Head-to-head · Secure Web Gateway Software
Prisma Access vs Cisco Secure Web Gateway
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
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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 | ||
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| 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 → |
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 →
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- Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway vs Cisco Secure Web Gateway
- Forcepoint Web Security vs Prisma Access
- Forcepoint Web Security vs Cisco Secure Web Gateway
All secure web gateway software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update


