SASE market map and supplier insights Q2 2026

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) market is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the shift to cloud-native workloads, mobile endpoints, and hybrid work models. SASE converges software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) with cloud-delivered security functions, addressing the limitations of traditional perimeter-based security. This architectural evolution moves security from a physical location to an identity-centric model, crucial for modern enterprise resilience.

Organizations face escalating cybercrime costs and operational challenges with legacy networks, making SASE adoption a necessity. The average cost of a data breach in the US is projected at $10.22 million in 2025, with breaches taking an average of 258 days to identify and contain. SASE solutions aim to mitigate these risks by providing unified platforms that enhance both security efficacy and operational agility.

Poor SASE choices can lead to significant latency, productivity loss, and security vulnerabilities. Key capabilities for SASE include converged SD-WAN, Universal ZTNA, Dual-Mode CASB, Cloud-Delivered DLP, FWaaS with Layer 7 Inspection, and Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM). The market is growing at a CAGR of 27.2%, projected to reach $17.22 billion by 2030.

Procurement teams must prioritize natively integrated platforms, transparent TCO, global performance SLAs, and strong compliance features to ensure a successful, future-proof implementation.

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71 companies analyzed | Last updated Apr 22, 2026

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Palomarr Insights / Q2 2026

SASE

What does the latest SASE market report show?

The Q2 2026 Palomarr Insights report maps 71 SASE suppliers by market position, supplier scores, and category signals. Buyers can use it to understand the market before comparing vendors or building an RFP shortlist.

Palomarr Orbit

Unlike static analyst charts, Palomarr Orbit plots 71 SASE companies by Capabilities and Innovation, then lets you shift the center of gravity based on your priorities with Palomarr Orbit Shift. The closer to your unique core, the better the fit.

Contenders

Leaders

Emerging

Challengers

CAPABILITIES →

INNOVATION ↑

Introduction

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework has emerged as the definitive model for modern enterprise networking and security. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the SASE category, exploring its technological evolution, the critical problems it solves, and strategic considerations for procurement teams. SASE integrates SD-WAN with a comprehensive suite of cloud-delivered security functions, moving from traditional perimeter-based security to an identity-based approach.

Market landscape

The SASE market is in a high-growth phase, driven by the need for resilient architectures beyond emergency remote work solutions. The market is projected to grow significantly, with North America currently holding the largest share and APAC showing the fastest growth. This expansion reflects the increasing urgency for organizations to modernize their network and security infrastructure to combat escalating cyber threats and support distributed workforces.

Quadrant distribution

Companies are evaluated on two dimensions: Capabilities measure product depth and maturity, while Innovation reflects forward-thinking investments. The combined score shows overall market position.

$3B Global market size (2024)

27.2% Projected CAGR (2024-2030)

$10M Average cost of a data breach (US 2025)

Key trends

Convergence of netops and secops

SASE platforms are forcing the convergence of network and security teams, breaking down traditional silos. This requires unified management and collaborative policy enforcement, leading to more cohesive operational strategies.

AI-assisted operations

Generative AI is being integrated into SASE consoles to simplify policy creation and summarize threat telemetry. This enhances administrative efficiency and enables more proactive security responses.

Shadow AI governance

Modern SASE platforms are incorporating specialized tools to govern the use of large language models (LLMs). This helps prevent sensitive data leakage into public AI models, addressing new security challenges.

Flexible pricing models

The market is shifting from rigid per-user licensing to more flexible, consumption-based models. This allows organizations to align costs more closely with actual usage and specific security module activation.

Competitive analysis

Leaders in the SASE space distinguish themselves by offering natively integrated platforms rather than stitched-together solutions. True SASE providers deliver unified management, global backbone reach, and strong security efficacy. Buyers should scrutinize vendor claims to ensure comprehensive, single-pass architectures that avoid latency and provide consistent policy enforcement across all functions.

How companies earn their ranking

Top-ranked SASE companies demonstrate superior capability by delivering a tightly integrated platform that seamlessly combines networking and security functions. They excel in providing robust security efficacy, global network coverage, and unified management. Innovation scores are driven by the adoption of AI-driven automation, advanced threat intelligence, and emerging technologies like secure enterprise browsers.

These vendors are proactive in addressing new security challenges and adapting their platforms to meet evolving customer needs. To improve their ranking, vendors should focus on enhancing their AI capabilities, expanding their global presence, and simplifying the management of their platforms. They should also prioritize integration with other security tools and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing innovation.

Building a strong partner ecosystem and providing comprehensive training and support are also essential for success in the competitive SASE market.

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Rankings

Palo Alto Networks

Best Overall Best Value

9.8

Fortinet

Best for Enterprise

9.7

Cato Networks

9.6

Aryaka

9.6

Akamai Technologies

9.5

Verizon

9.4

Lumen

9.3

Windstream Enterprise (Uniti)

9.3

LevelBlue (AT&T)

Best for SMB Best for Mid-market

9.2

Menlo Security

9.1

Competitive assessment

Our AI-generated analysis explains what makes each top-ranked company a strong fit for SASE, based on their specific capabilities, product features, and market positioning.

Palo Alto Networks

Best Overall Best Value

9.8

Palo Alto Networks excels in SASE with AI-driven security operations and a unified platform that integrates advanced threat intelligence and incident response capabilities.

AI-driven security operations
Comprehensive platform integration
Global threat intelligence capabilities

Fortinet

Best for Enterprise

9.7

Fortinet's unified SASE solution leverages AI for predictive security, making it ideal for enterprises needing proactive threat management.

AI-driven predictive security solutions
Integrated security and networking architecture
Extensive global partner ecosystem

Cato Networks

9.6

Cato Networks offers a cloud-native SASE platform that integrates SD-WAN and security services, enhancing agility and security for remote workforces.

