Unixi Shadow AI** is made by Unixi. 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 Unixi Shadow AI? In part. F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access and Unixi Shadow AI are not in the same category on CybersecTools. Both cover SSO. 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 Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/attribute-based-access-control-abac-vs-f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm) - [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) - [Unixi Shadow AI vs SecureAuth](https://cybersectools.com/compare/secureauth-vs-unixi-shadow-ai) - [Unixi Shadow AI vs Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/attribute-based-access-control-abac-vs-unixi-shadow-ai) - [Unixi Shadow AI vs Curity Identity Server](https://cybersectools.com/compare/curity-identity-server-vs-unixi-shadow-ai) ## 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 Unixi Shadow AI alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/unixi-shadow-ai) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-access-policy-manager-apm-vs-unixi-shadow-ai 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 Unixi Shadow AI: 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