Our verdict · 8.7/10 Excellent
Outstanding value for small teams, with enterprise-grade capabilities. Setup and policy design need some technical knowledge.
Key takeaways
- Best for: Small teams replacing a VPN.
- Strongest area: Value for money (9.2/10). Weakest: Ease of use (7.4/10).
- Price: Free for up to 50 users; paid around $7 / user / month — free plan available.
- Watch out for: Technical setup.
What is Cloudflare Zero Trust?
Cloudflare Zero Trust (Cloudflare One) replaces traditional VPNs with identity-aware access to internal apps, plus DNS filtering, a secure web gateway and browser isolation. It runs on Cloudflare's global network and is free for small teams.
Cloudflare Zero Trust is made by Cloudflare and is reviewed here as a business VPN. It is priced on a freemium basis, and our editorial score is 8.7 out of 10, calculated from six weighted criteria.
Who it’s for — and who should skip it
Choose Cloudflare Zero Trust if
- Small teams replacing a VPN
- Organisations already on Cloudflare
- Teams wanting DNS filtering too
Not for you if
- Non-technical teams without IT help
- Users wanting a consumer VPN
Key features
Identity-aware access to internal apps.
DNS and HTTP filtering.
Device agent for secure connectivity.
Isolate risky browsing.
- Okta
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Google Workspace
- CrowdStrike
- SentinelOne
Pros & cons
What we like
- Generous free tier
- Global network performance
- Access, gateway and filtering in one
- Strong identity integrations
Watch out for
- Technical setup
- Dashboard can be complex
- Support limited on free plan
Pricing & true cost
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Up to 50 users |
| Pay-as-you-go | ≈ $7 / user / mo | Monthly |
| Contract | Custom quote | Quote |
Pricing watch-out: Advanced features on contract plans.
True cost at 5, 10 and 25 seats
Cheapest paid plan that fits each team size, from indicative list prices checked October 31, 2026. Excludes tax, add-ons, onboarding fees and promotional discounts.
Pricing watch-outs
- Quote-only tier. Contract has no public price. Ask for a written quote that includes onboarding and support fees.
Contract questions to ask before you sign
- Does the plan auto-renew, and how many days’ notice do you need to cancel?
- Is the advertised price for annual billing? What is the month-to-month price?
- Is the first-year price a promotion? What will renewal cost, and is it capped?
- Is there a minimum number of seats, or a charge for inactive users?
- Are onboarding, implementation or premium-support fees extra?
- How do we export all our data if we leave, and in what format?
General questions for any vendor — not findings about this product. Build a full checklist with our requirements builder.
Indicative USD pricing, last checked October 31, 2026. Vendors change prices and promotions often — always confirm on their website. Model your own numbers with our SaaS TCO calculator.
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features & fit | 25% | 9.0 | 2.30 | |
| Ease of use | 15% | 7.4 | 1.10 | |
| Value for money | 15% | 9.2 | 1.40 | |
| Support & reliability | 10% | 7.6 | 0.80 | |
| Security & privacy | 30% | 9.2 | 2.80 | |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 5% | 8.6 | 0.40 | |
| Overall | 100% | Weighted for security products | 8.7 | |
Security & compliance facts
| Item | Status | Question to ask Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-factor authenticationStops most account takeovers from reused or phished passwords. | Not verified by us | Can admins enforce MFA for every user, on every plan? |
| Single sign-on (SAML/OIDC)Lets you remove a leaver’s access everywhere from one place. | Not verified by us | Is SSO included on the plan we are buying, or only on enterprise tiers? |
| SOC 2 Type II reportIndependent audit of the vendor’s security controls — often required by larger customers. | Not verified by us | Can we see your current SOC 2 Type II report (under NDA if needed)? |
| ISO/IEC 27001 certificationInternational standard for running an information-security programme. | Not verified by us | Which legal entity and services does your ISO 27001 certificate cover? |
| GDPR data processing agreementNeeded if you handle personal data of people in the EU/UK. | Not verified by us | Do you offer a signed DPA and list your sub-processors? |
| HIPAA business associate agreementRequired before US healthcare businesses store protected health information. | Not verified by us | Will you sign a BAA, and on which plans? |
We have not yet verified these items for Cloudflare Zero Trust against a primary source, so we don’t claim them either way. Check Cloudflare’s trust or security page and ask for documents in writing.
Before you buy any business VPN
Check Cloudflare Zero Trust against the same list we use for every business VPN — and confirm each point on the plan you intend to buy, not the top tier.
- Central admin console
- Dedicated IP / gateway options
- SSO and user provisioning
- Device posture checks
- Clear logging policy
See every ranked option in Business VPN & Zero Trust.
Cloudflare Zero Trust alternatives
Pick an alternative by what matters to you
- CheaperTTwingate≈ $50/mo vs $70/mo at 10 users (cheapest paid plans, indicative)
- Easier to use
NordVPNEase-of-use score 9.2 vs 7.4
Computed from our published scores and indicative pricing for tools in the same category as Cloudflare Zero Trust. Scores are editorial; see the methodology.
Editor’s picks
Easy mesh networking built on WireGuard — private networks in minutes.
Zero-trust remote access designed as a simple VPN replacement.
Business VPN and network access security for distributed teams.
Head-to-head comparisons
Featured in: Best Business VPN for Small Business
Review history
- Scored under methodology v2.0 (six weighted criteria, computed overall score).
Cloudflare Zero Trust FAQ
Is Cloudflare Zero Trust free?
Yes for up to 50 users, with core features.
Does it replace a VPN?
For access to internal apps, yes — it provides identity-aware access without a traditional VPN.
Does Cloudflare Zero Trust have a free plan?
Yes. Cloudflare Zero Trust offers a free plan. Paid plans start at Free for up to 50 users; paid around $7 / user / month (indicative — check the vendor for current pricing).
Who is Cloudflare Zero Trust best for?
Cloudflare Zero Trust is best for: small teams replacing a VPN; organisations already on Cloudflare; teams wanting DNS filtering too.
How much does Cloudflare Zero Trust cost for a team of 10?
On indicative list prices, the cheapest paid plan that fits 10 users (Pay-as-you-go) works out at roughly $70 per month, or about $840 per year, before tax, add-ons and discounts.
How is the Cloudflare Zero Trust score calculated?
The 8.7/10 overall score is a weighted average of six sub-scores — features & fit, ease of use, value, support & reliability, security & privacy, and integrations — using the published weights for security products. Affiliate relationships have no input. See our methodology page for the full rubric.
What are the best alternatives to Cloudflare Zero Trust?
Popular alternatives include Tailscale, Twingate, NordLayer. See our comparisons for side-by-side verdicts.