After three years of writing about cybersecurity, I’ve seen IT admins and business owners wrestle with one challenge again and again: finding the best firewall that’s actually secure, doesn’t drain the IT budget, and require hours of tinkering just to get basic protections in place.
Some firewalls lock essential features, like intrusion prevention or VPN support, behind costly subscriptions, forcing you to pay extra for security you thought was included. Others offer powerful protection but come with steep learning curves, requiring deep networking knowledge just to configure properly. And let’s be real. No one wants to spend half a day arguing with licensing servers when they should be focusing on stopping threats.
And that’s just the start of the firewall headache. Do you go with hardware or software? Open-source or paid? Will your firewall slow down your network if you don’t size it right? Can you trust your basic router firewall, or is that just giving you a false sense of security? These are the exact questions I see IT pros debating every day.
I get it and that’s why I’ve done the research. I dug through hundreds of G2 reviews to understand what works and what doesn't, and in this guide, I’ll break down the 5 best firewall software options for 2025. Whether you’re a small business owner, an IT admin for a growing company, someone running a home office, or someone just looking for a firewall that works for your home lab, I’ve got you covered.
*These are the top-rated products in the firewall software category, according to G2 Grid Reports. Most of these tools offer a free trial, demo, or a free home-use version. Where applicable, I’ve listed publicly available starting prices. Most vendors also provide dedicated firewall hardware and devices.
If you’re looking for a firewall for personal use, some options on this list offer home-use versions. That said, this guide is primarily focused on business and enterprise firewalls.
Whether it’s a dedicated hardware appliance or a software-based solution, a firewall, to me, is like a bouncer at a nightclub. If your name’s on the list, you get in. If not, you’re stopped at the door. Without one, it’s like leaving the club doors wide open, letting anyone walk in unnoticed.
It is the most essential network security device that monitors and blocks unauthorized traffic to a network.
I’ve watched firewalls evolve from simple traffic filters that allowed good traffic and blocked bad traffic to next-generation security tools. Today’s next-generation firewalls (NGFW) do much more than basic filtering. They inspect encrypted data, analyze behavioral patterns, and use AI-driven threat intelligence to stop attacks before they happen.
A good firewall is not just a passive gatekeeper. It is an active defender, monitoring traffic, blocking threats, and ensuring hackers don’t slip through the cracks. But what makes a firewall truly great? The best firewalls give IT teams the power to monitor, filter, and customize traffic rules to match their exact security needs.
So, what separates the best firewalls from the rest? Let’s break it down.
First, I used G2 Grid reports to shortlist 15 top-rated firewall software based on user feedback. To go beyond surface-level reviews, I used AI to analyze thousands of user comments, pulling out what IT pros actually liked—and what frustrated them the most.
I also talked to network security experts, my IT team, and professionals managing firewalls daily to get their take on what actually works in real-world environments. Then, validated their insights using verified G2 reviews. After all that, I had five clear winners.
The screenshots featured in this article may include those obtained from the vendor’s G2 page or from publicly available materials.
Finding the right firewall software isn’t just about checking off a list of features. It’s about how well it actually works in the hands of IT teams. A firewall might look great in theory, but if it slows down the network, buries key settings in confusing menus, or turns simple policy updates into a tedious process, it quickly becomes more of a headache than a safeguard. So, here's what I looked for in the best firewalls, based on G2 reviews.
After evaluating 10+ firewalls against these criteria, I found five that stand out, delivering strong security, ease of use, and the features IT teams actually need.
The list below contains genuine user reviews from the firewall software category. To be included in this category, a solution must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Sophos Firewall stands out, thanks to its Control Center, which provides one of the clearest and most actionable dashboards in a firewall.
According to G2 reviews, Sophos makes it relatively easy for IT teams to configure policies, manage traffic, and monitor threats without spending hours on setup. Users often highlight the quality of Sophos’ documentation, whether it's video guides or knowledge base articles, which simplifies the process of configuring and troubleshooting firewalls.
The Control Center is another standout feature. Unlike dashboards that overwhelm you with raw data, reviewers appreciate Sophos’ intuitive “traffic light” system for prioritizing alerts: red for immediate threats, yellow for potential issues, and green when things are secure. It offers quick, visual insight into network health without digging through complex logs.
Each widget on the dashboard is also interactive, which users say adds major value. You can drill down into real-time data with a single click—whether it’s checking interface statuses or analyzing firewall rules by application, user, or traffic type. One particularly useful detail G2 users mention is the ability to identify and clean up unused rules, helping streamline policy management and reduce risk. It's a small feature, but one that stands out for IT teams managing complex environments.
