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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Logo

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Reviews

Vendor: Palo Alto Networks
4.3 out of 5
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What is Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB?

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is an advanced URL filtering solution that provides a way to control web access, as well as how users interact with online content. With this solution, your organization can prevent credential phishing theft by assuming strict control over which sites users can enter their corporate credentials into. Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering with PAN-DB provides web protection by using URL database capabilities to help you automatically detect and prevent new malicious and targeted web-based threats instantly.

Get the Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB, Fortinet FortiGate, Darktrace and more!
Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is the #8 ranked solution in top Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software. PeerSpot users give Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Fortinet FortiGate. Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 43% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a performing arts, accounting for 15% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB
March 2026
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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB mindshare

As of March 2026, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category stands at 2.3%, up from 1.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB2.3%
Fortinet FortiGate12.6%
Darktrace11.2%
Other73.9%
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

PeerResearch reports based on Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryIntrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)Mar 28, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMar 28, 2026Download
ComparisonPalo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Fortinet FortiGateMar 28, 2026Download
ComparisonPalo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs DarktraceMar 28, 2026Download
ComparisonPalo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Check Point IPSMar 28, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Fortinet FortiGate4.212.6%92%588 interviewsAdd to research
Darktrace4.111.2%95%84 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB allows effective blacklist and whitelist management, simplifies categorization, and offers features like credential phishing protection. It updates via WildFire, providing real-time security. Its user-friendly interface eases management. It filters content based on applications and ensures seamless integration. PAN-DB's continuous updates and integration with App ID for content filtering outperform competitors. Its advanced capabilities, ease of setup, and stability are highly valued.
  • "The most valuable feature is that the product can do everything in a single device, including the firewall, rules, and the PBL, and it also has good routing and switching."
  • "Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is easy to use, easy to operate, and easy to edit."
  • "What I really like about PAN and what makes it a worthwhile solution is that rather than having an administrator constantly updating a list of prohibited URLs, you can do it by categories."

Room for Improvement

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB requires improved site categorization, enhanced sandboxing features, and better performance monitoring. There is a need for it as a standalone offering, separate from firewalls. High costs and integration challenges with the ELK stack, along with technical support and scalability issues, also require attention. It relies on an Internet connection for updates and could benefit from configurable deep URL filtering. Users find differences compared to competitors like Fortinet and Sophos.
  • "An area for improvement would be the technical support, which can be slow."
  • "We have had some challenges with making Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB work with ELK stack."
  • "One of the less favorite features is the cost of the solution."

Pricing

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is recognized for excellent quality, but users find the pricing and licensing quite expensive. Positioned between ASA and Checkpoint in cost, it is considered valuable yet costly compared to competitors. Subscription-based pricing has increased substantially, leading some to reconsider its affordability, especially in K-12 markets. Despite perceived high costs, enterprise buyers prioritize the comprehensive features it offers, justifying the investment for many.
  • "Expensive, but that's because it provides everything."
  • "It is more expensive than ASA but is far cheaper than Checkpoint. So, pricing wise, it is right in the middle."

Popular Use Cases

Companies employ Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB primarily for internal and external firewall security, preventing access to malicious, inappropriate websites and enforcing enterprise HR policies. Usage spans various sectors, including state government institutions and the automotive industry, focusing on cloud-based URL filtering and category-based filtering with regular updates. They utilize it within isolated subnets, ensuring network visibility and control, often integrating with services like Office 365 and relying heavily on its whitelist capabilities.

Service and Support

Customer service and support receive mixed feedback. Some find technical support reliable and efficient, especially with advanced service contracts, while others mention inconsistency and delays. A suggestion for a dedicated support queue for certification holders is noted. Accessibility can be challenging, though cases are addressed once escalated. Ratings vary widely, from three to nine out of ten. Quality improves with incident severity and escalation.

Deployment

Many users found Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB's initial setup straightforward. It was deployed by teams involving end users, developers, and administrators. Some needed only a few minutes using existing data. Others found it slightly complex, especially when configuring with firewalls. Setup involved best practices, policy customization, and local support. Experience varied from simple single-person setups to those requiring multiple days due to specific project scopes.

Scalability

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB depends on the firewall for scalability, with independent lookups and no significant limitations. PAN hardware scales efficiently from Mbps to Gbps. Users note effective scalability, with potential bandwidth considerations. Management improvements could enhance oversight, particularly in cloud environments. This filtering service supports multiple firewalls, handling high user demands seamlessly, provided PAN-DB is correctly maintained and configured. Scalability has been tested and reportedly managed well without substantial issues.

