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IT Infrastructure Architect at Clermont Auvergne Metropole
Real User
Easy to deploy with reasonable pricing but needs more functionality
Pros and Cons
  • "It's easy to deploy and connect."
  • "The solution could have a bit more functionality."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution as a VPN and for web filtering. It helps to connect sites to our data center. 

What is most valuable?

It's a competent solution. 

It's easy to deploy and connect.

The initial setup is not complex. 

We can scale the solution.

It is stable. 

It's reasonably, competitively priced. 

What needs improvement?

The solution could have a bit more functionality.

We'd like to have a log viewer. We'd like to have visibility to see what traffic has crossed the firewall. 

They need more local support and different language options available for when they need help.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for four or five years. 

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable, and the performance is pretty good. It's a good platform. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have between 2,000 and 2,500 users on the solution right now. 

The solution can scale. 

At this point, we have no plans to increase usage, although we may expand in about two years. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support has been okay. However, they need more local support. They need to, for example, speak French.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We also use Palo Alto. We've used it for about six months. It has more functionality than Sophos. 

How was the initial setup?

The solution is very straightforward and simple. It's not overly complex. 

Originally, when we deployed, we migrated from another platform to Sophos. To do the migration took us two weeks. 

I'd rate the ease of setup a three out of five. 

We do have some maintenance tasks we need to perform after setup. For example, we need to do backups and some configurations. We have an internal team that can handle these tasks in terms of network infrastructure. 

What about the implementation team?

The first time we deployed the solution, we did it via a third party, a partner.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing is good and very competitive. 

The costs depend on what model of Sophos we take. A central firewall on the cloud with a cluster might be 70,000 to 80,000 euros for a three-year license. The price of the license and hardware are all under that pricing. You can integrate other features on top.

I'd rate the solution a four out of five in terms of affordability.

What other advice do I have?

We are using the latest version of the solution. We're customers. 

I'd recommend the solution. It has pretty good functionality and good pricing. It's a good product.

I'd rate the solution a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Security Engineer at Mavisco Resources Sdn Bhd
Reseller
Top 5Leaderboard
Efficient application filtering and generally good support with room for VPN setup enhancement
Pros and Cons
  • "It's able to detect cloud applications like Zoom or Microsoft Teams and allows traffic shaping based on the application."
  • "The application filtering, especially cloud filtering, is valuable."
  • "VPN setup could be improved."
  • "Sophos XGS is quite expensive, potentially a nine out of ten in terms of cost, making it much pricier than other firewalls."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is focused on renewing outdated firewalls and providing VPN capabilities without additional licensing costs.

How has it helped my organization?

The firewall helped by providing VPN licensing for free, unlike other vendors that charge for VPN.

What is most valuable?

The application filtering, especially cloud filtering, is valuable. It's able to detect cloud applications like Zoom or Microsoft Teams and allows traffic shaping based on the application.

What needs improvement?

VPN setup could be improved. Fixing some bugs would also be beneficial.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Sophos XGS firewall for approximately two years and one month.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable as long as there's no power outage or similar interruption.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The firewall is quite scalable. I would rate its scalability seven out of ten since modules can be added.

How are customer service and support?

Customer support is generally good. There may be delays with standard support due to inexperienced first-level support. Overall, I would rate it seven out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup for the XGS firewall can be rated as seven out of ten due to VPN setup challenges.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Sophos XGS is quite expensive, potentially a nine out of ten in terms of cost, making it much pricier than other firewalls.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend it for its user-friendly interface. Even novice users can catch up quickly without confusion.

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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Buyer's Guide
Sophos XGS
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about Sophos XGS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
851,823 professionals have used our research since 2012.
SelormAhiataku - PeerSpot reviewer
System&Network Administrator at All Limited Solutions
Real User
Top 5
Good AI, threat intelligence, and security
Pros and Cons
  • "Sophos offers strong features such as IPS and application control that are particularly valuable."
  • "Some features need remuneration and there are performance improvements required."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case is for cybersecurity strategies. Sophos XGS is used for its strong features like IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) and application control.

How has it helped my organization?

