Prisma SD-WAN vs Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform comparison

Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler are both solutions in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) category. Palo Alto Networks is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.4, while Zscaler is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.5. Palo Alto Networks holds a 2.9% mindshare in SASE, compared to Zscaler’s 10.3% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Palo Alto Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 98% of Zscaler users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 2, 2025

Prisma SD-WAN and Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform are key contenders in network management and security solutions. Prisma SD-WAN may have an edge with its advanced traffic management features and cloud integration, but Zscaler stands out for its strong security features and ease of use.

Features: Prisma SD-WAN offers advanced traffic management, zero-touch provisioning, and cloud integration. It enhances network environments with its ability to prioritize packets using Layer 7 intelligence, providing deep application visibility. Zscaler is known for robust data protection and the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing VPNs, featuring API integration, SSL inspection, and a single sign-on solution for convenient connectivity.

Room for Improvement: Prisma SD-WAN needs better alert communication and more comprehensive documentation. Users also desire enhanced failover responsiveness and increased training resources. Zscaler’s user interface could benefit from greater intuitiveness, improved latency, and more flexible detection mechanisms. Users also request static IP address assignment for compatibility with legacy systems.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both solutions offer cloud deployment options. However, users report that Prisma SD-WAN is somewhat complex during setup, requiring supportive resources. Its technical support is efficient but could be faster. Zscaler's pricing model is well-defined with competitive tiered licensing. Its clear ROI, despite being costlier than Prisma, is noted for offering value through ease of integration.

Pricing and ROI: Prisma SD-WAN is a premium solution with considerable upfront costs but delivers ROI by reducing network outages and fostering efficient management. While identified as costly, its advanced features are viewed as justifying the expense. Zscaler is cost-efficient with user-based pricing, recognized for suitability for larger organizations. Both provide ROI, addressing diverse budget needs and network scales.

To learn more, read our detailed Prisma SD-WAN vs. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Prisma SD-WAN vs. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

December 2025

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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

iboss

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) category, the mindshare of iboss is 2.3%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Prisma SD-WAN is 2.9%, up from 2.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform is 10.3%, down from 12.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform	10.3%
iboss	2.3%
Prisma SD-WAN	2.9%
Other	84.5%

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Featured Reviews

reviewer2701851

Managing Director

Enhances web security with a single pane of glass and flexible deployment

I don't see any need for improvement; one of the really good things about iboss as a company is that they listen to customer feedback. I have suggested enhancements, and they are responsive, making changes for the better, and they do a lot of testing. To improve iboss, although we haven't used it, we considered the VPN solution that comes with the highest tier licensing, which includes DLP and various other add-ons. We prefer using another product which automatically logs you back onto your network when turning on your PC. With iboss, the connection is manual, which doesn't meet our needs. Additionally, sizing can be tricky because, although the initial recommendations may seem adequate, actual usage may require more gateways than anticipated.

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Engineerinfosec67

Presale Engineer at Westcon-Comstor

Centralized management streamlines global network traffic control

Prisma SD-WAN requires a more seamless integration with other Palo Alto solutions, like Prisma Access. Although there has been improvement, further steps can be taken. Additionally, it would be beneficial if the solution integrated the SD-WAN features of Prisma SD-WAN with the security features of Palo Alto's next-generation firewalls, as they currently do not align.

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Sumit Bhanwala

architect at Tata Consultancy

Cloud-based platform simplifies device and data center management

I find it to be good. The solution is cloud-based with the latest inspection engines, which I find to be amazing. We are less dependent on data centers and device management, which reduces our efforts significantly. It improves our device management, data center management, and updating devices. We need fewer engineers for this management, and it reduces time and efforts for data center management, device upgrades, and IT support.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Its initial setup was straightforward."

"We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times."

"iboss has significantly lowered the number of security incidents. It is crazy how much it blocks and how much it is aware of the outside danger."

"Technical support is pretty sharp and very responsive."

