Palo Alto Networks PA-Series Reviews

Name: Palo Alto Networks PA-Series
Brand: Palo Alto Networks
Rating: 4.3 (31 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

31 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Palo Alto Networks PA-Series?

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is essential for firewall implementation, perimeter defense, securing infrastructure boundaries, web filtering, VPN, and threat prevention. Organizations deploy it for secure cloud connections, internet security, and managing network devices.

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Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is the #16 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Palo Alto Networks PA-Series an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 31 most recent Palo Alto Networks PA-Series reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.2. Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is most commonly compared to Netgate pfSense: Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Netgate pfSense. Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 49% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 18% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series

December 2024

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Featured reviews

Deminda Dilan

Senior Network Engineer at Just In Time Group (Sri Lanka)

The URL filtering and antivirus capabilities are great. Users can also create custom applications and mold them as needed. We've done QOS configurations for specific traffic, prioritizing or deprioritizing certain applications like YouTube. We also configure GlobalProtect for remote VPN clients, and some customers even require access to the company network through GlobalProtect. I've also worked with Wildfire, URL filtering, antivirus, file blocking, QOS, and VPN. Recently, I configured a VPN with Azure. Palo Alto has predefined applications that you can control at the application level. You can manage policies and specifically mention which applications to control. If you need to configure a custom application that's not already in Palo Alto's database, you can create one. Sometimes an application doesn't come pre-defined, so you need to create a custom application using signatures or packet captures.

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Hamed-Wasel

IT Senior Network Security Engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

When I compare the tool with other firewalls, it’s the most powerful. It's the most powerful security engine. All the traffic going to the Internet passes through it as the first layer of protection. Because of its good performance, we also use it for decryption. The product's most useful function is its performance. I also appreciate the ability to create rules as groups and apply filters to each group. Each application has its own rules, which can be combined using a group, which is very effective. Additionally, we use Palo Alto Networks PA-Series for decryption, applying encryption policies on the firewall. The encryption policy works for all traffic going to the Internet. We integrated it with Active Directory, specifically with our three or five Active Directory servers. This integration works well for user analysis and policy authentication. The tool is rated high in Gartner reports.

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Pratik Tupe

Associate Process Manager at a computer software company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Palo Alto gives proper training for the product, not cutting corners over that. They don't assume you have previous knowledge and experience and start working directly, which happens in most companies. So, they provide product training very thoroughly. This helps the support system to have the necessary knowledge, not just before starting to work or troubleshoot. In the 11 months, we were initially trained on various OS versions and given tools like vSphere because we didn't have access to the Palo Alto environment. Later, when we got access, we were given a tool to design our own networks, study them, and, if needed, raise concerns about issues. The engineers or senior engineers would then study and guide us. They trained us for new upgraded versions of the OS regularly. Even as a third party, we had complete access to the Palo Alto Networks domain, tools, database, knowledge base, and everything. This gave us the opportunity to build our skills and understand what Palo Alto requires us to do. We could troubleshoot it properly with customers.

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Palo Alto Networks PA-Series mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks PA-Series in the Firewalls category stands at 0.3%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Netgate pfSense	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Fortinet FortiGate	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs OPNsense	Jan 14, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Netgate pfSense	4.3	17.6%	94%	206 interviews Add to research
OPNsense	4.1	14.5%	97%	39 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series offers robust firewall performance, stable setup, and efficient management. Its App-ID and URL filtering are highly valuable. The system allows application-based policy enforcement, comprehensive logging, and easy integration with other tools. WildFire, threat prevention, and antivirus features enhance security. Users appreciate its GUI for management, quick deployment, and resource efficiency. The built-in network packet broker offers SSL traffic decryption, making PA-Series a top choice for protecting networks.

"I rate the stability as ten out of ten."
"It functions very well in data centers."
"Palo Alto has predefined applications that you can control at the application level."

Room for Improvement

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series could enhance endpoint protection for remote work, improve monitoring, and streamline OS updates. Customers face challenges with technical support and the complex interface. Pricing remains a concern along with improving SD-WAN features and adding advanced web application firewall capabilities. Integrating more robust community support would help users find solutions. Configuring options can be complex, especially without clear policy management, and improvements in centralized management integration are needed.

"The support has been shaky. Initially, it took one or two hours to get a Palo Alto engineer, which is quite slow. I expect faster response times."
"I experienced some problems with AWS cloud parameters connected to Palo Alto firewall."
"Palo Alto can improve the web application firewall (WAF) feature at layer 7."

