Sophos XG Reviews

Name: Sophos XG
Brand: Sophos
Rating: 4.1 (196 reviews)

4.1 out of 5

196 reviews
92% willing to recommend

2,803 followers

What is Sophos XG?

Sophos XG is a versatile network security solution that offers network protection, firewall management, VPN access, web filtering, and intrusion prevention, providing comprehensive security for businesses from small offices to large enterprises.

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Sophos XG is the #4 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Sophos XG an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 196 most recent Sophos XG reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.0. Sophos XG is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate. Sophos XG is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 41% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Helped 816,406 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Akshay Y P

Technical Support Engineer at Digitaltrack

The product’s new variant allows for faster processing of data packets from LAN to WAN, surpassing the capabilities of an 8G firewall. It provides threat prevention features, including WAF, IPS, and AV. We have configured SSL VPN capabilities for different branches, which have been working efficiently. For our minimalistic usage, it has been performing well in transferring data from on-premise devices. It helps us generate detailed reports on the dashboard. The product’s integration with Sophos Central enhances security architecture by enabling centralized management under a single dashboard. We recommend Sophos XG as a priority as it is much more reliable and has efficient technical assistance. It is much easier for configuration, web filtering, or web extension than one of its competitors. I rate it a seven out of ten.

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Manuel Gellida

Owner at Dinamica en Microsistemas de Informatica, S.A. de C.V.

The integration could be a bit better. They need to allow their solution to integrate with other products and not just other Sophos solutions. Sophos has a feature that in my opinion is very limited. They don't have enough VPNs on their models. They have the XG 750, which is a sizeable appliance. On those models, they used to have not enough VPNs. They always were short on that area. Pricing used to be very bad, however, they've adjusted their strategy recently. The product needs to improve its marketing in Mexico. It's not a well-recognized product in our country. The solution's technical support is very bad. There is an overall lack of documentation in relation to features and capabilities. We need these to help explain aspects of the solution to our clients.

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Steve Lowrey

Owner / IT operator at Fairview Schools

The security of the solution, thanks to the built-in unified threat management, is one of its most valuable features. Plus, one single pane of glass is all you need to manage the whole solution, and web management can be done from anywhere. If I get a call and I'm at home, I can open the solution in a web browser and address the situation.

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Sophos XG mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Sophos XG in the Firewalls category stands at 11.3%, up from 8.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 21, 2024

Valuable Features

Sophos XG excels in features like synchronized security, VPN capabilities, intuitive interface, and user-friendly setup. It offers robust threat protection, web and application filtering, scalable performance, comprehensive integration with endpoints, and centralized management. Users appreciate the advanced intrusion prevention, logging details, and cloud-based control. The firewall's real-time protection, ease of configuration, and detailed reporting further enhance its value.

"The most valuable features are its protection capabilities like threat prevention, malware security, web protection, and web security."
"The valuable features include cloud-native integration, which makes it highly available and efficient in modern containerized environments."
"The product's initial setup phase was straightforward."

Room for Improvement

Sophos XG needs enhancements in network security, user portals, cloud provider support, and documentation. Improvements to technical support, interface simplicity, diagnostic graphs, and standard templates are suggested. Enhancements to routing, reporting, VPN setup, wireless access, and training are needed. Some users encounter slow GUIs, bugs in updates, and complex setups. Pricing and hardware concerns are mentioned along with the need for better logging, web filtering, antivirus, and DLP features. Integrations and feature updates are frequently requested.

"There should be a workaround in case of equipment breakdown, like a stopgap measure while the equipment is being returned or replaced."
"One area of improvement is the lack of cross-cluster capability, meaning you need different sets of tasks and pipelines for each Kubernetes cluster."
"The support service offered by Sophos is an area of concern where certain improvements are required."

ROI

Users experienced significant improvements in cybersecurity compliance, overall security, workflow efficiency, and internal practices with Sophos XG. They highlighted valuable features like inbuilt two-factor authentication, which eliminated the need for third-party tools. Although some found it a bit costly upfront, the quality justified the expense for medium-sized businesses. They appreciated the reduction in support requirements and downtime, and many saw an ROI within one to three years. However, a few indicated higher costs compared to similar products.

