SD-WAN & SASE Solutions Comparison: Cato Networks vs. VeloCloud

Your company is in the market for an SD-WAN or SASE solution, and you’ve heard of Cato Networks and VeloCloud. Or maybe you have VeloCloud today, and you want to know how Cato compares. Are they similar? How are they different?

In this video, I compare Cato Networks and VeloCloud to see which is better for your company.

Want my recommendations on the best SD-WAN & SASE solutions that your company should quote? Ask me today.

About Me

Mike Smith has been helping companies select the best telecom, WAN, security, and cloud services since 1999. He founded AeroCom in 2003, and has been the recipient of numerous business telecommunications industry awards, including being recognized as one of the top 40 business people in tech-heavy Orange County, CA. Follow Mike on YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit and SpiceWorks.

Transcript

Your company is in the market for an SD-WAN or SASE solution. You’ve probably heard of VeloCloud and Cato Networks. Maybe your company already uses VeloCloud and you’re exploring new options like Cato—or vice versa. Either way, you want to understand how these two solutions compare. That’s exactly what I’m breaking down today. My name is Mike Smith, President of AeroComInc.com. Let’s put our heads together on this.

My recommendations

If you’d like more information, a demo, or a quote for VeloCloud or Cato Networks, don’t call them directly. You’ll actually get much better pricing and support by reaching out to me. Reach out, send me an email or give me a call (714.593.0011). I’m a broker for all the major SD-WAN and SASE vendors and have worked in this space for over 20 years—since SD-WAN first appeared around 2016. My customers consistently get better pricing than anyone else, and my services are completely free. There’s no reason not to reach out and see what I can do for you. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss my weekly videos. You can also visit AeroComInc.com, where you can search SD-WAN and SASE vendors by feature, watch comparison videos, and read in-depth reviews.

Comparing Architecture: Cloud-Enabled Foundations

Both Cato Networks and VeloCloud are cloud-enabled SD-WAN solutions. Cato, however, goes a step further by connecting all its global points of presence (PoPs) through its own private backbone—a global fiber optic network. This private backbone significantly reduces latency, packet loss, and jitter, especially for global organizations with locations communicating across continents. Instead of traveling across the public internet, all your Cato traffic stays on a private, optimized path.

Cloud Integration and Automation Features

Cato Networks and VeloCloud both offer “fast lanes” to major cloud applications like AWS and Azure through direct peering. Once you’re in their SD-WAN or SASE cloud, you get a faster, more secure connection to these services. Both providers also feature zero-touch installation, allowing configuration changes to be pushed down from the cloud portal to all your on-site hardware. That means you can apply firewall updates or SD-WAN adjustments globally without touching any devices manually.

Built on Zero Trust Principles

Both solutions are also built on Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles, which is great news if your company is prioritizing modern, identity-based security models.

Security

When it comes to security, this is where Cato Networks really separates itself from VeloCloud. Cato is a true SASE and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) solution, offering a full suite of integrated security capabilities. VeloCloud, on the other hand, provides only a stateful firewall as part of its SD-WAN offering—not a full SASE solution.

A complete SASE solution includes SD-WAN plus next-generation security features like intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, and content filtering. Cato provides all of these, giving organizations a higher level of security and control compared to VeloCloud’s basic firewall protection.

Pricing

Both Cato Networks and VeloCloud use a similar pricing model based on bandwidth. Each site is priced according to its required throughput, not the total available internet connection. For example, if your site has a 1 Gbps fiber connection but typically only uses 100 Mbps, both providers will price your site based on that 100 Mbps usage. This model makes scaling predictable and cost-effective, especially for organizations with multiple locations and variable usage patterns.

High Availability and Extras

Both Cato Networks and VeloCloud offer high availability options—whether you need active-active or active-passive failover setups. However, Cato provides additional extras that many of my clients love, such as advanced application management tools. These features make Cato particularly appealing for companies seeking both performance and simplicity.

Key Takeaways: Cato Networks vs. VeloCloud

Overall, the main differences between Cato Networks and VeloCloud come down to three things:

1. Architecture: Cato’s private global IP backbone gives it a performance edge, especially for international networks.
2. Security: Cato offers a complete SASE and CASB solution, while VeloCloud provides only a stateful firewall.
3. Extras: Cato includes more built-in features and flexibility for growing businesses.

What are the best SD-WAN/SASE vendors that your company should quote?

If you’d like more information, pricing, or demos on Cato Networks, VeloCloud, or any other SD-WAN or SASE vendor, don’t call them directly. You’ll get better results by reaching out to me. As a broker for all the major vendors, reach out, send me an email or give me a call (714.593.0011). I’ll help you find the best solution for your specific requirements, introduce you to the right vendor contacts, and secure the most competitive pricing available—all at no cost to your company.

Join thousands of IT departments that have partnered with me to make smarter, faster buying decisions. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and visit AeroComInc.com for more insights and comparisons. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one.