SonicWall TZ Reviews

Name: SonicWall TZ
Brand: SonicWall
Rating: 4.1 (83 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

83 reviews
88% willing to recommend

6,683 followers

What is SonicWall TZ?

The secure, sophisticated SonicWALL TZ is widely deployed at small businesses, retail, government, remote sites and branch offices. It combines high-performance intrusion prevention, malware blocking, content/URL filtering and application control.

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SonicWall TZ is the #11 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give SonicWall TZ an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. SonicWall TZ is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: SonicWall TZ vs Fortinet FortiGate. SonicWall TZ is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 45% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 19% of all views.

Helped 832,138 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Rias Majeed

CTO at Exceed NetSec LLC

The integrated VPN functionality is working well with the global VPN client, which is a fast client, though it comes at a cost. SonicWall TZ is functional depending on the service level taken by the user. For SMB segments, SonicWall performs well. Despite lacking certain features, it is still considered a good product. The appliance itself is functional and stable, offering integrated solutions.

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Sathish Ravichandran

Server & Cloud Architect at Icare

The multi-core architecture allows the running of multiple instances for checking files, even handling more than 2 GB of data. It has inbuilt reporting features, reducing the cost of external monitoring software. It's well-suited for organizations that need to transfer and scan large files. The scalability is good for small and medium-sized enterprises, but for organizations with more than 200 users, the cost can become a limiting factor. It is more suitable for large enterprises, especially for organizations with over 4,000 users. However, there could be flexibility in licensing, allowing organizations to cater to their specific needs and pay for the features and licenses they require. It can help reduce costs. I rate its scalability a seven out of ten.

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Scott Cassidy

Chief Technology Officer at Nexa SecureIT

I rate the overall product a nine out of ten. We looked at the access points, but they were too expensive. I don't doubt that they're good at what they do, but other access points are available for customers. It's quite a hard sell to get those access points. The switches are the same; they are also expensive. So, we tend to use the firewall. We'd recommend them over UniFi. We'd recommend SonicWall if that's an option. But for anyone on a Fortinet or WatchGuard, I might suggest replacing SonicWall TZ only because of the interface. I'm not as familiar with WatchGuard, but I don't have much exposure to Fortinet, though I've heard good things about them. It's probably just what I'm used to with SonicWall. I've also used the NAC devices, which are pretty good. But again, they are very expensive.

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SonicWall TZ mindshare

As of February 2025, the mindshare of SonicWall TZ in the Firewalls category stands at 2.8%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	SonicWall TZ vs Netgate pfSense	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	SonicWall TZ vs Fortinet FortiGate	Feb 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	SonicWall TZ vs OPNsense	Feb 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.7%	90%	317 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	16.0%	94%	206 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

SonicWall TZ is valued for its ease of setup and management, user-friendly interface, robust security features including threat prevention and content filtering, reliable site-to-site and client-to-site VPN support, and cost-effectiveness. High availability, integrated VPN functionality, and strong application control features are also highlighted. Users appreciate its adaptability, stability, and comprehensive network security capabilities, alongside straightforward policy configuration and deep packet inspection capabilities.

"Customer service is excellent."
"SonicWall TZ offers security and easy firmware updates."
"For SMB segments, SonicWall performs well."

Room for Improvement

SonicWall TZ needs improvements in mail security, application detection, and reporting tools. The user interface is not intuitive, making configurations cumbersome. Support services are insufficient, and hardware performance lags behind competitors. Local DNS capabilities are absent, affecting usability. Cloud integration and advanced analytics are necessary for competitive edge. The interface should be simplified, load balancing requires enhancement, and licensing costs reduced. Frequent updates are needed to keep up with technological advancements and market demands.

"SonicWall TZ could benefit from newer technology. That is why I am looking to upgrade and researching other solutions."
"SonicWall TZ could benefit from newer technology."
"SonicWall should incorporate dynamic DNS services to eliminate the need for third-party solutions, particularly for environments using dynamic IP addresses."

ROI

Users find SonicWall TZ delivers immediate ROI and enhances security and productivity without high costs. ROI typically appears within eight months and users value its affordability and feature-rich nature for smaller businesses. It has prevented intrusions, making it worth the investment, and clients have noted 100% ROI with no security breaches. Although older units need upgrading, they still perform decently. Quantifying ROI is difficult, but its essential role is recognized.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating SonicWall TZ can expect an a la carte pricing model, allowing for customization based on features needed. Although hardware may appear less expensive initially, annual subscription and maintenance costs could increase total expenses. Licensing options are flexible, available annually or every three years, with competitive pricing compared to other solutions. However, additional features like advanced security and content filtering may incur extra costs. Pricing is generally moderate, with some considering it higher compared to alternatives.

"The product pricing is justified for the features provided."
"The firewall with the servers costs about 80 pounds a month. We get the device, and it is replaced every two or three years."
"The solution is moderately priced, where it's neither cheap nor expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations utilize SonicWall TZ primarily as a network firewall, ensuring protection from cyber threats and managing security protocols. It's widely used for VPN connectivity, content filtering, remote access, and internet gateway functions. Companies implement SonicWall TZ for unifying threat management, supporting email security, and optimizing bandwidth via SD-WAN services. It serves various needs, including controlling user access, managing firewall rules, and providing remote office connections for businesses and schools.

Service and Support

SonicWall TZ customer service experiences vary. Some find it excellent with minimal wait times, while others experience long hold times and seek improvements. Technical support receives mixed reactions. Many appreciate its efficiency and knowledge, praising quick assistance and good documentation. However, there are concerns about language barriers, delayed responses, and inconsistency. While some users find support lacking in resolving specific issues, others rate it positively for knowledgeable staff and effective problem resolution through remote sessions.

Deployment

SonicWall TZ's initial setup is typically straightforward, aided by helpful wizards and a user-friendly interface. Deployment duration varies depending on complexity, typically ranging from under an hour to a few days. Users appreciate the ease of installation, though some mention initial unfamiliarity with the interface. Complexity increases when advanced configurations are required, but assistance is readily available. Large deployments might involve additional customization, yet one technician can handle most standard setups efficiently.

Scalability

SonicWall TZ is perceived as scalable for small to medium-sized businesses. There are challenges with fitting larger organizations due to model limitations and optimistic spec sheets. Users find it suitable for environments where needs are consistent. Modular nature allows flexibility in adding features. However, some models struggle with higher bandwidth requirements. Scalability is generally rated positively, although many prefer cloud-based solutions like Cisco Meraki for superior scalability options.

Stability

SonicWall TZ is largely stable and reliable. Users note occasional issues like unexpected reboots, rare VPN slowness, and a few glitches. Some mention instability under high demand, but many commend its consistent performance and lack of frequent problems. It often requires minimal reboots for maintenance and users find it unbreakable once configured correctly. Despite rare hardware failures, it is praised for meeting security needs effectively. Stability ratings often range from seven to ten out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our SonicWall TZ Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.