You’ll find quite a few similarities comparing the Sophos XG 135 vs the XGS 138. What’s more important here is what makes them different and which model is the better long-term solution. Firewall manufacturers commonly dish out new models on a pretty regular schedule.
Considering the Sophos XG end of life for the 135 in March of 2025, you can assume many businesses have already moved on. The XGS is part of a new generation from Sophos, which means the 138 is bound to come with a few enhancements. This article delves into a brief comparison to highlight key differences between both Sophos firewalls.
Looking Into the Sophos Data Sheets
Even if they sound related to their titles alone, these firewalls come with very different capabilities. While the XGS 138 is great for larger networks, the 135 is aimed at smaller organizations and branch offices.
Even though the XG 135 is already on its way out, some businesses are transitioning hardware while others are looking for their first setup. Essentially, the Sophos XG firewall 135 was a great option for small businesses.
Due to its EOL, any organization running that hardware will need to make some upgrades to keep their network security in check. The XGS 138 might seem like an easy upgrade, but it’s important to look into things further so you can hone in on exactly what your business needs.
What is the Sophos XG 135?
More than one of the Sophos XG firewalls is meeting its end, but that doesn’t mean its tech still doesn’t hold up in today’s market. The realm of cyber threats is always getting trickier to navigate, but the specs behind the XG 135 are still pretty solid:
Here are a few important surface-level specs as a reference point:
- Firewall Throughput: 8 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 1.18 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 2.48 Gbps
- Antivirus Throughput: 1.58 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 6,000,000
Impressive in its own right, it won’t help any small business looking for long-term network security support in 2025. Then again, it does act as a good comparable detail to what the XGS 138 can bring to the table.
What is the Sophos XGS 138?
This is a high-speed firewall that goes far beyond what many small organizations would need. Capabilities in advanced threat protection, not to mention port configuration, give businesses of all sizes stellar network security.
Here’s how the 138 sizes up in what Sophos security in the XG 135 can offer:
- Firewall Throughput: 19.1 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 6.6 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 5.85 Gbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: 4.75 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 6,550,000
Even though they come close with concurrent connections, the 138 soars past the Sophos XG 135 in many other areas. Nevertheless, making these kinds of comparisons is crucial. This is especially true for businesses just getting started or making a necessary transition with their network security.
Streamlining the Comparison of Sophos XG 135 vs XGS 138
If you take a look at any firewall datasheet, it’s seemingly endless pages with just that: technical specifications. Important nonetheless, sorting through all of this can muddy up your decision-making process. The table below provides a direct look at how the XGS 138 is a superior choice here.
| Specifications | Sophos XG 135 | Sophos XGS 138 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 8 | 19.1 |
| VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 1.18 | 6.6 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 2.48 | 5.85 |
| Antivirus Throughput (Gbps) | 1.58 | N/A |
| Threat Protection Throughput (Gbps) | N/A | 4.75 |
| Concurrent Connections | 6,000,000 | 6,550,000 |
| NGFW (Gbps) | 1.2 | 5.1 |
| New Connections per Second | 85,000 | 105,000 |
| Xstream SSL/TLS Inspection (Gbps) | N/A | 1.7 |
| Interface | Integrated SSD 8 x GbE copper 1 x GbE SFP 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Micro-USB 1 x COM (RJ45) 1 x HDMI | 64 GB M.2 4 x GE copper 2 x 2.5 GE copper 2 x SFP+ fiber 2 x 2.5 GE 1 x COM RJ45 1 x Micro-USB 1 x USB 2.0 (front) 1 x USB 3.0 (rear) |
| Power Supply | External auto-ranging DC 12V 100-240VAC 36W@50-60 Hz | External auto-ranging AC-DC 100-240VAC 2A@50-60 Hz 12VDC 12.5A 150W |
When it comes to your cybersecurity protection, you can’t overlook the fine print. On the other hand, you can summarize your approach to make it a little more stress-free.
Let’s Wrap Up
Navigating the future of your company’s network security doesn’t have to be this constant back and forth with trial and error. Having the right information can go a long way, and all you really need to do is compare the specs.
For some, this is understandably easier said than done, which is why it never hurts to seek out a helping hand. Give our team a shout, and we will make sure you don’t end up running into that EOL date.
