Alkira Network Infrastructure as-a-Service
Virtual routers
WAN edge infrastructure software
WAN optimization software
Network automation tools
SD-WAN solutions
Zero trust networking software
Zero trust architecture software
Network as a service (NAAS) platforms
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if Alkira Network Infrastructure as-a-Service and its alternatives fit your requirements.
Pay-as-you-go
Free Trial unavailableFree version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
- Manufacturing
- Information technology and software
- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
What is Alkira Network Infrastructure as-a-Service
Alkira Network Infrastructure as-a-Service is a cloud-delivered platform for building and operating multi-cloud and hybrid connectivity using an abstracted network fabric. It targets network and cloud teams that need to connect VPC/VNets, data centers, and remote sites with centralized policy and routing controls. The service uses a managed control plane with on-demand deployment of cloud networking components and integrates with common cloud providers and third-party security services. It is typically used to standardize connectivity, segmentation, and operational workflows across environments without deploying and managing traditional router appliances in each location.
Multi-cloud connectivity abstraction
The platform provides a consistent way to connect multiple cloud environments and on-premises networks through a single fabric model. This reduces the need to design separate routing and connectivity patterns per cloud provider. It is well-suited to organizations standardizing network architecture across multiple regions and accounts/subscriptions. It can also simplify hub-and-spoke and shared-services connectivity patterns.
Centralized policy and segmentation
Alkira centralizes routing, segmentation, and connectivity policy in a single management plane rather than distributing configuration across many virtual routers. This can improve consistency for network segmentation and change control across clouds and sites. It supports common enterprise requirements such as isolating environments (e.g., dev/test/prod) and controlling east-west and north-south connectivity. Central policy can also reduce configuration drift compared with per-instance device management.
Operational automation and visibility
The service emphasizes automated provisioning of network constructs and repeatable deployment patterns, which can reduce manual setup work. Centralized monitoring and operational views can help teams troubleshoot connectivity across clouds and sites without logging into multiple devices. This approach aligns with network automation practices by treating connectivity as a service with standardized workflows. It can be beneficial for teams with limited capacity to operate many discrete WAN edge components.
Vendor-managed control plane dependency
Because Alkira is delivered as a managed service, customers depend on the vendor’s control plane availability and operational processes. This can be a concern for organizations that require full self-hosting or strict control over management-plane data flows. It may also introduce additional vendor coordination for certain support and incident workflows. Some regulated environments may require extra review of shared-responsibility boundaries.
Fit varies for edge routing
The product is optimized for building a cloud-centric network fabric rather than acting as a general-purpose virtual router for all edge scenarios. Organizations needing deep device-level features (specialized routing, custom packet handling, or niche integrations) may find a dedicated virtual router or appliance model more flexible. Branch connectivity and last-mile considerations can still require complementary edge solutions. The best fit is typically where cloud and interconnect are the primary focus.
Cost and architecture tradeoffs
A NaaS fabric model can shift spending from self-managed infrastructure to ongoing service consumption, which may not suit all budgeting approaches. The abstraction layer can also require teams to adapt existing network design and operational practices to the platform’s constructs. Migrating from established WAN/SD-WAN designs may involve phased cutovers and parallel operations. Organizations should validate pricing, throughput, and regional availability against their traffic patterns.
Plan & Pricing
Pricing model: Consumption-based (pay-as-you-go) and commitment-based (fixed).
Pricing details (from Alkira official site):
- Pricing is tailored and determined by the quantity and size of network elements and services, for example: Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs), cloud and on-premises connectors, next-generation firewalls, and data egress. Fixed hourly rates are available for specific connector types and bandwidth. Customers can view live pricing in the Alkira portal or via billing APIs.
- Alkira requires customers to request a custom quote through the Pricing page; public list prices or tiered plans are not published on the site.
Free tier/trial:
- The main Alkira Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS) product does not show a permanently free tier on the official site. Alkira does provide a free Cloud Insights tool and has previously offered a limited free trial/access to that tool, but that is separate from the core NIaaS product.
Example costs: Not published on Alkira’s public pricing page—pricing is provided via custom quote or visible in customer portal/API.
Discount/options: Commitment-based (fixed) pricing for predictable budgeting is offered; pricing can be consumption-based (PAYG) or commitment-based depending on customer choice. For specific discounts or volume pricing customers must contact sales.
Notes & source scope: All information above is taken only from Alkira’s official website (Pricing page and related product/FAQ pages). No public per-unit or per-user prices were published on the vendor site at the time of research.
Seller details
Alkira, Inc.
San Jose, CA, USA
2018
Private
https://www.alkira.com/
https://x.com/alkiranetworks
https://www.linkedin.com/company/alkira/
