Cisco Umbrella vs Zscaler: SASE / SSE Comparison (2026)

Cisco Umbrella offers a free tier, while Zscaler does not. Both platforms support a zero-trust approach and have undisclosed pricing. Cisco Umbrella highlights industry-leading DNS security and ease of management. Zscaler emphasizes comprehensive SASE/SSE solutions, private access, data security, and support for multiple identity providers.

AI Citation Scorecard

How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask sase / sse questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.

Too early to call — probes still building data.
ChatGPT
Cisco Umbrella
Tracking…
No data yet
Zscaler
Tracking…
No data yet
Perplexity
Cisco Umbrella
0 / 1 probes
0%
Invisible
ZscalerLeads
1 / 1 probes
100%
Excellent
Gemini
Cisco Umbrella
Tracking…
No data yet
Zscaler
Tracking…
No data yet
Claude
Cisco Umbrella
Tracking…
No data yet
Zscaler
Tracking…
No data yet
Copilot
Cisco Umbrella
Tracking…
No data yet
Zscaler
Tracking…
No data yet
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.

Pricing

Cisco Umbrella
Starting price
—
Free tier
Yes
umbrella.com ↗
Zscaler
Starting price
—
Free tier
—
zscaler.com ↗

Key Features

Cisco Umbrella
  • ✓Industry-leading DNS security
  • ✓Robust DNS security + more
  • ✓Secure Internet Access (SIA)
  • ✓Security Service Edge (SSE)
Zscaler
  • ✓Secure Internet Access
  • ✓Private Access for all users
  • ✓Data Security for all apps
  • ✓Cyberthreat Protection Standard
  • ✓Zero Trust for Workloads
  • ✓Comprehensive SASE/SSE solutions
  • ✓Traffic Forwarding options
  • ✓Multiple Identity Providers (IdP) support

When to choose Cisco Umbrella

Cisco Umbrella is more suitable for users prioritizing a free tier and strong DNS security, along with ease of deployment and management.

When to choose Zscaler

Zscaler is more suitable for organizations seeking comprehensive SASE/SSE solutions with features like private access for all users, data security for all applications, and extensive identity provider support, and where a free tier is not a critical requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cisco Umbrella offer a free tier?
Yes, Cisco Umbrella offers a free tier.
Does Zscaler offer a free tier?
No, Zscaler does not offer a free tier.
What are the key security features of Cisco Umbrella?
Cisco Umbrella's key security features include industry-leading DNS security, robust DNS security, Secure Internet Access (SIA), and Security Service Edge (SSE).
What are the key security features of Zscaler?
Zscaler's key security features include Secure Internet Access, Private Access for all users, Data Security for all apps, Cyberthreat Protection Standard, Zero Trust for Workloads, comprehensive SASE/SSE solutions, traffic forwarding options, and multiple Identity Provider (IdP) support.
Do Cisco Umbrella and Zscaler support a zero-trust approach?
Yes, both Cisco Umbrella and Zscaler support a zero-trust approach.

AI visibility profiles

Is one of these your brand?

Get the full report by email: every sase / sse buyer question we ask, which engines name you, and who gets named instead.

Cisco Umbrella

umbrella.com

Zscaler

zscaler.com

Free check

Check any brand's AI visibility — free

We ask the buyer questions in this market across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Copilot, and show you who gets named.

More SASE / SSE Comparisons