7 Best Software-Defined Perimeter Software I Trust in 2027

Old-school VPNs essentially drop users right onto your internal network. That leaves the door wide open for lateral attacks, paints a bullseye on exposed inbound ports, and bogs down remote work with clunky data center detours. Upgrading to the best software-defined perimeter software fixes this by making private infrastructure invisible to the web and granting least-privilege access strictly to specific apps.

Whether you are a CISO phasing out legacy infrastructure, an IT director securing a hybrid workforce, or a DevOps lead managing multi-cloud access, this guide cuts through vendor noise to shortlist the top SDP platforms based on the G2 Fall 2026 Grid Report.

The mix ranges from full security platforms to dedicated zero trust network access products and cloud services. In this article, I help you identify tools best for specific use cases, their features, and what you need to consider/verify before you sign a contract.

7 best software-defined perimeter software for 2027: An overview of my top picks

The best software-defined perimeter software verifies people and devices before granting access, splits the network into tightly controlled segments, and continues monitoring activity after login. Based on G2’s Fall 2026 Grid Report, my top picks are Check Point Infinity Platform, Zscaler Internet Access, AppGate ZTNA, GoodAccess, Check Point SASE, OpenVPN CloudConnexa, and Absolute Secure Access.

Ratings and pricing are as of November 2026

1. Check Point Infinity Platform: Best for unified zero trust management

Check Point Infinity Platform: G2 snapshot

Check Point Infinity platform is a full security suite. It’s a base layer for the company’s firewalls, cloud security, and workspace tools. One portal runs them all. Segmentation, identity-aware access, and device controls come together in a single policy layer. I’d point security teams to Check Point Infinity Platform when they want fewer tools and fewer vendors to juggle.

Key features of Check Point Infinity Platform:

• One console to run zero trust across network, cloud, and devices
• Same access policies across on-premises, cloud and hybrid setups
• Granular network segmentation across cloud and local networks
• Least-privilege access so only approved users and devices get in
• Single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) checks
• Blocking of infected devices from corporate data
• Constant monitoring and logging of network activity

Pros of Check Point Infinity Platform as per G2 reviewers:

• One console for network, cloud and endpoint security. Managing all three from one place is the praise G2 users repeat most, and engineers use the portal to push policy out to the gateways.
• Identity-aware access and segmentation. Teams on G2 appreciate rules that weigh who is signing in and from which device, plus role-based privileges meant to shrink the attack surface.
• A clear view of the whole environment. Reviewers count on seeing what’s going on across their setup, which they say helps them act fast when something looks off.

Cons of Check Point Infinity Platform as per G2 reviewers:

• Plenty to learn up front. G2 users find that zero trust pieces such as identity-based access and segmentation take time to set up. Newcomers should plan for a slower start, while anyone already running Check Point gateways gains a console they can grow into.
• Licensing takes some decoding. The modular model confuses some users, and costs can climb with scale. Small firms after one slice of zero trust may find it heavy. Organizations running several Check Point products can fold them into one yearly subscription.

2. Zscaler Internet Access: Best for securing internet access at enterprise scale

Zscaler Internet Access: G2 snapshot

Zscaler Internet Access guards one route: the trip from a user’s device out to the web and software as a service (SaaS) apps. Private apps belong to a sister product, Zscaler Private Access. It runs in Zscaler’s cloud as part of the Zero Trust Exchange, and is aimed at large organizations with hybrid staff. I’d shortlist it for large teams that already run a dedicated security group.

Key features of Zscaler Internet Access:

• Inline proxying that inspects outbound traffic based on user identity and context
• Risk-based access that adapts to user, device, and web destination risk
• Granular access rules and tenant restrictions for cloud apps on or off the network
• Device posture checks and support for multiple identity providers (IdPs)
• Full inspection of encrypted SSL/TLS traffic at hyperscale
• Secure branch and remote site forwarding via GRE, IPsec, and SD-WAN integrations
• Cloud browser isolation to block copy, print, and downloads on risky sites

Pros of Zscaler Internet Access as per G2 reviewers:

• Matching rules for office and remote staff. Admins on G2 value pushing a single set of rules from the central portal and seeing it apply the same way at home and in the office.
• Direct-to-cloud access without the VPN detour. Traffic goes to the nearest Zscaler data center instead of looping back through a VPN, which users credit with faster internet access for remote employees.
• Visibility into apps and usage. Many users appreciate the real-time logs and dashboards for spotting risky apps and tools employees use without IT’s knowledge.