ROI

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series generates ROI by reducing costs through advanced, integrated security features, eliminating the need for multiple devices. Organizations manage security at the user level and benefit from excellent URL filtering and updated threat intelligence. Despite occasional slowdowns, performance is generally good with multiprocessing capabilities. Users eventually see a return within three to five years, as the technology offers extensive benefits without extra expenditures for additional devices.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating the Palo Alto Networks PA-Series generally find the solution to be expensive compared to competitors like FortiGate and Cisco. The high price is often justified by its unmatched features, robust throughput even with all security modules enabled, and extended support from the vendor. Licensing is simplified with bundled options, offering substantial savings. Entry-level models start at approximately $1,300, while advanced units can reach several hundred thousand dollars, depending on specific needs and configurations.

"The solution's pricing is high compared to that of Cisco and Fortinet."
"With Palo Alto, even when you enable all the modules, it still provides the exact throughput they advertise."
"The pricing is fair."

Popular Use Cases

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is primarily used for fortifying corporate networks against external threats, offering features such as VPN connectivity, perimeter defense, and traffic filtering. It secures infrastructure boundaries, supports AWS deployments, and integrates with applications. Users leverage web filtering, application filtering, and advanced security features, including IDS and IPS. Enterprises employ it for VPNs, VLANs, and compliance with regulations, ensuring protection for servers, bank branches, and various networks across multiple sites.

Service and Support

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series customer service is generally rated good, receiving high marks for responsiveness and helpfulness. Reviews mention that while support is quick for many, others find delays in connection and issue resolution, especially for more complex cases. Training updates and knowledgeable support teams in local and global regions are appreciated. Some users report needing distributors for assistance, while others commend the technical support's involvement in complex problem-solving with other integrated systems.

Deployment

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series initial setup varies in complexity depending on the user's experience and network requirements. Many users find it straightforward, especially with prior network knowledge, but others note a learning curve. Deployment can be fast, requiring one or two individuals for basic configuration. Knowledge bases and documentation support ease of use. While some face challenges, particularly with complex setups, most rate the process as manageable with proper planning and resources.

Scalability

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is known for its robust scalability, accommodating various organizational sizes and needs. High-end models offer easy scalability with pay-as-you-go options. Hardware limitations may require model upgrades, but virtual firewalls offer simpler scalability. Ratings frequently highlight its capabilities, making it suitable for enterprise use. Organizations report varied user capacities, showcasing flexibility in handling different scales. Proper model selection significantly impacts scalability, highlighting the importance of choosing suitable options for desired growth.

Stability

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is praised for its high stability, with ratings frequently between eight to ten out of ten. Users note rare failures and commend the high availability feature that ensures continuous operation. Though frequent updates are a concern for some, most highlight the platform’s superior stability compared to other firewalls. While a few experienced unexpected issues, the majority have had a reliable experience over years in production.

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 PA-Series Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

12%

University

Comms Service Provider

Government

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Educational Organization

Media Company

Financial Services Firm

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Retailer

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Energy/Utilities Company

Legal Firm

Logistics Company

Mining And Metals Company

Non Tech Company

Newspaper

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Compare Palo Alto Networks PA-Series with alternative products

Learn more about Palo Alto Networks PA-Series

Companies trust Palo Alto Networks PA-Series to protect corporate networks from external threats, control traffic between networks, and meet regulatory compliance. Integrating well with applications, it offers centralized management and advanced security features such as IDS, IPS, and GlobalProtect. It ensures stable performance, application-based policy enforcement, and decryption of SSL traffic while providing efficient resource usage and comprehensive logging.

What are the key features?

Stability: Reliable performance for continuous protection.
App-ID: Application-based policy enforcement.
URL Filtering: Prevents access to malicious websites.
Security Controls: Comprehensive threat prevention mechanisms.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies management and operations.
Efficient Resource Usage: Optimized for minimal resource consumption.
Reporting: Detailed logs and analytics for better insights.
Antivirus: Protects against malware and viruses.
WildFire: Advanced threat prevention with machine learning AI.
Protocol Anomaly Detection: Identifies unusual network behavior.
SSL Decryption: Ensures secure traffic inspection.
Encryption: Safeguards sensitive data.
VPN Capabilities: Secure remote access for users.
Active Directory Integration: Streamlines user authentication.
Quality of Service (QoS): Manages network traffic efficiently.

What benefits should be evaluated?

Enhanced Security: Superior threat prevention and detection.
Centralized Management: Streamlined control of network devices.
Regulatory Compliance: Assists in meeting legal requirements.
Operational Efficiency: Reduced resource usage and downtime.
Comprehensive Reporting: Complete visibility into network activities.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands.
User Accessibility: Simplifies secure access for remote employees.

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is implemented across industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, it ensures patient data protection and compliance with HIPAA. Financial institutions utilize it to secure transactions and meet regulatory standards. Retailers benefit from protecting customer information and securing online payments. Manufacturing companies deploy it to safeguard intellectual property and control plant floor operations.