Use Cloudflare Access when
You want Cloudflare's global edge, CDN/WAF adjacency, browser-based access policies, and Cloudflare Tunnel for private web applications.
Cloudflare Access alternative
Cloudflare Access Alternative: Keep Your Traffic in Your Own Network
Cloudflare Access is strong when you want browser-based access policies at Cloudflare's edge. Datawiza is built for teams that need a self-hosted data plane and app-level SSO/MFA for existing web applications without a tunnel-first architecture.
Best-fit comparison
When to use Cloudflare Access vs. Datawiza
Use Datawiza when
You need protected web application traffic to stay in your own environment, and the app also needs SSO/MFA integration instead of just reachability.
The honest tradeoff
Cloudflare is a better fit for global performance, CDN, WAF, and broader Cloudflare One use cases. Datawiza is focused on self-hosted web app access and legacy app identity.
Datawiza difference
Self-Hosted Data Plane, App-Level SSO, No Tunnel Dependency
Datawiza Access Proxy is a self-hosted, no-code reverse proxy that adds SSO and MFA to HTTP and HTTPS web applications without code changes. It runs the data plane inside the customer's environment, works with existing identity providers or Datawiza built-in MFA, and forwards only approved traffic to the protected app.
Self-hosted data plane
Run Access Proxy in your DMZ, VPC, private cloud, or on-premises environment so app traffic does not traverse Datawiza's cloud.
No Cloudflare Tunnel dependency
Use a standard reverse proxy pattern for HTTP/HTTPS apps rather than connecting the origin through cloudflared.
Legacy app SSO
Complete supported app-level SSO patterns for PeopleSoft, Oracle EBS, JD Edwards, SharePoint, and custom web apps.
Built-in MFA option
Use Datawiza built-in MFA when the users or apps should not be moved into a new identity provider first.
Comparison
Datawiza vs. Cloudflare Access
The right choice depends on whether your problem is broad private access or app-level identity integration for existing web applications.
| Criteria | Datawiza Access Proxy | Cloudflare Access |
|---|---|---|
| Data plane location | Your environment: container or VM, on-premises or your cloud. | Cloudflare edge; private apps commonly connect through Cloudflare Tunnel. |
| Tunnel or connector | None for the web-app reverse proxy pattern. | Cloudflare Tunnel uses cloudflared for many private-app deployments. |
| Traffic path | Application traffic stays in your network path. | Requests are evaluated at Cloudflare and routed through Cloudflare infrastructure. |
| App-level SSO | Yes for supported legacy web apps, including ERP-specific SSO patterns. | Primarily gates access; the app may still need its own login or separate SSO integration. |
| Non-web protocols | Web apps only. | Cloudflare has broader Zero Trust and clientless access capabilities. |
| Vendor cloud outage impact | Existing protected web-app traffic continues through the self-hosted data plane; management changes depend on the cloud control plane. | Depends on architecture; cloud-brokered access can make vendor service availability part of the traffic path. |
Use cases
Where Datawiza is usually the better fit
Regulated internal web apps where the data path must stay customer-controlled
A practical web-application access project where app-level SSO, MFA, and audit matter more than broad network access.
ERP and SharePoint apps that still need application SSO behind the access gate
A practical web-application access project where app-level SSO, MFA, and audit matter more than broad network access.
Teams using Cloudflare for CDN/WAF but wanting a separate app identity layer
A practical web-application access project where app-level SSO, MFA, and audit matter more than broad network access.
Customer or partner portals that need MFA without a CIAM migration
A practical web-application access project where app-level SSO, MFA, and audit matter more than broad network access.
FAQ
Cloudflare Access Alternative Questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Cloudflare Access?
Yes, for HTTP and HTTPS web applications. Datawiza Access Proxy provides a self-hosted data plane that runs in your environment and enforces SSO, MFA, access policy, and audit before traffic reaches the app.
Does Cloudflare Access route traffic through Cloudflare?
Cloudflare Access evaluates access at Cloudflare's edge, and private web apps are commonly connected using Cloudflare Tunnel. Datawiza's web-app data plane is deployed in your own environment.
Can Cloudflare Access log users into legacy apps?
Cloudflare Access can gate access before users reach an app. Datawiza is built for app-level SSO/MFA patterns for supported legacy web apps such as PeopleSoft, Oracle EBS, JD Edwards, and SharePoint.
Can Cloudflare and Datawiza be used together?
Yes. Many teams can keep Cloudflare for CDN, WAF, or edge security while using Datawiza Access Proxy for application-layer SSO and MFA on specific internal or legacy web apps.