From a security standpoint, Sophos Firewall gets high marks in G2 reviews for not cutting corners. Users highlight how features like IPS, ATP, and DTP work together to detect threats in real time. Another major strength is the integration with Sophos’ managed and extended detection and response systems (MDR and XDR). Reviewers note that if a compromised device attempts to connect to the network, the firewall can automatically isolate it—an advanced level of synchronization that many IT teams find difficult to achieve with other solutions.
That said, reporting is one area where the experience could be smoother. While it’s functional, reviewers often mention that configuring and customizing reports isn’t as intuitive as it could be. Feedback suggests that deeper, more granular insights would be helpful.
The alerting system also gets mixed reviews. It’s generally effective, but some users have reported issues with email notifications being inconsistent or delayed. This can impact real-time monitoring, especially when quick action is required. False positives are another challenge noted in reviews, occasionally creating noise that teams need to filter through.
Nonetheless, I'd say Sophos Firewall remains a strong contender in the next-generation firewall space. If you’re on the fence, Sophos offers a 30-day free trial, so you can test its features before committing. And if you’re running a small home office, you can try the free version of Sophos Firewall for home, which provides a simple yet effective setup.
"Sophos' technical support is exceptional, offering quick responses and effective solutions to any problems that have arisen. The firewall's centralized management interface simplifies network security configuration and monitoring, providing a comprehensive, easy-to-understand view of security policies and events.
The ability to manage rules in an intuitive and flexible way has made it possible to adapt the firewall configuration to the specific security needs of our organization, guaranteeing precise control over network traffic.
Overall, we like it for its strong security features, ease of management, ability to provide network infrastructure protection, and easy deployment and integration."
- Sophos Firewall Review, Ramon C
"The extensive range of features and configuration options can be overwhelming, and there may be a steep learning curve involved for smaller organizations or those without dedicated IT staff."
- Sophos Firewall Review, Chandramohan K
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When it comes to firewalls that offer flexibility, affordability, and deep customization, Netgate pfSense is one of the best options out there. It’s open-source, highly configurable, and powerful enough to replace many commercial firewalls, making it a favorite among IT pros who want full control over their network security without vendor lock-in.
One of the biggest advantages of pfSense, based on my research, is how it can be deployed. It can be installed on almost any hardware or for cloud services, supports virtualization, and is widely used for everything from enterprise security to home setups.
The fact that it’s free (or low-cost for pfSense+ and Netgate appliances) makes it an attractive option for organizations looking to cut costs without sacrificing security. It works incredibly well for businesses, home labs, and small offices.
Users also appreciate that it offers deep customization options, including multi-WAN support, VPN configurations, IDS/IPS (Snort), and load balancing for a free tool.
That said, there are some drawbacks. The learning curve can be steep, especially for G2 users uncomfortable with networking concepts. Reviewers mentioned some challenges getting it up and running. Also, updating pfSense isn’t always smooth. I noticed quite a few reviews that noted some updates occasionally brick devices, requiring a full reinstall and restore from backup.
Despite these drawbacks, pfSense stands out for its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and sheer power. If you’re comfortable with networking and want full control over your firewall without the restrictions of proprietary systems, pfSense is one of the best choices available.
It’s not as plug-and-play as some commercial firewalls, but for those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, it’s an incredibly capable and customizable security solution.
"I have been using pfSense for many years. First on my own hardware and later on netgates hardware. The system is easy enough to use but also gives you the ability to have fine-tuned rules.
I think because the pfSense Firewall software is open source and has a very large community you have a higher chance to find solutions to edge cases than with other non-open source firewalls. Some solutions might feel a bit hacky, but there's always a way to get the software to behave like you want."
- Netgate pfSense Review, Christian H.
"pfSense update management can sometimes be a bit ungainly. We'd really appreciate the ability to enable automated updates, especially to patch security threats. Or perhaps even a notification that would be sent to the pfSense admin when a new update is available.
Lower-end pfSense appliances from Netgate have shown themselves to be a bit flaky. They will lock up on updates or sometimes lock up for no reason at all. When this happens, we've noted that even a reboot of the system doesn't bring it back online, and it must be accessed via emulated serial console (over USB) in order to manually walk it through a startup sequence. This is extremely problematic at remote/unstaffed locations."
- Netgate pfSense Review, Chris G.
Palo Alto is often considered the gold standard in firewalls, and I can see why. It offers some of the most advanced security features on the market while maintaining strong automation, deep visibility, and zero trust enforcement.
One of users' favorite aspects of Palo Alto firewalls is their ease of integration with cloud environments. If you’re working with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, Palo Alto makes it easy to enforce security policies across hybrid and multi-cloud environments with either the VM-Series or Cloud NGFW.
