We performed a comparison between SonicWall NSa and SonicWall TZ based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: SonicWall TZ has an edge in this comparison. Unlike SonicWall NSa, its reviewers mention seeing an ROI.
"The most valuable feature is the interface, which is very user friendly. We are utilizing most of the features, like content filtering. The firewall is powerful."
"The most valuable feature is the policy routing and application control."
"We were looking for the VPN feature and controlling the inflow and outflow of all the traffic within the site and across the sites. We are also using it for the VPN and VLANs."
"I only deal with it from a security analyst's point of view. I don't really get into the features of the actual FortiGate. From the security point of view, it works, and it does its job."
"We are using the FortiGate 100D series. VPN, firewall, anti-malware, OTM, and intrusion prevention are useful features."
"The management console is pretty simple, so anyone who understands networking can initially deploy the solution."
"The most valuable feature of Fortinet FortiGate is URL filtering."
"This solution has solid UTM features combined with a nice GUI."
"The stability is better than other products."
"SonicWall NSa has a user-friendly firmware"
"SonicWall's sales support is much better than other vendors'."
"I like this solution because we are focused on VPN and have many brands that need to link a VPN and have security, like ransomware, spyware, and basic protection."
"One of the main features is the built-in storage capacity."
"The firewall feature is most valuable since my work is to analyze if there is any potential attack. SonicWall NSa gives the perfect analysis."
"Support has improved dramatically since their separation from Dell."
"We like the features, but the main thing is from a commercial and cost perspective it is very good."
"Content filtering and application rules are the most valuable features. It is also easy to configure."
"No negative impression of the scalability."
"The solution is stable."
"The most valuable features are security and technical support."
"SonicWall TZ is stable."
"We use the content filter quite a lot because it's an office setting. During working hours, we like to censor the sites users can visit so it increases productivity. Therefore, the content filter has been good for us."
"The most valuable features are unified threat management which provides security intelligence and the VPN for both site-to-site and remote access."
"Most of the features are useful. It is easy to configure and easy to troubleshoot. I can see the utilization of different networks, and there are also App control features."
"The support team for Fortinet FortiGate needs to be more customer friendly."
"The initial setup is complex."
"I haven't had a single issue since using Fortinet."
"We sometimes have issues with FortiGate's routing table in the latest firmware update. We had to downgrade the device because our customers complained about bugs."
"The user interface could be improved to make it less confusing and easier to set up."
"The captive portal could be improved."
"I would like to see more advanced developments of a wireless controller in the future."
"Scalability for Fortinet FortiGate needs to be improved. SD-WAN security for this solution also needs some improvement."
"The user interface could be better."
"The stability is not there. The features are there, but they are not stable. They need to improve on this product because I feel that they have launched this product without much R&D."
"The product could expand its throughput capacity."
"The logging, reporting, and storage capacity size could improve in a future release."
"SonicWall does not support DynDNS, yet this is an important feature for smaller companies that do not have a static IP address."
"Sometimes I found the GUI and some of the features a little bit hard to navigate, as opposed to Fortigate, which is much more user-friendly."
"Some of the configurations could be better."
"They should consider upgrading the capabilities within the GUI."
"The solution has lost the trust of its customers because of moving from one company to another."
"I can't get the support that I need from SonicWall."
"We have experienced some issues with SonicWall TZ and they are lacking some advanced features other vendors have."
"Getting support can be slow."
"It needs more robust self-help documentation along with examples and things to watch out for."
"The reporting analytics could be improved, it is very unstable."
"Support for SonicWall TZ needs improvement, particularly the time it takes before you're able to speak to a support person, e.g. you have to wait for at least 30 minutes on the phone."
"It would be good if Analyzer would be part of the stock license, so even if a layperson is getting the device, he or she doesn't forgets about ordering the Analyzer because it's already there."
SonicWall NSa is ranked 19th in Firewalls with 80 reviews while SonicWall TZ is ranked 12th in Firewalls with 78 reviews. SonicWall NSa is rated 7.8, while SonicWall TZ is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of SonicWall NSa writes "Great performance and security with reasonable pricing". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SonicWall TZ writes "Has efficient user access control feature and good technical support services ". SonicWall NSa is most compared with Meraki MX, Sophos XG, Cisco Secure Firewall, Netgate pfSense and WatchGuard Firebox, whereas SonicWall TZ is most compared with Sophos XG, Netgate pfSense, Meraki MX, WatchGuard Firebox and Cisco Secure Firewall. See our SonicWall NSa vs. SonicWall TZ report.
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Basically, the main difference is that the TZ series is intended for a Branch office since it has fewer ports and the speed is around 1 GB.
The NSA series has more processor power and more port where you can create subnets and zones (like DMZ). Also, it has ports with 10 Gb and a processor to support the demand.
I have read that an approximate number of users in the highest TZ series (TZ 670) is around 150 to 200 but that is just an estimate.
Hope this helps. You can get more details in SonicWall datasheets where you will find the speed, throughput and more technical specifications to select the one that fits your requirements.
In simple words,
TZ is for small businesses (less than 100, maximum 150 users).
TZ has fewer ports.
NSA is for medium and large enterprises: > 150 Users,
NSA has many ports to support large networks