Overview

BIG-IP Zero Trust Access applies context-based checks to each application request and centralizes access across locations and hosting environments. Its hybrid access model combines identity-aware proxy controls with per-application and network-level VPN options. That combination can serve organizations with varied infrastructure, but is more than teams need if they want a lightweight access product with simple administration.

F5 describes support for up to 1 million access sessions on one BIG-IP device and up to 2 million on a VIPRION chassis. Separately, its perpetual bundle starts at 500 concurrent user sessions and scales to 200,000. Those figures describe different capacity contexts, so buyers should confirm the applicable limits for their deployment.

Key features

Identity and authentication: SAML, OAuth, and OIDC support modern authentication, federation, and single sign-on. SSO and SCIM support help it fit into identity workflows, while granular validation makes access decisions at the application-request level.
Device and risk context: Device posture checks and integrations with VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune, and IBM MaaS360 let policies account for managed-device signals. REST API connectors can bring third-party UEBA and risk engines into policy decisions; Access Guided Configuration also integrates with Azure AD Conditional Access policies.
Remote access and cryptography: Per-app VPN, IPSec VPN, and end-to-end encrypted remote access give teams multiple ways to connect users. Support for ML-KEM post-quantum cryptography ciphers in clients and servers adds a forward-looking security option, though it does not simplify the administrative burden.
Central operations: Integration with F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management supports deployment and management at scale. This is useful in larger F5 environments, but buyers should weigh the value of centralized control against the effort of operating an advanced platform.

Pricing

F5 has no free plan; pricing is on request. The 30-day BIG-IP VE trial includes Zero Trust Access with LTM, Advanced WAF, and Network Firewall (AFM), so it provides a way to assess a bundle of services rather than access controls alone. It runs on VMware ESXi, KVM, Community Xen, Microsoft Hyper-V, AWS, Azure, OpenStack, and Google Cloud Platform.

Perpetual license: Custom pricing for BIG-IP Virtual Editions, hardware, or hybrid environments. The bundle lists 500 concurrent user sessions, scalable up to 200,000, making this an option to assess for deployments that want a perpetual license and need to size session capacity carefully.
Subscription: Custom pricing for VE subscriptions across public, private, or multi-cloud environments. This fits teams choosing a subscription deployment model, but requires a sales discussion to establish cost.
Public cloud marketplace: Custom pricing for software virtual editions supporting leading hypervisors and cloud platforms. This is the cloud-oriented purchasing route; it does not remove the need to confirm the final price.
Enterprise License Agreement: Custom pricing covering public, private, or multi-cloud environments. It is aimed at organizations buying across those environments, rather than teams seeking a fixed public rate.

Without a free tier or published prices, smaller teams cannot gauge ongoing cost from a rate card. The included trial can help evaluate technical fit, but its bundled services should be considered when assessing the product itself.

Platforms

Supported platforms include web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, and self-hosted environments. That reach suits organizations supporting users and services across desktop, mobile, and hosted infrastructure. The platform is hybrid, with both deployment modes supported.

Who it's for

BIG-IP Zero Trust Access is a strong candidate for organizations that need application-level access decisions informed by identity, device posture, and risk signals, especially those already managing F5 infrastructure or operating across public and private environments. Its advanced administrative controls and multiple access methods offer room for complex policies. Teams looking for a free entry point, transparent per-seat pricing, or a simpler operational footprint should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

Broad policy context: Identity, device posture, conditional access, and third-party risk integrations can inform access decisions.
Flexible connectivity: Per-app VPN, IPSec VPN, and encrypted remote access support different access patterns.
Large stated session capacity: F5 cites up to 1 million sessions on a BIG-IP device and 2 million on a VIPRION chassis, with separate perpetual-bundle sizing up to 200,000 concurrent sessions.
Hybrid platform coverage: Support spans major desktop and mobile platforms as well as self-hosted and API environments.

Cons

No free plan or public rate: Buyers must request pricing, making early budget comparisons harder.
Advanced administration: The control depth is suited to capable operations teams, not organizations seeking a minimal access layer.
Trial is bundled: The 30-day VE trial also includes LTM, Advanced WAF, and AFM, so evaluation involves more than Zero Trust Access alone.

Alternatives

Cloudflare Access is worth considering for teams that want a freemium option: its free plan is $0.00 USD per free, billed forever, for under 50 users, with a $7.00 USD per month pay-as-you-go plan also available.

ZeroTier offers a freemium model and a Personal plan with 10 devices, one network, and one network admin; it may suit buyers prioritizing those stated limits over F5's custom-priced enterprise plans.

Cato SASE Platform is another paid product with pricing by request for teams considering a sales-led purchase.

Netskope One Private Access is an enterprise product with a free trial and custom pricing.

Pomerium provides a freemium alternative: its Personal Free plan is $0.00 USD per free for 10 users, 10 routes, 5 policies, and 2 service accounts, while Business costs $7.00 USD per month.

Prisma Access is a paid option with pricing by request for buyers comparing enterprise access products.

WatchGuard FireCloud has a published annual option: FireCloud Internet Access — 1 year, 1–50 licenses costs $97.75 USD per year, billed per user license.

OpenVPN Access Server offers a free plan at $0.00 USD per free with up to two connections, which can suit a small deployment that fits within that cap.

For adjacent categories, compare Business VPN Software, Load Balancing Software, Internet Performance Monitoring Software, Cloud Network Management Software, DDoS Protection Software, and Web Application Firewall Software.

Verdict

Choose F5 BIG-IP Zero Trust Access if your organization needs granular identity-, device-, and risk-aware access across hybrid environments and has the operational capacity to manage an advanced platform. Its combination of policy controls, VPN choices, and F5 management integration is the main reason to choose it. Look elsewhere if a free tier, transparent pricing, or a lighter administrative model matters more.

	F5 BIG-IP APM	Sematext Experience
Free plan	No	No
Free trial	Yes	Yes
Paid from	—	$8.10/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	api, Web
Free plan	No	No
Paid from	—	8.1 /mo

F5 BIG-IP APM vs Sematext Experience

F5 BIG-IP APM

Sematext Experience