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Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/search.html#sort=relevancy&layout=card&numberOfResults=25&f:@panproductcategory=[Prisma%20Access]) Close search modal *** ** * ** *** Prisma SD-WAN vs. Legacy SD-WAN === #### Learn why organizations choose Prisma^®^ SD-WAN over legacy SD-WAN solutions to securely connect their branches. **prisma** ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/x-white.svg) COMPARISONBENEFITSPRISMA SASERECOGNITIONRESOURCESCONTACT US [COMPARISON](#comparision-table) [BENEFITS](#benefits) [PRISMA SASE](#sase) [RECOGNITION](#recognition) [RESOURCES](#resources) [CONTACT US](#contact-form) {#comparision-table} ![prisma-icon](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/overview/icon-sase-for-dummies-prisma-access-80x80.svg) COMPARISON ## The Prisma SD-WAN advantage. Prisma SD-WAN Legacy SD-WAN Integration Prisma SD-WAN * Native, best-in-class security and seamless branch service integrations: * Leverage Prisma Access, a unified SASE product with simplified management for both security and networking. * A common policy framework and data lake for both security and networking enforce consistent security and business policies regardless of apps, users and location. * Integrated 5G as primary with 4G/LTE for failover enables provider redundancy and consistent connectivity. Legacy SD-WAN * Disparate solutions for branch services: * Leverage third-party security vendors or additional point products at their cloud gateways to secure apps and users. * Disparate management solutions for security and networking impact collaboration within NOC and SOC teams. * Only supports 4G/LTE that can be used as a primary or secondary WAN link. Performance and User Experience Prisma SD-WAN * Exceptional end-user experience for all apps with ADEM and AIOps: * Native ADEM optimizes the end-user experience for every user, working from home and branch. * Detailed segment-wise insights from the first to the last mile and every hop in between to troubleshoot and remediate issues proactively. * Provide granular network insights and recommendations at tenant, branch, circuit and app level with AIOps for faster resolution. Legacy SD-WAN * Limited end-to-end visibility: * Zero visibility into cloud and SaaS app performance when accessed through direct internet. * Zero visibility into the middle mile ( ISPs) creates significant challenges in isolating and resolving provider and circuit issues. * Lack of capability to include application performance to remediate issues. Zero Trust Network Access Prisma SD-WAN * Natively integrated, best-in-class security: * Enable least-privileged access by identifying applications based on App-IDs at Layer 7 while continuously verifying trust and enforcing security inspection. * Consistently protect all data and secure all applications across the enterprise, including modern cloud-native apps, legacy private apps and SaaS apps. Legacy SD-WAN * Secures the network, sometimes: * Grants access to an app once it's trusted and continues to allow and ignore those communications forever while supporting limited coarse-grained access controls. * Uses multiple point products to implement ZTNA across device, user, applications and data trust. {#benefits} BENEFITS ## Best-in-class security and networking for branches ### Simplify operations while ensuring Zero Trust with Prisma SD-WAN. Realize best-in-class connectivity and security with AI-powered SASE. ![icon Application performance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/application-command-center.svg) ### Application performance Deliver end-to-end application performance for all apps including SaaS and GenAI. ![Icon Integrated security with Zero Trust](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/icon-zero-trust-for-users.svg) ### Integrated security with Zero Trust Integrated Zero Trust security with accurate user, applications and device visibility, including IoT and Precision AI^®^. ![icon Branch simplicity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/branch-office.svg) ### Branch simplicity One-click branch onboarding by seamlessly connecting to hyperscale resilient security services edge (SSE). {#sase} PRISMA SD-WAN ## Increase productivity while reducing breaches Realize better application performance, integrated security with Zero Trust and branch simplicity with best-in-class SD-WAN. ![Power Your Zero Trust Branch with Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/prisma-sd-wan.jpg) ### Power Your Zero Trust Branch with Prisma SD-WAN Deliver an exceptional user experience, Zero Trust security for users, apps and IoT and automate complex IT operations. [Discover the Zero Trust Branch](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown) ![Protect Work Everywhere It Happens with Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/prisma-access.jpg) ### Protect Work Everywhere It Happens with Prisma Access Securing access everywhere with best-in-class protection for all users, apps and data from a single, cloud-delivered solution. [Explore Secure access everywhere](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown) ![Streamline and Automate IT Operations with AI-Powered ADEM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/adem.jpg) ### Streamline and Automate IT Operations with AI-Powered ADEM Empower your IT operations teams to increase productivity and deliver an exceptional application experience for users working from anywhere. [Provide exceptional user experiences](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown) ![Power Your Zero Trust Branch with Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/prisma-sd-wan.jpg) ### Power Your Zero Trust Branch with Prisma SD-WAN Deliver an exceptional user experience, Zero Trust security for users, apps and IoT and automate complex IT operations. [Discover the Zero Trust Branch](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown) ![Protect Work Everywhere It Happens with Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/prisma-access.jpg) ### Protect Work Everywhere It Happens with Prisma Access Securing access everywhere with best-in-class protection for all users, apps and data from a single, cloud-delivered solution. [Explore Secure access everywhere](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown) ![Streamline and Automate IT Operations with AI-Powered ADEM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/sase/prisma-sd-wan-vs-legacy-sd-wan/adem.jpg) ### Streamline and Automate IT Operations with AI-Powered ADEM Empower your IT operations teams to increase productivity and deliver an exceptional application experience for users working from anywhere. [Provide exceptional user experiences](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown) {#recognition} INDUSTRY RECOGNITION ### A Recognized Leader. [3x Leader in 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/gartner-sase-mq-2025)[3x Leader in 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SSE](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/gartner-sse-mq-leader-2025)[2024 Gartner^®^ Magic Quadrant^™^ for Single-Vendor SASE](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/gartner-sase-mq-2024) {#resources} Resources Learn how to transform your business with Prisma SD-WAN.\