Sophos XGS Reviews

Name: Sophos XGS
Brand: Sophos
Rating: 4.0 (84 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

84 reviews
94% willing to recommend

What is Sophos XGS?

Sophos XGS is a comprehensive network security solution designed to protect organizations from advanced threats. It combines next-generation firewall capabilities with advanced threat protection, web filtering, and application control.

Get the Sophos XGS Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Sophos XGS, Fortinet FortiGate, Netgate pfSense and more!

Sophos XGS is the #12 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Sophos XGS an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Sophos XGS is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Sophos XGS vs Fortinet FortiGate. Sophos XGS is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 41% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

Helped 853,271 peers since 2012

Featured Sophos XGS reviews

Nassif Kaleny

IT Manager at Bavaria Egypt S.A.E.

The reporting system is very poor. I cannot trace any traffic to our site if it feels some threats. It just tells me that there is something during a certain time but does not provide information about the type of threats or how to get rid of them. This needs improvement.

Read full review

Jaffar Ali

Director Technical Services at TechnoBIZ

People use Sophos XGS because the overall channel support is very good, so they don't face issues. Additionally, it is competitive in pricing against Fortinet in some cases, especially when considering high availability, email subscriptions, and gateways Sophos XGS has provided stability,…

Read full review

PramodSingh2

it managar at rise tech

The most impactful feature for my security posture is the XGS models and current versions. I miss the DDNS features on XGS model version 17. The intrusion prevention system in Sophos XGS firewall helps with my security. I am applying it on Zoom and it is working properly. Regarding synchronized security features, I am using an XGS model which is not registered on central accounts, and I basically use it on-premises. This advanced feature on XGS models is available with centralized management. Sophos supporting and analytics help make my security decisions, and it is very good. The Sophos XGS AI-driven tools benefit my organization as these features are very intelligent. The new version after 2021 is available with this feature, making them very helpful for configuration and intrusion prevention.

Read full review

Sophos XGS mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Sophos XGS in the Firewalls category stands at 2.5%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on Sophos XGS reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	May 29, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XGS vs Netgate pfSense	May 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XGS vs Fortinet FortiGate	May 29, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XGS 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

Sophos XGS is praised for its ease of use, strong threat management, and favorable pricing. Its VPN, synchronized security, SD-WAN, and bandwidth management features are valued. Reporting capabilities and centralized management are highly regarded, while its threat intelligence, content filtering, and application control enhance network security. Many appreciate its stable performance, user-friendly interface, and straightforward setup. The firewall effectively integrates with endpoints and supports various security policies, making it versatile for different organizations.

"This product is very useful, and I rate it 10 out of 10."
"I recommend Sophos XGS as it is easy, reliable, has good support, and is flexible and stable."
"It provides good protection services."

Room for Improvement

Users suggest that Sophos XGS needs improvements in several areas including better integration with Active Directory and Azure AD, more efficient SD-WAN functionality, and enhanced reporting capabilities. They also highlight issues with price, scalability, customer support, user interface complexity, and hardware stability. Improvements in automation, VPN setup, bandwidth management, and marketing strategy were also noted.

"There is room for improvement in Sophos XGS, specifically in three areas: slowness, centralized synchronization, and bandwidth issues, plus throughput is very low."
"The reporting system is very poor. I cannot trace any traffic to our site if it feels some threats."
"Sophos should work on its marketing strategy as it seems to lag behind Fortinet."

ROI

Sophos XGS provides varying results depending on company size, with smaller businesses experiencing better outcomes. Users report that it aids in preventing ransomware and reducing operational costs, contributing positively towards return. Satisfaction levels are generally high due to its effectiveness in meeting security needs, although some express concern over increased licensing costs. Pricing is considered cost-effective by many, justifying its investment despite rising expenses. Calculating exact returns can be difficult due to its nature as a security appliance.

Pricing

Sophos XGS pricing is perceived as competitive and cost-effective by many users, particularly those comparing it to competitors like Fortinet and Palo Alto. Licensing models vary, often based on a yearly fee and hardware requirements. Discounts and promotions can make it budget-friendly, although some regions find the pricing high. Overall, users appreciate its balance of price and functionality, with considerations for license and support costs influencing the total expense.

"We paid around 17,000 pounds for a three-year package."
"Sophos XGS is a very expensive solution."
"Sophos XGS is a cost-effective solution."

Popular Use Cases

Sophos XGS is primarily used for network security tasks, including acting as a firewall, providing VPN capabilities, and offering web and application filtering. Companies utilize it to secure internet gateways, protect endpoint devices, and manage site-to-site VPNs. It efficiently integrates with other systems for threat protection, URL blocking, and traffic filtering. Various sectors like government, finance, and education deploy Sophos XGS for cybersecurity, leveraging its unified threat management capabilities and cost-effectiveness.

Service and Support

Sophos XGS's customer service and support receive mixed feedback. While many find the technical support responsive and knowledgeable, others express dissatisfaction with slow response times and insufficient expertise. Language-specific support like in Spanish or French sometimes causes delays. Some users highlight the need for quicker resolutions, especially in critical situations. There is praise for certain regional teams, but many desire faster, more efficient service. Ratings vary widely, with some users very satisfied, while others see room for improvement.

Deployment

Sophos XGS's initial setup is generally easy and straightforward, especially when used as a basic firewall. Many users find the graphical interface user-friendly, simplifying configuration and setup. For more complex deployments involving advanced configurations like SD-WANs or extensive policies, the process can become challenging and time-consuming, requiring technical expertise. User experiences vary, with some completing setup in minutes while more comprehensive setups can take several days to weeks depending on requirements and environment complexity.

Scalability

Sophos XGS displays broad and flexible scalability, adapting from small to expansive environments. Some find virtual options promising due to license upgrades, though others note hardware limitations. Ratings vary, with adaptability rated as high as ten, while challenges include fixed architecture and needing additional hardware for larger user loads. Virtual versions are seen as versatile, yet specific scalability issues persist, suggesting potential enhancements could further bolster its scalability against competitors.

Stability

Sophos XGS exhibits high stability. Users consistently report no crashes or significant issues, describing it as a stable, reliable platform. Instances of instability appear infrequent and are often promptly addressed by updates. Ratings vary slightly, with many scoring its stability between seven and ten. A minority mentions occasional downtimes or capacity-related slowdowns. Comparisons suggest it surpasses previous models, and some find it slightly less stable than competitors like Palo Alto or Check Point.

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

Download our Sophos XGS 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

14%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

Hospitality Company

Government

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Retailer

Media Company

Outsourcing Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Non Profit

Legal Firm

University

Transportation Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Logistics Company

International Affairs Institute

Non Tech Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Engineering Company

Compare Sophos XGS with alternative products

Learn more about Sophos XGS

XGS has powerful deep learning technology and can detect and block even the most sophisticated malware and ransomware attacks. It also offers granular control over web access, allowing organizations to enforce policies and prevent access to malicious or inappropriate websites. Additionally, XGS provides application control features, enabling organizations to manage and prioritize network traffic based on specific applications or user groups.

With its intuitive management interface and centralized reporting, XGS offers easy deployment and monitoring of network security.