Threat intelligence of Sophos benefits by providing site intelligence and integration of AI helps with security.

What is most valuable?

Sophos offers strong features such as IPS and application control that are particularly valuable.

What needs improvement?

Some features need remuneration and there are performance improvements required.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used the solution for more than a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the stability as an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I consider the scalability to be sufficient.

How are customer service and support?

Support could be improved as they sometimes respond slowly and are not very knowledgeable. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the customer service at an eight.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

The previous product used was FortiGate.

How was the initial setup?

The deployment had some complexities.

What about the implementation team?

I managed the deployment alone with some help.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the pricing of Sophos XGS at an eight out of ten. Cost and pricing of the product were aspects I considered.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Only Fortinet was evaluated.

What other advice do I have?

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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IT Support Engineer at Tibbetts Group
Real User
Top 5
Seamless integration and advanced threat intelligence for small teams
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Sophos XGS are its integration into Software Central and its threat intelligence capability."
  • "A feature that could be improved in Sophos XGS is the ability to perform internal vulnerability checks."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Sophos XGS in our organization primarily because it integrates well with Software Central and is good for smaller teams. It requires fewer people to monitor it.

How has it helped my organization?

Sophos XGS helps us with diagnosing issues, giving us a breakdown of what the data is actually saying. It has centralized our operations by integrating everything into Software Central.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Sophos XGS are its integration into Software Central and its threat intelligence capability. Everything integrates into Software Central, making operations very seamless. 

The threat intelligence capability works well; we recently had a penetration test that showed it is performing well. Also, the AI capabilities help us diagnose potential issues and provide a breakdown of what the data is communicating.

What needs improvement?

A feature that could be improved in Sophos XGS is the ability to perform internal vulnerability checks. This would provide more comprehensive security by checking both external and internal vulnerabilities on the same appliance.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been working with Sophos XGS for just over a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sophos XGS is very stable. We only had a couple of minor issues, which were resolved very quickly.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Sophos XGS's scalability is excellent; I would rate it a ten. Adding other sites took very little time and did not cause significant issues.

How are customer service and support?

We are very satisfied with the customer service and support. I would rate the support from Sophos XGS a ten out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used to use a WatchGuard firewall before switching to Sophos. We switched because Sophos offers a centralized platform that integrates everything we need.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was handled by a third party, and the handover was very straightforward. Overall, it was straightforward when we got into it.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation was carried out by a third party. The process was smooth and straightforward.

What was our ROI?

Sophos XGS has done its job effectively so far. We are very satisfied with its performance and ability to meet our security needs.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We paid around 17,000 pounds for a three-year package. The cost is reasonable and comparable to our previous solution.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before Sophos, we were using WatchGuard, but we switched to Sophos for better integration and centralized management.

What other advice do I have?

I highly recommend Sophos XGS to those considering using it, especially small teams. It's easy to use and integrates all Sophos products, such as endpoints, into one central portal.

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Manager IT Solutions Delivery at AL HIBA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Reseller
Top 5
Supports integration and has good support
Pros and Cons
  • "I think Sophos technical support's immediate response is good compared to Fortinet's. If the technical engineer is good, they get the solution immediately. If not, it might take two days. For improvement, immediate response is required, whether by email, phone call, or WhatsApp. Sometimes, we can't wait three or four days for a solution. In urgent situations, we might use a spare Sophos device while waiting for support."
  • "Sophos XGS changes every two years, so we must update our knowledge. We can only test it with real requirements or problems to find scalability and reliability. We can't find these in normal testing. We can see reviews based on Gartner reports, but sometimes, we really feel problems. It can create many issues, even compatibility problems with fiber modules. Only system integrators or installers find these problems."

What needs improvement?

Sophos XGS changes every two years, so we must update our knowledge. We can only test it with real requirements or problems to find scalability and reliability. We can't find these in normal testing. We can see reviews based on Gartner reports, but sometimes, we really feel problems. It can create many issues, even compatibility problems with fiber modules. Only system integrators or installers find these problems.

How are customer service and support?

