Introduction
A SASE Platform is a specialized technology that combines two major jobs into one single cloud service: networking and security. Instead of buying one tool to connect your offices (like SD-WAN) and another tool to keep hackers out (like a Firewall), SASE puts them together. It makes sure that no matter where an employee is—at home, in a cafe, or in a branch office—they have a fast and safe connection to the company’s data.
This is important because it simplifies the “digital pipes” of a company. Without SASE, data often has to travel back to a main office to be checked for viruses before going to the cloud, which slows everything down. SASE checks the data right at the “edge,” close to the user, making work much faster.
Key Real-World Use Cases
- Securing a Hybrid Workforce: Providing a safe connection for employees who switch between working in the office and working from home.
- Branch Office Connectivity: Connecting several store locations or smaller offices to the main headquarters without expensive hardware.
- Direct-to-Cloud Access: Allowing users to go straight to apps like Microsoft 365 or Salesforce safely without lagging.
- Network Simplification: Reducing the number of different security gadgets a company has to manage.
Evaluation Criteria
When choosing a SASE platform, you should look for network coverage (how many global locations they have), integration (how well the security and networking parts talk to each other), and management simplicity (if you can control everything from one screen).
Best for: Mid-to-large enterprises with multiple locations, companies with many remote workers, and global organizations that need to protect data across different countries.
Not ideal for: Very small local businesses with only one office and five employees, or companies that do not use any cloud-based applications.
Top 10 SASE Platforms
1 — Zscaler SASE
Zscaler is a cloud-native platform that focuses heavily on the security side of the SASE equation. It is designed to replace traditional hardware with a global “security fabric” that follows the user everywhere.
- Key Features:
- Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA): A secure gateway for all web traffic.
- Zscaler Private Access (ZPA): Zero-trust access to internal company apps.
- Cloud Browser Isolation: Runs risky websites in a safe container away from the user’s computer.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Stops sensitive files from being uploaded to the wrong places.
- Global Data Centers: Uses over 150 locations to ensure low latency.
- Pros:
- One of the most mature and proven security stacks in the world.
- Does not require managing any physical appliances in your office.
- Cons:
- The networking features (SD-WAN) often require a partner or additional setup.
- The cost can be higher than “all-in-one” hardware-based competitors.
- Security & Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and FedRAMP.
- Support & Community: High-level enterprise support, extensive online training via Zscaler Academy, and a strong global user group.
2 — Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE
Palo Alto Networks is famous for its firewalls. Prisma SASE is their complete cloud solution that brings that high-end security to a global network.
- Key Features:
- Prisma Access: Provides top-tier security for all remote users.
- Prisma SD-WAN: A smart networking system that picks the fastest path for data.
- Autonomous DEM: Automatically monitors if a user’s internet is slow and tells you why.
- ZTAA (Zero Trust): Continuous verification of every user and device.
- SaaS Security: Deep visibility into how apps like Slack and Box are being used.
- Pros:
- Excellent for companies that already use Palo Alto firewalls.
- The “Autonomous DEM” feature is a lifesaver for troubleshooting remote worker issues.
- Cons:
- The configuration process is very detailed and can be slow to set up.
- Generally considered a premium-priced product.
- Security & Compliance: HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliant.
- Support & Community: Professional 24/7 support and a massive community of certified security experts.
3 — Cato Networks
Cato Networks is unique because it was the first company to build a SASE platform from the ground up as a single cloud service. It is known for being very simple to manage.
- Key Features:
- Global Private Backbone: Their own private “internet” for faster data travel.
- Cato Socket: A small device for offices that connects them to the cloud in minutes.
- Single Management Application: One screen to control both security and the network.
- Managed Threat Detection: Cato’s experts help watch your network for hacks.
- Mobile Client: A simple app for laptops and phones to stay secure.
- Pros:
- The easiest platform on this list to manage on a daily basis.
- Very fast deployment for companies opening new branch offices.
- Cons:
- Because it is a “closed” private network, you have less control over specific routing.
- Not as many niche security features as Palo Alto or Zscaler.
- Security & Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.
- Support & Community: Good documentation and a responsive support team that knows both networking and security.
4 — Cisco SASE (Secure Access)
Cisco is the biggest name in networking. Their SASE offering combines their “Umbrella” security with their “Meraki” or “Viptela” networking tools.
- Key Features:
- Cisco Umbrella: A fast way to block malicious websites using DNS.
- Duo MFA: Industry-leading identity verification (Multi-Factor Authentication).
- Secure SD-WAN: Connects offices using Cisco’s famous networking hardware.
- Cloud-Delivered Firewall: Protects users even when they aren’t on the VPN.
- ThousandEyes Integration: Gives a “weather map” of the entire internet to find problems.
- Pros:
- Unmatched reliability and a massive global support footprint.
- Perfect for companies that already have Cisco gear in their server rooms.
- Cons:
- Can feel like several different products joined together rather than one single tool.
- The licensing can be very complicated to understand.
- Security & Compliance: FIPS 140-2, SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO 27001.
- Support & Community: The largest network of engineers and documentation in the world.
