Firewall software’s name was inspired by the firewalls commonly found in buildings to contain a fire from spreading and destroying the entire infrastructure.
Much like architectural firewalls, software firewalls are considered a must-have among organizations because they create a safety barrier between a private network and the public internet.
This type of software is essential since it blocks unwanted traffic and permits wanted traffic, thus protecting your network from unauthorized users. Below is a list of the top 9 firewall software systems of 2022 that will keep your network private and secure.
Top 9 Firewall Software
| Brand | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. WatchGuard Network Security | Vendor must provide quote | Midsize Businesses |
| 2. FortiGate | Vendor must provide quote | User-Friendly |
| 3. Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software | Vendor must provide quote | Speed |
| 4. Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall | $2,900-$200,000 | Remote Businesses |
| 5. Cisco Meraki MX | $595-$995/appliance | Customizability |
| 6. WebTitan | $1.42-$1.58/user/month | Monitoring |
| 7. GlassWire | $99/month | Reports |
| 8. ESET Endpoint Security | $239-$382/per year | Mobile Users |
| 9. Lightspeed Filter | Vendor must provide quote | Learning Institutions |
1. WatchGuard Network Security – Best Firewall Software for Midsize Businesses
PRICING: Vendor must provide quote
With over 20 years of experience and nearly 90,000 users, WatchGuard Network Security has made itself a top competitor in today’s cyber security industry. WatchGuard Network Security boasts of advanced features that will protect your network from every angle: Wi-Fi protection, multi-factor authentication, and backup firewalls. This software system is best for midsize businesses since they offer a larger variety of sophisticated and specific features that would be too complex for most small businesses.
KEY FEATURES:
- Identification technology
- Windows, Linux, Mac
- Visualization tools
REASONS TO BUY:
- Available on global scale
- Multiple languages
- In-person training
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Mobile app not available
2. FortiGate – Most User-Friendly Firewall Software
PRICING: Vendor must provide quote
FortiGate is determined to give you all of the protection possible in the most user-friendly way, by managing all of its software on a single console. This makes it easy for you to make changes and update security policies, since it’s all found in one spot. Plus, FortiGate wants your business to have a tailored experience, so you can easily purchase add-on features to incorporate IaaS cloud platforms and public cloud environments.
KEY FEATURES:
- SD-WAN security
- Advanced VPN
- FortiGuard UTM
REASONS TO BUY:
- Ease of use
- Free trial
- Scalability
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Basic reports
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3. Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software – Best Firewall Software for Speed
PRICING: Vendor must provide quote
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software is an advanced, fast system that gives your network the protection it needs. Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software boasts of having 128 Gbps processing load along with 50 million concurrent connections, meaning that this platform is designed to prevent traffic and crashes. The Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software is primarily for users that have some technology background, since it is a highly sophisticated software that would require extensive training for non-technical users.
KEY FEATURES:
- Active directory and LDAP
- Supports IPv4 and IPv6
- 128 Gbps processing load
REASONS TO BUY:
- Fast
- Advanced reporting system
- High availability
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Costly support services
4. Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall – Best Firewall for Remote Businesses
PRICING: $2,900-$200,000
Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls enables you to protect your network from cyber threats and malware. Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls is especially known for its ability to use Virtual firewalls that are perfect for remote businesses that have employees spread across the globe. Not only does it protect your network, but Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls provides detailed reports and insights to always keep you one step ahead.
KEY FEATURES:
- WildFire file analysis
- DNS security
- GUI clarity
REASONS TO BUY:
- Advanced security features
- User identification
- Sand boxing
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Costly for small businesses
5. Cisco Meraki MX – Best Firewall for Customizability
PRICING: $595-$995 per appliance
Cisco Meraki MX is a firewall that excels in providing protection to specific industries with unique environments. With Cisco Meraki MX you can easily update and revise firewall rules with a single portal, so that your security preferences are always what you need them to be. Meaning, that this software gives you nearly unlimited ability to customize your firewall, so it is exactly as you need it to be.
KEY FEATURES:
- IDS/IPS
- IPsec VPN
- Geo-IP-based firewall
REASONS TO BUY:
- High availability
- Simple management system
- Ease of setup
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Inflexible license and subscription costs
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6. WebTitan – Best Firewall Software for Monitoring
PRICING: $1.42-$1.58 per user per month
WebTitan is not only an impressive firewall for protecting your network externally, but internally as well. Along with its extensive features that protect you and your company from malware, phishing, and viruses, it will filter and monitor employees’ Internet use to minimize non-work-related browsing and access to unsafe sites. WebTitan works with over 19,000 enterprises to keep their networks safe and to manage their internet usage, thus increasing productivity and preventing cyberattacks.
KEY FEATURES:
- Active Directory integration
- API driven
- Secure BYOD
REASONS TO BUY:
- Quick and easy setup
- Free trial, no credit card required
- 24/7 technical support available globally
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Inflexible reporting options
7. GlassWire – Best Firewall Software for Reports
PRICING: $99 per month
GlassWire is a firewall software developed by developers who wanted to bring an easy to manage software on the market. Since being founded, GlassWire has climbed in popularity because of its intuitive interface and visual monitoring that automatically delivers you charts, reports, and data in an easy-to-understand form. GlassWire is packed with features to protect your network, all while delivering it to you in a comprehensive, visual form.
KEY FEATURES:
- Unlimited history
- Unlimited remote connections
- 3GB of bandwidth
REASONS TO BUY:
- Visual network monitoring
- Email, chat, phone technical support
- Video trainings
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Cannot use remote management application from mobile device
8. ESET Endpoint Security – Best Firewall Software for Mobile Users
PRICING: $239-$382 per 5 devices per year
Founded in 1987, ESET Endpoint Security has made a name for itself by consistently protecting networks around the world. ESET Endpoint Security is a cloud-based application that caters to businesses around the world of every size. This software is incredible for those on the go since ESET Endpoint Security not only provides desktop support but also an excellent mobile application, so wherever you are, you can receive alerts, updates, and reports on your network’s security.
KEY FEATURES:
- VPN
- Activity monitoring
- Behavioral analytics
REASONS TO BUY:
- Free trial
- Supports desktop and mobile devices
- Extensive training options
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Poor interface
9. Lightspeed Filter – Best Firewall for Learning Institutions
PRICING: Must request quote from vendor
Lightspeed Filter is a software that was designed specifically to ensure schools’ networks are safe so that students are protected from harmful online content. Lightspeed Filter is determined to constantly keep up with global trends by installing SSL decryption on every device, so students will be protected whether they are on-campus or off. This software is also highly customizable, so you can tailor these settings dependent on the age of the student, to implement a safe and secure learning environment.
KEY FEATURES:
- VPN
- AI and machine learning
- SSL decryption
REASONS TO BUY:
- Offers free trial
- Robust 24/7 customer support
- Ease of setup
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Cannot customize reports
Resources
- https://www.watchguard.com/wgrd-products
- https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/adaptive-security-appliance-asa-software/index.html
- https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall
- https://www.esecurityplanet.com/products/palo-alto-networks-pa-series
- https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/mx-family-datasheet
- https://www.titanhq.com/dns-filtering/
- https://www.titanhq.com/pricing/
- https://www.glasswire.com/features/