Alternatives · Updated July 2026
Top Open Systems alternatives (2026): provider evidence
Compare source evidence for alternatives to Open Systems (technology vendor / managed service provider). Review the provider profiles and caveats. Computed fit and rankings unlock after verified project publication.
Netify's July 2026 evidence directory lists alternatives by proven capability count, verification date and name: Cato Networks; Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE; Cisco; Netskope; HPE Aruba EdgeConnect; Versa Networks; Fortinet FortiSASE; Aryaka; NTT DATA; Zscaler; Check Point; BT; Colt Technology Services; Orange Business; Verizon Business; AT&T Business; Forcepoint; Comcast Business; VeloCloud; Vodafone Business; Cloudflare One; GTT; Juniper Networks; Lumen; Ericsson Cradlepoint; SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge; Barracuda SecureEdge; Expereo; Virgin Media O2 Business.
Open Systems alternatives compared on sourced evidence
How alternatives to Open Systems differ on who owns the network and who runs the service. Evidence order: proven capability count, verification date, then name.
26vendors. Each value below is graded from the vendor's own published material or an independently accountable record, with a sentence quoted from that source and confirmed present on the page. 1365 sources behind this table. Verified 2026-07-29. Where evidence was not found a cell reads Not published rather than being inferred.
| Vendor | Type | Underlay | SSE layer | Backbone | PoPs | Fully managed | Compliance docs | Published SLA | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cato Networks | Both | Mixed | Native | Yes | 100 | Yes | Documented | 99.999 | 46 |
| Palo Alto Networks | Builds | Customer supplied | Native | Partner | 100+ | Via managed service | Documented | 99.999 | 58 |
| Cisco | Both | Customer supplied | Native | Partial | Not published | Not primary | Documented | 99.999 | 48 |
| Netskope | Builds | Mixed | Native | Not published | 120+ | Via managed service | Documented | 99.999 | 60 |
| HPE Aruba Networking | Both | Customer supplied | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes | Documented | Not published | 54 |
| Versa Networks | Both | Mixed | Native | Partial | 90 | Partial | Documented | 99.999 | 47 |
| Fortinet | Both | Not published | Native | Partial | 170+ | Yes | Documented | 99.999 | 42 |
| Aryaka | Both | Mixed | Native | Yes | 40+ | Yes | Documented | 99.999 | 66 |
| NTT DATA / NTT Ltd. | Both | Mixed | Partner | Yes | 75+ | Yes | Documented | 100 | 53 |
| Zscaler | Both | Customer supplied | Native | Not primary | 160 | Partial | Documented | 99.999 | 51 |
| Check Point | Both | Mixed | Native | Yes | 80+ | Partial | None found | Not published | 43 |
| BT Business / BT Global | Runs | Mixed | Partner | Partial | 140 | Yes | Assurance only | Not published | 58 |
| Colt Technology Services | Runs | Mixed | Partner | Not published | Not published | Yes | Documented | 99.90 | 46 |
| Orange Business | Runs | Owns | Partner | Yes | 400 | Yes | Documented | 100 | 62 |
| Verizon Business | Runs | Owns | Partner | Yes | Not published | Yes | None found | 100 | 58 |
| AT&T Business | Runs | Owns | Partner | Yes | 1600 | Yes | Assurance only | 100 | 46 |
| Forcepoint | Builds | Customer supplied | Native | Not published | Not published | Not primary | Documented | Not published | 51 |
| Comcast Business / Masergy | Runs | Mixed | Partner | Partial | Not published | Yes | None found | 100 | 39 |
| Arista / VeloCloud | Builds | Customer supplied | Partner | Not published | 150+ | Partner | Documented | Not published | 53 |
| Vodafone Business | Runs | Mixed | Partner | Yes | 212 | Yes | Documented | 99.99 | 60 |
| Cloudflare One | Builds | Mixed | Native | Yes | 300+ | Not primary | Documented | 100 | 45 |
| GTT | Runs | Mixed | Partner | Yes | 400 | Yes | Documented | 99.99 | 44 |
| Juniper Networks | Builds | Customer supplied | Native | Not published | Not published | Partial | None found | Not published | 42 |
| Lumen | Runs | Mixed | Partner | Yes | 50+ | Yes | Documented | 99.99 | 55 |
| Cradlepoint / Ericsson | Builds | Customer supplied | Native | Not published | Not published | Not primary | Assurance only | Not published | 60 |
| SonicWall | Both | Customer supplied | Native | Not published | Not published | Partial | Documented | Not published | 78 |
Full sources for each vendor, including the sources we found and rejected and any claims that disagree, are on its profile page.
