5 Best Firewall Software I Recommend for Secure Networks

.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. 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.

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.

5 best firewall software I trust for secure networks  

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.

What makes the best firewall software: my criteria

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 when choosing the best firewalls.

• Security features: A firewall should be more than just a basic traffic filter. I looked for solutions that offer deep packet inspection (DPI) to analyze packet contents rather than just ports, intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect and block exploits in real-time, and advanced threat protection (ATP) to guard against malware, zero-day attacks, and encrypted threats. Firewalls without these capabilities simply don’t provide enough security for modern networks.
• Ease of management without sacrificing control: A firewall should be powerful but not painful to manage. I prioritized solutions that offer intuitive web-based dashboards, clear policy creation, and granular control over rules, access, and monitoring. IT admins need flexibility, but they don’t need to spend hours digging through convoluted menus just to tweak a policy.
• Performance that won’t kill your network: Security shouldn’t come at the cost of speed. I focused on firewalls that handle high traffic loads without causing bottlenecks, especially under encrypted SSL/TLS traffic. IT teams need solutions that balance strong security with minimal latency, ensuring users don’t feel like they’re on a slow, overloaded VPN every time they browse the web.
• Reliable VPN and remote access support: With remote work now a standard, a firewall needs to do more than protect office networks. I evaluated firewalls based on their IPSec and SSL VPN capabilities, ease of client deployment, and whether they support multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security. The best firewalls make remote access seamless without opening security gaps.
• Scalability and future-proofing: Businesses grow, and so should their firewall. I prioritized solutions that support multiple WAN connections, offer centralized management for multi-site deployments, and can scale up without expensive hardware overhauls. IT teams shouldn’t have to rip and replace firewalls every few years just to keep up with bandwidth and security demands.
• Logging, monitoring, and reporting capabilities: I know that the ability to quickly troubleshoot security events or policy misconfigurations can make all the difference in preventing a breach. So, I looked for a good firewall that provides real-time traffic insights, customizable alerts, and detailed logging that integrates with SIEM platforms for deeper analysis.
• Integration with existing infrastructure: No firewall exists in a vacuum. I focused on solutions that play well with Active Directory (AD), SIEM tools, cloud security platforms, and endpoint protection software. Firewalls that support API access or third-party integrations allow IT teams to create a cohesive security ecosystem rather than managing another isolated tool.

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:

• Assess and filter user access.
• Create barriers between networks and the internet.
• Alert administrators when unauthorized access is attempted.
• Outline and enforce security and authentication rules.
• Automate tasks associated with testing or monitoring

*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.  

1. Sophos Firewall

Sophos Firewall stands out, thanks to its Control Center, which provides one of the clearest and most actionable dashboards I’ve seen in a firewall.

It makes it relatively easy to configure policies, manage traffic, and monitor threats. I love the documentation Sophos has on setting up and troubleshooting firewalls, be it videos or knowledgebase articles. For IT admins who don’t want to spend hours wrestling with firewall rules, this is a big win. 

The control center gives an unprecedented level of visibility into activity, risks, and threats. Unlike traditional dashboards that flood you with raw data, Sophos uses a “traffic light” system to highlight what’s important. If something’s red, it needs immediate attention. Yellow signals a potential issue. And if everything is green, you can breathe easy knowing your network is secure.

Also, every widget on the control center is interactive, allowing me to drill down into real-time data with just a click. Need to check the status of network interfaces? Click the interfaces widget. Want a real-time breakdown of firewall rules? The active firewall rules widget provides a graph of traffic processed by business applications, users, and network rules. It even highlights unused rules, giving you an opportunity to clean up outdated policies. It's a small but incredibly useful feature that many IT teams overlook.

Security-wise, Sophos Firewall doesn’t cut corners, in my opinion. The IPS, ATP, and DTP work together to catch threats in real-time. Another strong point is the integration with its managed and extended detection systems (MDR and XDR). If an infected device tries to connect to the network, the firewall can automatically isolate it to prevent the spread of malware. This level of synchronization is something many IT teams struggle to achieve with other firewall solutions.

Of course, no firewall is perfect.  Sophos' reporting feature is useful but isn’t the easiest to configure or use. From my observation, it can also be more granular, allowing for deeper insights without extra manual work. Customizing reports is also limited, making it harder to tailor insights to specific security and compliance needs.

Also, the alerting system in Sophos Firewall gets the job done, but there’s definitely room for improvement. I’ve noticed that email notifications can be inconsistent. This can be frustrating when tracking security events or monitoring network activity in real-time. False positives can also be an issue, requiring extra filtering to avoid unnecessary noise.

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.

What I dislike about Sophos Firewall:

• The built-in reports are useful but not as flexible as I’d like. There’s limited granularity in filtering data, which means I sometimes have to dig deeper than I should to find key insights.
• While Sophos does offer security notifications, I’ve found that email alerts to be inconsistent and could be improved. I've seen some users even relying on third-party tools to fill this gap, which feels like an unnecessary extra step.

What G2 users dislike about Sophos Firewall: 

"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

2. Netgate pfSense

 When it comes to firewalls that offer flexibility, affordability, and deep customization, Netgate pfSense is one of the best options out there, in my view. 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. 

I also find it impressive 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 users who aren’t comfortable with networking concepts. As someone who is definitely not a network engineer, I ran into some challenges getting it up and running.

Also, updating pfSense isn’t always a smooth process. I have noticed that some updates have been known to occasionally brick devices, requiring a full reinstall and restore from backup. It’s annoying, especially when an update that’s meant to improve security ends up causing downtime instead.

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.

