You’re likely reading this because your team is dealing with a fragmented mix of cloud apps, remote workers, and legacy systems—and vendors who all claim to offer the same services. Each option, SASE, SD-WAN, SSE, and MPLS, addresses a different set of problems, from routing and performance to security enforcement and scale.
But the rapid evolution of the network edge and a growing security stack mean the tradeoffs are shifting as well. Let’s cut through the noise and explore what each model actually delivers—and where it falls short—to give you the clarity and control you need to move forward.
Comparing SASE, SD‑WAN, SSE, and MPLS
Secure access service edge (SASE), software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), secure service edge (SSE) and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) are four different networking solutions that have been created to address different enterprise connectivity problems. MPLS is the oldest and most established. It works well for latency-sensitive applications, ensuring consistent application performance for VoIP, streaming, and video conferencing, but it’s expensive and not nearly as flexible as the newer models.
SD-WAN, a form of software-defined networking, was developed for organizations that are making the transition to cloud-first SaaS tools, since it can dynamically route traffic over a combination of broadband, private lines, and other available bandwidth across the public internet to optimize network connectivity and lower WAN overhead.
SASE is simply SD-WAN with integrated, cloud-native security, which is why it’s ideal for organizations that are struggling to keep up with remote access, SaaS sprawl, or patchy policy enforcement between branch offices and sites. SSE security solutions, including cloud service offerings such as Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and zero trust network access (ZTNA), on the other hand, can also provide those security capabilities to the same organizations without the routing layer.
By pushing security to the edge, both of these models reduce latency and eliminate backhaul. As the best SASE vendors are now starting to package networking and security together, the line between SASE and SD-WAN is starting to blur.
Pros and cons of adopting each approach
MPLS still performs consistently well with voice and video when low latency and user experience are hard requirements. However, MPLS is also costly and difficult to scale for cloud applications or distributed workforces. It feels like forcing a square peg into a round hole.
SD-WAN is a more cost-effective way to increase flexibility compared to traditional WAN solutions. The approach lets a single application move traffic over broadband, private links, and the public internet. But without real-time, centralized visibility, managing firewall rules and secure web gateways across branch locations becomes a guessing game. With the Tufin Orchestration Suite, you can bring those policies together for centralized management.
SASE brings networking and security together. The solution provides SD-WAN in addition to cloud-native security functions, including edge inspection, ZTNA, FWaaS, cloud access security brokers (CASB), virtual private networks (VPN), and more.
It’s an attractive option, until it’s not. Some vendors box you into rigid platforms, and if you deploy it without proper controls in place, policy sprawl happens quickly. Learn how to gain control of fragmented security policies in hybrid networks before policy sprawl occurs.
SSE strips out the routing and focuses only on the security layer. It’s a strong option if your network infrastructure is already built. But it doesn’t optimize network traffic or aid with WAN connectivity. If you’re trying to weigh tradeoffs, see SD-WAN vs emerging SASE solutions for modern networks and maximize your Tufin investment with Prisma Access for practical ways to keep performance and control in check.
Choose the right network architecture for scale and security
Deciding on SASE, SD-WAN, SSE or MPLS isn’t only a technology decision. It’s an organizational one, impacting how your teams handle network management, network security, and access control, enable cloud applications, and scale securely. It’s common to quickly lose visibility into who is connecting, what they’re accessing, and how it’s being secured if the proper policy foundation isn’t in place.
When you’re planning your next move, whether it’s replacing an on-premise WAN or transitioning to a scalable security model, request a demo to discover how Tufin simplifies network complexity with a unified control plane that delivers centralized visibility, automated policy orchestration, and continuous compliance across hybrid environments.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the main difference in how SASE vs. SD-WAN handle cloud security?
SASE architecture centralizes cloud-based security features at the network edge, with out-of-the-box tools like firewall as a service (FWaaS) and zero trust network access (ZTNA) that extend to users across the cloud, data center, and remote workspace. SD-WAN has a greater emphasis on directing application traffic efficiently across broadband and private connections to boost network performance.
See how the landscape is evolving in best SASE service providers with SD-WAN and security coverage.
How should enterprises evaluate vendors in the SASE vs. SD-WAN space?
First, map vendors’ solutions back to your unique use cases—are you looking to better secure SaaS apps, streamline secure remote access, or optimize WAN costs? Assess the maturity of each solution’s automation, policy enforcement, and visibility into the entire hybrid environment. Keep in mind that platforms won’t all give you the same level of control.
For a side-by-side view, explore comparing the top SD-WAN solutions and providers.
Where do most teams run into issues when deploying SASE vs. SD-WAN?
IT teams often see lack of centralized control causing fragmented policy enforcement and difficulty maintaining secure connections as the biggest challenges. Without centralized visibility into cloud, on-premises, IoT, and remote endpoints, it’s easy to end up with inconsistent policies, misconfigurations, and other access gaps that increase exposure to cyber threats.
Explore ways to close those gaps with how to manage fragmented security policies in hybrid environments.
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