ZTNA vs VPN & SD-WAN vs MPLS: The ultimate showdown for enterprises

In the rapidly evolving world of enterprise networking, the battle between ZTNA and SD-WAN and the traditional VPN and MPLS approach has taken center stage. As businesses transition to the cloud and embrace remote work, the limitations of legacy solutions become evident. On the other hand, modern frameworks like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) promise improved performance, security, and scalability.

 So, which combination should your organisation adopt? Let’s dive into the ultimate showdown.

Round 1: Comparing security approaches

Traditional VPN and MPLS security

MPLS: Known for its private, dedicated circuits, MPLS ensures secure, predictable traffic routing. However, it lacks built-in encryption and relies on isolated paths rather than modern threat detection.

VPN: Adds a layer of encryption for remote users connecting to enterprise networks. While effective for point-to-point security, it exposes vulnerabilities:

Static access policies grant broad access once connected.

Poor performance when handling large-scale remote workforces.

Modern ZTNA and SD-WAN security

ZTNA: Built on Zero Trust principles, ZTNA ensures access is granted on a “least privilege” basis. Users can only access specific resources they are authorised for, minimising risks from insider threats or compromised credentials.

SD-WAN: While not inherently a security tool, SD-WAN integrates seamlessly with ZTNA, firewalls, and threat intelligence. It also encrypts traffic over public internet paths, ensuring secure cloud and SaaS access.

Winner: ZTNA and SD-WAN for superior security

Zero Trust eliminates the "connect once, access all" risk of VPN, while SD-WAN enhances security across distributed networks.

Round 2: Performance comparison

VPN and MPLS performance overview

MPLS: Offers low latency and predictable performance due to its dedicated circuits. However:

Expensive to scale for global operations.

Suboptimal for cloud access, requiring backhauling traffic through a central data center.

VPN: Struggles with performance issues when supporting high numbers of concurrent users or routing traffic to cloud apps via centralised data centers.

ZTNA and SD-WAN performance overview

ZTNA: Directs users to the closest cloud instance / POP presence without routing through a central location, minimising latency.

SD-WAN: Dynamically routes traffic over the best available path (broadband, LTE, MPLS) based on real-time conditions, ensuring optimal performance for cloud-first environments.

Winner: ZTNA and SD-WAN for optimal performance

Modern workforces demand fast, direct cloud access, and the agility of SD-WAN paired with ZTNA far outperforms legacy solutions.

Round 3: Comparing scalability

VPN and MPLS scalability overview

MPLS: Scaling MPLS circuits requires significant time and cost, making it impractical for rapidly growing or dynamic businesses.

VPN: Adding new users or endpoints increases complexity and reduces performance. VPN solutions often become bottlenecks in large-scale deployments.

ZTNA and SD-WAN scalability overview

ZTNA: Cloud-native and scalable, ZTNA can quickly onboard new users or locations while maintaining granular access controls.

SD-WAN: Scales seamlessly by leveraging internet-based paths, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

Winner: ZTNA and SD-WAN for effortless scalability

Their cloud-native architecture makes them the go-to choice for businesses with growth in remote workforces or global footprints.

Round 4: Cost comparison

VPN and MPLS Cost overview

MPLS: High costs for bandwidth and private circuits. Scaling or expanding geographically adds significant expense.

VPN: While VPN solutions themselves may be affordable, the costs of maintaining infrastructure (e.g., hardware, centralised data centers, manpower costs) can escalate.

ZTNA and SD-WAN Cost overview

ZTNA: Reduces hardware costs by shifting to a cloud-delivered security model. No need for expensive, high-maintenance VPN concentrators.

SD-WAN: Replaces costly MPLS circuits with affordable broadband and LTE while maintaining performance and security.

Winner: ZTNA and SD-WAN for cost-effective solutions

Significant cost savings without compromising on performance or security make modern solutions a clear choice.

Round 5: User experience comparison

VPN and MPLS user experience

MPLS: Provides a predictable experience for on-premises applications but struggles with modern cloud workflows.

VPN: Often frustrating for users due to latency, frequent disconnects, and a lack of direct cloud access.

ZTNA and SD-WAN user experience

ZTNA: Provides seamless, secure access to specific resources without requiring full network connectivity. Users enjoy faster, more reliable connections.

SD-WAN: Enhances performance by routing traffic intelligently, ensuring a consistent experience even for high-bandwidth applications like video conferencing.

Winner: ZTNA and SD-WAN for superior user experience

The combination delivers a smoother, more efficient experience for both remote and on-site users.

Verdict: ZTNA and SD-WAN take the crown

While VPN and MPLS have served organisations well in the past, they no longer meet the demands of today’s cloud-first, hybrid work environments. The combination of ZTNA and SD-WAN offers:

Enhanced security with Zero Trust principles.

Improved performance for cloud and SaaS applications.

Cost efficiency by eliminating legacy hardware and expensive circuits.

Scalability to support dynamic, distributed workforces.

Key takeaways

1. Replace VPN with ZTNA: Provide secure, granular access to resources without sacrificing performance or scalability.

2. Adopt SD-WAN: Transition from MPLS to a more flexible, cost-effective solution that supports modern cloud architectures.

3. Policy management: Continuous policy optimisation for strengthen security and optimum routing for ZTNA and SDWAN respectively.

ZTNA is not just a technology upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift in secure access. As hybrid work and cloud adoption redefine business operations, ZTNA offers the flexibility, security, and scalability that traditional VPNs cannot match.

Check out why enterprises are shifting away from ZTNA to VPN in this solution brief.

Ready to transition from VPN to ZTNA? Connect with Tata Communications SASE experts to start your ZTNA transition.