Source evidence
Cato Networks
Cloud-native SASE / SD-WAN platform · Typical deployment: hours
Single converged platform with no policy or log fragmentation across SD-WAN and security functions.
Watch out: Less suited to best-of-breed buyers wanting Zscaler or Netskope as the SSE layer.
Contact Cato Networks via Netify ↗Source evidence
Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE
SD-WAN / SASE technology vendor · Typical deployment: weeks
Prisma SASE converges SD-WAN, cloud-delivered security, and digital experience management (ADEM) under a single platform identity.
Watch out: Premium pricing relative to firewall-led SD-WAN vendors; commercial model requires careful scoping by users, bandwidth, locations and term.
Contact Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE via Netify ↗Source evidence
Cisco
SD-WAN / SASE technology vendor · Typical deployment: weeks
Broadest platform portfolio in the category, covering Catalyst SD-WAN for enterprise WAN, Meraki MX for cloud-managed branch, and Cisco Secure Access for converged SASE delivery.
Watch out: Two distinct SD-WAN product lines (Catalyst and Meraki) means buyers should confirm which fits the target deployment profile and the longer-term roadmap.
Contact Cisco via Netify ↗Source evidence
Netskope
SSE / SASE platform · Typical deployment: days
Strong CASB heritage; widely recognised as a leading SSE vendor for SaaS-heavy environments.
Watch out: Native SD-WAN (Borderless WAN) is newer than dedicated SD-WAN platforms; validate path selection and QoS depth in RFP.
Contact Netskope via Netify ↗Source evidence
HPE Aruba EdgeConnect
SD-WAN / SSE / branch technology vendor · Typical deployment: days
EdgeConnect SD-WAN (acquired with Silver Peak) is positioned as the foundation for single-vendor SASE alongside Aruba SSE.
Watch out: Aruba SSE is newer than the SSE leaders (Zscaler, Netskope); buyers wanting best-of-breed SASE should evaluate the SSE capability set carefully.
Contact HPE Aruba EdgeConnect via Netify ↗Source evidence
Versa Networks
SD-WAN / SASE technology vendor · Typical deployment: weeks
Multi-tenancy from the ground up, making Versa a common choice for service providers and carriers building managed SD-WAN and SASE platforms.
Watch out: Less well-known to enterprise buyers as a direct purchase; most enterprise consumption is via service providers.
Contact Versa Networks via Netify ↗Source evidence
Fortinet FortiSASE
Secure SD-WAN / SASE technology vendor · Typical deployment: days
Native convergence of networking and security on a single operating system (FortiOS) across FortiGate edge, FortiManager and FortiSASE.
Watch out: Like Cisco, managed delivery is via partners rather than Fortinet directly; underlay and field operations are not owned by the vendor.
Contact Fortinet FortiSASE via Netify ↗Source evidence
Aryaka
Managed SD-WAN / SASE provider · Typical deployment: days
Unified SASE delivered as a managed service from end to end, including the private global core network and WAN optimisation.
Watch out: Smaller PoP footprint and partner ecosystem than the hyperscale SASE vendors; coverage must match your geographic profile.
Contact Aryaka via Netify ↗Source evidence
NTT DATA
Global managed network provider · Typical deployment: months
24x7 managed SD-WAN delivery via global operations centres with strong portal visibility.
