Sophos XG Reviews

Name: Sophos XG
Brand: Sophos
Rating: 4.0 (207 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

207 reviews
92% willing to recommend

2,601 followers

What is Sophos XG?

Sophos XG is a versatile network security solution that offers network protection, firewall management, VPN access, web filtering, and intrusion prevention, providing comprehensive security for businesses from small offices to large enterprises.

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

Sophos XG is the #4 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Sophos XG an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Sophos XG is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate. Sophos XG is popular among the large enterprise 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 16% of all views.

Helped 849,686 peers since 2012

Featured Sophos XG reviews

Mohamad Charara

Head of IT at a consultancy with 201-500 employees

Sophos XG ( /products/sophos-xg-reviews ) is not easy to navigate and to use, and the integration capabilities are lacking. It cannot integrate properly with solutions like Darktrace ( /products/darktrace-reviews ). The VPN client on mobiles, especially Android phones, has issues. It is resource-greedy, causing performance problems even on new computers. Improvements are needed in resource management and integration with other security solutions.

Read full review

SherifFouad

ICT Manager at a mining and metals company with 1,001-5,000 employees

The major problem that I am facing, and I know that others are facing as well, is with the HTTPS classic, in general, or any classic that works on Secure Socket Layers. Let's say I set up a rule to block users from accessing YouTube or Facebook. The rule will only block the HTTP traffic, which is non-secure traffic. But most websites right now, most of the reputable web services providers, for extra security for their own web servers and for the user's security, provide a connection over Secure Socket Layer. The problem comes when you are trying to block, or allow, similar traffic that uses HTTPS. You have to create a certificate and import it into the users' web browsers, whatever they are using. Now, this is not a problem when you're dealing with users stationed and fixed in a specific site or location. They are using desktops, they will never take the desktops and go home with them, nor will they ever take the desktops and travel to another country, or another site with it. The problem occurs when you're dealing with roaming users who use laptops and have to move between different sites that have different types of policies applied to them. You have to import all sorts of certificates from each site into their browser. Doing so will most probably conflict with something else that is totally irrelevant and cause a problem. A way around this is if you are using authentication with Active Directory. But most of the time, especially if you're operating in a remote site with a very slow internet connection, if it's available in the first place, authentication with Active Directory is impossible. So it needs an easier way to apply HTTPS filters, without importing certificates into users' browsers and without the need for using an Active Directory. There must be a way around it. There are workarounds. But with applied workarounds, it will work out once, it won't work out properly 10 other times. That is my only request. Also, since Sophos took over Cyberoam, the online technical library and support library have become super messy. To get a piece of information is becoming a nightmare. They need to reorganize the online technical support and technical library. The easiest way to overcome this is to look at how the Cyberoam online technical library was structured and to build the Sophos technical library the same way. It is messy, totally unorganized, time-wasting. Instead of getting what you want in five minutes it takes half an hour.

Read full review

Manuel Gellida

Owner at Dinamica en Microsistemas de Informatica, S.A. de C.V.

The integration could be a bit better. They need to allow their solution to integrate with other products and not just other Sophos solutions. Sophos has a feature that in my opinion is very limited. They don't have enough VPNs on their models. They have the XG 750, which is a sizeable appliance. On those models, they used to have not enough VPNs. They always were short on that area. Pricing used to be very bad, however, they've adjusted their strategy recently. The product needs to improve its marketing in Mexico. It's not a well-recognized product in our country. The solution's technical support is very bad. There is an overall lack of documentation in relation to features and capabilities. We need these to help explain aspects of the solution to our clients.

Read full review

Sophos XG mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Sophos XG in the Firewalls category stands at 11.5%, up from 9.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on Sophos XG reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	May 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XG vs Netgate pfSense	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Sophos XG vs OPNsense	May 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	21.4%	90%	330 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	13.3%	93%	217 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Sophos XG excels in ease of use, flexibility, and robust security features. Its integrated security framework, including web filtering, application control, and VPN capabilities, offers user-friendly management and protection. Sophos Central integration provides seamless threat detection and response. Sandboxing and endpoint synchronization enhance visibility and defense against threats. Reporting and dashboards are intuitive. Pricing is competitive compared to peers like Palo Alto and Fortinet. Scalability and efficient deployment make Sophos XG a favored choice for diverse businesses.

"The most valuable feature of Sophos XG is its routing and network routing capabilities."
"The solution has been stable; it's on 24/7 and has consistently been reliable over the years."
"Sophos XG offers a robust solution with quota management features that are per IP and per user, which I find to be very effective."

Room for Improvement

Sophos XG faces issues with technical support responsiveness, which often delays resolution times for users. Its user interface can be confusing, requiring simplification to enhance usability. Reporting and integration features need enhancement to provide more detailed insights and compatibility with other systems. The SD-WAN capabilities require improvements to match competing solutions. Pricing and licensing complexity deter smaller offices from adoption. Common system issues include VPN configuration challenges, resource consumption, and difficulties with firmware updates.

