Palo Alto Networks vs Zscaler:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Zscaler had more branded searches than Palo Alto Networks among zero trust platforms worldwide. Zscaler had about 201,000 branded searches, while Palo Alto Networks had 135,000. Zscaler made up 32.2% of all zero trust platform searches we track, and Palo Alto Networks accounted for 21.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about zero trust platforms, Zscaler appeared in three of the five answers and Palo Alto Networks in two. Zscaler was mentioned before Palo Alto Networks in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Zscaler, about 49% more searches than Palo Alto Networks
Who does AI mention more?
Zscaler, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Palo Alto Networks in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Zscaler, named ahead of Palo Alto Networks in every answer
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Top zero trust platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zscaler was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Palo Alto Networks was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Zscaler was listed before Palo Alto Networks in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Zscaler1st
Palo Alto Networks2nd
Microsoft Entra3rd- Cloudflare One4th
Netskope5th
Appgate6th
Akamai–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Zscaler3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Netskope3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Palo Alto Networks2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Entra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Cloudflare One2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Appgate1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Akamai0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about zero trust platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Zero trust platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Zero trust platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Zero trust platform for network security?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“zero trust security”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cloud security platform”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Palo Alto Networks or Zscaler more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven zero trust platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zscaler | Akamai | Palo Alto Networks | Microsoft Entra | Netskope | Cloudflare One | Appgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.1% | 22% | 14.7% | 9.9% | 12.1% | 0.59% | 0.72% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.2% | 24.3% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 0.79% | 0.65% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.9% | 23.3% | 19.2% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 0.93% | 0.76% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.4% | 19.9% | 19.9% | 11% | 11% | 0.98% | 0.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.4% | 19.9% | 19.9% | 11% | 11% | 0.98% | 0.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.4% | 19.4% | 19.4% | 13% | 10.7% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.4% | 23.7% | 19.3% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| May 2026 | 39.9% | 21.9% | 17.8% | 9.8% | 8% | 2% | 0.58% |
| Jun 2026 | 35.8% | 19.6% | 19.6% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 2.6% | 0.78% |
| Jul 2026 | 37.9% | 17.1% | 20.8% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 2.8% | 0.68% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.2% | 16.3% | 24.3% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 2.7% | 0.65% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.2% | 21.6% | 21.6% | 11.8% | 9.7% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
How has the Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Zscaler was ahead of Palo Alto Networks in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Palo Alto Networks’ share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide moved from 14.7% to 21.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zscaler’s share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide moved from 40.1% to 32.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for zero trust platforms worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Akamai overtook Palo Alto Networks to rank 2nd among zero trust platforms worldwide, with 21.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, Zscaler lost share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide, from 36.2% to 32.2%.
In September 2026, Palo Alto Networks lost share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide, from 24.3% to 21.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Palo Alto Networks’ and Zscaler’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Palo Alto Networks
1 branded search term
- palo alto networks
Zscaler
1 branded search term
- zscaler
Other head-to-heads among zero trust platforms
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