Bowtie Private Access

Bowtie Private Access creates encrypted connections directly from devices to private resources, without routing traffic through intermediary networks. Its Zero Trust policies grant access based on authenticated user or device characteristics. Bowtie Internet Access adds web filtering, with policy enforcement on the device rather than through a central gateway. The product uses WireGuard encryption; Bowtie says encryption keys are generated and stored in the customer’s environment and traffic does not pass through Bowtie’s cloud. Its policy engine can unify overlapping networks and segment them. The Basic plan includes the Zero Trust Policy Engine, an always-on agent, Smart DNS and SSO authentication, with limits of three users, two devices per user and two controllers. Essentials adds Private Access and Internet Access, API access and a Terraform provider; it allows up to 1,000 users, three devices per user and four controllers. Enterprise lists unlimited users, devices and controllers, along with device posture policies, MDM deployment and SIEM integration. SSO options include Okta and Entra ID, with configurations for GitHub, GitLab, SAML, AWS Identity Center and Google IDP. Plans include a free Basic tier and Essentials at $11/user/mo. Client downloads are available for Mac, Windows and Linux; listed platforms also include iOS and web.

Bowtie combines private-resource access and on-device web filtering with plan-specific controls and integrations. Compare the Basic and Essentials user, device and controller limits with the custom Enterprise option before choosing.

Bowtie may suit organizations seeking device-based access policies for private resources and web filtering. Essentials includes automation options, while Enterprise lists MDM deployment, SIEM integration and priority support with an SLA.

Bowtie Private Access is an organizational access platform that links devices directly to private resources while adding on-device web filtering and policy-based segmentation. It is best for teams that want customer-controlled keys and a hybrid deployment, rather than a consumer VPN. Basic works for a very small deployment; most growing teams will need Essentials or Enterprise.

Overview

Bowtie uses WireGuard to create encrypted device-to-resource connections without sending traffic through a middleman network. Its Zero Trust policy engine authenticates users and evaluates user or device characteristics before granting access, making it suited to controlled application access instead of broad, anonymous browsing.

Encryption keys are generated and retained in the customer’s environment, and traffic does not pass through Bowtie’s cloud. That arrangement is a meaningful advantage for organizations that want custody of keys and a direct traffic path. The hybrid deployment model and agent-based access method fit managed company devices, while supported application protocols cover TCP, UDP and ICMP.

Key features

The always-on agent provides the connection point for client devices. Bowtie Internet Access adds web filtering and policy enforcement on each device rather than at a centralized gateway, which can keep controls close to roaming endpoints. The policy engine can also unify overlapping networks and segment them, useful when existing address spaces conflict or teams need finer isolation.

Device posture checks are supported, but posture policies are an Enterprise feature. Essentials adds API access and a Terraform provider, giving infrastructure teams a route to repeatable deployment and integration with existing tooling. Enterprise adds MDM deployment through providers such as Jamf and Kandji, SIEM event logging, and priority support with an SLA and shared Slack channel. SSO options include Okta and Entra ID, with documentation covering GitHub, GitLab, SAML, AWS Identity Center and Google IDP configurations.

Pricing

Basic is genuinely free forever, but its three-user ceiling and two-device allowance make it an evaluation or tiny-team tier. It also omits the combined Private Access and Internet Access package, API and Terraform automation, and the larger controller allowance. Essentials is the practical paid starting point at $11 per user per month, with room for up to 1000 users and one additional device per user. Enterprise is the choice for unlimited scale, formal support commitments, posture policy enforcement and administrative integrations; its price must be obtained through a custom quote.

Platforms

Bowtie supports iOS, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows. Client downloads are provided for Mac, Windows and Linux. The agent approach is appropriate for managed endpoints, while web availability broadens administrative access.

Who it's for

Choose Bowtie for a company that needs private-resource access, endpoint web controls and segmentation governed by one policy engine, especially when customer-held keys and traffic that avoids Bowtie’s cloud matter. Basic suits up to three users. Essentials fits larger deployments that need automation and both access modes. Enterprise is aimed at organizations requiring unlimited allowances, MDM, SIEM export, posture policies and SLA-backed support. It is less compelling for an individual seeking a general-purpose VPN or for teams that do not need organizational policy controls.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Customer-environment key storage: Encryption keys stay in the customer’s environment, and traffic bypasses Bowtie’s cloud.
• Unified policy scope: Private access, on-device web filtering and network segmentation share one policy engine.
• Useful enterprise plumbing: Essentials supplies API and Terraform access; Enterprise adds MDM, SIEM and SLA-backed support.
• Broad protocol and platform coverage: TCP, UDP and ICMP are supported across major desktop and mobile platforms.

Cons

• Free tier is tightly capped: Basic stops at three users, two devices per user and two controllers.
• Important controls are tiered up: Device posture policies, unlimited allowances and enterprise integrations require custom-priced Enterprise.
• Essentials still has hard ceilings: 1000 users, three devices per user and four controllers may constrain larger or more complex environments.

Alternatives

Cloudflare Access is a stronger fit when Android support, a free plan for under 50 users and a free trial are priorities, with paid pricing starting at $7 a month.

NetBird suits teams wanting self-hosting and a lower-cost Team tier at €6 per user / month, with its Free tier covering up to five users and 100 machines.

Twingate is worth choosing for a free Starter plan offering up to five users, 50 resources, peer-to-peer connections, split tunneling and conditional access.

Cloudflare Gateway fits organizations focused on gateway-style web controls, with a free plan for 50 users and up to 24 hours of standard log retention.

OpenVPN CloudConnexa is an alternative for teams seeking a free-trial path and a Starter plan with five included seats.

Genians ZTNA is another policy-enforcement option for organizations comparing professional and basic editions.

Menlo Security Secure Cloud Browser is designed around secure browser deployment rather than Bowtie’s private-resource access model.

Sangfor EasyConnect is a paid alternative with custom-contact pricing.

Browse more options in Zero Trust Network Access Software.

Verdict

Bowtie Private Access is a strong choice for organizations that want direct, WireGuard-protected private access combined with on-device filtering and segmentation, while retaining control of encryption keys. Start with Basic only for a very small team; choose Essentials for automation and broader access, or Enterprise when unlimited scale, posture policies, MDM, SIEM and SLA support are non-negotiable. Look elsewhere if you need a consumer-oriented VPN or a lower-cost plan without Bowtie’s user, device and controller limits.