"iboss is among the few products providing inline filtering where no application is needed on the device."

"Content filtering is the most useful feature of iboss."

"The security aspect of the solution, particularly the malware behind it, is excellent. That's something that really helped us out. It's not just a simple proxy that just blocks the insights of potential threats that come on behind it. They do malware detection and that helps us a lot."

"From a use-case scenario, what I like the most is the plug-in. I like the fact that we can do the filtering of these devices offsite independent of the network they are connected to, and we do not have to have traffic coming back inside our network."

More iboss pros

"Prisma SD-WAN offers capabilities such as path selection based on Layer 7 attributes and application quality of service at the application level."

"When it comes to supporting large, complex, network architectures, it's a very simple architecture. The main component is the fabric. It's very easy to troubleshoot if there is an issue happening in the underlying network."

"Prisma supports all of the applications we're currently using."

"The security offered by the solution is pretty good."

"Prisma SD-WAN is intuitive. We have a better idea of the different tools we can use and jump between the menus quickly."

"Some of the best features with the Prisma SD-WAN are intelligent routing, dynamic path selection, best path selection, and forward error correction."

"Prisma SD-WAN is recommended due to its comprehensive capabilities."

"The biggest benefit for us is that we've seen a reduction in incidents."

More Prisma SD-WAN pros

"The solution offers a simplified network infrastructure and security functions and it enables secure remote access for the users"

"The initial setup is easy."

"It's one of the easier products on the market as far as set-ups and deployments. Even across their whole product suite, they've made it pretty simple."

"The most valuable feature is the manageability of the micro tunnels."

"The most valuable aspect of Zscaler Cloud DLP is its automatic DLP feature."

"The in-line DLP feature is one of the most vital features"

"The tool's scalability is good."

"The product's most valuable features are cloud-based services and secure internet access. We don't have to set up any physical appliances."

More Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform pros

Cons

"Our biggest problem with their service was it did not recognize the device and filtering did not always work correctly."

"I'd like to see them accelerate development on the security side, particularly around data loss prevention."

"Sometimes, obviously, there are bugs."

"The reporting feature needs improvement."

"One thing I would like to see differently with their Zero Trust platform is that some of the AI aspects related to high-risk activities have more false positives."

"Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern."

"Fold that in with the risk intelligence they're getting from all of the different subscriptions they are a part of. Now, these security companies subscribe to things like emerging threats, databases, etc. You can fold all this intelligence to decide what's happening on an endpoint. I would love to see them start moving into that space. That would compete directly with Microsoft. Maybe that's why they haven't. Having that ability native within the solution would be great. The other area in which I would love to see improvement is more detailed descriptions of why they block websites."

"For zero trust implementation, we encountered complexity issues, especially with a large infrastructure company ExxonMobil."

More iboss cons

"Prisma SD-WAN's technical support should be improved."

"Prisma SD-WAN should provide more flexibility and scalability on the hardware."

"The pricing for Prisma SD-WAN needs improvement."

"They could add more advanced security features to the product."

"I'd like to see them move more towards CASB."

"Sometimes, during the product's initial setup phase, bypass pair or couple ports don't come up normally, and it requires an hour and a half to troubleshoot to reset the box from Prisma SD-WAN to factory default."

"The product could be a bit cheaper for the services it provides."

"The solution should include custom ports and group voice connections."

More Prisma SD-WAN cons

"It's an expensive solution."

"To enhance their offering, it is advisable for them to focus on strengthening the foundation of their architecture. Additionally, they should consider integrating a broader range of services that go beyond what managed service providers typically offer independently."

"Sometimes, support takes time since the solution has some bugs that need fixing."

"I rate it a seven because I am still working through some kinks from a performance and a support perspective."

"In the next release, I would like to see RE2 Regex supported."

"The solution needs to improve a lot of aspects."

"On the improvement side, when we bypass certain internet traffic types, it's currently recommended to have a one-click option, but audio and video aren't always supported. Thus, we need to bypass that kind of traffic. So, it is an area of improvement."

