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Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 6, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
4.4
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway offers cost savings, scalability, and seamless secure connectivity, transitioning from CapEx to OpEx.
Sentiment score
7.3
Prisma Access enhances security, reduces costs, and simplifies operations, offering great ROI and scalability with integrated insights and technology consolidation.
The solution provides significant cost savings, transitioning expenses from CapEx to OpEx.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.1
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway support is praised for premium responsiveness, criticized for basic delays, and improved with a support contract.
Sentiment score
6.8
Prisma Access support is efficient and knowledgeable, but users seek faster response times and improved language-specific expertise.
In a recent incident, I had an issue with the SharePoint API. It relates to documentation, specifically the lack of up-to-date documentation because Microsoft is moving away from the traditional SharePoint REST API to Microsoft Graph.
Prioritization of tasks can also be challenging, impacting the timely resolution of problems.
The product is reliable, making customer support less frequently needed.
We rarely need to contact support due to having a strong internal team and a robust product.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
6.9
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway offers scalable connectivity with flexible bandwidth, supporting various users, noted for high availability and reliability.
Sentiment score
7.6
Prisma Access excels in scalability and flexibility, though challenges exist in extensive deployments and complex integrations at large scales.
The process was very efficient to scale the solution, which supports a high level of scalability.
To scale, one would need to upgrade or acquire more hardware.
Prisma Access provides significant scalability, allowing integration of different systems.
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is a cloud-based solution, and from my experience, there are no issues with scalability.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
6.4
Opinions on Azure VPN Gateway's stability vary; some find it reliable, while others face issues, especially with Linux-based apps.
Sentiment score
7.9
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is praised for stable performance and reliability, with minimal downtime even during updates.
Azure VPN Gateway is very stable due to reliance on Microsoft's own network.
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks works efficiently during peak usage times.
I think the stability of Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is excellent, and I would rate it ten out of ten.
Prisma Access is very stable.
 

Room For Improvement

Users seek enhanced Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway troubleshooting, affordability, user-friendly setup, improved documentation, and better threat protection features.
Prisma Access needs better documentation, integration, and pricing, alongside UI, authentication, and global coverage improvements for enhanced user experience.
The instructions on how to integrate P2N and P2S type networks into Azure VPN Gateway could be improved, though it is a constantly evolving process.
There is a lack of integration with third-party solutions like CrowdStrike or SentinelOne in Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks.
Hosting it in the cloud can mitigate these issues by allowing connection through the nearest Palo Alto or Prisma Cloud regional hub.
 

Setup Cost

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is cost-effective for cloud connectivity despite potential added costs for extra features and older protocols.
Prisma Access is costly but valued for comprehensive security features, though licensing complexity and extra support costs are concerns.
The price of Azure VPN Gateway should be rated five from a purely invoice aspect.
The pricing is somewhat high but acceptable, considering it replaces the need for physical network equipment, leading to cost savings.
The pricing is on the higher side, rating it around eight to nine out of ten.
From my experience, Palo Alto is more expensive compared to solutions like Netskope and Triscale.
Pricing for Prisma Access and Prisma SD WAN is high due to the need for different hardware flavors like IONs.
 

Valuable Features

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway provides secure, scalable, and easy-to-use connections with robust performance and comprehensive integration within Azure.
Prisma Access offers robust security features, seamless integration, and real-time alerts, making it ideal for reliable organizational protection.
It's cost-effective by eliminating the need for firewall and networking equipment purchases.
The primary function of Azure VPN Gateway allows for designing subnets from existing networks, whether they are physical or virtual networks within Azure or other cloud instances.
These features are security-driven, providing robust protection against increasing cyber threats by integrating NG Firewalls, SD WAN, and CASB, all within a fully cloud-native solution.
One of the most valuable features of Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is the ability to manage on-premise firewalls.
GlobalProtect has been beneficial for its cloud security capabilities, which are vital as businesses seek hybrid options and need to support remote workers while addressing latency issues.
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway
Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
4th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
27
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Prisma Access by Palo Alto ...
Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
5th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
64
Ranking in other categories
Secure Web Gateways (SWG) (4th), Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB) (1st), ZTNA as a Service (2nd), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) (3rd)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is 6.5%, down from 8.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is 6.6%, up from 5.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
 

Featured Reviews

MatsHagberg Olsson2 - PeerSpot reviewer
Designs subnets with high security while navigating evolving integration processes
The primary function of Azure VPN Gateway allows for designing subnets from existing networks, whether they are physical or virtual networks within Azure or other cloud instances. You can configure these networks using IP numbers and connect them using certificates or SaaS strings. It also requires Entra ID for privileged access groups, resulting in high security.
Ángel García Favieres - PeerSpot reviewer
Experience seamless networking with reliable support and enhanced security
It is all about the interface. The Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks interface is more difficult than FortiGate. The area where we encountered most problems was the permissions system. When the client wanted to give me access, they did not want to give me super admin access because they wanted me to have access only for specific tasks. We had significant trouble with configuring those permissions and making them work, as there are many options on the permissions panel. The permissions tab should be more generalized. There are so many options that you always have to open a case for technical support. The technical support team resolved these issues effectively, but this remains an area for improvement.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Government
7%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?
The instructions on how to integrate P2N and P2S type networks into Azure VPN Gateway could be improved, though it is a constantly evolving process. The instructions should have been more accessibl...
What advice do you have for others considering Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?
I would advise comparing Azure VPN Gateway with other market leaders in this segment and referencing sources like Forrester and Gartner. It's crucial to look at which competitors in this spectrum h...
What is the better solution - Prisma Access or Zscaler Private Access?
We looked into Prisma Access before choosing Zscaler Private Access (ZPA). Palo Alto’s Prisma Access is a secure access service edge (SASE) designed to deliver network security in a cloud-deliver...
What do you like most about Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks?
The most valuable features of the solution are in the areas of the secure remote access it provides while also being user-friendly.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks?
From my experience, Palo Alto is more expensive compared to solutions like Netskope and Triscale.
 

Also Known As

MS Azure VPN Gateway
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access, Prisma Access, GlobalProtect, Palo Alto GlobalProtect Mobile Security Manager, Prisma SaaS by Palo Alto Networks, Prisma Access
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Concord Hospital, State of Colorado, Essilor International, RheinLand Versicherungsgruppe, University of Westminster, Universidade Nove de Julho, SPAR Austria, CAME Group, ZipRealty, Greenhill & Co., IKT Agder, Aviva Stadium, Animal Logic, Management & Training Corporation, Brigham Young University Hawaii, School District of Chilliwack
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.