"The technical support directly from Sophos is not that great, which is why I had to employ a local company that deals with it more to assist me."
"The reporting side could use improvement. Having more reports on the dashboard would be beneficial."
"The technical support could be improved, particularly in terms of response speed, as there were delays when working with their Indian support team."

ROI

Sophos XG provides significant financial benefits such as cost and time savings. Users experience reduced reliance on specialized IT skills and minimal virus and malware attacks while benefiting from a simpler interface. Companies report enhanced security features, including inbuilt two-factor authentication, and free technical support, yielding a high return. Some savings come from reduced personnel costs and blocking unnecessary bandwidth consumption. While initial costs exist, the long-term value is consistently regarded as favorable.

Pricing

Sophos XG pricing is seen as competitive in the market, generally offering a mid-range cost compared to other firewalls like Check Point, Fortinet, and Palo Alto. Licensing usually involves a subscription model, often over one to three years, with prices ranging from $1,300 to $45,000 annually, depending on features and package options. While hardware pricing is relatively low, some users find licensing costs higher, especially for additional security features. Discounts and flexible pricing are available, influenced by regional economic factors.

"The tool's pricing and licensing are very complex. As a developing company, we need approvals from management to make a purchase, which can take time. We asked Sophos XG to renew our current firewall license for one or two months while we plan to accommodate our increasing IT assets."
"The tool's pricing is cheaper compared to other alternative products."
"Sophos XG can be considered as an averagely-priced tool in the market."

Popular Use Cases

Sophos XG is widely employed for network security, primarily serving as a firewall and VPN integration tool. Industries utilize it for web filtering, application control, and antivirus protection. Its features include threat management and bandwidth control. It also integrates with endpoint devices, offering comprehensive network security. Organizations from sectors like banking, healthcare, and manufacturing use Sophos XG to enhance security measures and internet traffic management while facilitating secure remote access.

Service and Support

Customer service and support of Sophos XG have mixed feedback. Expertise and professionalism receive high praise, but response times can be slow. Some users are happy with prompt service, while others find it tedious to connect, especially post-outsourcing to India. Language barriers and complex issue handling are concerns for certain teams. Many users appreciate local vendor support, easy online documentation, and comprehensive guides, but others demand quicker resolutions and improved communication channels.

Deployment

Sophos XG's initial setup is generally straightforward and simple for those with prior network experience. Deployments range from a few hours to several days, depending on complexity and user expertise. Some face challenges without technical knowledge, while others find setup intuitive due to familiarity. Consistent themes include the necessity of learning the interface and using support resources effectively, resulting in a manageable process for those with a basic understanding of networking concepts.

Scalability

Sophos XG is often seen as scalable, particularly for small to medium-sized needs. While some feedback highlights its adaptability and performance, others note limitations in upgrading without switching to more costly models. Organizations have varied experiences, with many finding it meets current requirements, while others find future expansion possibilities restricted by hardware. Features like SD-WAN support scalability but can present challenges in larger deployments.

Stability

Sophos XG demonstrates strong stability with significant improvements from earlier firmware versions. Users report minimal issues related to updates or specific configurations and appreciate Sophos support in addressing them quickly. Many highlight their satisfaction with the system's performance, reliability, and versatility, especially for small to medium-sized businesses, noting its robustness in handling large workloads and maintaining seamless operation in various environments, though some bugs and resource demands are noted.

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

Download our Sophos XG 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

16%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Retailer

Government

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Media Company

University

Hospitality Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare Sophos XG with alternative products

Learn more about Sophos XG

Sophos XG stands out for its Synchronized Security, easy setup, and robust templates. It manages VPN access, protects against threats, and handles load balancing and traffic monitoring. The cloud-based management, centralized dashboard, and detailed logging make it user-friendly and reliable. Integration of features like email protection, SD-WAN, and unified threat management ensures a broad spectrum of security needs are covered. However, it could benefit from improvements in network security, user portals, technical support, and more scalable SD-WAN features.

What are the key features of Sophos XG?

Synchronized Security: Orchestrates threat intelligence sharing between endpoints and firewall.
Unlimited SSL VPN Clients: Provides extensive VPN client support for secure remote access.
Cloud-Based Management: Facilitates remote administration with a cloud-hosted platform.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and blocks potential threats in real-time.
Centralized Dashboard: Offers a comprehensive view of network security status.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Scalability: Easily adapts to growing business needs.
User-Friendliness: Simplified setup and intuitive management.
Effective Threat Protection: Provides robust security against a wide range of threats.
Comprehensive Reporting: Delivers detailed insights and analytics.
Cost-Effectiveness: Competitive in pricing with flexible deployment options.

Sophos XG is implemented across industries such as healthcare, education, and finance to secure sensitive data and ensure regulatory compliance. It aids in endpoint protection, application control, load balancing, and traffic monitoring essential for these industries. Enhancing network security, simplifying VPN setup, and integrating adaptive security features remain focal points for businesses.