"It has a limitation, if you are creating a rule or something for a web application or something, you could only add five users, not more than that. Five or four users are only included in a rule. If you want to create a rule for more than five or four users, you have to go through other methods, not particularly with the application. Working within the application with this method would be quite easy as compared to listing a URL or a normal IP address."

More Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive compared to one of its competitors."

"We had the cost of purchasing a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs. However, the following year, the cost of just licensing was similar to what was paid the previous year for a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs."

"It is probably in line with other solutions, but I do not deal with the financial side."

"The overall pricing for iboss is very competitive and transparent."

"It is not expensive, and it is also not cheap. iboss is priced right in the sweet spot for the number of features it offers."

"We have not priced the solution recently, but they were competitive with other vendors in the past."

"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing an eight out of ten."

"It is more expensive than Fortinet."

"This solution stood out because it cost considerably less than the other SD-WAN solutions out there from Cisco."

"If you're already invested in a Palo Alto product, it would be logical to use this solution. If not, there might be some other solutions that are more viable in terms of pricing."

"Prisma SD-WAN is a pretty expensive solution."

"There is definitely an ROI."

"The licensing model for Zscaler Cloud DLP allows you to only buy what you need. You don't need to buy it as a whole, so it's good."

"The solution is expensive."

"In terms of market positioning, I would describe Zscaler Private Access as offering optimal pricing. Based on our experience, Cato Networks tends to be slightly more expensive."

"The solution has increased prices this year."

"Zscaler Private Access is extremely expensive."

"The cost is expensive. It depends on the number of users."

"Zscaler CASB is an expensive solution."

More Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Legal Firm

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Insurance Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	13

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	41

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with iboss?

For zero trust implementation, we encountered complexity issues, especially with a large infrastructure company Exxon...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for iboss?

Previously when I used iboss, we did the POC for iboss for ExxonMobil. Four or five people wanted to move from our ol...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for iboss?

Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern. There are cheaper alte...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Prisma SD-WAN?

Regarding whether Prisma SD-WAN is an expensive solution, I would say the price is competitively high. Everything dep...

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What needs improvement with Prisma SD-WAN?

I am still working on what should be improved in Prisma SD-WAN to make this product better, and I cannot give any upd...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Prisma SD-WAN?

Our customers' main use cases for Prisma SD-WAN are to connect multiple branches since they have numerous locations t...

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What is the better solution - Prisma Access or Zscaler Private Access?

We looked into Prisma Access before choosing Zscaler Private Access (ZPA). Palo Alto’s Prisma Access is a secure ac...

See all answers

What do you like most about Zscaler SASE?

The most valuable features of Zscaler Private Access are reliability, scalability, and availability.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Zscaler SASE?

The solution needs to improve a lot of aspects.

See all answers

Comparisons

Netskope vs iboss

Compared 13% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs iboss

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs iboss

Compared 9% of the time

Zscaler Internet Access vs iboss

Compared 9% of the time

Appgate SDP vs iboss

Compared 3% of the time

More iboss Competitors

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Prisma SD-WAN

Compared 16% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Prisma SD-WAN

Compared 12% of the time

VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN vs Prisma SD-WAN

Compared 11% of the time

Fortinet FortiGate vs Prisma SD-WAN

Compared 9% of the time

FortiSASE vs Prisma SD-WAN

Compared 3% of the time

More Prisma SD-WAN Competitors

Cato SASE Cloud Platform vs Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

Compared 10% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

Compared 5% of the time

FortiSASE vs Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

Compared 5% of the time

Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention vs Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

Compared 5% of the time

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) vs Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

Compared 4% of the time

More Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

iboss

January 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Prisma SD-WAN

January 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

January 2026

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform report

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Also Known As

iBoss Cloud Platform

CloudGenix

Zscaler SASE, Zscaler DLP, Zscaler CASB, Zscaler CSPM, Zscaler Browser Isolation, Zscaler Posture Control

Overview

Iboss offers a comprehensive cloud-based security platform valued for its scalability and autonomous features, ensuring robust security with easy deployment and management capabilities.