Cons of Zscaler Internet Access as per G2 reviewers:

• Heavy policy setup at first. Reviewers flag the number of settings as overwhelming at rollout. Lean IT teams may find the start slow, but a large organization with a dedicated security team can turn that depth into tight control.
• Few clues when a connection fails. Users struggle to trace a blocked site or dropped connection, and the client offers little detail. Help desks chasing quick answers will want more, but analysts who live in the logs have detailed records to work from.

3. AppGate ZTNA: Best for hiding apps behind least-privilege access

AppGate ZTNA: G2 snapshot

Under the hood of AppGate ZTNA, a Controller makes each access decision and Gateways enforce it. Every user or device gets its own one-to-one path to the resources it may reach. Single-packet authorization keeps those resources invisible, and traffic runs straight between users and resources instead of passing through a vendor’s cloud. I see it fitting mid-market and enterprise teams with complex hybrid, multi-cloud, or government setups.

Key features of AppGate ZTNA:

• Hidden apps and servers via single packet authorization
• Identity, context, and risk checks before each access grant
• Ongoing checks of identity, device posture, and context
• Least-privilege microsegmentation with per-session microperimeters
• Direct-routed traffic that skips a third-party vendor cloud
• One policy engine for users, devices, workloads and third parties
• Cloud-hosted, self-hosted or fully isolated deployment

Pros of AppGate ZTNA as per G2 reviewers:

• Least-privilege access with context checks. G2 users value access controls that weigh device posture, user identity, context, and location. Some call it true least-privilege access, granted only when it’s needed.
• Apps that stay out of sight. Single-packet authorization keeps apps and gateways hidden until a user is verified, and G2 users credit it with leaving outsiders no open ports to scan. They see that as a real cut in network exposure, with far less for attackers to probe.
• Flexible deployment and integrations. Teams running mixed environments rely on its reach: it works across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid setups and integrates with identity providers and external logging tools.

Cons of AppGate ZTNA as per G2 reviewers:

• Setup needs planning. Expect a rollout that calls for security and networking skills plus a solid identity provider. It feels slow if you hoped for zero trust in a day, though teams with a mature identity setup can model access resource by resource.
• Thin built-in reporting. Reviewers miss ready-made reports and an easy way to trace a problem to one node. Anyone wanting reports in the console may need a separate layer, while teams already sending logs to their own tools can lean on its integrations.

4. GoodAccess: Best for small businesses that need zero trust fast

GoodAccess: G2 snapshot

Business VPN, zero trust network access (ZTNA), and a software-defined perimeter share one cloud platform in GoodAccess. Remote staff connect through dedicated cloud gateways with static IP addresses. Access cards, device posture checks, and segmentation then decide which company apps each person can reach, on-site or in the cloud. I’d recommend it to small and mid-sized businesses that may not have a networking expert.

Key features of GoodAccess:

• Least-privilege access cards that open only approved apps
• Hidden local networks, data centers, and clouds behind a private perimeter
• Device posture checks at login and every 30 minutes
• Network segmentation by service, URL, IP address, port, and protocol
• Identity checks with MFA, biometrics, and SSO before access
• Dedicated gateway with a static IP address for allowlisted access
• Access logs showing who reached which system and for how long

Pros of GoodAccess as per G2 reviewers:

• Fast, simple rollout. Easy deployment is the most common praise in GoodAccess reviews on G2, with teams getting staff connected quickly. For a small IT team, that means secure remote access without a drawn-out project.
• A clear admin dashboard. Many users appreciate having one place to add people, manage devices, and grant or revoke access, so routine changes take little effort from whoever runs IT.
• A static IP address your tools can trust. Teams on G2 rely on the dedicated gateway’s static IP address to lock their tools to allowlisted access, so only people who pass the GoodAccess login can reach them.

Cons of GoodAccess as per G2 reviewers:

• Lighter than enterprise platforms. Several G2 reviewers find fewer advanced controls and routing options here than in bigger enterprise tools. This simplicity suits small teams that want access rules running quickly, while organizations that need deep customization may find it limiting.
• Occasional connection hiccups. Some users flag the client now and then for dropping a connection or slowing down. For staff on steady office or home internet, that’s a rare blip, while teams with users on patchy mobile links may feel it more.

5. Check Point SASE: Best for teams moving off legacy VPNs

Check Point SASE: G2 snapshot

Before it carried the Check Point name, this service was Perimeter 81, and later it ran as Harmony SASE. Today it’s Check Point’s cloud-delivered secure access service edge (SASE), sold apart from the Infinity Platform I covered first. Its Private Access module checks who is connecting and from which device before it opens an app. I’d shortlist it for IT teams that want remote staff and contractors off the old VPN without buying new hardware.

