We performed a comparison between Meraki MX and SonicWall TZ based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: Users consider Meraki MX devices to be part of a comprehensive next-generation firewall solution with all the advanced security services required for today’s IT marketplace. They say it is also a robust dynamic Unified Threat Management (UTM) tool. Meraki MX offers zero-touch installation, is cloud-based, and can seamlessly integrate with most of today’s popular platforms. Many users feel SonicWall TZ can be bulky and slow and is lacking some key features.
"It is easy to manage, and it doesn't need much knowledge from the team. It is a stable device, and there are many features that are included out of the box."
"Unified Threat Management (UTM) features."
"Fortinet FortiGate's most valuable features are ease of use, flexibility, and most of the configuration we can be done using the GUI. When we compare Fortinet FortiGate with other solutions the firewall policy are very easy to understand."
"The solution is highly scalable because they have devices that can handle a large amount of traffic."
"The user interface is relatively easy. The devices are easy to deploy and figure out when you have experience with other security appliances."
"The reporting you receive out of this appliance is excellent. You will not need an external management system."
"Good load balancing feature."
"It can expand easily."
"Both the scalability and the scalability are great with Meraki MX."
"Real Auto VPN with load balancer without needing a public IP. It is simple and functional."
"The product is quite secure, easy to manage, and well-connected with other devices."
"It has very good features; it's easy to use, configure, set up, and deploy."
"Meraki makes it easy to be secure and know where the holes are to fix them. We have been fixing anything that we have ever found for 20 years. We keep up-to-date with firmware upgrades. We just try to stay on top of everything for security, like maintaining updates and getting rid of old systems. I feel like we're on top of it."
"Deployment takes no more than one working day."
"Very easy to use and navigate."
"You can use your web browser to do the configuration which is easier than Cisco CLI transcripts."
"We are able to block whatever we want to block by using this product. It provides all required security features, such as content filtering, VPN, in one box. Before switching to SonicWall, we had specified all required features."
"I find the security we are able to do with the policies to be valuable. The monitoring is valuable as well."
"The most valuable feature is the protection available, and then ease of use and flexibility."
"The scalability of SonicWall TZ is good and easy to add users."
"It is a scalable solution."
"Offers the right amount of control without being incredibly convoluted and frustrating."
"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."
"Ease of management and the VPN integration."
"Its reporting can be improved. Sometimes, I don't get proper reports."
"I would like Fortinet to add more automation to FortiGate."
"We'd like more management across other integrations."
"I don't really have anything negative to say as far as Fortinet firewalls are concerned. If anything, they can support a user a little bit better. They can stop being so time-sensitive about how much time the support call has taken, and they can help you do it yourself."
"If they could extend their fabric towards other vendor environments for integration, that would be great."
"Usually, we sell the bundle with the UTM or threat management piece with IPS, IDS. Other providers, such as Palo Alto, are ahead in terms of safe functionality. So, for me, delivering truly safe service is probably something that still needs to be improved."
"NGN, reporting and controls."
"There can be more security in hybrid implementations. When a customer has a hybrid environment where some parts are in the cloud, we need a consistent security solution for such scenarios."
"The only stability issue is in Content Filtering. Sometimes we need to report these types of issues to Cisco support."
"It can be hard to get a hold of the solution’s technical support team."
"I need more UTM protection security features."
"The product is quite complex to set up."
"Could possibly use deeper configurations."
"The IPS, the Intrusion Prevention System, can be improved."
"It would be nice if the different services, including the SIEM SOC and endpoint detection and response (EDR) were integrated into one, so that I don't have to go to different vendors for different services."
"We could have more reporting options and the ability to send alarms to the administrator."
"I can't get the support that I need from SonicWall."
"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."
"We require centralized monitoring of the network features, which they have but they are not to the level that we require."
"Full monitoring obviously needs to be improved. We need full monitoring covered under the security licensing."
"Sometimes there is a glitch between the network connection. Last time, something happened on our IP phone, the SonicWall team did some updates to fix the issue. However, glitches happen very rarely. I did not experience any other types of problems."
"The solution must provide more ports."
"In an upcoming release, SonicWall could improve by adding cloud management for all devices for free or at a nominal cost. Currently, they have a cloud management platform but is not free. We have the MySonicWall portal for purchasing from them for software updates and renewals."
"The cost of the solution has room for improvement."
Meraki MX is ranked 2nd in Unified Threat Management (UTM) with 58 reviews while SonicWall TZ is ranked 12th in Firewalls with 78 reviews. Meraki MX is rated 8.2, while SonicWall TZ is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Meraki MX writes "Cost-effective, simplified, easy to manage, and reliable with advanced security features and granular visibility". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SonicWall TZ writes "Has efficient user access control feature and good technical support services ". Meraki MX is most compared with Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls, Cisco Secure Firewall, Sophos XG, Netgate pfSense and SonicWall NSa, whereas SonicWall TZ is most compared with Sophos XG, Netgate pfSense, SonicWall NSa, WatchGuard Firebox and Cisco Secure Firewall. See our Meraki MX vs. SonicWall TZ report.
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We monitor all Firewalls reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.
