# Cato Networks: how AI models rank it, September 2026

IT AI Recommendation Index, September 2026 Edition. Named in 61 judge labels across 4 categories by 11 of 12 models. Page: https://it-ai-index.com/vendors/cato-networks/

## Standing by category

| Category | Share | Rank | Negative rate | Labels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SASE platforms | 26% | 2 | 8% | 25 |
| Zero trust network access | 12% | 3 | 0% | 16 |
| SD-WAN | 0% | 12 | 6% | 18 |
| Next-generation firewalls | 0% | 35 | 0% | 2 |

## What the models said for it

- "Widely praised for being built from the ground up as a single cloud network, making it exceptionally easy to manage for mid-sized IT teams." (Gemini 3.5 Flash, SASE)
- "For most mid-sized B2B companies, I recommend: Cato Networks if you want a single-vendor SASE with global backbone and strong security." (Mistral Small, SASE)
- "Cato Networks is frequently cited by analysts in 2026 as the top choice specifically for the mid-market segment." (Qwen 3.7 Flash, SASE)
- "aim for platforms with strong mid-market traction like Cato or Cloudflare—easier to deploy/manage than behemoths" (Grok 4.1 Fast, SASE)

## And against it

- "Pricing model is complex and expensive — proposals "can be high and/or difficult to understand,"... Limited SaaS control/visibility" (DeepSeek V4 Flash, SASE)
- "Cato Networks: Mixed reviews with some users reporting poor support responsiveness" (GLM 4.7 FlashX, SASE)
- "Lack of pricing transparency – users cite hidden fees" (MiniMax M2.5, SD-WAN)

## Record

- Method: https://it-ai-index.com/methodology/
- Raw judge labels and full responses: https://it-ai-index.com/data/
- License: CC BY 4.0. Cite as IT AI Recommendation Index, September 2026 Edition, it-ai-index.com.