Key features of Check Point SASE:

• App-level access based on identity, device, and context
• Real-time checks of users and devices during access
• Device posture checks that block non-compliant endpoints
• Access rules, segmentation, and MFA from one admin panel
• Agentless access for contractors on unmanaged devices
• Audit trails of who accessed which app and for how long

Pros of Check Point SASE as per G2 reviewers:

• Networking and access in one cloud service. Reviewers praise managing VPN, firewall, and security policies from one cloud dashboard instead of juggling separate appliances.
• Identity and device checks before any app opens. IT teams credit its zero-trust access with letting remote users open internal apps without exposing the wider network.
• Private backbone in place of VPN backhaul. Remote staff skip the trip through a central data center. Users say it feels like they’re on a local network, even from a coffee shop across the world.

Cons of Check Point SASE as per G2 reviewers:

• Slow going without Check Point know-how. Getting identity-based policies right took many G2 users a while, and smaller IT teams new to Check Point find the climb steepest. Once the rules are set, Check Point veterans get fine-grained control.
• A higher price tag. Cost is a recurring dislike on G2, and some users call it pricier than a legacy VPN. It’s more than simple remote access. Teams wanting web filtering, zero trust access, and a private backbone get it all on one bill.

6. OpenVPN CloudConnexa: Best for self-serve private networking

OpenVPN CloudConnexa: G2 snapshot

OpenVPN Inc. sells OpenVPN CloudConnexa as a managed cloud service with zero trust access built in. Each customer gets its own private network across OpenVPN’s global points of presence, and that network links remote staff, branch offices, and cloud environments. I’d steer small and mid-sized teams here, especially those that want to get secure access running on their own.

Key features of OpenVPN CloudConnexa:

• Identity, device, and location rules on every access policy
• Ongoing device checks for operating system, antivirus, and disk encryption
• Microsegmentation that isolates each app with precise rules
• Hidden routes so connected private networks stay unexposed
• Built-in MFA on every plan
• Logs of allowed and blocked traffic with streaming to security tools

Pros of OpenVPN CloudConnexa as per G2 reviewers:

• A managed service with nothing to babysit. With no VPN servers or certificates to maintain, IT admins save time and effort, and the basics are quick to set up.
• Fine-grained access rules. G2 users single out how precise the rules can get, from group and location limits to device checks such as requiring disk encryption before anyone reaches a subnet.
• One private network for people, sites and clouds. Connecting remote users, office locations and cloud accounts wins steady praise from teams glad to skip complex VPN setups.

Cons of OpenVPN CloudConnexa as per G2 reviewers:

• Multi-site routing gets technical. Basic remote access comes together fast, but routing across connectors and sites takes real networking knowledge. Non-technical owners may want help there, while small teams with a hands-on admin get a network they can shape.
• Per-seat costs add up. Users point out that free connections turn paid after an upgrade and that the bill can outgrow a traditional VPN at scale. Large user bases feel that climb most. Smaller teams come out ahead, since they pay only for the seats in use.

7. Absolute Secure Access: Best for mobile and field workforces

Absolute Secure Access: G2 snapshot

Instead of broad VPN access, Absolute Secure Access gives each user per-app access checked against identity and device health. Absolute Security sells it in three editions (Core, Edge, and Enterprise), and the feature that hides apps from unauthorized users starts at Edge, so check the edition before you sign. Government, utilities, law enforcement, and public safety teams lead the industries reviewing it on G2.

Key features of Absolute Secure Access:

• Least-privilege, per-app access in place of broad VPN access
• Encryption, operating system and anti-malware checks before access
• Identity-based access tied to your SSO and MFA providers
• Apps hidden from unauthorized users behind a logical boundary
• Access policies that adapt in real time to network conditions
• Resilient tunnel built to hold sessions through network drops
• Web-based access for contractors and unmanaged devices

Pros of Absolute Secure Access as per G2 reviewers:

• Sessions that survive network switches. Field teams praise the smooth roaming. App sessions keep going as engineers and officers move between Wi-Fi, cellular, and wired networks.
• Tunnel status at a glance. The web console and Insights view show whether a user’s tunnel is active and which network it’s on. That way, one admin can resolve connection problems without calling the network team.
• Device-aware lockdown. Admins who want tight control rely on fine-tuned connection policies, including checks that block access when a device shows a threat.

Cons of Absolute Secure Access as per G2 reviewers:

• Fleet-style licensing. G2 users flag licenses that aren’t sold per user and phones that cost as much to license as laptops. It can pinch a small department, though the model makes sense for organizations licensing a whole fleet of field devices each year.
• The heavy lifting sits with the admin. End users barely notice it, but admins say onboarding and policy work take real effort. IT teams hoping for a simple VPN swap may balk, while teams tuning access for rough field conditions get deep routing controls.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about software-defined perimeter solutions

Have more questions? Find the answers below.