What I dislike about Netgate pfSense:

• I’ve had firmware updates fail or even brick a device, requiring a full reinstall and restore. Incremental updates don’t always apply smoothly, so I always have to be extra cautious before upgrading.
• From what I heard from our developers, while the JavaScript libraries work, they need some improvement, and so do their tutorials on how to get the most out of the platform using advanced features. 

What G2 users dislike about Netgate pfSense:

"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.

3. Palo Alto Next-Generations Firewall

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 my 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 I 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, which isn’t something I can say for every vendor based on my conversations with other users. 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 I 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 I appreciate is how intuitive the UI and design are. 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.

Managing multiple firewalls is another area where Palo Alto shines, in my view.  Palo Alto’s centralized management system, Panorama, makes managing policies across multiple firewalls so much easier.

That said, there are some drawbacks. The biggest? The cost. There’s no denying that Palo Alto firewalls are on the expensive side, which makes it less accessible for small businesses. The hardware, support, and licensing fees add up quickly. For organizations with tight IT budgets, this can definitely be a dealbreaker.

Another issue is that while the firewall’s learning curve isn’t as steep as some enterprise solutions, I found that configuring advanced policies, troubleshooting, and setting up Panorama isn’t always straightforward. Some advanced features may even require dedicated training or consultation to fully utilize Palo Alto’s capabilities. While online documentation and community support are available, organizations without experienced Palo Alto admins may need to invest in training to get the most out of the system.

Regardless of these limitations, Palo Alto remains one of the best choices for large businesses and enterprises that need industry-leading security and deep network visibility.  If you are an SMB and budget isn’t a primary concern, you can definitely try it out.

For home users, I wouldn’t recommend Palo Alto the way I would pfSense or Sophos, unless you’re really tech-savvy and prepared to handle the complexity and cost. If that’s the case, a PA-series firewall that's hardware-based would be your best option.

What I dislike about Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls:

• I highly value what Palo Alto offers, but there’s no way around the fact that Palo Alto firewalls are expensive. Between hardware, licensing, and support fees, the total cost can skyrocket. This is definitely something to keep in mind.
• From my observations, there’s definitely a learning curve, especially when it comes to configuring policies, troubleshooting issues, and understanding how some advanced features function. Once you get familiar with it, things run smoothly. But expect some frustration at the start.

What G2 users dislike about Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls: 

 "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. 

4. Azure Firewall

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 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.

I also like 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, the cost can add up quickly, especially if you need advanced security features. Azure Firewall Basic is a more affordable entry point for SMBs, but it comes with some trade-offs that are limiting, in my opinion. 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, it could be more user-friendly, based on my observation. 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. 

What I dislike about Azure Firewall:

• While Azure Firewall is relatively easy to set up, learning its advanced configurations takes time. The documentation is detailed, but it could be more user-friendly. 
• I think Azure Firewall isn’t the cheapest option, especially when adding threat intelligence, premium security features, and scaling up for high-traffic environments. For SMBs or cost-sensitive businesses, the Basic plan can be limiting, and the pricing of premium plans can be a concern, making third-party virtual firewalls a more budget-friendly alternative in some cases. 

What G2 users like about Azure Firewall: 

"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. 

5. FortiGate NGFW

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. One thing I really like about FortiGate is its 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 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 heard from users 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. If you’re not familiar with Fortinet’s interface, the learning curve can be steep, and configuring it in an existing network isn’t always straightforward. 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.

What I dislike about FortiGate:

• I've observed that it takes time to configure properly. FortiGate offers tons of advanced features, but that also means setup can be tricky, especially when integrating it into an existing network.
• I’ve seen cases where users have reported some occasional slowness in the system, particularly when handling high-traffic loads or running older firmware versions.

What G2 users dislike about FortiGate: 

"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.

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:

• Zscaler Internet Access is a great choice if you’re moving away from traditional on-prem firewalls and need scalable, zero-trust internet security.
• Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) is one of the best alternatives for Palo Alto and FortiGate that's feature-rich and highly configurable.
• Cloudflare SSE & SASE Platform is a solid option for securing cloud applications, remote users, and internet-facing traffic with Zero Trust access and DDoS protection. Note it’s not a traditional firewall but offers SWG, ZTNA, and traffic filtering for cloud-first security.
• Arista NG Firewall can be considered for network-heavy enterprises that want deep visibility and automation. If you’re already using Arista networking gear, the integration is effortless.
• NordLayer, WatchGuard Network Security, and SonicWall work incredibly well for small to mid-sized businesses that need affordable, easy-to-manage security with strong VPN and unified threat management (UTM) capabilities.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on firewall software 

1. What is the best firewall software?

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.

2. What is the best free firewall software?

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.

3. What’s the best firewall for home use?

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.

4. What’s the best firewall for small businesses?

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.

5. Should I use a hardware or software firewall?

It depends on your setup:

• Firewall software is best for virtualized environments, cloud security, or home users. Examples include pfSense, Azure Firewall, and Palo Alto VM-Series.
• Firewall hardware is ideal for businesses that need dedicated security appliances. Popular options include FortiGate, Palo Alto PA-Series, and Cisco Secure Firewall.

6. What’s the difference between a web application firewall (WAF) and a network firewall?

• A web application firewall (WAF) protects web applications by filtering HTTP/HTTPS traffic (e.g., Cloudflare WAF, AWS WAF).
• A network firewall secures an entire network, monitoring all incoming and outgoing traffic (e.g., Palo Alto NGFW, FortiGate).

7. What is the best open-source firewall?

pfSense and OPNsense are the best open-source firewalls, offering customizable security, VPN support, and intrusion prevention for businesses and home labs.

8. What’s the best next-gen firewall?

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.

Access denied, hackers! 

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.

Still searching for the right defense? Explore the best intrusion prevention and detection systems to add an extra layer of security to your network.