Skyhigh Private Access

Skyhigh Private Access is a Zero Trust Network Access solution for reaching private applications, positioned as a replacement for remote-access VPNs. It denies access by default and applies identity, device, and user context when granting access after authentication and authorization. Administrators can manage policies for web, SaaS, and private applications from one console. The product includes data-loss-prevention scanning for sensitive uploads and downloads, antimalware inspection, and integration with Remote Browser Isolation. Browser-based clientless access lets personal devices, partners, and contractors reach private applications and brokers HTTPS, RDP, and SSH traffic. Network Level Access supports IP ranges, wildcard domains, and subnets; UDP support covers real-time communications, IoT connectivity, and multimedia streaming. Android and iOS support includes phones and tablets. Private-app access requires SAML authentication, after which users do not need to authenticate again for 12 hours. Deployment uses a virtual-machine connector near private applications with a secure outbound connection to the Private Access Gateway. Pricing is available on request.

Skyhigh Private Access combines private-app access with policy and data-protection controls. Consider its SAML requirement, deployment connector, and Linux client limitation when assessing fit.

It suits organizations seeking controlled access to private applications across managed and unmanaged devices, including phones and tablets. It may also fit teams that need unified policies and data-protection controls across web, SaaS, and private apps.

Overview

Skyhigh Private Access is a zero-trust service for reaching private applications without relying on a traditional remote-access VPN. It suits organizations that want identity- and device-aware access alongside data-protection controls across web, SaaS and private applications. Its broad security scope is a strength, but mandatory SAML, connector deployment and the lack of a Linux client can rule it out for some teams.

Access is denied by default, then granted explicitly after authentication and authorization using identity, device and user context. A unified console applies policies across web, SaaS and private applications, giving security teams one place to manage those controls. Organizations seeking only a basic private-app access layer may find that breadth unnecessary.

Key features

Integrated data-loss-prevention scanning controls sensitive uploads and downloads. Skyhigh also combines antimalware inspection with Remote Browser Isolation integration, while its wider security capabilities include a secure web gateway, cloud access security, web filtering, SSL inspection, compliance monitoring, sensitive-data discovery, data classification, exposure and permission analysis, and remediation workflows. That scope can suit organizations consolidating access and data controls; it is less compelling if those protections are already covered elsewhere.

Private applications require a connector virtual machine deployed in the same data-center, private-cloud or public-cloud environment as the application. The connector opens a secure outbound connection to the Private Access Gateway. This avoids describing the setup as a client-only deployment: organizations need a suitable environment and must operate the connector. Network Level Access supports IP ranges, wildcard domains and subnets, and UDP support covers use cases such as real-time communications, IoT connectivity and multimedia streaming.

Clientless Access provides browser-based access without Client Proxy and brokers HTTPS, RDP and SSH traffic. It can serve personal devices, partners and contractors who need access without the client software. Android and iOS support also extends to phones and tablets. Skyhigh states a 99.999% uptime guarantee and global cloud-capacity scaling, which may matter to organizations with geographically distributed users.

SAML authentication is mandatory for private applications. After authenticating, users do not need to re-authenticate for 12 hours. Skyhigh Client Proxy runs on Windows or macOS, not Linux, so Linux users depend on browser-based access where the application and workflow support it. Integrations include Skyhigh SWG, CASB, DLP and RBI, as well as Microsoft Active Directory and Okta for SAML SSO.

Pricing

Skyhigh Private Access: custom pricing. The product is paid, and organizations must request pricing rather than choose a published self-service plan. That model is more suited to buyers evaluating a broader enterprise security deployment than individuals or small teams seeking a clear per-seat cost before engaging a vendor. No free plan or trial is stated.

Platforms

Skyhigh Private Access supports Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, as well as browser-based access. Client Proxy is limited to Windows and macOS; browser-based access offers a route for unmanaged devices, but does not remove the mandatory SAML requirement for private-app access.

Who it's for

The strongest fit is an organization replacing remote-access VPN access to private applications while also wanting centralized policy, DLP and threat controls across web and SaaS. It is especially relevant where partners or contractors need browser-based access, or where UDP-based application traffic matters. Teams without a SAML identity setup, without capacity to deploy the connector, or requiring a native Linux client should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Access policies extend beyond private apps: one console covers web, SaaS and private applications, useful for teams managing several security layers.
• Controls accompany connectivity: DLP scanning, antimalware inspection and RBI integration add data and threat protection to private-app access.
• Flexible access paths: clientless HTTPS, RDP and SSH access, mobile support and UDP traffic coverage serve varied users and applications.
• Context-based decisions: default-deny access with identity, device and user context supports explicit, scoped authorization.

Cons

• SAML is required: organizations unable to use SAML cannot meet the private-app authentication requirement.
• Deployment needs infrastructure: each private-app environment requires a connector virtual machine positioned alongside the application.
• No Linux Client Proxy: Linux users do not get the Windows and macOS client option.
• Custom pricing limits upfront comparison: buyers cannot assess a published price or self-service tier before requesting a quote.

Alternatives

For a different cloud-security focus, SentinelOne Singularity Cloud Security offers endpoint-billed plans with 90-day or 14-day data retention, rather than the private-app access and policy emphasis of Skyhigh. Microsoft Defender for Individuals is a better fit for individuals or families seeking protection across personal devices and Microsoft 365 storage; its plans cover one person or up to six people, with up to five devices per person.

Choose Armor if a freemium option and Linux support matter; its listed Premium Tier costs $99 a month and is billed per endpoint. C3M Cloud Control offers a free assessment for up to two cloud accounts, making it a starting point for buyers who want a limited no-cost evaluation. Kubescape is a free, self-hosted open-source option for teams seeking a Kubernetes-focused toolset.

Prowler Cloud has a 15-day free trial with no cloud-account limit and a free open-source option. Onam Security API Security offers a free tier capped at one cloud account, 500 resources and 30-day finding history. Qualys TotalCloud has a free license with limited API calls for control evaluation.

For broader category comparisons, see Cloud Security Platforms, Data Security Posture Management Software, Forward Proxy Software, SaaS Security Posture Management Software, Security Service Edge Software and Secure Access Service Edge Software.

Verdict

Choose Skyhigh Private Access if your organization needs controlled private-app access integrated with data and threat protections across web and SaaS. Its key advantage is combining context-based access with a broad security scope; its main drawbacks are mandatory SAML, connector deployment, no Linux client and custom pricing. Organizations that cannot accommodate those requirements should choose a more suitable access or security platform.