Sophos XGS Reviews

Name: Sophos XGS
Brand: Sophos
Rating: 4.0 (85 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

85 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.

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Sophos XGS is the #10 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 43% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 13% of all views.

Helped 865,295 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.

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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.

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Arun Hoodi

System Engineer at Dhanush Infosol

A lot of training is required. When I train our engineers, they aren’t able to get sufficient training from Sophos-hosted sessions. We only find textbooks and some videos on Sophos portal. More live sessions or time-bound training would help us understand how to pitch the firewall or use specific features, like advanced photo settings or integration with SD-WAN. We need to know which feature is suited to different environments. Right now, that knowledge gap makes us more dependent on OEM support, which could be reduced by up to 40% if more training was available. For me, reporting is a major area for improvement. Detailed reports help pinpoint issues like usage bottlenecks or abnormal activities, allowing us to fine-tune the firewall. IPS in XGS is great because it provides timely attack reports we can present to management. Integration with Active Directory could also be better. Sophos Central integration is good, but the firewall’s performance is slow when accessed through Sophos Central. Our clients also experience slow access when using their credentials. That’s a bottleneck I’d like to see resolved.

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Sophos XGS mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of Sophos XGS in the Firewalls category stands at 2.4%, up from 1.2% 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	Aug 20, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Aug 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XGS vs Netgate pfSense	Aug 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XGS vs Fortinet FortiGate	Aug 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XGS vs OPNsense	Aug 20, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.8%	91%	411 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	12.0%	93%	218 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Sophos XGS offers broad security features like threat management, VPN integration, and synchronized security. Users appreciate ease of use, impressive threat detection, content filtering, and reliable performance. It supports centralized management, AI capabilities, and robust reporting. Additionally, it provides cost-effective options with application and web filtering. Powerful interface and rapid processing enhance user experience. Users benefit from comprehensive security, intuitive configuration, and scalable features suitable for diverse business sizes.

"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

Sophos XGS lacks seamless integration with Active Directory and Azure AD, needs improved SD-WAN functionality and reliable customer support, and faces issues with firmware updates and interface usability. High costs, limited scalability, complex configuration, and insufficient user-friendly features affect user experience. Enhanced reporting, increased capacity, better automation, and improved threat protection are necessary. Users seek faster response times, detailed auditing, and the inclusion of Network Access Control. Furthermore, issues with hardware stability and visibility persist.

"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 is effective for smaller businesses, offering strong cybersecurity features such as ransomware prevention and cost reductions. Users rate the investment positively, noting its ability to reduce operational costs by several thousand dollars. Although some have faced increased licensing costs, the solution's security measures justify its pricing. While precise ROI calculations are challenging, the continuous protection against cyber threats satisfies performance expectations, making it a worthwhile investment for those utilizing its cybersecurity capabilities.

Pricing

Sophos XGS pricing varies by model and capacity, offering competitive advantages for small to medium enterprises. Although some users in countries like Bolivia and Nigeria find it expensive, others appreciate the reasonable cost compared to competitors like Fortinet and Palo Alto. Licensing is often structured on a multi-year basis, with standard packages including essential features. Annual licenses range widely, from $150 per unit to $75,000 for multiple units, while additional support and services may incur extra costs.

"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 firewall capabilities, securing networks and endpoints. Organizations implement it for threat management, web filtering, application control, and VPN. It serves diverse environments like offices, datacenters, and schools, and supports virtual setups. Users appreciate its unified threat management features, endpoint security, and integration with software tools. Businesses utilize it for email protection, site-to-site VPNs, network access management, bandwidth management, and maintaining network security amidst evolving threats.

Service and Support

Sophos XGS customer service has mixed feedback. Many users find technical support responsive and knowledgeable, though response times are often cited as slow, particularly in urgent situations. Language barriers remain an issue, especially for non-English speakers. Some appreciate the escalation process for complex problems, while others note delays in RMA processes. Improvements are needed in responsiveness and first-level support capabilities. The overall perception of support ranges from satisfactory to needing significant enhancement.

Deployment

Sophos XGS setup is generally user-friendly and straightforward, often requiring minimal time and personnel. While many find it easy, complexity can arise with advanced configurations or larger deployments. Users appreciate the guidance provided but note challenges aligning with specific network environments. Experienced users report quicker setups, while newcomers may face a learning curve. Some note that assistance may be helpful for intricate policies and migrations, but basic implementations are typically hassle-free.

Scalability

Sophos XGS is often described as scalable with options for both virtual and physical appliances. Users report varying experiences; some highlight its flexibility and suitability for larger environments while others note limitations related to hardware capabilities. Many emphasize the ability to tailor the setup according to organizational needs by choosing different models or licensing plans, highlighting different levels of success in scaling depending on user counts and specific configurations. Challenges may arise at higher user levels or when additional hardware is necessary.

Stability

Sophos XGS is recognized for high reliability, with most users experiencing no significant issues. Many note its consistent performance, uptime, and absence of bugs or crashes. However, capacity limits and specific conditions like power outages can affect performance. Some rate its stability between seven to ten out of ten, while others highlight occasional challenges, such as hardware concerns or integration with other systems. Users find it more stable than prior versions.

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

13%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Healthcare Company

Hospitality Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Retailer

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Energy/Utilities Company

Legal Firm

University

Performing Arts

Transportation Company

Consumer Goods Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Logistics Company

International Affairs Institute

Non Tech Company

Pharma/Biotech 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.