Barracuda Web Security Gateway vs. Zscaler Internet Access

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Barracuda Web Security Gateway
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
Barracuda Web Security Gateways now available in the 200 through 1000 series provide web content filtering as well as access and advanced threat protection, and are available as physical appliances, virtual appliances, or as a SaaS.N/A
Zscaler Internet Access
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA) is a secure web gateway (SWG), delivering cloud native cyberthreat protection and zero trust access to the internet and SaaS apps.N/A
Pricing
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Considered Both Products
Barracuda Web Security Gateway
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
The Barracuda Web Security Gateway is ideal for businesses that need access to the internal network to access sensitive applications and resources. It offers very good security features to protect the network and to allow secure access. Its features are available to manage and …
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
We previously had no web security at our company. This left everything open to malware and viruses. We had several PC's a month being infected. We thought it was mostly coming from spam email and we improved our spam detection, but soon we discovered the PC's were being …
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
I've found Barracuda to be very customisable, which allows it to fill the security requirements more adequately than a more generic product would have been able to. We also use a combination of hosted and on-premise devices, and have found that there is no difference in terms …
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
This is a different type of filtering than the Symantec. The Barracuda web filter does just that, filters web traffic. The Symantec filters the emails that come into the company so I do not really have something else to compare it to. Overall, I would say that this is a good …
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
Barracuda Web Filter is superior to the built-in content filters of any firewalls (even next gen) that we have encountered. It's a misconception that the built-in filtering on a SonicWALL or WatchGuard is enough. I don't believe that Barracuda has any direct competitors in this …
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
SonicWall, Barracuda NG Firewall, and WatchGuard provides Content Filtering, but are primarily firewalls with Content Filtering features. The Web Filter is a dedicated appliance with more storage space and better reporting of users.
Chose Barracuda Web Security Gateway
After our support contract expired, we found a less expensive but more robust tool to use in place of barracuda. Currentware Browse Control does everything the Barracuda does plus has the ability to lock down hardware on the end user machines so users cannot stick their …
Zscaler Internet Access
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Supports zero trust access and real time SSL inspection offers better visibility into encrypted threats.
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Netskope was good however did not have all the features Zscaler had. Zscaler provides the same type of protection as Netskope but more. We also found the netskope agent used a lot of resoures on devices. ZCC was very light-weight and did not consume a lot of resources on laptops.
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Palo support has been a large enough negative experience on multiple occasions that we have been looking to move away from the platform and Zscaler Internet Access looks to be a suitable replacement
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Internet Access is most akin to ZPA - we bought both at the same time to handle all traffic internally and externally. In terms of quality - I would make the statement that Zscaler Internet Access is a simpler product but that's also cause there are no App Connectors …
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Deception
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Internet Access is much more user friendly to troubleshoot an issue or customer access.
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Private Access and Zscaler Data Protection
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Private Access, Zscaler Digital Experience and Zscaler Deception
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
It is useful for firewall control.
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Internet Access is leading all other vendors
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Easy to impllement
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering, Fortinet FortiGate, Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services, iboss Zero Trust Edge and CheckPoint
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Internet Access has significantly more configurability and capability in the platform, and can scale much better with large organizations. It is also much more affordable for our environment and gives us greater flexibility to grow into the Zscaler Platform.
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
Avast Secure Private Access (SPA) and Cisco 5520 Wireless Controller
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
similar in nature -- seems to be easier to integrate
Chose Zscaler Internet Access
It will take us into full Zero Trust with out deploying another client, is efficient.
Features
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Identity Management
Comparison of Identity Management features of Product A and Product B
Barracuda Web Security Gateway
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
5.0
Ratings
56% below category average
Multi-Factor Authentication00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Endpoint Security
Comparison of Endpoint Security features of Product A and Product B
Barracuda Web Security Gateway
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
10.0
Ratings
6% above category average
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Threat Intelligence
Comparison of Threat Intelligence features of Product A and Product B
Barracuda Web Security Gateway
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
9.5
Ratings
7% above category average
Network Analytics00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Threat Recognition00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Vulnerability Classification00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Automated Alerts and Reporting00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Threat Analysis00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Threat Intelligence Reporting00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Automated Threat Identification00 Ratings9.10 Ratings
Zero Trust Security
Comparison of Zero Trust Security features of Product A and Product B
Barracuda Web Security Gateway
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
9.7
Ratings
4% above category average
Continuous Verification00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Secure Web Gateways00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Network Flow Control00 Ratings9.70 Ratings
Network Traffic Analysis00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Segmentation Leveraging00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Admin Access Control00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Network Data Encryption00 Ratings9.40 Ratings
Network Topology Mapping00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

