Cisco IOS Security vs SonicWall NSSP comparison

Cisco and SonicWall are both solutions in the Firewalls category. Cisco is ranked #28 with an average rating of 9.0, while SonicWall is ranked #29 with an average rating of 9.3. Cisco holds a 0.4% mindshare in Firewalls, compared to SonicWall’s 0.2% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 16, 2024

Cisco IOS Security and SonicWall NSSP compete in network security solutions. SonicWall NSSP seems to have the upper hand in features and performance based on user reviews.

Features: Cisco IOS Security offers extensive networking capabilities, integration with Cisco's broader ecosystem, and beneficial features for enterprises invested in Cisco products. SonicWall NSSP provides advanced protection features like capture ATP, SSL decryption, and real-time deep memory inspection. Users find SonicWall's security features more comprehensive and advanced.

Room for Improvement: Users suggest Cisco IOS Security could enhance threat detection capabilities, improve the command-line interface for new users, and make configuration simpler. SonicWall NSSP users indicate the need for a more streamlined configuration process, better documentation, and simpler setup despite its advanced security features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco IOS Security is praised for integration within Cisco environments but can be complex to deploy and configure. SonicWall NSSP is noted for being easier to deploy but has configuration complexity. Both receive favorable customer service ratings, with SonicWall leading due to shorter response times.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco IOS Security has higher setup costs reflecting its robust features, while SonicWall NSSP offers competitive pricing. Users find SonicWall NSSP delivers a better ROI due to its potent security suite, making it cost-effective for many businesses.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco IOS Security vs. SonicWall NSSP Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS Security vs. SonicWall NSSP

February 2026

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Helped 881,757 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

5.8

Fortinet FortiGate offers a high ROI with cost-effective cybersecurity, reducing costs and improving efficiency through centralized control.

Sentiment score

7.4

Cisco IOS Security delivered significant ROI through improved routing, security, stability, and cost-efficiency, despite competitive vendor pressures.

Sentiment score

3.5

SonicWall NSSP improved network security, reduced threat management time, increased efficiency, and provided significant cost savings and robust support.

Clients are now comfortable and not wasting productive hours on IT support.

MURALI NIDAMANURI

Managing Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

The automation part is giving us a cost benefit and speed; we can react faster.

Bart Homblé

BDM Fortinet & BDM Teamlead at Exclusive Networks

It's a very useful tool to mitigate and protect your enterprise.

Bernard Samontanes

Staff Infrastructure & Security Engineer at Mozn Systems

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

The return on investment is satisfactory with Cisco products as they have long lifespans, and our customers are satisfied with them.

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.6

Fortinet FortiGate support is generally effective, but users report variable responsiveness and rely on comprehensive documentation.

Sentiment score

6.7

Cisco IOS Security support is generally praised for speed and skill, though some report delays and complexity in access.

Sentiment score

7.3

SonicWall NSSP is appreciated for reliability and responsiveness, but some users report dissatisfaction with support team responses.

The quick resolution of issues with Fortinet FortiGate is due to the support of the company and the fact that the equipment is easy to work with.

Alexandre Menezes

IT Manager at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

I would rate the technical support for Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.

AnishKumar

NAC Support at Rah Infotech Pvt Ltd

As a solution provider, when I encounter problems, I connect directly with Fortinet support, and they provide solutions within a very short time.

Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

My impression is that the support quality has deteriorated over time.

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

It is very effective because it prevents any indecent behaviors in the network or from outside the network.

SyedTaha

Head of IT and Information Security at GLEEDS USA INC

I rate the technical support provided by SonicWall a perfect ten out of ten.

Niranjan Prajapati

Pre Sales at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.1

Fortinet FortiGate is considered scalable for small to medium enterprises, though less so for large-scale expansions.

Sentiment score

7.4

Cisco IOS Security offers scalable, enterprise-level solutions but may increase costs and limit universality due to required hardware.

Sentiment score

6.8

SonicWall NSSP offers scalable security features, with user ratings from three to ten, suitable for SMBs and data centers.

They scale up really well from smaller models like the FortiGate 40 and 50 to bigger sites with the FortiGate 100 for more throughput - up to enterprise datacenters.

