Zscaler controls AI use inline from its zero trust proxy. AILeakShield covers AI discovery, control and prompt protection without forwarding traffic through a proxy, and adds staff policy acknowledgment and a NIST AI RMF assessment.
What Zscaler is: Cloud-delivered zero trust proxy platform (Zero Trust Exchange, Internet and SaaS) with AI Protect add-ons, including AI Guard.
Yes means documented. Partial means limited, an add-on, a separate product or preview. Not documented means we could not find it in the vendor's public documentation; it does not mean the vendor has tested and failed it.
| Capability | AILeakShield | Zscaler |
|---|---|---|
| Discover | ||
| AI websites used in the browser | YesBrowser extension for Chrome, Edge and Firefox with a risk-ranked AI catalog. | YesCloud App Control has an AI and ML applications category and a Gen AI Security Report. |
| Desktop AI apps and coding tools | YesFirewall and DNS log import, plus RMM software inventory for MSPs (NinjaOne; ConnectWise, Datto, Kaseya and N-able in beta). | PartialAI Endpoint Security keeps an inventory of desktop AI apps; described as rolling out in October 2026. |
| AI apps connected to Microsoft 365 (OAuth) | YesRead-only Microsoft 365 connection lists AI apps users or admins have consented to. | YesSaaS Supply Chain Security shows third-party app connections to Microsoft 365; not AI-specific. |
| AI agents | YesAI agent tools on desktops and AI agents connected to Microsoft 365, such as meeting bots. | PartialAI Asset Management inventories agents and MCP servers, per announcements. |
| Control | ||
| Block or restrict unapproved AI tools | YesIn the browser, through a firewall blocklist feed (Palo Alto EDL, FortiGate, pfBlockerNG, RPZ) and in Microsoft 365 consent. | YesAllow, Caution, Block, Conditional and Isolate, with per-action control inside AI apps. |
| Revoke AI app access in Microsoft 365 | YesAudited revoke of an AI app's Microsoft 365 grants. | YesSaaS Supply Chain Security can revoke third-party app access; not AI-specific. |
| Protect | ||
| Inspect prompts for sensitive data | YesTyped and pasted prompt text, inspected before it is sent. | YesInline DLP on TLS-decrypted traffic; AI Guard (separate subscription) inspects prompts and responses. |
| Inspect files uploaded to AI | YesFiles attached to AI prompts are inspected before send. | YesPer-app upload control and DLP on uploaded files. |
| Warn and require a typed justification | YesCoached warning; the reason is recorded in the audit log. | Not documentedCaution shows a notification; a typed justification flow was not found in documentation. |
| Mask or redact sensitive values | PartialMasking is available in the AILeakShield secure AI workspace; on third-party AI sites the extension warns or blocks. | Not documentedNo prompt redaction found in documentation. |
| Custom sensitive terms | YesCustomer-defined terms such as project names and client lists. | YesCustom DLP dictionaries and engines; AI Guard adds custom detectors. |
| Comply | ||
| Built-in NIST AI RMF assessment | YesIncluded in every subscription. | Not documentedMessaging references NIST AI RMF alignment; no in-product assessment found. |
| AI policy library with staff acknowledgment | YesIndustry policy library with tracked staff acknowledgment. | Not documentedNo AI policy library with staff acknowledgment found. |
| Deploy and buy | ||
| No proxy, SSE or new browser required | Not requiredBrowser extension in the browsers staff already use, plus log import and a Microsoft 365 connection. | RequiredTraffic is forwarded through Zscaler (Client Connector, tunnels or PAC) with TLS inspection. |
| Multi-tenant console for MSPs | YesPartner console with per-client isolation and policy templates. | YesManagement Portal for Partners with tenant hierarchy and policy templates. |
Zscaler: Zscaler enforcement needs traffic forwarded through Zscaler Internet Access with Client Connector, GRE or IPsec tunnels, or PAC files, and granular AI controls need TLS inspection. AI Guard is a separate subscription, and AI features are sold as add-ons to the platform bundles. Prices are not published.
AILeakShield: A browser extension for Chrome, Edge and Firefox, installed silently through Google Admin, Microsoft Intune, Group Policy or Jamf, plus firewall and DNS log import and an optional read-only Microsoft 365 connection. No proxy, no TLS inspection and no new browser. Everything is in one subscription, sold through IT providers and distribution including TD SYNNEX, with no seat minimum. Most organizations start in monitor mode.
If Zscaler is already your secure web gateway, AILeakShield can add staff policy acknowledgment, a NIST AI RMF assessment and coached overrides on top of it.
More comparisons: All comparisons · AILeakShield vs Microsoft Purview · AILeakShield vs Netskope · AILeakShield vs Palo Alto Networks · AILeakShield vs Cisco · AILeakShield vs Check Point · AILeakShield vs Island · AILeakShield vs Akamai (LayerX) · AILeakShield vs Harmonic · AILeakShield vs Prompt Security · AILeakShield vs Nightfall · AILeakShield vs Cyberhaven
For AI governance and AI data protection, yes. Zscaler is a full zero trust proxy platform for all web and app traffic. AILeakShield covers only AI and does not need traffic forwarding or TLS inspection.
Yes. AILeakShield works in the browser and through a Microsoft 365 connection, so it does not conflict with a Zscaler proxy.
Yes. AILeakShield publishes a per-tenant blocklist of restricted AI domains that firewalls and DNS filters such as Palo Alto EDL, FortiGate and pfBlockerNG can consume.
From Zscaler's public documentation and product pages, last checked October 21, 2026, with sources linked on this page. Where we could not find a capability documented, we say so rather than claiming it is missing. Vendors can contact us with corrections.
AILeakShield discovers all the AI in your environment, blocks the AI tools you have not approved, and keeps sensitive data out of the prompts sent to the ones you have.
