# Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine vs Zscaler Private Access (ZPA): side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine](https://cybersectools.com/tools/primary-zero-trust-policy-engine) is a commercial [zero trust network access](https://cybersectools.com/categories/ztna) solution by [Primary](https://cybersectools.com/companies/primary). [Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna) is a commercial [zero trust network access](https://cybersectools.com/categories/ztna) solution by [Zscaler](https://cybersectools.com/companies/zscaler). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Our take

What our shortlists say about the one we picked.

### [Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna)

Best for: Large companies wanting cloud-brokered access with traffic inspection

It earns its place because it inspects private app traffic as well as brokering it, so access and threat checks happen in one step. It runs as a hybrid service from SMB to enterprise, with on-premises edges if some traffic must stay local. Only AWS and Azure are listed as integrations, so ask how ZPA works with your identity provider and SIEM.

From [Best ZTNA Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-ztna-solutions), Fall 2026.

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

Need the answer fast? [Best ZTNA Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-ztna-solutions) picks Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), Netskope One Private Access, Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access ZTNA 2.0 and 4 more.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine | Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Zero Trust Network Access | Zero Trust Network Access |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Primary | Zscaler |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine | Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | – |
| RBAC | Yes | – |
| MFA | Yes | – |
| ZTNA | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | Yes | – |
| SSO | Yes | – |
| Least Privilege | Yes | – |
| Multi Tenancy | Yes | – |
| Remote Access | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine**

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

**Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)**

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

### Integrations

**Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine**

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

**Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)**

5 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.

- [Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna) fits if you are a small business.

## Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine vs Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) FAQ

Common questions when comparing Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine vs Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) for zero trust network access.

### What is the difference between Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)?

**Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine**: Zero Trust policy engine for enterprise user, device, data & network security. Built by Primary.

**Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)**: ZTNA solution providing secure user-to-app access without network exposure. Built by Zscaler.

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

### Who makes Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)?

**Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine** is made by Primary. **Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)** is made by Zscaler. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine a good alternative to Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)?

Often, yes. Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) are both Zero Trust Network Access products, and both cover ZTNA. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine vs QuantLayer Secure Remote Access](https://cybersectools.com/compare/primary-zero-trust-policy-engine-vs-quantlayer-secure-remote-access)
- [Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine vs Agilicus](https://cybersectools.com/compare/agilicus-vs-primary-zero-trust-policy-engine)
- [Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine vs GoodAccess Zero Trust Architecture](https://cybersectools.com/compare/goodaccess-zero-trust-architecture-vs-primary-zero-trust-policy-engine)
- [Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) vs QuantLayer Secure Remote Access](https://cybersectools.com/compare/quantlayer-secure-remote-access-vs-zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna)
- [Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) vs Agilicus](https://cybersectools.com/compare/agilicus-vs-zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna)
- [Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) vs GoodAccess Zero Trust Architecture](https://cybersectools.com/compare/goodaccess-zero-trust-architecture-vs-zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/primary-zero-trust-policy-engine)
- [See all Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna)

---

Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/primary-zero-trust-policy-engine-vs-zscaler-secure-private-access-with-ztna

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/primary-zero-trust-policy-engine.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Primary Zero Trust Policy Engine and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA): 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