Ian Manton

IT Manager at Daltons Limited

The variation comes in terms of the interfaces and throughputs, but from a security perspective, you get the same benefit, irrespective of whether you have an entry-level unit or an enterprise.

reviewer2667480

Cewa Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

We determine sizing based on multiple factors: number of users, available links, traffic types, server count, services in use, and whether services will be published.

FatmaSamy

General Surgery Specialist at Helwan University Cairo

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

The scalability rating is nine out of 10.

SyedTaha

Head of IT and Information Security at GLEEDS USA INC

SonicWall NSSP offers features such as stateful firewall, deep packet inspections, IPS, application intelligence, user-based policies, centralized visibility from the management console, advanced protection with RFDPI, high-speed scanning, RTDMI technology, Capture ATP, cloud sandboxing, and encrypted traffic inspection with DPI-SSL and TLS.

Niranjan Prajapati

Pre Sales at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.7

Fortinet FortiGate is stable and reliable, with occasional issues linked to updates and high traffic, requiring regular patches.

Sentiment score

7.6

Cisco IOS Security is generally reliable with occasional issues, frequently updated for stability, scoring 7-10 in satisfaction.

Sentiment score

5.6

SonicWall NSSP is stable, with rare issues and smooth data transfers, but DPI-SSL can impact performance.

We're experiencing 99.999% availability consistently.

Ricardo Biggs

Manager, Information Technology at a consumer goods company with 11-50 employees

I would rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.

AnishKumar

NAC Support at Rah Infotech Pvt Ltd

Currently, we are experiencing a general outage of one of the main internet service providers of the Dominican Republic, and we have not been impacted in our operations because with SD-WAN, we have another internet service provider and we are working with the second WAN connection without any disruption.

Juan Frias

CISO at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

We find Cisco products stable and thoroughly tested before new software or firmware versions are released.

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

I find Cisco IOS Security to be a very stable product.

Binoob John

Partner/Owner and Director of Human Resources at Up arrow Systems

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

In 30 years, only three to four boxes out of 1,000 to 2,000 boxes have had issues.

Winsley De Oliveira

Owner at ANOC

The stability rating is 10 out of 10.

SyedTaha

Head of IT and Information Security at GLEEDS USA INC

I think deep packet inspection of SonicWall NSSP is essential, as I require all features, including deep packet inspection, which I can enable and suggest to clients.

Niranjan Prajapati

Pre Sales at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Room For Improvement

Fortinet FortiGate users desire better reporting, intuitive UI, improved documentation, simpler pricing, stability, integration, and advanced features.

Cisco IOS Security struggles with integration, usability, cost, lacking features, complex licensing, performance, and requires enhancement and support.

SonicWall needs upgraded reporting, intuitive UI, robust NSM, better EDR/XDR, marketing, and firmware fixes to compete effectively.

These sessions should be around five to ten minutes long, allowing users and partners to quickly grasp the information without disrupting their daily tasks.

MURALI NIDAMANURI

Managing Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

The solution should be able to implement machine learning and analytics of all the logs for threat detection and protection.

Elvis Mahadeo

Senior Systems Engineer at Caribbean Development Company

It would be better for customers to get immediate replacements even with a standard subscription.

Pravin Mandlik

Director at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

Cisco changes their licensing policy quite frequently, which is becoming confusing and complicated.

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

This would help end-user customers understand the impact when those firmwares are pushed into the live environment.

SyedTaha

Head of IT and Information Security at GLEEDS USA INC

The issues I have experienced are not hardware-related but firmware-related, as Gen 7 has new hardware, while the firmware contains some issues that could be resolved but may take considerable time.

Niranjan Prajapati

Pre Sales at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Setup Cost

Fortinet FortiGate offers competitive pricing, though renewal and add-on costs can affect long-term affordability, providing good feature value.

Cisco IOS Security is costly, favoring medium to large enterprises with longer-term savings over SMB challenges.

SonicWall NSSP pricing ranges widely based on licensing, with enterprise users valuing its features despite varying international costs.

Last year, I renewed the support for three years, which can sometimes be expensive but depends on the security benefits and how it helps us.

AiméKouchade

Network & System Admin at Invoke Studios

It offers cost savings as it is generally cheaper than the competition.

NilsPaley

IT Infrastructure Architect at Apotek 1

It is about 20% cheaper.