Watch out: Platform fit depends on which vendor is being proposed (Palo Alto, Zscaler, others); evaluate platform independently.
Contact NTT DATA via Netify ↗Source evidence
Zscaler
SSE / SASE platform · Typical deployment: days
Category leader in SSE with ZIA, ZPA and ZDX; widely adopted as the security layer in best-of-breed SASE architectures.
Watch out: Historically SSE-led; native SD-WAN capability is less mature than dedicated SD-WAN platforms (validate path selection, QoS and packet loss in RFP).
Contact Zscaler via Netify ↗Source evidence
Check Point
SASE / security vendor · Typical deployment: days
Harmony SASE combines Check Point security heritage with cloud-delivered SASE and optimised SD-WAN performance.
Watch out: Native SD-WAN capabilities (path selection, QoS, packet loss remediation) have limited public evidence relative to SD-WAN-led vendors.
Contact Check Point via Netify ↗Source evidence
BT
Global/UK managed SD-WAN / SASE provider · Typical deployment: weeks
UK market leader for managed SD-WAN with deep access circuit ownership and field engineering capability.
Watch out: Platform choice and packaging vary; buyers should confirm which vendor platform is being proposed and why.
Contact BT via Netify ↗Source evidence
Colt Technology Services
Enterprise managed SD-WAN / connectivity provider · Typical deployment: months
SD-WAN and SASE with strong European data sovereignty positioning.
Watch out: Global delivery depth outside Europe is less prominent than the largest global carriers.
Contact Colt Technology Services via Netify ↗Source evidence
Orange Business
Global managed SD-WAN / SASE provider · Typical deployment: months
Global managed network leadership with strong service assurance, NOC depth and field operations.
Watch out: Platform choice depends on which Orange-supported vendor is selected; underlying platform fit and roadmap should be evaluated independently.
Contact Orange Business via Netify ↗Source evidence
Verizon Business
Global carrier managed SD-WAN / SASE provider · Typical deployment: months
Global carrier-led managed SASE and SD-WAN with strong North American presence and international delivery.
Watch out: Platform is largely Versa-based; buyers wanting platform optionality should evaluate alternatives.
Contact Verizon Business via Netify ↗Source evidence
AT&T Business
Global carrier managed SD-WAN / SASE provider · Typical deployment: months
Major US carrier-led managed SD-WAN portfolio with multi-vendor platform options (including Fortinet for AT&T SASE).
Watch out: Underlying platform varies by service tier; buyers should confirm which platform supports the proposed scope.
Contact AT&T Business via Netify ↗Source evidence
Forcepoint
Security / secure SD-WAN vendor · Typical deployment: days
FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN combines secure SD-WAN with strong DLP and data security heritage from the wider Forcepoint portfolio.
Watch out: Smaller SD-WAN market presence than the leading platforms.
Contact Forcepoint via Netify ↗Source evidence
Comcast Business
Managed SD-WAN / SASE provider · Typical deployment: weeks
SASE combining SD-WAN and security available fully managed or co-managed, drawing on Masergy AIOps heritage.
Watch out: International delivery depth depends on partnerships outside North America.
Contact Comcast Business via Netify ↗Source evidence
VeloCloud
SD-WAN technology vendor · Typical deployment: days
VeloCloud was an early SD-WAN platform with strong cloud-delivered gateway architecture; now under Arista following the 2025 acquisition.
Watch out: Platform is mid-transition from VMware/Broadcom to Arista; product roadmap, naming and integration story will evolve.
Contact VeloCloud via Netify ↗Source evidence
Vodafone Business
Global managed SD-WAN provider · Typical deployment: months
Strong UK and European market presence with NaaS positioning and integrated mobile/fixed access.
Watch out: Underlying platform varies by region (VeloCloud in UK, others elsewhere); ensure consistency for multinational deployment.
