Palo Alto Networks PA-Series Reviews

Name: Palo Alto Networks PA-Series
Brand: Palo Alto Networks
Rating: 4.3 (32 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

32 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Palo Alto Networks PA-Series?

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is essential for firewall implementation, perimeter defense, securing infrastructure boundaries, web filtering, VPN, and threat prevention. Organizations deploy it for secure cloud connections, internet security, and managing network devices.

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Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is the #14 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Palo Alto Networks PA-Series an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Fortinet FortiGate. Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 48% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series

May 2025

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Featured Palo Alto Networks PA-Series reviews

Deminda Dilan

Senior Network Engineer at Just In Time Group (Sri Lanka)

The URL filtering and antivirus capabilities are great. Users can also create custom applications and mold them as needed. We've done QOS configurations for specific traffic, prioritizing or deprioritizing certain applications like YouTube. We also configure GlobalProtect for remote VPN clients, and some customers even require access to the company network through GlobalProtect. I've also worked with Wildfire, URL filtering, antivirus, file blocking, QOS, and VPN. Recently, I configured a VPN with Azure. Palo Alto has predefined applications that you can control at the application level. You can manage policies and specifically mention which applications to control. If you need to configure a custom application that's not already in Palo Alto's database, you can create one. Sometimes an application doesn't come pre-defined, so you need to create a custom application using signatures or packet captures.

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Bilal Mustafa

Operations Specialist - MX Operations at Bank Alfalah Limited

The most effective features of the solution are its Magic Quadrant positioning, making it a leading firewall on perimeter areas and internet edges. It functions very well in data centers. Its effectiveness is highly dependent on budget and approach. Moreover, the return on investment is calculated according to my organization’s sizing and has never been an issue.

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Hamed-Wasel

IT Senior Network Security Engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

When I compare the tool with other firewalls, it’s the most powerful. It's the most powerful security engine. All the traffic going to the Internet passes through it as the first layer of protection. Because of its good performance, we also use it for decryption. The product's most useful function is its performance. I also appreciate the ability to create rules as groups and apply filters to each group. Each application has its own rules, which can be combined using a group, which is very effective. Additionally, we use Palo Alto Networks PA-Series for decryption, applying encryption policies on the firewall. The encryption policy works for all traffic going to the Internet. We integrated it with Active Directory, specifically with our three or five Active Directory servers. This integration works well for user analysis and policy authentication. The tool is rated high in Gartner reports.

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Palo Alto Networks PA-Series mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks PA-Series in the Firewalls category stands at 0.5%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on Palo Alto Networks PA-Series reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	May 29, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Netgate pfSense	May 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Fortinet FortiGate	May 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs OPNsense	May 29, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	21.4%	90%	341 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	13.3%	93%	217 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series offers robust security with features like App-ID, URL filtering, and threat prevention. Its GUI simplifies setup and management, while its logging aids troubleshooting. Integration with other tools enhances performance, and the firewall's ability to detect protocol anomalies at Layer 7 is valuable. It excels in customization, user-friendly dashboards, and rapid deployment, providing features like Magic Quadrant positioning and WildFire, making it a reliable next-generation firewall.

"The most valuable feature of Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is that it is highly customizable."
"I rate the stability as ten out of ten."
"It functions very well in data centers."

Room for Improvement

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series receives feedback on several areas needing improvement. Endpoint protection outside the office is inadequate. Users express dissatisfaction with technical support and frequent updates that lead to instability concerns. The interface is considered complex and in need of simplification. Pricing and licensing are seen as too high, while configuration complexities remain an issue. Additional threat detection features and enhancements to existing ones are desired. The SD-WAN feature and technical documentation are also noted as areas needing attention.

"The initial setup of Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is very complicated."
"The support has been shaky. Initially, it took one or two hours to get a Palo Alto engineer, which is quite slow. I expect faster response times."
"I experienced some problems with AWS cloud parameters connected to Palo Alto firewall."

ROI

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series offers significant ROI by reducing costs through consolidated advanced features, eliminating the need for extra devices. Users benefit from its ability to manage security at both user and application levels. Its advanced URL filtering and cloud-based threat intelligence enhance protection. While performance is strong overall, minor slowdowns may occur. Over time, its benefits become evident, providing cost-effectiveness, especially when maintained according to organizational needs and sustaining over extended periods like nine years.

Pricing

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series pricing is perceived as high compared to other vendors like FortiGate and Check Point. Users acknowledge the solution's robust security features and long-term support, which justify the higher cost for enterprise clients. Licensing options include bundled subscriptions for URL filtering and threat prevention at reduced rates. Prices vary based on model and user requirements, with entry-level firewalls starting around $1,300 and high-end models costing significantly more.