MithatBulut

Network Security Engineer at TD SYNNEX

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

The cost of Cisco IOS Security for customers is on the higher end of pricing compared to the competition, depending on the targeted customers.

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

When purchasing through local distributors such as ScanSource or Tech Data, they incur around 100% in taxes just for import procedures.

Winsley De Oliveira

Owner at ANOC

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiGate excels with ease of use, robust security, and affordability, featuring web filtering, VPN, SD-WAN, and IPS.

Cisco IOS Security offers scalable, stable solutions with VPN, AAA, firewall integration, and user-friendly management for high-demand environments.

SonicWall NSSP offers strong security with user-friendly management, scalable features, real-time threat blocking, and comprehensive protection.

The most valuable feature of FortiGate is FortiView which provides proactive monitoring.

Viraj Fernandopulle

General Manager Group IT at DART GLOBAL LOGISTICS PTE. LTD.

We got a firewall and gave an SSL VPN to my client to connect to their servers, after which, such kind of activities involving ransomware attacks stopped.

VINAY GUJARATHI

Owner at Mindware Computer Solutions

They put in a thing called the FortiCookbook, which is very easy to read with real-life scenarios that make networking tasks like joining networks very straightforward.

Ian Manton

IT Manager at Daltons Limited

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

This solution, called Network Access Controller, handles authentication, authorization, and accounting for devices accessing the network.

Binoob John

Partner/Owner and Director of Human Resources at Up arrow Systems

The best features of Cisco IOS Security are its integration with software management tools such as Cisco DNA Center and Cisco ICE, which provide centralized policy and network access control.

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco IOS Security report

SonicWall uses this information in real-time to enhance security functions such as firewall, DPI-SSL, ATP, and IPS to block threats at the network edge before they reach users.

Niranjan Prajapati

Pre Sales at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

Every time I have had a concern, they have resolved it in a single call.

SyedTaha

Head of IT and Information Security at GLEEDS USA INC

For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall NSSP report

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiGate

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Firewalls category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate is 18.7%, down from 20.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco IOS Security is 0.4%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall NSSP is 0.2%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Fortinet FortiGate	18.7%
Cisco IOS Security	0.4%
SonicWall NSSP	0.2%
Other	80.7%

Firewalls

Featured Reviews

Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

A stable solution with an intuitive interface and quick customer service

I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate, WatchGuard, Sophos, and SonicWall. I'm not as comfortable with SonicWall because of their UI and limitations. I prefer Fortinet above all other options. When it comes to configuration, I am confident in my ability to handle various tasks, including creating policies such as firewall rules, web policies, and application policies. Additionally, I can configure VPNs and implement load balancing, among other tasks. Overall, I feel much more comfortable working with Fortinet. Fortinet has made significant improvements by integrating AI with firewalls for threat analysis and prevention. In the past 2-3 years, they have launched FortiSASE and SIEM, and they also provide SOC services. Both Palo Alto and Fortinet FortiGate are excellent. While Fortinet FortiGate comes at higher prices, the functionality and support justify the cost. They promptly resolve firmware issues and inform all support providers about configuration changes.

Read full review

Danijel Cerovecki

Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima

Have faced challenges in keeping licensing clear and consistent while ensuring reliable network protection

We are a Gold Partner with Cisco. Our customers come from various industries, including service providers, and we target service providers and enterprise customers.We do not extensively use Zone-Based Firewalls in Cisco IOS Security, instead typically deploying standalone firewalls such as Cisco FTDs or Cisco ASA devices. For threat analytics and vulnerability scanning, we utilize third-party vendors with dedicated devices and software. We use products such as Tenable from Nessus for this type of analysis. We have implemented Secure Access Control Server in Cisco IOS Security, which combines multiple security mechanisms including AAA, 802.1X for network access control with Cisco ICE, TrustSec for identity-based segmentation, and Cisco DNA Center. Cisco IOS Security's VPN support is comprehensive and increasingly important in daily communication, from basic site-to-site tunnels to remote access VPNs and SD-WAN secure VPNs. Protecting and encrypting communication is essential in modern networks. The challenges with Cisco IOS Security are more operational than product-related. There is an understaffing issue, making automation and orchestration capabilities particularly valuable. For the products themselves, we only encounter routine operational matters such as addressing new vulnerabilities and patching. For those considering Cisco IOS Security, it is important to understand that Cisco offers a complete ecosystem. When embracing the Cisco ecosystem fully, customers receive excellent products and comprehensive solutions. On a scale of 1-10, I rate Cisco IOS Security a 9.

