September 29, 2025
by Soundarya Jayaraman / September 29, 2025
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 need hours of tinkering just to get basic protections in place.
Some firewalls lock essential features, such as intrusion prevention or VPN support, behind costly subscriptions, forcing you to pay extra for security that 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's 2025 Winter 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. The global next-generation firewall market is projected to reach $8.89 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.84%.
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 security measure. 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 over 10 firewalls against these criteria, I found five that stand out, delivering strong security, ease of use, and the features that 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. According to G2 Data, 90% of users praise its feature for continuous analysis. 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 provides quick, visual insight into network health without requiring in-depth analysis of 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 that G2 users mention is the ability to identify and clean up unused rules, which helps 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 detection and response (MDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) systems. 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 an area where the experience could be even smoother. While it’s functional and provides the essential insights needed, reviewers often mention that configuring and customizing reports can be challenging and aren’t always intuitive. Some feedback suggests that deeper, more granular insights could enhance the experience, though the system still delivers solid reporting capabilities overall.
The alerting system is generally effective and helps teams stay informed. Some users have noted occasional inconsistencies with email notifications or false positives, which can create minor noise that teams need to manage. Even so, these are relatively small issues compared with the overall reliability and usefulness of the alerts for real-time monitoring.
Nonetheless, I'd say Sophos Firewall remains a strong contender in the next-generation firewall space. For those on the fence, Sophos offers a 30-day free trial, allowing you to test its features before committing. If you’re running a small home office, the free version of Sophos Firewall for home provides a simple yet effective setup, making it easy to experience its core strengths firsthand.
"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
On a budget? Explore the top free firewall solutions.
When it comes to firewalls that offer flexibility, affordability, and deep customization, pfSense by Netgate is one of the best options available. 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 its flexibility in deployment. It can be installed on almost any hardware or for cloud services, supports virtualization, and is widely used for a range of applications, 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 seeking to reduce costs without compromising 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, the learning curve can be a bit steep, especially for G2 users who aren’t very comfortable with networking concepts. Some reviewers mentioned challenges getting the system up and running. Additionally, updating pfSense isn’t always completely seamless—there are occasional reports of updates causing issues that require a reinstall and restore from backup. Even so, these are relatively minor hurdles considering the platform’s overall capabilities.
Despite these considerations, 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 remains an excellent choice.
It’s not as plug-and-play as some commercial firewalls, but customizability is a major strength. For those willing to invest a little time, it’s an incredibly capable and adaptable security solution that delivers robust performance and control.
"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 it also allows to 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 proven to be somewhat unreliable. They will lock up on updates or sometimes lock up for no apparent reason. 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 an 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.
Firewalls are critical, but pairing them with the top network monitoring tools ensures complete protection.
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. According to G2 Data, 90% users praise its intrusion prevention capabilities.
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.
However, what many reviewers find highly valuable is that Palo Alto’s performance is rock-solid and consistently 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 identifies applications regardless of port, protocol, or encryption, using signatures, protocol decoding, and heuristics to accurately classify traffic.
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 believe this makes a significant difference in how administrators 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 make mistakes.
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 something to consider. Reviewers note that, between hardware, licensing, and support, Palo Alto’s pricing can add up quickly. While this may make it less accessible for smaller businesses, the platform’s advanced features and enterprise-grade capabilities often justify the investment for larger organizations.
The learning curve is another factor. While easier to implement than some enterprise solutions, advanced policy configurations and Panorama setup can take some time to become proficient in.
Several users mention that unlocking the platform’s full potential often requires dedicated training or consulting support. That said, the available online documentation and community resources help teams get up to speed more efficiently.
Despite these considerations, Palo Alto continues to be recognized as a top-tier choice for enterprises and larger organizations that prioritize deep network visibility and robust security. For SMBs with the budget and technical readiness, it remains a strong option.
For home users or teams seeking simplicity, more lightweight alternatives like pfSense or Sophos may be preferable unless you’re highly tech-savvy and ready to manage the additional 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 their 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 cost can add up quickly, especially if you need advanced security features. G2 users suggest that Azure Firewall Basic offers a more affordable entry point for SMBs, though it comes with some trade-offs.
It supports threat intel in alert mode only and runs on a fixed scale with two virtual machines, which may limit flexibility for growing workloads. With an estimated throughput of 250 Mbps, it works well for smaller deployments, even if it might not scale as effectively for high-traffic environments.
Another consideration is the learning curve. While Azure Firewall’s documentation is comprehensive, some G2 reviewers mention that it could be more user-friendly to help admins get up to speed faster. Even so, the platform’s integration with Azure makes it a solid choice for businesses already invested in the ecosystem.
"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 is 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.
Firewalls block threats at the network level, but pairing them with the best free VPN software adds an extra layer of online privacy.
When it comes to affordable yet powerful network security, FortiGate NGFW is right there. I think it's one of the best alternatives to Palo Alto. It offers next-generation firewall features without the steep price tag, making it a popular choice for businesses seeking 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 significant difference, as it eliminates the need for separate licenses and extra costs, providing out-of-the-box support for multiple WAN connections and intelligent traffic routing. According to G2 Data, 94% users choose it for it's strength in compliance.
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, performance can sometimes be affected during high-traffic loads. While FortiGate offers a good balance between price and performance, I gathered from G2 reviews that occasional slowdowns may occur. Even so, for most small to medium deployments, it handles traffic reliably.
Another aspect is complexity. FortiGate packs a ton of advanced features, which can make setup and management more involved. Some G2 users unfamiliar with Fortinet’s interface noted a steep learning curve, and configuring it within an existing network may take extra effort. Despite this, the system’s flexibility allows businesses to tailor it to their needs effectively.
I’ve also found that maintenance and optimization often benefit from specialized cybersecurity expertise. This could mean additional training or hiring for teams without dedicated firewall admins. Even so, the long-term control and security it provides can justify the investment.
Despite these considerations, FortiGate remains a strong contender for businesses needing a cost-effective and feature-rich next-gen firewall. If you’re looking for something easier to manage than Palo Alto, with robust security at a more affordable price, FortiGate is a solid choice.
FortiGate also offers entry-level models, such as the 40F and 60F, which I think are excellent for home offices and small businesses, providing a simple yet capable setup.
"Using FortiGate for about 5 years at the 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.
Seeking a VPN to complement your firewall? Check out this list of the best free VPNs to find secure, cost-effective options for personal or business use.
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.
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 ASA (Secure Firewall).
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 prioritize simplicity and budget-friendliness. 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 correctly, and if all else fails, at least ensure that 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.
Soundarya Jayaraman is a Content Marketing Specialist at G2, focusing on cybersecurity. Formerly a reporter, Soundarya now covers the evolving cybersecurity landscape, how it affects businesses and individuals, and how technology can help. You can find her extensive writings on cloud security and zero-day attacks. When not writing, you can find her painting or reading.
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