I think Sophos technical support's immediate response is good compared to Fortinet's. If the technical engineer is good, they get the solution immediately. If not, it might take two days. For improvement, immediate response is required, whether by email, phone call, or WhatsApp. Sometimes, we can't wait three or four days for a solution. In urgent situations, we might use a spare Sophos device while waiting for support.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend what my customer needs and what fulfills their requirements. I suggest products based on price, quality, scalability, and reliability. Customers now ask for specific features at a certain price, not product names. I'm a system integrator and face technical support problems before implementation. I need pre-sales tech reports. If the distributor and support are good, I'll support that product even if the price is high. Urgent deliveries can be a problem if distributors don't cooperate.

I don't blame any product; all are good nowadays. Cisco products have high prices and compatibility issues. Fortinet has easy power replacement, while the tool needs specific adapters. I rate Sophos XGS seven to eight out of ten. Some models are very good, others not so much. It depends on the project, market, price, and features needed.

Nowadays, we have to integrate everything. Most products support this at some level.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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Senior Technical Engineer at Infinigate Norway
Reseller
Highly stable, scalable, and priced well
Pros and Cons
  • "Sophos XGS that's a good firewall. If you use the endpoint, then you have what Sophos calls synchronized security. That will mean that if one of the endpoints is affected, it will be automatically set in isolation."
  • "In the new release 19, there should be the implementation of a cloud service that you can use to set up the IPSec tunnels, and the SD-WAN from the WAN dashboard, and then you can push that configuration out to every firewall that you have."

What is our primary use case?

Sophos XGS is used as a firewall to protect my home network.

What is most valuable?

Sophos XGS that's a good firewall. If you use the endpoint, then you have what Sophos calls synchronized security. That will mean that if one of the endpoints is affected, it will be automatically set in isolation.

What needs improvement?

In the new release 19, there should be the implementation of a cloud service that you can use to set up the IPSec tunnels, and the SD-WAN from the WAN dashboard, and then you can push that configuration out to every firewall that you have.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Sophos XGS within the last 12 months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sophos XGS is highly stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The hardware is more scalable than the MSPs, you can have a firewall as big as your want. The solution is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support in Norway is very good. I have had an excellent experience with them. However, I am the technical support for the Sophos XGS in my country of Norway. 

We have very good contact with the Sophos SEs in Scandinavia. I think we're good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

When comparing Sophos XGS to other similar solutions they are 80 to 90 percent similar. But Sophos firewall has a web application firewall that you can license and use in the firewall. Not every firewall has that functionality. Typically you have to buy another client if you want the web application firewall but within Sophos XGS, you can have it within the firewall.

I have used other solutions, such as CheckPoint, SonicWall, and WatchGuard.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup could be difficult depending on what you are looking to do with it. However, if you only use it as a firewall, it's straightforward. You can make complex SD WANs and other configurations. You can do whatever you want with it. At home, I can just configure it straight as it is by clicking next until it is finished. If you have a complex environment then the setup of Sophos XGS could be difficult.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of the solution is reasonable and their target market is small to medium-sized companies.

What other advice do I have?

We do not have any complaints from our customers and have the functionality that our partners and customers need.

I rate Sophos XGS a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
PeerSpot user
Md Masud Parvez - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Assistant Director Information Technology at a non-tech company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 10
Well priced with good features but needs technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is stable and reliable."
  • "In Sophos, the user portal is not user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

Basically, we are using these products for our waste filtering, then application filtering and bandwidth management purpose.

How has it helped my organization?

The major benefit is that I can shape my bandwidth, basically. In Bangladesh, we do not have a lot of bandwidth management or bandwidth capacity. We have a limited capacity and we share the many people in this capacity. I can shape my bandwidth using this Sophos file, so everyone gets a minimum level of bandwidth. If the user is higher-end, then getting the lower end and the user has the minimum level or less than 1000 or 500, and they're getting better than that.

What is most valuable?

Sophos has a feature for user credentials, which means if users are not logging into the capital portal of Sophos, they're not using any internet. We can advertise some products and features using these portals for our university. Basically, I am working at a university, so the university's different features and the different departments are using this portal. If students see this advertisement and then after they log in to the credential in the capital portal and use the internet.

