Google Authenticator vs. Zscaler Private Access

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Google Authenticator
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Google Authenticator is a mobile authentication app.N/A
Zscaler Private Access
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA) gives users secure access to private apps and OT devices while enabling zero trust connectivity for workloads.N/A
Pricing
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Features
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Identity Management
Comparison of Identity Management features of Product A and Product B
Google Authenticator
-
Ratings
Zscaler Private Access
9.1
10 Ratings
2% above category average
Multi-Factor Authentication00 Ratings9.110 Ratings
Endpoint Security
Comparison of Endpoint Security features of Product A and Product B
Google Authenticator
-
Ratings
Zscaler Private Access
9.0
6 Ratings
1% below category average
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)00 Ratings9.06 Ratings
Threat Intelligence
Comparison of Threat Intelligence features of Product A and Product B
Google Authenticator
-
Ratings
Zscaler Private Access
8.5
11 Ratings
9% above category average
Network Analytics00 Ratings8.811 Ratings
Threat Recognition00 Ratings8.99 Ratings
Vulnerability Classification00 Ratings8.87 Ratings
Automated Alerts and Reporting00 Ratings8.110 Ratings
Threat Analysis00 Ratings8.67 Ratings
Threat Intelligence Reporting00 Ratings8.17 Ratings
Automated Threat Identification00 Ratings8.59 Ratings
Zero Trust Security
Comparison of Zero Trust Security features of Product A and Product B
Google Authenticator
-
Ratings
Zscaler Private Access
9.1
11 Ratings
4% above category average
Continuous Verification00 Ratings8.911 Ratings
Secure Web Gateways00 Ratings9.211 Ratings
Network Flow Control00 Ratings9.110 Ratings
Network Traffic Analysis00 Ratings9.09 Ratings
Segmentation Leveraging00 Ratings9.010 Ratings
Admin Access Control00 Ratings9.19 Ratings
Network Data Encryption00 Ratings9.211 Ratings
Network Topology Mapping00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Small Businesses
WatchGuard AuthPoint
WatchGuard AuthPoint
Score 9.1 out of 10
ThreatLocker
ThreatLocker
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.4 out of 10
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Score 8.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
Score 9.4 out of 10
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Score 8.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(50 ratings)
9.1
(15 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.8
(7 ratings)
9.1
(10 ratings)
Availability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.6
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
4.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
5.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Google AuthenticatorZscaler Private Access
Likelihood to Recommend
Google
Logging into my work accounts is where Google Authenticator works best. Also, I had a personal account get hacked. I had an account created to book hotels, but someone was constantly resetting my password. To prevent further hacking attempts, I set up Google Authenticator. I do not believe it would be appropriate for banking accounts.
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Zscaler
Zscaler Private Access works really well in environments setup for FQDNs and where you know what users should/shouldn't be accessing on what ports. You can use Zscaler Private Access to figure out these kinds of features but that doesn't always mean you'll be correct. It also provides a consistent experience for users as they can access their materials anywhere. It also makes the user the last line of defense. If a user's account is compromised then the attacker has access to everything they already did. It doesn't work great in OT environments or Server based environments. Flows have to be initiated from the client and not the server for stuff to behave properly.
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Pros
Google
  • One strength is in how it checks identity to stop unwanted people from getting access.
  • Another strength is in cutting down on the frustration of users for the authentication process.
  • With the pandemic and needing to work away from the office it also provided additional security in keeping our network/infrastructure safe.
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Zscaler
  • Allows strong cyber security corporate policies
  • Very reliable VPN application that operates at 100% efficiency
  • Very easy to be configured with friendly user interface
Read full review
Cons
Google
  • I once performed a factory reset of my smartphone which had Google Authenticator. I didn't have a backup for the device. When I restored my phone with the same google account, I was not able to restore the authenticator app settings. I had to add all the keys back into the app to use it. This is cumbersome, but I understand it is set up this way for security reasons.
  • I don't like the ease with which it lets you delete a key. If I accidentally delete a key, I am doomed to get my 2FA key reset, unless I still have the QR code saved somewhere.
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Zscaler
  • Granularity and Complexity of Policy Enforcement
  • Application Segmentation and Listener Configuration - The way applications are defined and listened for is fundamental to ZPA, but can be a source of frustration, especially when dealing with legacy or non-HTTP protocols
  • The ZCC is the user's primary gateway, but its control over local system network behavior can sometimes clash with enterprise requirements.
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Likelihood to Renew
Google
It works as intended, easy to setup, free and gives you another level of security against any unwanted access or cyber attacks
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Zscaler
No answers on this topic
Usability
Google
It's as easy as opening the app and what I need it for is there. I don't have to fumble with other accounts or getting something else to open it for me. I have all the access that I need for the use of the app within seconds and I can get access to the info that I need.
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Zscaler
The environment feels more secure, and we are seeing that users are adapting to it fast. The fact that we have tools to assist the users with their day-to-day access helps, as we can hand it off to the helpdesk without any escalations to the Network team. It is a work in progress for our agency, but we are seeing the benefits from the solution.
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Reliability and Availability
Google
In terms of availability, I had not experienced any issues with outages or the product not working when needed
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Zscaler
No answers on this topic
Performance
Google
The performance of google Authenticator is good and I have not experienced any slow downs
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Zscaler
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Google
I have found Google’s support to be hit or miss. There are times when they are very responsive, and I get my issue resolved quickly, and there are times where a response from them takes weeks. There is no in-between. But my support experience with this particular product is nonexistent because I have not had a problem with it yet. Hopefully, we do not have any problems with it either.
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Zscaler
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Google
It was easy to implement and it went very smoothly. No issues
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Zscaler
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Google
First, Google Authenticator meets the security requirements which should be considered "table stakes". Second, simplicity is critical. Many users don' understand why they are setting up MFA (or they just don't care), and so adding additional complications to their day-to-day is always challenging. When it is simple, it makes life a lot easier. Finally, trust (due to the brand name recognition, primarily) removes any notion of "what is this?" that the user may have from being required to install something on their personal device for work purposes.
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Zscaler
Well ZPA is a good solution, however everyone has their own advantage and disadvantages, with ZPA you can deploy ZTNA model, which will help you better control on access, however Palo Alto, Fortinet they are also market leading firewall solution, and you can not deny if they are not providing the same features.
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Scalability
Google
The product doesn’t have any features of tools that can help it scale
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Zscaler
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Google
  • More secure data = less worried about a data breach.
  • Takes longer to log in, and if I don't have my phone then I have to go looking for it, so it really makes it so that you can't be without your phone, which in certain instances is annoying or not possible and can hold up work time.
  • Everyone is willing to use the same program because everyone likes Google—makes it easier to manage.
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Zscaler
  • Positive: We have now charged users internally for the service
  • Negative: Dealing with users who also have the Zscaler Client Connector for their company, can cause confusions
  • Negative: Enabling the Zscaler Internet Access entitlement has been a major headache for us because Zscaler Private Access users can't autheniticate through ZIA on a non corporate device.
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ScreenShots

Zscaler Private Access Screenshots

Screenshot of how ZPA provides access for all users while minimizing the attack surface, eliminating lateral movement, and stopping zero day threats. A cloud native service, ZPA can be deployed in just hours to replace legacy remote access tools like VPNs and VDIs.