But what a lot of reviewers find highly valuable is that Palo Alto’s performance is rock solid and always delivers as promised. It’s predictable and consistently meets or even exceeds the numbers on the spec sheets. With some firewalls, you expect a certain throughput but end up dealing with slowdowns under real-world conditions—that’s never an issue with Palo Alto.
Another big reason IT teams prefer Palo Alto firewalls is their built-in Layer 7 application identification, powered by App-ID. Unlike traditional firewalls that rely on ports and protocols, App-ID recognizes applications regardless of port, protocol, or encryption, using signatures, protocol decoding, and heuristics to classify traffic accurately.
This means a network administrator can write security policies based on actual applications, not just network rules, making it much easier to block evasive threats that try to bypass traditional firewalls using non-standard ports or tunneling techniques. I think this makes a huge difference in how admins manage security.
Another thing frequently praised in the reviews is the intuitive UI and design. With some firewalls, it’s easy to misconfigure rules or lose track of security policies, but Palo Alto makes it nearly impossible to mess things up.
Users also highlight the tool's ability to manage multiple firewalls with ease. Its centralized management system, Panorama, stands out as a key feature—making it significantly easier to push policies across distributed environments and maintain consistency at scale.
However, cost is flagged as a major drawback. Reviewers note that between the hardware, licensing, and support, Palo Alto’s pricing can add up quickly. This makes it less accessible for small businesses or organizations operating on tighter IT budgets.
The learning curve is another consideration. While easier to pick up than some enterprise solutions, advanced policy configurations and Panorama setup aren’t always intuitive. Several users mention that unlocking the full potential of the platform often requires dedicated training or consulting support. Although online documentation and community resources exist, teams without prior experience may need to invest additional time and budget into ramping up.
Despite those limitations, G2 reviewers consistently recognize Palo Alto as a top-tier choice for enterprises and larger organizations that prioritize deep network visibility and robust security. For SMBs with the budget to support it, it’s still a strong option. That said, for home users or teams looking for simplicity, more lightweight alternatives like pfSense or Sophos are often recommended—unless you're very tech-savvy and prepared for a higher level of complexity and cost.
"I truly value how Palo Alto Networks’ firewalls deal with advanced threat detection. They excel at recognizing and neutralizing even the most intricate threats, which provides me great peace of mind. The interface is simple and user-friendly, ensuring an easy setup process.
I believe that the effectiveness of these firewalls in handling advanced threat detection is remarkable, reliably averting potential dangers. All in all, it’s a dependable solution for safeguarding our systems and managing our policies with significantly reduced stress."
- Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls Review, Abdul Rauf Y.
"The licensing and cost structure can be a bit high, particularly for smaller organizations. Additionally, the learning curve for some advanced features may require dedicated training or consultation to fully leverage its capabilities. Occasional updates can introduce minor bugs, but these are usually quickly resolved."
- Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls Review, Anil Baki D.
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When it comes to securing cloud environments, I found Azure Firewall to be a natural fit for businesses already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem. It offers deep integration with Azure services, making it easy to enforce network security policies across hybrid and multi-cloud setups. In my view, it simplifies firewall deployment for those running workloads on Azure without the need for third-party solutions.
One of the biggest advantages of Azure Firewall is its ease of setup and management, especially when using the hub-and-spoke model. I noticed several reviews saying that it is straightforward to configure, and since it’s a fully managed service, it automatically scales with demand, reducing the need for manual maintenance or capacity planning. The built-in web application firewall (WAF) is also a great addition, helping to filter out malicious traffic before it reaches critical applications.
Users also appreciate that it integrates with Azure Monitor, allowing for centralized logging and analytics. This helps IT teams gain better visibility into network activity and security threats.
That said, I observed that the cost can add up quickly, especially if you need advanced security features. G2 users suggest that Azure Firewall Basic is a more affordable entry point for SMBs, but it comes with some trade-offs that are limiting. It only supports threat intel in alert mode. It also runs on a fixed scale with two virtual machines, making it less flexible for growing workloads. With an estimated throughput of 250 Mbps, it works well for smaller deployments but may not scale effectively for high-traffic environments.
Also, like Palo Alto, Azure Firewall takes time to learn. While its documentation is comprehensive, according to G2 reviews, the tool could still be more user-friendly. This can help admins quickly get up to speed. Nonetheless, for businesses deeply integrated with Azure, Azure Firewall is a solid choice to try out.
