Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs Zscaler Cloud IPS comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Palo Alto Networks Advanced...
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
7th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
27
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Zscaler Cloud IPS
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
16th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
5
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention is 7.6%, down from 8.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zscaler Cloud IPS is 1.6%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
 

Featured Reviews

NenadMijatovic - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers threat detection and prevention empowered by advanced machine learning capabilities
The most valuable feature is its use of machine learning to detect potentially unknown threats. Using various techniques, the system can conclude if there is a malware threat in network traffic. It offers inline security, stopping malware quickly without relying on cloud support. Advanced Threat Prevention integrates other tools from Palo Alto like virus definitions and application behavior checking.
Boubker KASTOUNI - PeerSpot reviewer
Stable platform with good technical support services
We use Zscaler Cloud IPS for internet access, extended log store, cloud application control, and advanced threat protection We encounter issues sharing IP addresses with other companies using the software. We have been using Zscaler Cloud IPS for ten years. Stability-wise, I rate the software a…

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"We are currently using the URL filtering feature, which is the most popular."
"The most valuable features are that it's user-friendly, has interesting features, URL filtering, and threat prevention."
"Most of the features of Palo Alto Threat Prevention are alright. I recommend features like content filtering, IP address, & intelligent firewalls. The reporting feature is very good."
"The user interface is a bit more professional than some free products."
"Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention is the market leader as far as security gateways and endpoint protection. Additionally, the threat database that is used is one of the best."
"The most valuable feature of Palo Alto Threat Prevention for our company is the next generation firewall."
"The most valuable feature is its use of machine learning to detect potentially unknown threats."
"It is a stable product."
"The initial setup process is easy."
"The initial setup is straightforward and easy in comparison with other solutions."
"Cloud IPS integration is seamless, and it uses a Zero Trust model. It also simplifies overall user access management."
"The best feature is that Zscaler allows for a separation between cloud applications and URL filtering. For example, under the cloud application segment, I can bypass Microsoft Office 365 without the need to add URLs manually. It's one click, so that's handy."
"The product's most valuable feature is complete SSL inspection."
 

Cons

"We are attempting to improve the use of URL filtering beyond threat protection."
"The behavioral detection capabilities could be expanded to address all threats at the perimeter, reducing the reliance on endpoint detection and response systems."
"The solution could benefit from improved AI analytics to predict potential attacks before they occur, similar to NDR systems."
"Generally, to deploy it will take some downtime, about a day."
"Palo Alto's maintenance needs to be improved."
"Sometimes when you want to group a set of ports, and communicate with Palo Alto, you cannot group TCP and UDP ports together. This needs to be adjusted."
"In Africa, the technical support is probably not as good as in Europe and the USA because it's a specific premium support, partner-enabled premium support and all of that. But it's really good, I don't really have any complaints, it's fairly good. I'll give them 80%."
"The technology firewall anomaly network could stand improvement."
"We encounter issues sharing IP addresses with other companies using the software."
"There is always room for improvement."
"When it comes to scalability, the IPsec could be improved."
"We recently had a significant issue with Zscaler. I think they have too many customers and some of their connection edge nodes went down because there were too many requests. I think they aren't scaling enough to keep up with the demand in some areas. That's one thing they should improve."
"They have given limited free access for a year. Instead, they should increase the file size and give limited free access for around two months. It will allow engineers to evaluate the product."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is higher than others on the market. A price reduction would be beneficial if it does not impact their database quality."
"The cost involves the price of the hardware, which is expensive. However, most of the Palo Alto solutions are expensive."
"It is an expensive solution and I would like to see a drop in price."
"The pricing has improved with the newer generation of their Firewalls, but the price could always be lower."
"The pricing and the licensing are pretty competitive at this stage. As a reseller, I would like to see the price come down a little bit so I can compete better against other firewalls because we do that all the time."
"The pricing could be lower."
"The product’s pricing is expensive for small companies."
"Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention is quite competitive, offering extensive threat detection and prevention capabilities, though it is priced higher than some alternatives."
"The product is not affordable for small and medium enterprises."
"Zscaler has so far been solely responsible for all the sales we have done with it, so it would be more suited than us to address any issues concerning the pricing."
"The software has become more expensive at present."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) solutions are best for your needs.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
13%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Computer Software Company
10%
Healthcare Company
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

Which is the best DDoS protection solution for a big ISP for monitoring and mitigating?
Arbor would be the best bid, apart from Arbor, Palo Alto and Fortinet have good solutions. As this is an ISP, I would prefer Arbor.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention?
Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention requires an add-on license and is considered expensive compared to competitors like Cisco AMP and FortiGate ( /products/fortinet-fortigate-reviews ) fi...
What do you like most about Zscaler Cloud IPS?
The product's most valuable feature is complete SSL inspection.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zscaler Cloud IPS?
The product is not affordable for small and medium enterprises.
What needs improvement with Zscaler Cloud IPS?
They have given limited free access for a year. Instead, they should increase the file size and give limited free access for around two months. It will allow engineers to evaluate the product.
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

University of Arkansas, JBG SMITH, SkiStar AB, TRI-AD, Temple University, Telkom Indonesia
Zenith Live, Azure, Carlsberg Group
Find out what your peers are saying about Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs. Zscaler Cloud IPS and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.