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.
"The initial installation is very straightforward."
"The most valuable features are the possibility of having one fabric for switching on security."
"Easy to use support and licensing portal as well as activation process."
"The reporting you receive out of this appliance is excellent. You will not need an external management system."
"The flexibility and ease of configuration are the most valuable features."
"It enables our organization to become more productive. Also, it protects our NEtWare from viruses and malware."
"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 features that prevent internet connections, the filtering are the most valuable because we did not have any internet protection before."
"The simplicity of configuration is the most valuable feature of the solution."
"Simple to manage."
"A strong, reliable solution for small companies with little or no dedicated IT department."
"Traffic Shaping: The device lets you decide how you want to use your internet services. Due to the fact that Meraki can accept dual WAN, you can decide the way you balance the data traffic."
"It is very easy to configure."
"Dual WAN connections are greatly simplified and point-to-point VPNs automatically connect regardless of what WAN connection is active."
"We've had no issues with the scalability or the stability of this solution"
"The internet traffic shaping has been very valuable."
"SonicWall TZ is a stable product."
"The feature we found most valuable in SonicWall TZ is that it is user-friendly for an administrator."
"Ease of management and the VPN integration."
"The network security is great."
"They give good protection to my network and support it."
"It is a scalable solution."
"From our point of view, the most valuable feature was the ease of deployment."
"The solution boasts good performance and is easy to use."
"There were quite a few problems with the stability of the system."
"The support we receive when we need to upgrade is not satisfactory and has room for improvement."
"The pricing could always be better."
"Fortinet FortiGate could improve by adding FortiAnalyzer to its solution, we should not have to use another solution. FortiAnalyzer can provide more detailed information."
"One area for improvement is the performance on bandwidth demands for smaller devices, as well as better web filtering."
"We would like to have the ability to disable some of the security functionalities."
"Fortinet FortiGate could improve by having better visibility. Palo Alto has better visibility."
"They can do more tests before they release new versions because I would like to be more assured. We had some experiences where they release something new and great, but some of the old features are disabled or they don't work well, which impacts the product satisfaction. The manufacturer should be able to prove that everything works or not only that it might work. This is applicable to most of the other services, software, and hardware companies. They all should work on this. We cannot trust every new release, such as a beta release, on the first day. We wait for some comments on the forums and from other companies that we know. We always wait a few weeks before we use the updated version. They should also extend the VPN client application, especially for Linux versions. Currently, it has an application for Linux devices, but it doesn't work the way we want to connect to the VPN. They use only the old connection, not the new one. They have VPN client applications for Windows and Mac, but they can add more useful features to better manage the devices and monitor the current health of each device. Such features would be helpful for our company."
"The IPS, the Intrusion Prevention System, can be improved."
"We have been having a problem with the VPN. When the energy goes down and is back again, the VPN link doesn't get established. We have to manually turn off the modems and other pieces of equipment and manually establish the VPN. It has been around one month since we have been having this problem, and we don't have enough support from Meraki to solve the problem."
"The configuration options for firewall and IPS have limitations."
"The problem is that the two licenses do not currently integrate. We have to create separate companies and do an interconnection."
"Management can be improved in Meraki MX."
"The whole Cisco Meraki range requires easier access for cameras. For a security center, it would be helpful to have easier access to cameras through the portal. Its licensing cost could also be better."
"The current lead time is longer for Meraki MX, and it needs to be improved."
"The client-side VPN is weak. The product could be improved with deployment templates."
"The areas we would like to see improvement include more features available similar to the equivalent FortiGate appliance, e.g. SSL encryption and inspection. Two-factor authentication capability would be another additional feature that could be included in the next release."
"The VPN that is available in the new version is a bit bulky and slower in speed."
"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 technology in this particular version is very old."
"If the operation increases and the bandwidth consumption increases, it does not perform as per the expectations."
"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."
"The stability could be a lot better."
"FortiGate has a client DNS in the firewall, but SonicWall doesn't have that. To create or configure a site-to-site VPN tunnel, we have to give a DNS name. Currently, we have to get the DNS name from a third party and then include it in SonicWall, whereas FortiGate has its own client DNS, so it provides a DNS name, and it does not require a third party. There should be a graphical option to view the network utilization and bandwidth usage."
Meraki MX is ranked 2nd in Unified Threat Management (UTM) with 57 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, Cisco Secure Firewall and WatchGuard Firebox. See our Meraki MX vs. SonicWall TZ report.
See our list of best Firewalls vendors.
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.