Pricing

Sophos XG is typically considered fairly priced, especially in comparison to competitors like SonicWall, Fortinet, and Check Point. Licensing is flexible, often tailored to a country's economy, making it accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. Contracts are usually set for multiple years, offering discounts for upfront payments. Despite some complaints about high costs with the US exchange rate, many praise the solution's value, citing comprehensive features integrated into one license.

"The tool's pricing and licensing are very complex. As a developing company, we need approvals from management to make a purchase, which can take time. We asked Sophos XG to renew our current firewall license for one or two months while we plan to accommodate our increasing IT assets."
"The tool's pricing is cheaper compared to other alternative products."
"Sophos XG can be considered as an averagely-priced tool in the market."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Sophos XG for network protection, bandwidth control, intrusion prevention, VPN access, web filtering, email security, and endpoint security. It serves as the primary firewall, managing internet traffic, securing connections, and providing access control. Many deploy Sophos XG in medium to large enterprises, offering comprehensive network protection, application filtering, and malware scanning. It integrates with cloud and on-premise infrastructures, enhancing security across multiple locations and sectors.

Service and Support

Sophos XG customer service and support receive mixed feedback. Many users commend the knowledgeable and helpful support team, especially the local and regional teams. However, complaints frequently mention slow response times, difficulty in getting through, and the inefficiency of international support. Some users find the documentation helpful, while others struggle with language barriers and delayed escalations. Several report better experiences before recent changes, while others highlight issues during the pandemic.

Deployment

Users had mixed experiences with Sophos XG's initial setup. Many found it straightforward and easy, taking between one hour and a few days to complete, depending on network complexity. Some encountered complications, especially with licensing and specific configurations. Those with prior experience or guidance from a vendor generally had smoother installations. The deployment time varied widely, from under an hour to several days. Maintenance was typically minimal, and smaller teams could handle it efficiently.

Scalability

Sophos XG exhibits notable scalability, ranging from small to extensive network implementations. Users have seen success across diverse organizational sizes, with many adjusting hardware to meet growing needs. Sophos XG offers different models to fit various requirements, ensuring adaptability for expanding infrastructures. While some perceive hardware upgrade needs as limiting, most find Sophos XG's flexibility in scaling meets expectations. Users appreciate high availability, ensuring continuity during expansions or hardware modifications.

Stability

Sophos XG is reported to be stable, running 24/7 with minimal issues. Users highlight its reliable performance, no frequent crashes, and stability under various conditions. Some mention minor bugs or rare glitches, handled promptly by support. It's considered robust, handling internal and external users effectively. While some experience occasional stability problems, many rate its stability highly, noting consistent uptime and good performance. It's preferred over other firewalls for its reliability and stability.

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

Download our Sophos XG 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

17%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Retailer

Educational Organization

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Media Company

University

Real Estate/Law Firm

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Non Profit

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare Sophos XG with alternative products

Learn more about Sophos XG

Sophos XG stands out for its Synchronized Security, easy setup, and robust templates. It manages VPN access, protects against threats, and handles load balancing and traffic monitoring. The cloud-based management, centralized dashboard, and detailed logging make it user-friendly and reliable. Integration of features like email protection, SD-WAN, and unified threat management ensures a broad spectrum of security needs are covered. However, it could benefit from improvements in network security, user portals, technical support, and more scalable SD-WAN features.

What are the key features of Sophos XG?

Synchronized Security: Orchestrates threat intelligence sharing between endpoints and firewall.
Unlimited SSL VPN Clients: Provides extensive VPN client support for secure remote access.
Cloud-Based Management: Facilitates remote administration with a cloud-hosted platform.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and blocks potential threats in real-time.
Centralized Dashboard: Offers a comprehensive view of network security status.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Scalability: Easily adapts to growing business needs.
User-Friendliness: Simplified setup and intuitive management.
Effective Threat Protection: Provides robust security against a wide range of threats.
Comprehensive Reporting: Delivers detailed insights and analytics.
Cost-Effectiveness: Competitive in pricing with flexible deployment options.

Sophos XG is implemented across industries such as healthcare, education, and finance to secure sensitive data and ensure regulatory compliance. It aids in endpoint protection, application control, load balancing, and traffic monitoring essential for these industries. Enhancing network security, simplifying VPN setup, and integrating adaptive security features remain focal points for businesses.