PANW vs. ALLT: Which Network Security Stock is the Better Buy?

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Allot Ltd. (ALLT) are significant players in the network security sector, with PANW focusing on next-generation firewalls and cloud security, while ALLT specializes in network intelligence for service providers and enterprises [1][2] Industry Trends - The network security market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.47% from 2025 to 2030, driven by increasing complex cyberattacks such as credential theft and social engineering [2] Company Analysis: Palo Alto Networks (PANW) - PANW is recognized as a cybersecurity leader, providing comprehensive solutions for network and cloud security, with a strong customer base and innovative products [4][5] - In Q1 of fiscal 2026, PANW's Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) segment saw a 34% year-over-year increase in Annual Recurring Revenues (ARR), driven by demand for streamlined security tools [6] - However, PANW's revenue growth has slowed to the mid-teen percentage range, with a forecast of 14-15% growth for the full fiscal year 2026, down from mid-20s in fiscal 2023 [7] Company Analysis: Allot Ltd. (ALLT) - ALLT is experiencing robust growth in its Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (SECaaS) business, with ARR increasing approximately 60% year-over-year in Q3 2025 [8][12] - SECaaS accounted for about 28% of ALLT's total revenues in Q3, with expectations to rise to 30%, indicating a shift towards more predictable subscription-based revenues [9] - ALLT's sales and non-GAAP EPS grew 14% and 233.3% year-over-year in Q3 2025, prompting an upward revision of revenue guidance for the year [12] Comparative Valuation and Performance - Over the past six months, ALLT shares have increased by 33.8%, while PANW shares have decreased by 6.1% [18] - ALLT is trading at a forward sales multiple of 4.37X, significantly lower than PANW's 11.71X, making ALLT more attractive for value-seeking investors [19] - Analysts are increasingly bullish on ALLT, reflected in the positive earnings estimate revisions compared to PANW [13][16] Conclusion - The analysis suggests a preference for ALLT over PANW due to its strong growth in SECaaS, improving revenue quality, and more favorable valuation metrics [22][23]