Best Secure Web Gateway for Unified SASE in 2026
Secure Web Gateways (SWGs) are a critical component of SASE architecture, providing web filtering, threat protection, and data security for users regardless of location. We evaluated SWGs as part of unified SASE platforms.
What we looked at
Cloud Architecture
Scalability, global coverage, and performance of the cloud-delivered SWG infrastructure including SSL/TLS inspection capacity.
Threat Protection
Quality of inline threat detection including malware scanning, phishing protection, and advanced threat protection for web traffic.
Data Loss Prevention
Inline DLP capabilities for web traffic including content inspection, sensitive data detection, and policy enforcement.
ZTNA Integration
Quality of zero-trust network access integration for replacing VPNs with identity-aware application access.
SASE Platform Completeness
How well the SWG integrates with CASB, ZTNA, FWaaS, and SD-WAN components for a complete SASE architecture.
The picks
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) is the market leader in cloud-delivered SWG with the largest global cloud infrastructure. Its inline inspection covers SSL/TLS traffic without performance degradation, and the zero-trust architecture eliminates the need for VPNs or on-premises proxies.
Cloud-native SASE and zero trust platform for secure internet and private application access
Netskope's SWG excels at inline data protection with deep DLP capabilities across web traffic. Its Cloud Confidence Index provides visibility into shadow IT risk, and the NewEdge network delivers sub-10ms latency globally.
Cloud-native SASE platform with industry-leading CASB and granular SaaS visibility
Prisma Access provides SWG as part of Palo Alto's SASE platform, extending firewall policies to remote users and branch offices. Organizations already using Palo Alto firewalls get consistent security policies across all locations.
Enterprise SASE platform extending Palo Alto's next-gen firewall to cloud-delivered security
Cisco Secure Access (formerly Umbrella SIG) combines DNS-layer security with full SWG and ZTNA capabilities. Its integration with Cisco's networking and security portfolio makes it the natural SWG choice for Cisco customers.
Cisco's unified SASE platform converging Umbrella, Duo, and Meraki into cloud-delivered security
Skyhigh Security's SWG evolved from its CASB leadership, providing the deepest cloud application visibility and control. Its unified policy engine covers web access and cloud application security in a single platform.
Data-aware SSE platform with pioneering CASB technology and deep cloud data protection