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Head-to-head · Secure Web Gateway Software

Prisma Access vs Cisco Secure Web Gateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Prisma Access #5 in Secure Web Gateway Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Contact Palo Alto
Cisco Secure Web Gateway #6 in Secure Web Gateway Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Cisco

Prisma Access leads on 0 checks, Cisco Secure Web Gateway on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePrisma Access · 9.0/10
  • Most featuresCisco Secure Web Gateway · 1 of 4

Prisma Access scores higher on our rubric for secure web gateway software: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Cisco Secure Web Gateway offers tls inspection; Prisma Access doesn't publish it.

Prisma Access is the better fit for enterprises wanting SWG within a broad cloud stack. Cisco Secure Web Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing conventional proxy-based SWG.

  • Prisma Access fits best

    Enterprises wanting SWG within a broad cloud stack

  • Cisco Secure Web Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing conventional proxy-based SWG

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Prisma Access 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Secure Web Gateway 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #5 in Secure Web Gateway Software #6 in Secure Web Gateway Software
Best for Enterprises wanting SWG within a broad cloud stack Organizations needing conventional proxy-based SWG
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Phone, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 9 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Prisma Access 0/4 · Cisco Secure Web Gateway 1/4
TLS inspection Not published ✓ (best)
Malware scanning Not published Not published
Data loss controls Not published Not published
Managed service Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment Not published Cloud
Policy controls Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines URL and DNS security with threat prevention and malware analysis
  • Adds ZTNA, CASB, DLP, and remote browser isolation capabilities
  • Centralized management through Strata Cloud Manager or Panorama
  • Inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic with TLS decryption and URL filtering
  • Scans downloaded files and sandboxes unknown files
  • Supports SAML authentication, IPsec tunnels, PAC files and proxy chaining
Cons
  • Pricing is handled through sales rather than published standard plans
  • Some capabilities depend on license edition or add-on subscriptions
  • Its broad SASE scope may exceed needs for SWG-only deployments
  • Umbrella SIG capabilities are transitioning to Cisco Secure Access
  • Proxy-based traffic forwarding may not suit every network architecture
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
Our verdict

Prisma Access brings secure web gateway capabilities into Palo Alto Networks’ cloud-delivered SASE platform. It is aimed at enterprises and mid-market organizations securing remote users, branch networks, internet traffic, SaaS, and…

Read the review →

Cisco Secure Web Gateway is a cloud-delivered secure web gateway built around a full proxy for inspecting and controlling internet traffic. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise organizations that need conventional proxy-based…

Read the review →
  1. Prisma AccessSecure Web Gateway Software 9.0Pricing on request
  2. Cisco Secure Web GatewaySecure Web Gateway Software 8.9Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Prisma Access — where it wins

    • Combines URL and DNS security with threat prevention and malware analysis
    • Adds ZTNA, CASB, DLP, and remote browser isolation capabilities
    • Centralized management through Strata Cloud Manager or Panorama

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through sales rather than published standard plans
    • Some capabilities depend on license edition or add-on subscriptions
    • Its broad SASE scope may exceed needs for SWG-only deployments
  • Cisco Secure Web Gateway — where it wins

    • Inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic with TLS decryption and URL filtering
    • Scans downloaded files and sandboxes unknown files
    • Supports SAML authentication, IPsec tunnels, PAC files and proxy chaining

    Where it doesn't

    • Umbrella SIG capabilities are transitioning to Cisco Secure Access
    • Proxy-based traffic forwarding may not suit every network architecture
    • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Prisma Access9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    An enterprise cloud SWG with private-app access and broader SASE controls.

    Contact Palo AltoFull verdict →
  • Cisco Secure Web Gateway8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A proxy-based SWG with HTTP/HTTPS inspection, filtering, malware scanning and sandboxing.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update