"It is designed specifically for the Azure cloud environment, it's offering a seamless and integrated solution for securing resources within Azure. It can scale horizontally to accommodate increasing network traffic, making it suitable for small and large deployments. Users can configure Azure Firewall to use threat intelligence feeds, enhancing security by blocking traffic to and from known malicious IP addresses."
- Azure Firewall Review, Kiran P.
"It is cloud-based. If it also has an on-premise version or self-managed, then it will be helpful. For a small entity, you can't get all features enabled within the Basic plan."
- Azure Firewall Review, Sayantica G.
When it comes to affordable yet powerful network security, FortiGate NGFW is right there. I think it's one of the best Palo Alto alternatives. It offers next-gen firewall features without the steep price tag, making it a popular choice for businesses looking for solid security and performance without breaking the budget.
From what I gathered, FortiGate’s UI is easy to navigate, making rule creation, monitoring, and security management much simpler. Users really appreciate FortiGate's strong interoperability with other Fortinet products. If you're using FortiSwitches or FortiAPs, you get built-in NAC capabilities, making it easier to enforce network access control policies without extra appliances.
The built-in SD-WAN also makes a big difference as there are no separate licenses, no extra costs, just out-of-the-box support for multiple WAN connections and intelligent traffic routing.
Another major win that I came across in the reviews is the strong security feature set, which includes VPN support, and intrusion prevention, making it a great all-in-one solution for businesses with distributed networks.
That said, FortiGate isn’t perfect. While it offers a good balance between price and performance, I have gathered from G2 reviews that there can be occasional slowdowns during high-traffic loads.
Another challenge I see comes from its complexity. FortiGate packs a ton of advanced features, but that also means setup and management can be complex. G2 users that weren't familiar with Fortinet’s interface, reported that the learning curve was steep, and configuring it in an existing network wasn't always simple.
I’ve found that maintaining and optimizing FortiGate often requires specialized cybersecurity expertise, which could mean extra costs for training or hiring for teams without dedicated firewall admins.
Despite these concerns, FortiGate is a strong contender for businesses that need a cost-effective and feature-rich next-gen firewall. If you’re looking for something easier to manage than Palo Alto, with great security features at a more affordable price, FortiGate is a solid choice.
FortiGate also offers entry-level models like the FortiGate 40F and 60F, which I think are great for home offices and small businesses.
"Using FortiGate for about 5 years at core and distribution network, and found the best so far, easy to understand anomaly logs and attractive feature sets, satisfied with its performance. Easily scalable.."
- Fortigate Review, Muhammad Irfan Y.
"Compatibility issues with certain applications or devices on the networks may arise. Fortigate offers numerous advanced configuration options and features, which can lead to increased complexity during implementation and setup. Effectively maintaining and managing FortiGate may necessitate personnel with specialized technical expertise in cybersecurity, potentially resulting in additional hiring costs."
- FortiGate Review, Nestor Azael O.
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Now, there are a few more options, as mentioned below, that didn't make it to this list but are still worth considering, in my opinion:
The best firewall software depends on your needs. Palo Alto Networks and FortiGate are top choices for enterprise security, while pfSense and Sophos Firewall are great for small businesses and home labs. For cloud-based environments, Azure Firewall and Cloudflare SASE are solid options.
Some of the best free firewalls include pfSense, OPNsense, and Sophos Firewall Home Edition. These offer enterprise-level protection for home users without a paid license. If you need basic protection for personal use, Windows Defender Firewall is a built-in option.
For home users, pfSense, Sophos Firewall Home Edition, and Firewalla are excellent choices. FortiGate’s entry-level models (like FortiGate 40F) also provide business-grade security for home offices.
Small businesses need cost-effective but powerful security. WatchGuard, SonicWall, and FortiGate offer affordable, easy-to-manage firewall solutions with VPN and UTM features. Netgate pfSense is another flexible, open-source option for SMBs.
It depends on your setup:
pfSense and OPNsense are the best open-source firewalls, offering customizable security, VPN support, and intrusion prevention for businesses and home labs.
For next-gen firewalls (NGFWs), Palo Alto, FortiGate, and Check Point are industry leaders. They offer deep packet inspection, AI-driven threat detection, and advanced security policies.
Firewalls may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but nothing ruins your day faster than an unsecured network and unauthorized access.
But if I have to share one takeaway with you after all this research, it is that there’s no perfect firewall, only the right one for your needs. Some excel in enterprise-grade security, while others keep things simple and budget-friendly. Whether you need deep customization, cloud-native protection, or an easy plug-and-play setup, the best firewall is the one that actually makes your job easier—not harder.
And at the end of the day, a firewall is only as good as how well it’s set up and managed. So, choose wisely, configure it right, and if all else fails, at least make sure your alerts actually land in your inbox.
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