ThreatLocker
ThreatLocker
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.6 out of 10
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Score 8.9 out of 10
Enterprises
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.6 out of 10
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Score 8.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(0 ratings)
8.7
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(0 ratings)
8.5
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
9.4
(0 ratings)
8.1
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Barracuda Web Security GatewayZscaler Internet Access
Likelihood to Recommend
Barracuda Web Security Gateway is a secure solution. This solution offers advanced filtering for web content, application control, access control, network monitoring, and user authentication to control network access. It is easy to use, helps prevent access to harmful content. Therefore, I highly recommend the Barracuda Web Security Gateway to enhance your network security, secure remote administration, and approve and control application usage.
Read full review
Zscaler Internet Access has extremely powerful category selection and it is very easy to create your own destinations for inspection and policy exceptions (SSL exception specifically). It is also very affordable and just as powerful (if not more) than some of the other solutions I have used in the past to achieve internet security.
Read full review
Pros
  • It can integrate with active directory to place restrictions based on a specific user or group if required - or alternatively to allow a user/group to access more on the web if needed.
  • The application blocking features have been especially useful in our enterprise, and there is a large number of applications & web applications available to block/allow as needed.
Read full review
  • The depth that Cloud App control policies can go into. Being able to control individual actions within an application, more than just all or nothing access.
  • The UX/UI design makes it really easy to navigate the portal.
  • Understanding how cloud app/url control policy gets evaluated and creating/editing existing policy is extremely straightforward.
Read full review
Cons
  • There are 2 different policies; authenticated and unauthenticated. Sometimes the filter does not pick up the user that is logged in. When this happens, that user could potentially access sites that would normally be blocked.
  • Sometimes blocking one thing could block something you need. We had an instance where we use remote software. We block BitTorrent but for some reason, the filter was seeing this remote software as BitTorrent traffic. I got support on the line and we were eventually able to figure out a solution.
  • We put in certain applications. One of them is supposed to be blocked but a lot of the time it doesn't get blocked.
Read full review
  • Easier interface on the menus so they don't disappear.
  • Help, I'm contacting support only through the ZIA portal, but I'm unable to use the link easily.
  • Mobile interface changes.
  • The searching function for the logs is tricky and challenging to use, and the menu always pops down when trying to find the proper function.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
While Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) delivers critical value in cloud security and RBI compliance, I rate renewal likelihood 7/10 due to evolving needs versus platform limitations. Below is my rationale:
Key Gaps:
1. Advanced Threat Costs:
ZIA’s add-ons (e.g., Advanced DLP, Sandboxing) incur 35%+ cost premiums – straining budgets as transaction volumes (UPI/iMobile) grow 50% YoY.
2. API Banking Scalability:
ZIA’s API rate limits throttle real-time policy sync during UPI peaks (10K+ TPS), forcing workarounds for finacle integrations.
3. RBI Future-Proofing:
Limited native support for upcoming digital rupee (CBDC) security rules requires custom development, increasing compliance overhead.
Read full review
Usability
There are a lot of settings you can adjust. The web log is easy to use. If a user is having issues accessing a website, you can go in and see what's being blocked and why. After that, you can make adjustments fairly easy. The GUI is easy to navigate and updating the software is a simple click of a button.
Read full review
The application is easy to install and configure on all Windows devices. To troubleshoot any internet issue, we can easily collect all the relevant logs from Zscaler and check the exact issue. The only problem is with the uninstall, as a dedicated crew needs to provide the password.
Read full review
Performance
No answers on this topic
There are often performance issues reported
Read full review
Support Rating
Barracuda support is always available, 24/7. They are always friendly, supportive, and follow-up with anything they promise. Any ticket that is opened is touched constantly by the support team until it is remedied
Read full review
Zscaler's ZIA support is quick and knowledgable. They respond within 1-2 hours of you submitting your ticket. They are very thorough and are typically ready to jump on a live troubleshooting session. Our ZIA platform and how we use is it unique so at times tickets can be open for weeks but we alway get quality support compared to other unrelated product support in our enterprise
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Barracuda Web Filter is superior to the built-in content filters of any firewalls (even next gen) that we have encountered. It's a misconception that the built-in filtering on a SonicWALL or WatchGuard is enough. I don't believe that Barracuda has any direct competitors in this space that it's not head and shoulders above.
Read full review
Zscaler Internet Access is most akin to ZPA - we bought both at the same time to handle all traffic internally and externally. In terms of quality - I would make the statement that Zscaler Internet Access is a simpler product but that's also cause there are no App Connectors involved in that process.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • We had several of our divisions that we thought needed to increase their internet bandwidth, due to decreased speed and productivity. After installing the Barracuda Web Security Gateway, we realized we had some abusive behavior going on with online activity. We set some controls and the bandwidth usage decreased by at least 30%, allowing us to maintain the current bandwidth and not spending more money.
Read full review
  • Has allowed us to remove other products that were suboptimal
  • Saved us money overall by stacking it with other Zscaler products
  • Created a more secure work environment for our users through intelligent internet policies that are not needlessly restrictive while still maintaining security best practices
Read full review
ScreenShots

Barracuda Web Security Gateway Screenshots

Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of

Zscaler Internet Access Screenshots

Screenshot of an overview of Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), a cloud native security service edge (SSE) solution that builds on a decade of secure web gateway leadership. Offered as a scalable SaaS platform through Zscaler's security cloud, it replaces legacy network security solutions, preventing advanced attacks and data loss with a comprehensive zero trust approach. ZIA is integrated into the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ to provide superior defense-in-depth, secure connectivity, end user experience, and administrative visibility and control.