"The solution's pricing is high compared to that of Cisco and Fortinet."
"With Palo Alto, even when you enable all the modules, it still provides the exact throughput they advertise."
"The pricing is fair."

Popular Use Cases

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is primarily utilized for securing corporate networks through firewall implementations. Organizations use it for perimeter defense, VPN connectivity, web filtering, and managing internet traffic. Its security features include threat prevention, URL filtering, and advanced monitoring. Many deploy it for cloud transitions, integrating with applications, and supporting remote access through VPNs. It serves as a core network security tool, offering centralized management and seamless integration into existing infrastructures.

Service and Support

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series customer service and support are often described as good, though response times can vary. Some users find it challenging to connect promptly, while others praise the quick resolution of issues. There's a mix of experiences with ticket handling, with some awaiting software updates for fixes. Users commend the quality, especially for critical cases. The support gets positive ratings, with technical support often rated between eight and ten out of ten.

Deployment

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series setup ranges from straightforward to complex. Many find installation easy, especially with prior experience or training, noting simplicity compared to other firewalls. Tools like the converter aid migration, simplifying configuration. Maintenance is generally user-friendly, requiring minimal personnel. Some encounter challenges due to network complexity or software issues. Deployment times vary widely, with factors like policy needs and network size influencing duration. Despite initial difficulties, those with the right resources manage effectively.

Scalability

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is versatile, catering to diverse user needs. It handles thousands of users efficiently but requires suitable models for optimal performance. Feedback on its scalability ranges from moderate to exceptional, with some noting hardware constraints. Users appreciate cloud deployment for flexibility, and models like PA-800 and PA-220 may face challenges. Many rate its scalability highly, appreciating its capability to expand infrastructure and accommodate organizational growth across various regions and sectors.

Stability

Users praise Palo Alto Networks PA-Series for its stability, frequently rating it between eight and ten out of ten. Many highlight its reliability and high availability features, although some note issues with update frequency and specific models. Most users express satisfaction with its performance, comparing it favorably to other firewalls. Some users mention refraining from adopting new releases immediately due to potential instability, opting for proven versions instead.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Palo Alto Networks PA-Series Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

13%

University

Comms Service Provider

Government

Healthcare Company

Educational Organization

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Retailer

Media Company

Non Profit

Insurance Company

Hospitality Company

Performing Arts

Wholesaler/Distributor

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Logistics Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Leisure / Travel Company

Consumer Goods Company

Wellness & Fitness Company

Non Tech Company

Newspaper

Agriculture

Mining And Metals Company

Compare Palo Alto Networks PA-Series with alternative products

Learn more about Palo Alto Networks PA-Series

Companies trust Palo Alto Networks PA-Series to protect corporate networks from external threats, control traffic between networks, and meet regulatory compliance. Integrating well with applications, it offers centralized management and advanced security features such as IDS, IPS, and GlobalProtect. It ensures stable performance, application-based policy enforcement, and decryption of SSL traffic while providing efficient resource usage and comprehensive logging.

What are the key features?

Stability: Reliable performance for continuous protection.
App-ID: Application-based policy enforcement.
URL Filtering: Prevents access to malicious websites.
Security Controls: Comprehensive threat prevention mechanisms.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies management and operations.
Efficient Resource Usage: Optimized for minimal resource consumption.
Reporting: Detailed logs and analytics for better insights.
Antivirus: Protects against malware and viruses.
WildFire: Advanced threat prevention with machine learning AI.
Protocol Anomaly Detection: Identifies unusual network behavior.
SSL Decryption: Ensures secure traffic inspection.
Encryption: Safeguards sensitive data.
VPN Capabilities: Secure remote access for users.
Active Directory Integration: Streamlines user authentication.
Quality of Service (QoS): Manages network traffic efficiently.

What benefits should be evaluated?

Enhanced Security: Superior threat prevention and detection.
Centralized Management: Streamlined control of network devices.
Regulatory Compliance: Assists in meeting legal requirements.
Operational Efficiency: Reduced resource usage and downtime.
Comprehensive Reporting: Complete visibility into network activities.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands.
User Accessibility: Simplifies secure access for remote employees.

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is implemented across industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, it ensures patient data protection and compliance with HIPAA. Financial institutions utilize it to secure transactions and meet regulatory standards. Retailers benefit from protecting customer information and securing online payments. Manufacturing companies deploy it to safeguard intellectual property and control plant floor operations.