Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs Zscaler Cloud IPS comparison

Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler are both solutions in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category. Palo Alto Networks is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.5, while Zscaler is ranked #19 with an average rating of 10.0. Palo Alto Networks holds a 7.4% mindshare in ID, compared to Zscaler’s 1.6% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Palo Alto Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Zscaler users who would recommend it.

Palo Alto Networks Advanced...

Read 29 Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention reviews

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2,426 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Zscaler Cloud IPS

Read 5 Zscaler Cloud IPS reviews

543 Views
402 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Palo Alto Networks Advanced...

Zscaler Cloud IPS

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention and Zscaler Cloud IPS are competitors in the cybersecurity space. Zscaler Cloud IPS appears to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive coverage and seamless integration with cloud services.

Features: Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention is distinguished by its robust threat identification capabilities, high-level protection against evasive threats, and integration with its security platform. Zscaler Cloud IPS provides complete threat protection, a cloud-native approach to ensure secure access across multiple environments, and focuses on a cloud-first strategy.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention offers flexible deployment modes and strong customer service with a personalized approach. Zscaler Cloud IPS facilitates rapid deployment with its cloud-native design but requires users to adapt to its environment, offering efficient customer service with a more standardized methodology.

Pricing and ROI: Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention presents competitive initial setup costs with significant ROI due to its integration capabilities within existing infrastructures. Zscaler Cloud IPS involves higher upfront costs but yields a strong ROI driven by enhanced security and operational efficiency.

To learn more, read our detailed Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs. Zscaler Cloud IPS Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs. Zscaler Cloud IPS

September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

Palo Alto Networks Advanced...

Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

5th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Zscaler Cloud IPS

Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

19th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention is 7.4%, down from 7.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zscaler Cloud IPS is 1.6%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention	7.4%
Zscaler Cloud IPS	1.6%
Other	91.0%

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

Featured Reviews

Partha Dash

Global Network Tech Lead at Thoughtworks

Advanced protection enables us to confidently secure against evolving threats

Palo Alto Networks can improve Advanced Threat Prevention by catering to the growing adoption of AI and agentic tooling. The Threat Protection modules should have the necessary intelligence to protect against those types of threats, as AI will be there to do a human job; this is an evolving area. From an Advanced Threat Protection perspective, the technology associated with Palo Alto Networks, such as their sandboxing environment, is quite good. However, Palo Alto needs to focus on how to bring that technology to end users and how easy it is to use, especially in a hybrid environment where users work from various locations. While Palo Alto excels in certain setups, they need to improve the user experience in distributed working conditions.

Read full review

Atdhe Zyhranaj

Network Security Consultant at NSCON Network Services & Consulting GmbH

It allows for a separation between cloud applications and URL filtering

We recently had a significant issue with Zscaler. I think they have too many customers and some of their connection edge nodes went down because there were too many requests. I think they aren't scaling enough to keep up with the demand in some areas. That's one thing they should improve.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention is the market leader as far as security gateways and endpoint protection. Additionally, the threat database that is used is one of the best."

"I rate Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention as nine out of ten."

"The user interface is a bit more professional than some free products."

"Edge protection is a valuable feature."

"It's a monster, it's got so many beautiful features. We do deal with other firewalls and we've got a better idea of what other firewalls' capabilities are, any comparison with the Palo Alto I liked the quality of service on the applications that you can control the amount of bandwidth an application is allowed to consume. The best feature is the quality of the application quality of service."

"I like the solution's interface."

"You can scale the product."

"Everything has been okay with the solution. We are using all of the features."

More Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention pros

"The product's most valuable feature is complete SSL inspection."

"The initial setup process is easy."

"Cloud IPS integration is seamless, and it uses a Zero Trust model. It also simplifies overall user access management."

"The initial setup is straightforward and easy in comparison with other solutions."

"The best feature is that Zscaler allows for a separation between cloud applications and URL filtering. For example, under the cloud application segment, I can bypass Microsoft Office 365 without the need to add URLs manually. It's one click, so that's handy."

Cons

"The solution could benefit from improved AI analytics to predict potential attacks before they occur, similar to NDR systems."

"Generally, to deploy it will take some downtime, about a day."

"In terms of what needs improvement, the only thing I don't like is the support."

"There is a potential drawback with the lack of support for the ICAP protocol."