Cloud-native security: Single platform for all security needs
SASE architecture: Integrates security with networking
Global SD-WAN: Fast & secure connections everywhere

Aryaka

9.6

Aryaka provides a Unified SASE as a Service platform, optimizing performance and security for enterprises with hybrid cloud environments.

Global private network
Improved cloud performance
Secure access for users

Akamai Technologies

9.5

Akamai Technologies leads in SASE by delivering low-latency, edge-native applications with strong application security and a vast global infrastructure.

Global network of 365,000 servers
Comprehensive API security solutions
Strong focus on cloud and edge computing

Verizon

9.4

Verizon's Managed Security Services provide comprehensive threat monitoring and risk management, making it a strong choice for enterprises prioritizing security.

Vendor-neutral approach for comprehensive device support
Advanced analytics for real-time security insights
Globally recognized expertise and incident response

Lumen

9.3

Lumen's SASE bundle combines secure connectivity with robust cybersecurity, making it suitable for enterprises transitioning to cloud-based operations.

Cloud security
Network transformation
Data center connectivity

Windstream Enterprise (Uniti)

9.3

Windstream Enterprise offers cloud-native SASE solutions that ensure reliable connectivity and security for a variety of industries.

High-speed, reliable network infrastructure
Scalable solutions for growing businesses
Dedicated customer support and personalized solutions

LevelBlue (AT&T)

Best for SMB Best for Mid-market

9.2

AT&T's SASE integrates SD-WAN and security, providing centralized control and proactive threat detection for mid-market and enterprise customers.

Industry-Leading Expertise: Unmatched cybersecurity professionals on your team
Comprehensive Protection: Coverage against evolving cyber threats
Cost-Effective Technology: Tailored solutions to fit budget constraints

Menlo Security

9.1

Menlo Security's secure enterprise browser solution enhances SASE by providing safe access to applications and data without traditional VPN risks.

Cloud-delivered secure enterprise browser
HEAT Shield AI threat prevention
Zero Trust application access

Implementation considerations

Implementing SASE is a multi-year journey involving several phases, from baseline assessment to continuous optimization. Common pitfalls include identity misalignment, assuming a 'hands-off' approach with managed solutions, and SSL decryption bottlenecks. Organizations must account for professional services, data egress fees, training, and integration development in their total cost of ownership models.

Recommendations

SMB buyers

Focus on single-vendor SASE solutions that offer simplicity and ease of deployment. Prioritize vendors with clear, transparent pricing and strong customer support to manage the transition effectively.

Mid-market buyers

Evaluate vendors based on their ability to provide a balance of robust security features and network performance. Look for solutions that offer deployment flexibility and clear roadmaps for AI integration to scale with evolving needs.

Enterprise buyers

Prioritize natively integrated, single-pass SASE architectures with extensive global Points of Presence (PoPs). Demand transparent TCO models, strong compliance capabilities, and proven integration with existing identity and security ecosystems.

Future outlook

The future of SASE is defined by deeper integration of Agentic AI and Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM), enabling self-healing networks and automated security policy adjustments. Emerging capabilities like Secure Enterprise Browsers will extend SASE controls to unmanaged devices, further narrowing attack surfaces. The market will continue to evolve towards more intelligent, adaptive, and unified platforms.

About this study

This report analyzes the SASE space, evaluating supplier capability and innovation based on their ability to deliver converged networking and security functions. Our methodology assesses native integration, global reach, and AI-driven automation to provide objective supplier comparisons.

FAQs & disclaimers

Is SASE the same as a VPN?

No. A VPN provides broad network access based on a one-time login. SASE, specifically Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), provides narrow access only to specific applications and continuously re-verifies user identity and device health throughout the session.

Does SASE replace my existing on-premises firewalls?

Eventually, yes. Most organizations implement a phased decommissioning, where cloud-native SASE firewalls first handle remote and branch traffic, and data center firewalls are phased out as applications migrate to the cloud.

Can I build my own SASE by combining different vendors?

This 'Dual-Vendor SASE' approach allows for best-of-breed tools but significantly increases implementation complexity. It often leads to fragmented visibility and inconsistent policies across disparate platforms, making unified management challenging.

How does SASE affect my internet speed?

If implemented correctly with a high-density Points of Presence (PoP) network, SASE can actually improve application speed. It routes traffic through an optimized global backbone, reducing latency compared to the unpredictable public internet.

Conclusion

The transition to SASE represents a fundamental shift in enterprise networking and security, moving beyond traditional perimeters to an identity-centric, cloud-native architecture. This evolution is critical for organizations navigating the complexities of hybrid work and an escalating cyber threat landscape. The primary challenge for procurement teams lies in discerning between genuinely integrated SASE platforms and fragmented, legacy offerings.

Successful SASE adoption requires a strategic approach, starting with identifying early win use cases and fostering cross-functional collaboration between network and security teams. A thorough understanding of the total cost of ownership, including often-overlooked elements like data egress fees and training, is essential for avoiding budget surprises.

Ultimately, organizations that embrace SASE as a dynamic, AI-driven fabric will be best positioned to scale securely and enhance business agility in an unpredictable digital world.

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SASE market map and supplier insights Q2 2026

SASE

What does the latest SASE market report show?

Palomarr Orbit

Palomarr Orbit Shift

Introduction

Market landscape

Key trends

Convergence of netops and secops

AI-assisted operations

Shadow AI governance

Flexible pricing models

Competitive analysis

How companies earn their ranking

Rankings

Competitive assessment

Implementation considerations

Recommendations

SMB buyers

Mid-market buyers

Enterprise buyers

Future outlook

About this study

FAQs & disclaimers

Conclusion

Take the deep dive

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