Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering is a commercial next-gen firewalls solution by Palo Alto Networks. Sophos Firewall is a commercial next-gen firewalls solution by Sophos. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.
What our shortlists say about the one we picked.
Best for: Small IT teams wanting firewalls and endpoints in one console
Sophos is here because the firewall, endpoints and MDR can act on the same threat together, which means fewer steps for a small IT team. It sells to all sizes but fits best where a few people run the whole network. The value depends on running Sophos endpoints too, so if you use another endpoint product, weigh it as a firewall alone.
From Best Next-Generation Firewall Solutions for Business, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
Real-time web threat prevention using ML/DL for URL filtering and phishing
Next-gen firewall with SD-WAN, ZTNA, and automated threat response capabilities
See more solutions in this category, or build a security stack from your picks.
Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.
Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.
Sophos Firewall fits if you need to run it on your own servers.
Common questions when comparing Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering vs Sophos Firewall for next-gen firewalls.
Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering: Real-time web threat prevention using ML/DL for URL filtering and phishing. Built by Palo Alto Networks.
Sophos Firewall: Next-gen firewall with SD-WAN, ZTNA, and automated threat response capabilities. Built by Sophos.
The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.
Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering is made by Palo Alto Networks. Sophos Firewall is made by Sophos. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.
Often, yes. Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering and Sophos Firewall are both Next-Gen Firewalls products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.
Need the answer fast? Best Next-Generation Firewall Solutions for Business picks Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls, Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall, Cisco Secure Firewall and 4 more.See the shortlist
