Top 5 SD-WAN Providers to Consider in 2025

How to Choose the Best SD-WAN Provider

All SD-WAN solutions are well-equipped to keep your network running efficiently, but there are some critical differences to consider. SD-WAN providers typically do not focus on the same things, so the best one for your organization will depend on how their areas of emphasis align with your organization’s needs.

A few of the most important factors to consider include:

• Edge security. Connectivity throughout a network is essential, but your organization’s access points must also be protected from unauthorized access and attack.
• Multi-cloud capabilities. Many organizations rely on more than one cloud provider to host their applications and infrastructure. SD-WAN solutions are ideally compatible both with each cloud provider and with any other type of connectivity the organization wants to continue supporting. All of this should be possible without compromising or neglecting security.
• User-friendly central management. SD-WAN solutions almost always create a central hub for managing an organization’s network, but some cater to the user better than others. An intuitive interface that allows the user to access every part of the network, view alerts, and connect quickly will be more useful than a solution that does not prioritize the user’s experience.
• Failovers. Although constant uptime is important for any organization’s operations, not all SD-WAN solutions have backup connections or redundancies to ensure it. If you are on a Zoom call or Teams meeting, for example, a failover can prevent disconnections and interruptions.

Comparing the top 5 SD-WAN providers below can help you determine which will work best for your needs.

#1. Check Point Harmony SASE and Quantum SD-WAN

For security-focused companies, the Harmony SASE solution should be a top contender.

This solution combines the security benefits of a SASE solution with the network flexibility and scalability of a cloud-based SD-WAN. Notable features include:

• Security-focused: Because the SD-WAN is part of a comprehensive SASE solution, security is fully incorporated. Typically, SD-WANs focus on performance, and this is often to the detriment of security. Check Point’s solution ensures enterprise-grade security and Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA) through the SASE framework.
• Cloud-based: Quantum SD-WAN allows organizations to scale based on usage. Cloud resources can be requisitioned based on bandwidth consumption, which improves speed and reliability. Check Point supports multi-cloud environments.
• Distributed PoPs: Everybody wants a low-latency connection, but this is especially important for remote workers. SD-WAN providers, including Check Point, often have access to widely distributed PoPs, which makes fast connectivity and low latency possible.
• Advanced, automated monitoring: As part of the security stack, Check Point provides full network visibility through automated monitoring and access control enforcement.
• Flexible integration: Check Point offers a variety of solutions. If you already have another SD-WAN or another type of network management in place, Harmony SASE can be integrated with the other solutions to fill in security gaps.

#2. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Also a cloud-based solution, Cisco’s SD-WAN facilitates the creation of a reliable, streamlined network environment. It incorporates failovers and is well-secured. Some other details:

• Cloud or on-premises: Cisco’s solution offers both types of solutions to maximize flexibility. On-premises solutions may make sense for organizations with a primarily local network and minimal use of remote connections.
• Advanced features: The Catalyst SD-WAN allows a high level of customization. However, some customers have found that it is not intuitive to use. While the advanced features are useful for some specific use cases, it also can create challenges for the average administrator. Cisco’s Meraki solution is a similar but simpler and more user-friendly option.
• Optional security: Layer 7 firewalls are compatible with Cisco’s SD-WAN, but unlike some other solutions, one is not set up by default.

#3. Palo Alto Prisma SD-WAN

Palo Alto’s solution is built on VPN tunnels and clusters. This is useful for keeping connections secure, but it is a more complicated solution that can be buggy and difficult to configure. Some key considerations:

• Built-in firewalls: Prisma includes next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) that contribute to improved security.
• Higher costs: While this SD-WAN has a large number of features and can be tweaked to suit variable needs, it is also one of the more expensive SD-WAN solutions on the market. This is especially true if an organization requires a lot of bandwidth.
• Cloud-based: Like Check Point and Cisco, Palo Alto offers a cloud-based solution to cater to organizations focusing on digital transformation and scalability.
• IoT protection: IoT devices are particularly vulnerable to compromise. Given that many of these devices connect to companies’ networks without being well-secured, a solution that can mitigate threats is worth considering.
• VPN cluster routing: Palo Alto deploys VPN clusters in separate locations to ensure uptime. Traffic travels through the tunnels in the closest geographical cluster, and the traffic can be rerouted to another cluster if needed.

#4. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN

Fortinet’s SD-WAN provides high connection speeds and security event monitoring. It comes with a SASE solution and other security tools to protect the edge of the network. Some other considerations:

• NGFW: Using advanced NGFWs, Fortinet’s solution protects organizations from attacks and limits vulnerabilities in the attack surface.
• Automated network segmentation: Part of Fortinet’s security protocols is ensuring that a successful attack has a limited scope. Segmenting the network prevents malware from spreading to multiple devices or endpoints, and it can prevent attackers from accessing sensitive information or gaining administrator privileges.
• Intent-based traffic direction: While many SD-WAN solutions direct traffic based on the type of application, Fortinet aims to direct traffic based on user activity.
• Setup challenges: Although by most accounts Fortinet works well once it is set up, configuring the SD-WAN is reportedly more challenging for the average person than other solutions. Many administrators have found themselves needing support and guidance to achieve functionality. The argument has also been made that because of its reliance on tunnels, this is not a true SD-WAN.

#5. Broadcom VeloCloud

This product has a few advantages, but it isn’t perfect. Here are a few takeaways from VeloCloud’s SD-WAN solution:

• Multi-cloud compatible: VeloCloud is compatible with hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This is optimal for environments juggling multiple cloud service providers or a combination of cloud and on-premises infrastructure.
• Integrated AI: Using AIOps, VeloCloud’s solution is able to successfully adapt to changes in bandwidth consumption, application use, and threat activity.
• ZTNA integration: ZTNA comes fully integrated with VeloCloud, reducing the amount of setup required for robust security.
• Support issues: On the positive side, VeloCloud is a relatively accessible solution. On the other hand, users report challenges with support.