5 — Netskope SASE
Netskope is a leader in “Data-Centric” security. Their SASE platform is built for companies that care most about protecting their sensitive files in the cloud.
- Key Features:
- Netskope One: A unified platform for all SASE functions.
- NewEdge Network: One of the world’s fastest private security networks.
- Advanced DLP: Can “read” images and documents to find sensitive data.
- Cloud Confidence Index: Ratings for thousands of cloud apps to see if they are safe.
- Next-Gen SWG: A web gateway that understands modern web traffic.
- Pros:
- Best-in-class for spotting data leaks (DLP).
- The network is very fast and doesn’t “get in the way” of the user.
- Cons:
- The SD-WAN (networking) side is newer than their security side.
- The interface has a learning curve for new IT staff.
- Security & Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
- Support & Community: Strong technical support and helpful webinars for customers.
6 — Fortinet FortiSASE
Fortinet is known for high-performance security at a lower price point. FortiSASE extends their famous “FortiGate” protection to remote users.
- Key Features:
- Unified Agent: Use the same “FortiClient” for VPN, ZTNA, and SASE.
- FortiGuard Labs: AI-powered threat intelligence that updates every few minutes.
- Secure SD-WAN: Built-in networking that is very cost-effective.
- SWG and CASB: Keeps web browsing and cloud apps secure.
- Flexible Licensing: Easy to add users as your company grows.
- Pros:
- Excellent value for the money; great performance per dollar.
- If you know how to use a Fortinet Firewall, you already know how to use this.
- Cons:
- The cloud management dashboard can sometimes be a bit clunky.
- The focus is heavily on their own hardware ecosystem.
- Security & Compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR.
- Support & Community: Large network of local partners and an extensive knowledge base.
7 — Cloudflare One
Cloudflare built its SASE platform on the same network that protects a huge portion of the world’s websites. It is built for speed and ease of use.
- Key Features:
- Magic WAN: Replaces old-fashioned office connections with Cloudflare’s network.
- Gateway: Filters out bad websites and viruses.
- WARP Client: A very simple “one-button” app for employees to stay safe.
- Browser Isolation: Keeps the “scary” parts of the internet away from your laptop.
- Anycast Network: Makes sure users always connect to the server closest to them.
- Pros:
- Incredibly fast; usually makes the internet feel faster, not slower.
- Very simple to get started with, even for smaller teams.
- Cons:
- Not as many “deep” enterprise networking features as Cisco or Palo Alto.
- Some of the more advanced security controls are still being developed.
- Security & Compliance: PCI DSS, SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA.
- Support & Community: Massive online community and very detailed documentation.
8 — Broadcom (Symantec) SASE
Symantec (now owned by Broadcom) has a long history in enterprise security. Their SASE platform is built for the world’s largest banks and government agencies.
- Key Features:
- Web Isolation: Extremely high-end protection against web threats.
- Symantec DLP: The industry standard for preventing data theft.
- Secure Access Cloud: Provides zero-trust access without a VPN.
- CloudSOC: Deep monitoring of what users do inside cloud apps.
- Edge SWG: High-performance web filtering for large offices.
- Pros:
- Incredible depth for very large, complex organizations.
- The data protection features are some of the strongest available.
- Cons:
- Can be very difficult and slow to implement.
- Support has been reported as inconsistent since the Broadcom takeover.
- Security & Compliance: FIPS, SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO 27001.
- Support & Community: Enterprise-level support for large contracts; good technical docs.
9 — Versa SASE
Versa is a favorite among service providers (like phone and internet companies). It is a very flexible platform that lets you customize almost everything.
- Key Features:
- Versa Operating System (VOS): A single software that does networking and security.
- Multi-Tenancy: Great for companies that manage several different brands or sub-companies.
- Versa Titan: A simplified version of their tool for smaller businesses.
- Sophisticated SD-WAN: Some of the best routing controls in the industry.
- Context-Aware Security: Changes rules based on where the user is.
- Pros:
- Extremely flexible; if you have a weird network setup, Versa can handle it.
- Combines networking and security more tightly than almost anyone else.
- Cons:
- The complexity means you need a very smart networking person to run it.
- The interface can be intimidating for beginners.
- Security & Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA.
- Support & Community: Strong professional services and specialized training.
10 — HPE Aruba Networking SASE
Aruba (owned by Hewlett Packard Enterprise) focuses on the “Edge-to-Cloud” experience. It is a great choice for companies with a lot of physical locations like retail stores or warehouses.
- Key Features:
- EdgeConnect SD-WAN: High-performance office-to-office connections.
- Aruba Central: One cloud screen to manage all your Wi-Fi and security.
- Aruba ClearPass: Excellent tool for seeing every device (like printers and cameras) on the network.
- Cloud Security Integration: Works closely with Zscaler or Netskope for security.
- Unified Infrastructure: Simplifies the hardware needed in each office.
- Pros:
- The best on the list for managing office Wi-Fi and SASE together.
- Excellent for identifying and securing IoT devices (printers, smart sensors).
- Cons:
- Aruba often relies on other partners for the “Security” part of SASE.
