Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN): Which solution is best?

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) vendors witnessed a surge in demand for SD-WAN technology to extend to remote workers. And, as cloud adoption continues to increase over the next 5 years, the demand for SD-WAN solutions is only expected to increase. However, choosing a solution isn’t straightforward and there are many factors and solutions for businesses to consider.

Over 540,000 professionals have used PeerSpot research to inform their purchasing decisions. Its latest paper looks at the highest rated SD-WAN vendors, profiling each and examining what they can offer enterprise.

Here’s a breakdown of the key players currently active in the market:

Cato Networks

Average Rating: 8.9

Top Comparison: Zscaler SASE

Overview: Optimises and secures application access for users and identities. The platform delivers a next-generation secure networking architecture that minimises legacy IT infrastructures’ complexity, costs, and risks.

Cisco SD-WAN

Average Rating: 8.1

Top Comparison: VMware SD-WAN

Overview: A solution that provides for secure stable connections to applications for enterprises and organisations. Cisco SD-WAN works to speed up the seamless movement to the cloud.

Citrix SD-WAN

Average Rating: 9.0

Top Comparison: Steelhead

Overview: Recognised for providing a robust, trustworthy user experience so that an organisation's distributed workforce can always deliver the best possible outcomes. Organisations can easily deploy solid security protocols wherever needed.

Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall

Average Rating: 7.6

Top Comparison: Fortinet FortiGate

Overview: Protects enterprise networks with high-performance "intelligence aware" security supported by real-time updates.

Fortinet FortiGate

Average Rating: 8.4

Top Comparison: Cisco Secure Firewall

Overview: Provides users with next-generation firewall solutions that provide proven protection with unmatched performance across the network, from internal segments to data centres to cloud environments.

Juniper Sessions Smart Router

Average Rating: 8.0

Top Comparison: Cisco SD-WAN

Overview: Natively provides network-based security, control, and insight across data centres, wide area networks (WAN), and edge locations for enterprises, service providers, and cloud companies alike.

Nuage Networks

Average Rating: 9.0

Top Comparison: VMware NSX

Overview: Offers a fresh approach to the enterprise WAN. It seamlessly links all locations - regardless of size or geography - while reducing enterprise need for customised networking.

Prisma SD-WAN

Average Rating: 9.0

Top Comparison: Cisco SD-WAN

Overview: Simplify management, and enable app-defined SD-WAN policies and deliver a secure, cloud-delivered branch today with the industry’s first next-generation SD-WAN.

Versa FlexVNF

Average Rating: 7.9

Top Comparison: Cisco SD-WAN

Overview: Empowers service providers, organisations, and businesses to deploy an extensive variety of software-defined solutions, including Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and secure SD-WAN in satellite offices, cloud, campus, and data centres.

VMware SD-WAN

Average Rating: 8.3

Top Comparison: Cisco SD-WAN

Overview: SASE platform that combines many types of software-based network technologies to enable users to virtualise their wide area networks and reduce their reliance on hardware.

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