Read full review

SyedTaha

Head of IT and Information Security at GLEEDS USA INC

Support has resolved concerns promptly and security tools have strengthened intrusion prevention and access control

The service we received from SonicWall NSSP and their distributors has been excellent. Every time I have had a concern, they have resolved it in a single call. The interface of SonicWall NSSP console is user-friendly with comprehensive features. The web filtering and access control policy are top priorities for me. It is very effective because it prevents any indecent behaviors in the network or from outside the network. Half of the task is completed by the intelligence based on the behavior. Installation was easy because our infrastructure has minimal requirements. For expanded infrastructure, support from a SonicWall NSSP technical team may be required. We have implemented it on our own.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

22%

Manufacturing Company

Marketing Services Firm

Government

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	357
Midsize Enterprise	133
Large Enterprise	189

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	14
Large Enterprise	18

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Large Enterprise	3

Questions from the Community

Which is the better NGFW: Fortinet Fortigate or Cisco Firepower?

When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage a...

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What is the biggest difference between Sophos XG and FortiGate?

From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know...

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What are the biggest technical differences between Sophos UTM and Fortinet FortiGate?

As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite ...

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What do you like most about Cisco IOS Security?

Cisco IOS Security is a mature product with extensive capabilities, serving as the base for the defense layer. It off...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco IOS Security?

The cost of Cisco IOS Security for customers is on the higher end of pricing compared to the competition, depending o...

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What needs improvement with Cisco IOS Security?

Regarding improvements in Cisco IOS Security, what consistently confuses me is the inability of Cisco to maintain a c...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SonicWall NSSP?

The cost is affordable.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall NSSP?

For improvement, they should have events specifically focused on firmware or patch updates released for the firewalls...

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What is your primary use case for SonicWall NSSP?

The solution is used to detect intrusion, web filtering, and network monitoring.

See all answers

Comparisons

Sophos Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 20% of the time

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 14% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 5% of the time

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 4% of the time

OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Cisco IOS Security

Compared 15% of the time

Cato SASE Cloud Platform vs Cisco IOS Security

Compared 11% of the time

Cisco Meraki MX vs Cisco IOS Security

Compared 8% of the time

OPNsense vs Cisco IOS Security

Compared 7% of the time

Juniper SRX Series Firewall vs Cisco IOS Security

Compared 6% of the time

More Cisco IOS Security Competitors

SonicWall NSa vs SonicWall NSSP

Compared 28% of the time

OPNsense vs SonicWall NSSP

Compared 19% of the time

Cisco Meraki MX vs SonicWall NSSP

Compared 13% of the time

More SonicWall NSSP Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

February 2026

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS Security

February 2026

Download Cisco IOS Security product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall NSSP

January 2026

Download SonicWall NSSP product report

Also Known As

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

IOS Security

SonicWall Network Security Services Platform

Overview

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?

VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet

Cisco IOS Software delivers a sophisticated set of security capabilities for a comprehensive, layered security approach throughout your network infrastructure. Cisco IOS security technologies help to defend critical business processes against attack and disruption, protect privacy, and support policy and regulatory compliance controls.

Cisco

The SonicWall Network Security services platform (NSsp) 12000 series takes a modern approach to threat detection and prevention by combining cloud intelligence with appliance-based protection in a scalable, high-speed platform.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell, HP, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, BT Group, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink, NTT Communications, Tata Communications, SoftBank, China Mobile, Singtel, Telus, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telkom Indonesia, Telkom South Africa, Telmex, Telia Company, Telkom Kenya

Arup Group, Brunel University London, City of Biel, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, K&L Gates , New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Offshore Northern Seas, Transplace

Comlogic, Depaul, Hutt City Council

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS Security vs. SonicWall NSSP

February 2026

Free Report: Cisco IOS Security vs. SonicWall NSSP

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco IOS Security vs. SonicWall NSSP and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.

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