"The pricing has improved with the newer generation of their Firewalls, but the price could always be lower. In comparison with other solutions, I believe they're quite competitive."

"Palo Alto's maintenance needs to be improved."

"I think they can use some improvement on FID."

"We are attempting to improve the use of URL filtering beyond threat protection."

More Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention cons

"There is always room for improvement."

"We recently had a significant issue with Zscaler. I think they have too many customers and some of their connection edge nodes went down because there were too many requests. I think they aren't scaling enough to keep up with the demand in some areas. That's one thing they should improve."

"We encounter issues sharing IP addresses with other companies using the software."

"When it comes to scalability, the IPsec could be improved."

"They have given limited free access for a year. Instead, they should increase the file size and give limited free access for around two months. It will allow engineers to evaluate the product."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is higher than others on the market. A price reduction would be beneficial if it does not impact their database quality."

"It's not too expensive."

"It is an expensive solution and I would like to see a drop in price."

"There is an initial, expensive investment but the return is good."

"Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention could improve by having consistent pricing at system levels."

"The cost involves the price of the hardware, which is expensive. However, most of the Palo Alto solutions are expensive."

"The product’s pricing is expensive for small companies."

"The pricing could be lower."

More Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention pricing and cost advice

"The software has become more expensive at present."

"Zscaler has so far been solely responsible for all the sales we have done with it, so it would be more suited than us to address any issues concerning the pricing."

"The product is not affordable for small and medium enterprises."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Manufacturing Company

16%

Healthcare Company

11%

Government

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	15

No data available

Questions from the Community

Which is the best DDoS protection solution for a big ISP for monitoring and mitigating?

Arbor would be the best bid, apart from Arbor, Palo Alto and Fortinet have good solutions. As this is an ISP, I would prefer Arbor.

See all answers

What do you like most about Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention?

It is a stable product.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Palo Alto Networks Threat Prevention?

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention requires an add-on license and is considered expensive compared to competitors like Cisco AMP and FortiGate ( /products/fortinet-fortigate-reviews ) fi...

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What do you like most about Zscaler Cloud IPS?

The product's most valuable feature is complete SSL inspection.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zscaler Cloud IPS?

The product is not affordable for small and medium enterprises.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Zscaler Cloud IPS?

They have given limited free access for a year. Instead, they should increase the file size and give limited free access for around two months. It will allow engineers to evaluate the product.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Check Point IPS vs Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention

Compared 10% of the time

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention

Compared 9% of the time

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Compared 29% of the time

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Compared 23% of the time

Darktrace vs Zscaler Cloud IPS

Compared 17% of the time

Trend Micro Deep Discovery vs Zscaler Cloud IPS

Compared 15% of the time

Palo Alto Networks URL Filtering with PAN-DB vs Zscaler Cloud IPS

Compared 15% of the time

More Zscaler Cloud IPS Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention

August 2025

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention report

Download Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention product report

Buyer's Guide

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)

August 2025

Download Zscaler Cloud IPS product report

Overview

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention is a cloud-based security service that combines cutting-edge technologies, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and expert human monitoring, to effectively thwart advanced threats like malware, zero-day attacks, and command-and-control threats. It offers inline protection, scrutinizing all network traffic irrespective of port, protocol, or encryption. An integral component of Palo Alto Networks' security platform, it enjoys widespread adoption across diverse organizations. With its robust security capabilities, it's an ideal choice for entities of all sizes, particularly those in high-risk sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies, seeking to safeguard their networks from a broad spectrum of advanced threats.

Palo Alto Networks

Zscaler Cloud IPS enables you to have all threat and alert data in one place. Full user, file and app context is available. Streaming to a SIEM allows further integration into the SOC ecosystem.

The Zscaler Threat Library allows administrators and SOC personnel to drill down on IPS alerts to perform in-depth analysis of threat data within their installation. Search by vulnerability, category or keyword

For more details: https://www.zscaler.com/produc...

Zscaler

Sample Customers

University of Arkansas, JBG SMITH, SkiStar AB, TRI-AD, Temple University, Telkom Indonesia

Zenith Live, Azure, Carlsberg Group

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs. Zscaler Cloud IPS

September 2025

Free Report: Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention vs. Zscaler Cloud IPS

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