What needs improvement?

Sophos is good for a mid-level company, not a large-level one. If the user level is very large, Sophos is not capable of handling such a high level of users. It, therefore, needs to improve the devices so that they work in larger organizations and with a large number of users.

When we use the hardware level of the device, the RAM or other storage capacity is fixed. We could not change the memory or other capacity of this device. If we need some improvement in capacity, we get different types of problems. If RAM usage is too high or capacity moves higher, the Sophos device does not work properly.

Sophos has a number of additional features, however, the user graphical interface, the graphical interface when we are using CyberRoam, the user portal, or user interfaces, are so much smarter than Sophos. In Sophos, the user portal is not user-friendly. This needs to change, the UI.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've worked with the solution for the last four years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable and reliable. There are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn't crash or freeze. I'd rate the performance at 75%. Some improvements could be made. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have 4,000 or 5,000 people that are connected in Sophos.

It is not easily scalable as it has fixed capabilities and that means C2 RAM is fixed. That makes it not easily scalable.

We use the product on a daily basis. 

How are customer service and support?

Sophos' technical support is not good. I have not been getting better support from their technical people. The response time needs to be better.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I am also using the Cisco Firepower model 4110.

The main difference is basically Sophos is not like a Firepower. Sophos we can call by the UTM device management. For security purposes, we are using a Cisco firewall for different types of attacks. For bandwidth management with filtering and other activities, just normal activities, we are using Sophos.

How was the initial setup?

The initial deployment is not complex, however, it's mid-level. You do need some experience. It depends on the device model. If we purchase the higher model, then the price or other investment is also more.

The deployment takes a maximum of one month. We do maintenance on the devices maybe once a year. 

What about the implementation team?

For the deployment process, the partner helped us deploy the devices and three people were working on the deployment.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The initial price is high and we purchased a three-year licensing model. Every three years, after every three years, we need to renew Sophos. Everything is included under the license. 

The pricing is quite low, and we are quite happy with it.

What other advice do I have?

We're a customer and end-user.

We are using the hardware version of the product. It's the latest version. 

I'd rate the solution a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Entereprise Architect at Martplus
Real User
Stable and affordable
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Sophos XGS for me are XGS IPS, SD-WAN, VPN setup, email protection, and integration with endpoint security."
  • "Areas for improvement in Sophos XGS include better balance when handling high availability configurations, smoother firmware upgrades without the need for turning off devices, and simplified configuration after firmware updates."

What is our primary use case?

We typically use Sophos XGS for things like (UTM, acting as a proxy, managing routing, and for point-to-point connections.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Sophos XGS for me are XGS IPS, SD-WAN, VPN setup, email protection, and integration with endpoint security.

What needs improvement?

Areas for improvement in Sophos XGS include better balance when handling high availability configurations, smoother firmware upgrades without the need for turning off devices, and simplified configuration after firmware updates.

In the next release of Sophos XGS, I would like to see improvements in log searching within the interface and more functionality available without needing to go to the command line, especially for troubleshooting purposes.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Sophos XGS for five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sophos XGS is stable and resilient, even in environments with power fluctuations and instability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability with Sophos XGS is generally good, but there can be frustrations with switches when setting up VPNs. I would rate the scalability as a four out of ten.

I believe the scalability of Sophos XGS can be improved, especially when compared to competitors like Palo Alto and Check Point. While it is a good product, there is room for enhancement to compete better in scalability challenges.

How are customer service and support?

I would rate the technical support as a seven out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Before Sophos XGS, I used Check Point, Palo Alto, and Cisco data solutions. I switched to Sophos because it is more affordable.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Sophos XGS is generally simple, especially for basic internet access with default features, but more complex configurations may have some difficulties. Overall, it is quick and stable.

It took less than an hour and a half to deploy Sophos XGS initially, including setting up internet access and basic firewall rules. However, migrating from older versions to the new setup took longer due to compatibility issues with the old settings.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Sophos XGS is quite affordable.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate Sophos XGS as a seven out of ten. I would recommend it to others.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Sophos XGS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2025
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Sophos XGS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.