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F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) vs. Sophos Firewall

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

    Score8.4 out of 10
    N/AF5 Networks offers the F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager, a firewall software combining a number of features including DDoS, DNS security, and other protections.N/A

    Sophos Firewall

    Score9.7 out of 10
    N/ASophos XG Firewall provides comprehensive next-generation firewall protection powered by deep learning and Synchronized Security. Sophos Firewall supplies insights and exposes hidden user, application, and threat risks on the network, and say the product is differentiated by its ability to respond automatically to security incidents by isolating compromised systems, with Security Heartbeat™.N/A
    Pricing
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)Sophos Firewall
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)Sophos Firewall
    Free Trial
    NoYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Features
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)Sophos Firewall
    Firewall
    Comparison of Firewall features of F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) and Sophos Firewall
    Feature
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)
    8.6
    2 Ratings
    0% below category average
    Sophos Firewall
    9.6
    11 Ratings
    11% above category average
    Identification Technologies8.02 Ratings9.611 Ratings
    Visualization Tools7.02 Ratings9.711 Ratings
    Content Inspection9.02 Ratings9.611 Ratings
    Policy-based Controls8.02 Ratings9.811 Ratings
    Active Directory and LDAP10.01 Ratings9.710 Ratings
    Firewall Management Console7.02 Ratings9.811 Ratings
    Reporting and Logging8.02 Ratings9.711 Ratings
    VPN10.01 Ratings9.811 Ratings
    High Availability9.02 Ratings9.811 Ratings
    Stateful Inspection9.02 Ratings9.711 Ratings
    Proxy Server10.01 Ratings8.08 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)Sophos Firewall
    Small Businesses
    SonicWall NSA Series
    Score8.5 out of 10
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    Medium-sized Companies
    Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
    Score9.4 out of 10
    Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
    Score9.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
    Score9 out of 10
    Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
    Score9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)Sophos Firewall
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.3
    (5 ratings)
    9.6
    (11 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    Support Rating
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)Sophos Firewall
    Likelihood to Recommend
    F5
    We were able to eliminate a firewall from our network architecture by integrating the module into our existing F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM). This allowed us to save on tech refresh costs, since the F5 was able to handle the module without much additional strain on the device. However, if a firewall had features that the AFM lacked, then using that firewall in tandem with an F5 would be preferable.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sophos
    It is well-suited for small, medium, and large organizations looking for comprehensive cybersecurity protection. It will not only safeguard their network from cyberattacks but also provide them with many advanced features like deep packet inspection, centralized management, web filtering, application control, etc. in one place. It will help them optimize bandwidth and ensure continued connectivity.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    F5
    • Load balancing using pools
    • SSL offloading
    • iRules for threat handling
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sophos
    • Web filtering. This allows us to monitor web usage and block certain categories from being access at the perimeter.
    • Application Control. With application control we can block certain applications that get categorized from working accessing the Internet.
    • Synchronized Security. When utilizing the Sophos Endpoint product you can use Synchronized Security to minimize Lateral Movement in a network. If a machine is shows a Red status you can auto-isolate it and it is unable to communicate with anything else on the network.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    F5
    • If unsure, can be overly cautious.
    • There are few changes the end user can make.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sophos
    • If using Endpoint security and the Firewall it would be nice to have an easier back and forth between the portals rather than have two separate tabs open. Especially if using more than one in multiple locations.
    • If dealing with different revisions options are moved around and sometimes in places that doesn't normally seem like they should be there.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    F5
    No answers on this topic
    Sophos
    Because this is a user-friendly interface, and anyone can use it there are multiple articles and guidelines available, it has advanced-level security features. they provide VPN solutions all the features are very practical, SSID MAC-based authentications web control, Firewall rules segregation of the rules and policies, On-premises Active directory single sign-on feature is also available.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    F5
    F5 Advanced Firewall Manager has been a solid, strong solution to both keep our systems safe and being seamless for our end users. Most of the time, the end-user is not impacted and does not even know F5 Advanced Firewall Manager is running which is exactly what we are looking for.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sophos
    As we are all addicted to graphics-oriented interfaces for all our life products. Easy to manage and access as a good way of using anything
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    F5
    Both F5 [BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager] and Radware require training as they are not easy to use. But Radware uses some configuration that needs deep learning and proper labs. From an admin's perspective, Configuration and management for F5 [BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager are] less. Also, the cost of implementing F5 [BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager] is lesser than that of Radware Alteon.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sophos
    I was a big fan of Cisco ASA products, but when I saw all of the security feature differences between both firewalls, I moved to Sophos devices. Its sandbox, IPS, and many more features are really advanced. Cisco does not provide features like this.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    F5
    • When we had to decide on whether to buy different hardware our team were all in support of renewal for F5 [BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager]
    • F5 [BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager] requires proper training on tools and clear concepts of packets, headers, and content to create WAF policies
    • Overall, we are satisfied by the ROI provided by our F5 AFM and GTMs
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Sophos
    • True UTM device.
    • Very Active customer help for any help.
    • Easy license and cost effective.
    • Should [do] more work on logging and reporting.
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Sophos Firewall Screenshots

    Screenshot of Sophos Firewall v17.5 Control Center