Renowned for its robust security architecture, Iboss integrates seamlessly within diverse networks, delivering efficient granular filtering and advanced content categorization. Its single pane of glass console provides ease of management, allowing rapid scalability suitable for rapidly deploying environments. Operates in BYOD setups due to inline filtering without device installation. Integration with cloud-based applications enhances user control, and features like SASE, SSL inspection, and ChatGPT risk protection stand as highlights. Despite its strengths, users have pointed out areas for enhancement like direct navigation in reports, SSL decryption, and better cloud integration while having room to improve data loss prevention.

What are the most important features of Iboss?

Scalability: Supports rapid deployment across diverse networks.
SASE: A consolidated approach to secure access.
SSL Inspection: Ensures safe data transmission.
Granular Filtering: Detailed control over accessible content.
Single Pane Management: Unifies control through a centralized console.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Cost-effectiveness: Offers competitive pricing with robust features.
Autonomous Operation: Reduces management overhead.
Responsive Support: Provides assistance when needed.
Flexible Deployment: Available for both cloud and on-premises environments.

The usage of Iboss spans educational institutions, specifically K-12, to enforce internet policies, protect data, and support remote work environments. It provides web filtering and security frameworks to ensure safe browsing. Its platform-as-a-service model offers flexibility for both cloud-based and on-premises requirements, integrating seamlessly to deliver enhanced security features suitable for various deployment needs including zero trust, CASB, and network security for work-from-home setups.

iboss

Simplify management, enable app-defined SD-WAN policies and deliver a secure, cloud-delivered branch today with the Industry’s first next-generation SD-WAN.

Palo Alto Networks

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange enhances security with seamless cloud-based connectivity and VPN-less operation, offering integration with multiple identity providers and advanced security features, suitable for remote work environments.

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange provides secure, adaptive connectivity without traditional VPNs, allowing organizations to replace legacy systems and bolster remote work security. The platform offers cloud-based protection, single sign-on, dynamic URL categorization, and scalable solutions. While advanced security features like DLP and threat protection enhance data protection, users may face issues with speed, connectivity, and some customization options. Integration challenges, latency due to multi-tenant hosting, reporting delays, and licensing costs require consideration. It supports secure internet access and private application security, ensuring traffic control and data compliance.

What are the key features of Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange?

VPN-less Connectivity: Enables secure remote access without traditional VPNs.
Cloud-based Security: Offers scalable protection utilizing cloud infrastructure.
Single Sign-On: Integrates with multiple identity providers for streamlined access.
Dynamic URL Categorization: Provides real-time URL filtering to enhance security.
Advanced Threat Protection: Detects and mitigates sophisticated threats effectively.
Customizable Policies: Allows tailored security protocols to fit unique requirements.
Comprehensive DLP: Protects sensitive data through robust data loss prevention.
Integration Capabilities: Connects seamlessly with cloud services and applications.

What are the benefits of using Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange?

Enhanced Security: Delivers consistent protection regardless of user location.
Improved Compliance: Ensures adherence to data protection regulations.
Streamlined Access: Simplifies connectivity to private and cloud applications.
Scalability: Supports expanding organizational demands with cloud scalability.
Real-time Visibility: Provides instant insights into security incidents and network traffic.

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange is deployed across industries to secure remote access and enforce zero trust principles. Organizations in finance, healthcare, and technology sectors utilize it for secure internet access and visibility into cloud applications, enhancing performance and compliance in dynamic environments.

Zscaler

Sample Customers

More than 4,000 global enterprises trust the iboss Cloud Platform to support their modern workforces, including a large number of Fortune 50 companies.

Open Networking User Group, Columbia Sportswear Company, Coca Cola

Siemens, AutoNation, GE, NOV

Buyer's Guide

Prisma SD-WAN vs. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform

December 2025

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