- Management can be split between a few different apps.
- Security & Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR.
- Support & Community: Extensive global support and a very active “Airheads” user community.
Comparison Table
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Standout Feature | Rating (Gartner) |
| Zscaler | Security-First Enterprises | All (Cloud-native) | Zero Trust Exchange | 4.6 / 5 |
| Palo Alto | High-End Security & Networking | All | Autonomous DEM | 4.7 / 5 |
| Cato Networks | Simplicity & Mid-Market | All (Private Backbone) | One-Click Deployment | 4.6 / 5 |
| Cisco SASE | Existing Cisco Users | All | ThousandEyes Visibility | 4.4 / 5 |
| Netskope | Data Protection (DLP) | All | NewEdge Global Network | 4.6 / 5 |
| Fortinet | Value & Performance | All | FortiGuard AI | 4.5 / 5 |
| Cloudflare | Speed & Small/Mid Teams | All | Global Edge Network | 4.5 / 5 |
| Broadcom | Large Financial/Gov | All | Advanced Web Isolation | 4.1 / 5 |
| Versa | Customization & Providers | All | Unified VOS Software | 4.4 / 5 |
| HPE Aruba | Retail & Campus Wi-Fi | All | IoT & Device Visibility | 4.5 / 5 |
Evaluation & Scoring of SASE Platforms
We evaluated these tools based on a weighted rubric to see how they perform for a typical business.
| Category | Weight | Evaluation Rationale |
| Core Features | 25% | Presence of ZTNA, SD-WAN, Firewall, and CASB in one platform. |
| Ease of Use | 15% | How simple the management dashboard is for a small IT team. |
| Integrations | 15% | How well it fits with existing tools like Microsoft 365 or AWS. |
| Security/Compliance | 10% | Support for major laws (GDPR) and audit standards (SOC 2). |
| Performance | 10% | Does the network slow down the users or keep things fast? |
| Support | 10% | Availability of help and quality of the documentation. |
| Price / Value | 15% | Is the cost fair for the amount of protection provided? |
Which SASE Platform Is Right for You?
Choosing a SASE tool is a big decision that will affect your company for a long time. Here is a guide to help you choose.
By Company Size
- Small Businesses (SMB): Look at Cloudflare One or Cato Networks. They are the fastest to set up and don’t require you to be a networking genius.
- Mid-Market: Fortinet or Cato Networks provide a great balance of power without the massive price tag of the biggest enterprise tools.
- Large Enterprise: Zscaler, Palo Alto, or Cisco are the safest bets for organizations with complex needs and big budgets.
By Your Primary Goal
- If you want the best security: Choose Zscaler or Palo Alto. They spend the most on researching new threats.
- If you want the best networking: Choose Cisco or HPE Aruba. They have been building the world’s networks for decades.
- If you want to protect sensitive files: Netskope is the leader in making sure your data doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.
Budget vs. Premium
- Budget-Conscious: Fortinet offers the most “bang for your buck.”
- Premium: Palo Alto and Broadcom (Symantec) are expensive, but they offer features and depth that other tools simply don’t have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is SASE just a fancy name for a VPN?
No. A VPN only connects you to the office. SASE connects you to everything (web, cloud, and office) while checking your identity and scanning for viruses at the same time.
2. Can SASE replace my office firewall?
Yes. A SASE platform includes a “Cloud Firewall.” This means you don’t need a physical box in your office to stay safe.
3. Does SASE work for people using their own phones?
Yes. Most SASE platforms have a “clientless” mode where users can access work apps through a web browser on their own devices safely.
4. How long does it take to implement SASE?
For a small company, it can take a few days. For a large global company, it can take several months to move all the offices and users over.
5. Will SASE make my internet slower?
In many cases, it makes it faster. Because SASE uses a global network of “entry points,” it can find a shorter path for your data than the regular public internet.
6. Do I have to buy all the parts of SASE at once?
No. Most companies start with just the security part (called SSE) and add the networking part (SD-WAN) later.
7. Is SASE hard to manage?
It depends on the tool. Cato and Cloudflare are very simple. Palo Alto and Versa are more complex but offer more control.
8. Can SASE protect against ransomware?
Yes. By scanning every file as it is downloaded and watching for weird behavior, SASE is one of the best ways to stop ransomware before it starts.
9. What is the difference between SASE and SSE?
SSE is just the security part (Firewall, Web Gateway, CASB). SASE is SSE plus the networking part (SD-WAN).
10. Do I need SASE if my company is 100% in the cloud?
Actually, cloud-only companies are the best candidates for SASE because their users are already going to the internet for everything they do.
Conclusion
The “best” SASE Platform isn’t the one with the most features; it’s the one that fits your company’s specific way of working.
If you are a smaller team that needs to move fast, Cato Networks or Cloudflare will likely make you very happy. If you are a large corporation with high security needs, Zscaler or Palo Alto are the industry leaders for a reason.
When making your choice, remember that the goal of SASE is to make things simpler. If a tool feels too complicated for your team to handle, it might not be the right fit, no matter how good its rating is. Focus on visibility, ease of use, and a platform that can grow with you.