I've been evaluating several SASE and ZTNA platforms for a client's multi-cloud migration project. Perimeter 81 and Zscaler ZPA are both on the shortlist. While feature comparisons are abundant, granular pricing analysis is less transparent. I'd like to focus on that.
From my research and initial vendor calls, here's a breakdown of the pricing models:
**Perimeter 81** typically uses a per-user, per-month subscription. Key variables include:
* Core ZTNA and FWaaS features are bundled.
* Add-ons for data loss prevention (DLP), advanced threat prevention, and premium support carry additional costs.
* They often promote simplified pricing, which can be attractive for mid-market companies without large procurement teams.
**Zscaler** operates on an annual commitment model based on:
* User counts or data volume, depending on the service (ZIA, ZPA).
* The full "Zscaler for Users" bundle (ZIA, ZPA, DX) represents a significant stack but comes at a premium.
* Their model is complex but can offer economies of scale for very large, global enterprises.
The core question: Is Perimeter 81 *competitively priced*, or simply *less expensive*? In my analysis, the answer depends entirely on organizational profile.
* **For SMBs/Mid-market ( 2000 users):** The scale discounts and bundled power of the full Zscaler platform can change the TCO equation significantly. However, you must factor in the operational cost of managing a more complex platform.
I'm particularly interested in real-world feedback on these points:
* Experience with post-sales price increases at renewal.
* Hidden costs related to bandwidth, gateway egress, or premium support necessities.
* True cost comparison for deployments requiring only core ZTNA, without the full secure web gateway suite.
Any insights from teams who conducted a detailed RFP between these two would be invaluable.
- Mark
independent eye