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IT & Infrastructure

Best Network Firewall Software in 2026

Network firewalls control and inspect traffic, with different options to weigh against your network’s deployment and security requirements. Compared on firewall throughput, concurrent connections, deployment model, intrusion prevention, and SSL inspection, the entries also note site-to-site VPN support.

  1. 01 IPFire

    IPFire suits individuals, businesses, and organizations that need a self-hosted firewall for networks ranging from home offices to larger deployments.

    From $91.58/mo Free plan Open source Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    9.0 Visit Specs
  2. 02 OPNsense

    Community Edition may suit users seeking a self-hosted firewall and routing platform on x86-64.

    Free plan Open source Web · iOS · Android · API
    9.0 Visit Specs
  3. 03 Arista NG Firewall

    NG Firewall suits organizations seeking network security and management capabilities across hybrid deployments.

    From $22.50/mo Free plan Web
    8.9 Visit Specs
  4. 04 NethSecurity

    NethSecurity is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses needing firewall, traffic management, threat protection, and VPN capabilities.

    From €12.50/mo Free plan Open source Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.9 Visit Specs
  5. 05 Cato SASE Platform

    Cato SASE Platform suits organizations seeking networking, security, and private-application access in one cloud-based platform.

    From $0.08/mo Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.8 Visit Specs
  6. 06 OpenWrt

    OpenWrt suits users who want to customize embedded devices such as wireless routers and are familiar with GNU/Linux and basic networking concepts.

    Free plan Open source Web · Linux · Android · API
    8.6 Visit Specs
  7. 07 TNSR

    TNSR may suit businesses, ISPs, internet telephone providers, hosting providers, managed service providers, and SaaS providers with routing or VPN workloads.

    From $83.25/mo Free plan Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.5 Visit Specs
  8. 08 Alibaba Cloud Cloud Firewall
    From $0.36/mo Free trial Web · API
    8.4 Visit Specs
  9. 09 Little Snitch
    From €59/mo Free trial macOS
    8.1 Visit Specs
  10. 10 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Secret Management

    OCI Secret Management is aimed at application and cloud environment operators who need centrally managed credentials.

    Free plan Web · API
    8.1 Visit Specs
  11. 11 pfSense

    pfSense may suit home and remote workers, businesses, government, education, and service providers.

    Free plan Web · Linux · Self-hosted
    8.0 Visit Specs
  12. 12 AWS Network Firewall
    From $0.07/mo Web · API
    7.9 Visit Specs
  13. 13 Cisco Catalyst Center
    Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    7.7 Visit Specs
  14. 14 Firewalla
    Web · iOS · Android
    7.7 Visit Specs
  15. 15 FortiGate
    Free trial Self-hosted
    7.7 Visit Specs
  16. 16 Azure Firewall Premium
    Web · API
    7.4 Visit Specs
  17. 17 Cloudflare Magic Firewall
    Web · API
    7.4 Visit Specs
  18. 18 Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall

    It is aimed at large enterprises, campus networks, data centers, offices, branches, remote sites, and stores.

    Windows · macOS · Linux · Android
    7.4 Visit Specs
  19. 19 Huawei Cloud Firewall
    From $420/mo Web
    7.4 Visit Specs
  20. 20 Sophos Central Firewall Management
    Free trial Web · API · Self-hosted
    7.4 Visit Specs
  21. 21 Juniper Security Director

    It suits organizations managing Juniper SRX environments across on-premises, cloud, or hybrid infrastructure.

    Web · Self-hosted
    7.2 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Google Cloud Secret Manager
    From $0.01/mo Free plan Web
    7.0 Visit Specs
  23. 23 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure DNS
    Web · Linux · API
    7.0 Visit Specs
  24. 24 Endian UTM
    Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    6.3 Visit Specs
  25. 25 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Certificates
    Web
    6.0 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank). Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).

Free-plan availability and paid starting prices add cost context. NethSecurity, pfSense, and Sangfor EasyConnect are among the software options to compare. Consider the traffic capacity and inspection features you need, how the firewall will be deployed, and whether connecting sites is part of your requirements; then use the listed criteria to assess fit.

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