Q1. Which software-defined perimeter (SDP) and zero trust platforms do network security directors trust most, based on user reviews?

Check Point Infinity Platform has the highest user satisfaction score (96) in G2’s SDP category and tops my list with a G2 Score of 95. AppGate ZTNA has the best star rating here at 4.8/5, and G2 reviewers praise its least-privilege access.

Q2. What is the highest-rated software-defined perimeter software for closing VPN security gaps in enterprise environments?

AppGate ZTNA, rated 4.8/5 and mostly used by enterprises, is the one I’d point to. In place of broad network access, it gives each user a one-to-one path to approved resources and keeps everything else invisible with single-packet authorization.

Q3. Which SDP platforms are most reliable for emergency access revocation across thousands of concurrent user sessions?

AppGate ZTNA is where I’d start. It keeps checking identity, device posture, and context after login, and it scores 98% for scalability on G2. For smaller teams, G2 reviewers find GoodAccess’s admin dashboard simple for managing user access.

Q4. Which software-defined perimeter solutions support rapid deployment without major changes to legacy infrastructure?

GoodAccess is my pick here. It’s delivered fully as a cloud service, and its 96% ease of setup score beats the 90% category average. Check Point SASE and OpenVPN CloudConnexa also run in the cloud, so you can skip new appliances and VPN servers.

Q5. Which zero trust SDP platforms scale to 10,000+ endpoints without performance degradation or user friction?

I’d weigh scale and performance signals here. AppGate ZTNA scores 98% for scalability, six points above the 92% category average, and it routes traffic directly between users and resources, with no detour through a vendor’s cloud.

Q6. Which SDP and zero trust network access (ZTNA) solutions have verified track records at major financial institutions?

Financial services is the second-largest industry among Check Point Infinity Platform’s G2 reviewers, after computer and network security, and it ranks third for OpenVPN CloudConnexa. I’d ask vendors for references from financial firms.

Q7. Which software-defined perimeter tools integrate smoothly with identity providers for enterprise security teams?

I’d compare Zscaler Internet Access, which supports multiple identity providers (IdPs) alongside device posture checks, and AppGate ZTNA, which G2 reviewers praise for integrating with identity providers and logging tools. Absolute Secure Access also ties access to your SSO and MFA providers.

Q8. Which SDP solutions provide fine-grained access controls at the application and resource level for compliance requirements?

OpenVPN CloudConnexa scores 98% for network segmentation, and G2 reviewers praise how precise its access rules get. AppGate ZTNA builds a per-session microperimeter around the resources each user may reach. For audits, Absolute Secure Access scores 95% for compliance monitoring.

Q9. What are the best SDP platforms for removing VPN complexity while keeping a strong security posture across enterprise networks?

I’d shortlist Check Point SASE for retiring an old VPN client. G2 reviewers praise managing VPN, firewall, and security policies from one cloud dashboard, plus identity and device checks before any app opens. Zscaler Internet Access also skips VPN backhaul for internet traffic.

How did I find and evaluate these best software-defined perimeter solutions?

To build this list, I pulled from G2’s Fall 2026 Grid Report for Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP), verified user reviews and current product information. I focused on signals that help IT and security teams compare tools fairly, from a product’s market standing to how well it handles day-to-day access control.

• I started with the Grid Report itself. G2 Score, customer satisfaction, market presence, and review volume helped me shortlist the leading products, and I ranked my seven picks by G2 Score.
• I analyzed G2 user reviews to see how each tool holds up in practice. I read what users like and dislike about each one. I also used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify recurring themes across a larger volume of reviews, which surfaced repeated strengths, limitations, and use cases.
• Everything here reflects information available as of October 2026. It covers the G2 ratings, feature and satisfaction scores, reviews, pricing, and product details you see throughout the article.
• Key features come from official vendor websites and product documentation. I focused on software-defined perimeter and zero trust access capabilities, even when a tool covers much more.

For a tool to be included in the software-defined perimeter (SDP) software category, it should:

• Provide adaptive, granular network segmentation functionality
• Provide on-demand access to services, networks, and applications upon verification
• Continuously monitor activity and verify network access requests

Give every login a smaller key

A request for one app doesn’t have to end with a key to the whole network anymore. Each tool on this list hands out smaller keys in its own way, and the right one depends on who connects and where they connect from.

Pick a tool that matches your mix, then pilot it with one team and one app. G2 reviewers flag setup and policy work as an early hurdle for every tool here, so a small pilot shows you the real effort before a full rollout does.

My advice: Get your identity provider and user groups in order before the pilot starts. Every access rule you write later depends on it.

If your riskiest logins belong to admins who hold keys to everything, explore G2’s best privileged access management (PAM) software next.