Stability

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is regarded as highly stable, with users consistently noting its excellent stability. They report no significant technical issues, bugs, crashes, or freezing. Some mention that updates and notifications about potential issues are promptly communicated, with quick recommendations for any necessary upgrades. While minor slowness in the management plane has been noted, it does not impact operations. Stability remains strong even in virtualized environments, earning recognition in Gartner and Forrester reports for stability and leadership.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business5
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise4
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business65
Midsize Enterprise23
Large Enterprise64
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Performing Arts
15%
University
10%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Retailer
6%
Computer Software Company
5%
Government
5%
Energy/Utilities Company
4%
Comms Service Provider
4%
Transportation Company
3%
Media Company
3%
Healthcare Company
3%
Insurance Company
3%
Construction Company
3%
Non Profit
3%
Outsourcing Company
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
3%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Marketing Services Firm
2%
Security Firm
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%

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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Features

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

  • Inline protection: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB provides inline protection from new malicious web pages by using machine learning to detect and block new threats in milliseconds.
  • Anti-evasion: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB analyzes live web content, disrupting attackers and identifying the true nature of malicious sites hiding behind evasive techniques.
  • Phishing protection: By using Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB, you can spot phishing pages instantly and accurately before they destroy your network.
  • URL database: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB has a URL database that maintains hundreds of millions of known malicious and benign URLs categorized through a combination of static, dynamic, machine learning, and human analysis.
  • Criteria matching: With this feature, you can designate multiple policy action types based on URL categories or criteria.

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

  • Eliminates security silos: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB gets rid of security silos so you can attain proper security posture and keep users safe.
  • Cloud native: Because Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is cloud native, it enables you to easily expand and scale capabilities when necessary.
  • Minimizes operational expenditure: By reducing the need for standalone solutions, Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB helps your organization decrease operational expenditures.
  • Safeguards against phishing: Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB enables you to stop credential phishing attempts by offering layers of prevention to protect your organization from known and brand-new phishing sites.
  • Consistent security policies and capabilities: With Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB, you can deploy advanced URL filtering with hardware appliances, on virtual environments, or in the cloud with the same set of policies and security consistently applied.
  • Increased detection: Detect evasive and targeted attacks by detecting real web traffic and not web crawler data.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by PeerSpot users currently using the Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB solution.

Consultant Michael V. says, “What I really like about PAN and what makes it a worthwhile solution is that rather than having an administrator constantly updating a list of prohibited URLs, you can do it by categories. Every one of these URLs gets meta-tagged as hate speech or antisemitic or pornography, or whatever it is, and when you set up the filter everything that's prohibited by HR policy is there. I don't have to maintain anything, it catches everything.”

PeerSpot user Darshil S., Consultant at a tech services company, mentions, “The multiple categorizations of URLs are quite helpful. For example, if a URL is a social media website, such as facebook.com, it can be classified at a certain risk level - from high to low.”

Karthikeyan S., Sr. Cloud Data Architect at Sun Cloud LLC, explains, "Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB is easy to use, easy to operate, and easy to edit."

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB was previously known as Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering PAN-DB.

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB customers

TRI-AD, Telkom Indonesia

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

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Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Deputy Manager IT at Asia Petroleum Limited5.0I use Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB for advanced content filtering, which is significantly more stable and effective than Sophos. It utilizes App ID for precise filtering, though it lacks deep URL filtering configurability.
Engineer at Kahramaa4.0We use Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB for perimeter security, appreciating its easy management and real-time analysis. However, we notice its clustering limitations compared to FortiGate, especially for geographically dispersed data centers, and the higher pricing.
Network Director at a consumer goods company with 501-1,000 employees5.0We use Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB for internet access and internal communications. Its frequently updated white and black lists keep us secure. Our ROI was under three years, with immediate benefits from enhanced security and reliability.
Network Security Engineer at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees3.5I deploy Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB for its efficient category-based filtering and regular updates. Its powerful security doesn't require added tools, though scalability improvements are needed. I haven't used other solutions but heard positive things about FortiGate.
Owner at a tech services company with 1-10 employees4.5Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB provides real-time protection by updating malicious domain labels and integrates smoothly with WildFire for malware detection. It's easy to configure, but requires an Internet connection and relies on experienced support for optimal use.
Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees4.5I find Palo Alto Networks excellent for enforcing HR policy with categorical URL filtering, minimizing manual overhead. It's stable, scalable, and superior. However, the high cost is a major drawback, and I wish customer service was faster for critical issues.
Director Of Services and Engineering at a tech consulting company with 11-50 employees4.5I use Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB to filter URLs, finding its ability to block URLs valuable. However, I believe the support could be improved for a better experience. No other solutions have been considered or used.
Senior Network Engineer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees4.0I value this solution for its all-in-one device capabilities, including firewall, routing, and as an IDS/IPS alternative. My primary concern is that technical support can be slow and difficult to contact.