Contact Vodafone Business via Netify ↗Source evidence
Cloudflare One
SASE / Zero Trust / network services · Typical deployment: hours
Cloudflare global edge network provides one of the largest PoP footprints in the category for SASE traffic.
Watch out: SD-WAN capabilities (path selection, QoS, packet loss remediation) have limited public evidence compared to SD-WAN-first vendors.
Contact Cloudflare One via Netify ↗Source evidence
GTT
Global managed SD-WAN provider · Typical deployment: months
Tier 1 global backbone provides strong international transit capability alongside managed SD-WAN.
Watch out: SASE depth depends heavily on the chosen platform partner; native SSE capabilities are not primary positioning.
Contact GTT via Netify ↗Source evidence
Juniper Networks
AI-driven WAN / SD-branch technology vendor · Typical deployment: days
Mist AI delivers WAN Assurance, providing AI-driven monitoring and troubleshooting at the WAN edge that few competitors match.
Watch out: SASE story is less mature than the SASE-led vendors; SSE capabilities have limited public evidence relative to category leaders.
Contact Juniper Networks via Netify ↗Source evidence
Lumen
Managed SD-WAN / NaaS provider · Typical deployment: months
Fully managed or co-managed SD-WAN with strong NaaS positioning and integrated network services.
Watch out: SASE and security capabilities are largely partner-integrated rather than native; the SSE platform choice needs explicit evaluation.
Contact Lumen via Netify ↗Source evidence
Ericsson Cradlepoint
Wireless WAN / SD-WAN adjacent vendor · Typical deployment: days
Wireless-first branch architecture from Ericsson with deep 5G expertise; NetCloud provides cellular-centric SD-WAN management.
Watch out: SASE story is partner-integrated rather than native; SSE capabilities require validation in RFP.
Contact Ericsson Cradlepoint via Netify ↗Source evidence
SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge
SMB / mid-market firewall-led SD-WAN vendor · Typical deployment: days
SD-WAN delivered via existing TZ, NSa and SM firewall appliances; familiar deployment for organisations standardised on SonicWall.
Watch out: SASE and SSE capabilities have partial public evidence; depth should be confirmed in RFP.
Contact SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge via Netify ↗Source evidence
Barracuda SecureEdge
technology vendor · Typical deployment: not_confirmed
SecureEdge combines SD-WAN and cloud security, with an MSP option for multi-tenant management.
Watch out:
Contact Barracuda SecureEdge via Netify ↗Source evidence
Expereo
managed service provider / carrier network provider · Typical deployment: not_confirmed
Managed SD-WAN and internet connectivity, with Cato Networks as a named partner for managed SASE.
Watch out:
Contact Expereo via Netify ↗Source evidence
Virgin Media O2 Business
managed service provider / carrier network provider · Typical deployment: not_confirmed
Managed connectivity and SD-WAN with Zscaler-based SASE; confirm the current contracting entity and scope.
Watch out:
Contact Virgin Media O2 Business via Netify ↗
Questions
About this evidence
What are the best alternatives to Open Systems?
Researched using the Netify 40-feature evidence matrix, verified 29 July 2026, provider evidence is listed by proven capability count, verification date and name. Close peers in the same category (technology vendor / managed service provider) are marked. The right alternative depends on your operating model, sector and regions, with computed fit available after verified publication.
Why do buyers look beyond Open Systems?
Common reasons from the Netify evaluation include: Whether these matter depends on your estate; the Open Systems profile carries the full evidence record.
How is this evidence directory ordered?
Providers are listed by proven capability count, verification date and name, with the subject vendor excluded. Capability grades remain public; computed rankings require verified project publication.
Evidence order: most proven capability items first, then most recent verification date, then provider name (slug breaks identical names). Only published capability grades of yes count; partial, partner-delivered and unconfirmed items do not. Missing dates come last. Positions are evidence order, not recommendations. Computed fit and scoring-model rankings require authorised access after verified project publication.