Are you confident that your network is truly secure?
Organizations and individuals alike face the constant challenge of safeguarding their digital assets against sophisticated cyber attacks. However, despite the looming threats of malware and data breaches, many IT and security departments can’t implement high-level security practices because of budget restraints.
In such cases, free firewall software can change the game for your network security needs. It defends your data against unauthorized access and provides you with up-to-the-minute insights and the ability to respond to incidents quickly. Everything remains under your control, and you don’t have to spend a penny.
We have compiled the seven best free firewall software solutions to help you manage your network infrastructure and comply with industry standards. The list features some of the top contenders in the security domain and highlights their features, pros and cons, and reviews from G2 users.
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations – that's the G2 difference! We don’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements in this list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
The list below contains real user reviews from our free firewall category page. Please note that in the context of this list, software that offers a free trial is also considered free.
To be included in this category, a solution must:
This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Netgate pfSense’s powerful and versatile open-source firewall solution is engineered to provide robust network security. It offers a comprehensive suite of features that cater to small and enterprise-level organizations. It’s built on FreeBSD to guarantee a reliable and stable platform that can easily handle various networking tasks.
The open-source platform is free to download and supports multiple platforms, including virtual machines and hardware appliances.
Pros of Netgate PfSense |
Cons of Netgate PfSense |
| Provides granular control over network traffic | Not suitable for beginners and has a steep learning curve |
| Offers deep customization and community support | May require more additional hardware depending on network size and usage |
| Has extensive add-ons and plugins to enhance functionality | Offers limited technical support for its free version |
“PfSense has helped me and the companies I've worked with in many ways, such as general firewall solutions as specific requirements. From complex data center applications to simple on-premises firewalls at branch offices, it always works and is simply the best bang for the buck. Ready-to-use PfSense+ appliances have improved over the years and are my preferred choice over the Community Edition. Community Edition is still a good choice for specific needs or low-budget requirements.”
- Netgate PfSense Review, Demis V.
“For less experienced administrators, it can be a frustrating experience and may be a steep learning curve. While pfSense is a powerful and flexible firewall solution, it may not be the best fit for those lacking advanced networking skills."
- Netgate PfSense Review, Craig P.
Cloudflare SSE & SASE platform offers a holistic approach to modern network security. By integrating advanced firewall capabilities within a comprehensive security framework, Cloudflare delivers a refined solution that enhances network defense and simplifies security management.
The free protection plan suits personal use or businesses with less-than-critical infrastructures.
Pros of Cloudflare |
Cons of Cloudflare |
| Provides a unified security framework by combining multiple security layers | Has a complicated setup |
| Enables remote protection for workers and branch offices | Highly dependent on the internet and cloud services |
| Adapts to changing network sizes and requirements | Limited advance features at the free tier |
“I love the advanced DNS management tools Cloudflare provides; they are straightforward to learn and use. It also stands out as a premier security service edge solution due to its comprehensive suite. We use its DDoS protection, web application firewall, and zero-trust access controls for all our products daily. Cloudflare gives us reliable and scalable protection for our digital assets while ensuring fast and secure access for our remote access employee base.”
- Cloudflare SSE & SASE Platform Review, Marcus T.
“Cloudflare is a good solution, but the initial setup is time-consuming and complex, and plug-and-play integration is limited compared to other solutions.”
- Cloudflare SSE & SASE Platform Review, Sahil G.
CrowdSec’s innovative, open-source security automation tool supplies a formidable firewall solution and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS). It’s uniquely built around a community-driven approach that encourages users to share and benefit from collective intelligence in order to enhance the ability to identify and protect against new threats.
The community plan is free to download and use, but you may need some of the advanced features in the paid tiers.
Pros of CrowdSec |
Cons of CrowdSec |
| Can be deployed on various systems | Partially dependent on community participation |
| Strong community support | Doesn't function as a standalone firewall (requires integrations) |
| Flexible configurations for changing needs | Time-consuming setup |
“The main advantage of this tool is that it feeds on different sources to create a good combination of firewall and intrusion detection systems. It can monitor any threat that may reach your network in the form of attack or malware using techniques based on threat intelligence.”
- CrowdSec Review, Jose Manuel O.
“The user interface is really nice, but things can get a bit hairy when you start deploying more complicated bouncers. It's no longer a click-and-deploy experience, and many bouncers I use are community-submitted, so documentation is hit or miss.”
- CrowdSec Review, Samuel L.
Avast Endpoint Protection defends against a wide spectrum of cyber threats with its comprehensive security solution. While primarily known for its antivirus capabilities, Avast also includes a powerful firewall component that creates an additional layer of defense for endpoint devices. This tool suits small to medium-sized businesses seeking robust protection without significant financial investment.
All new users can take advantage of the 30-day free trial to test the tool’s capabilities.
Pros of Avast Endpoint Protection |
Cons of Avast Endpoint Protection |
| Combines antivirus, firewall, and other security features in a single solution | Large-scale deployment can take up a lot of time |
| Operates with minimal impact on system performance | Steep learning curve when it comes to complex configurations |
| Provides comprehensive threat protection, from malware to phishing attacks | Additional cost for some advanced features |
“I have used this software for over five years, and I can say it never disappoints. First, it is easy to use and comes with the best features to fight all manner of online threats, including malware and viruses. It is also an excellent firewall. The software receives regular updates, and this helps deal with all emerging threats. With this software, we have confidence that we never have to deal with threats that would otherwise hinder our business or cost as highly in terms of data recovery”
- Avast Endpoint Protection Review, Ruth H.
“The Avast installation process and the time consumed is worrying; this needs improvement, as well as report generation and dashboards. Other than these, there are no other concerns.”
- Avast Endpoint Protection Review, Erika R.
Palo Alto Networks Cloud Next-Generation Firewall (Cloud NGFW) performs well for modern cloud environments due to its robust security. It combines advanced threat prevention capabilities with ease of deployment, making it an excellent choice for securing cloud infrastructures. This firewall integrates deeply with cloud platforms to deliver comprehensive protection against a multitude of cyber threats.
The vendor offers a free 30-day trial of a fully managed, cloud-native firewall service with threat prevention.
Pros of Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW |
Cons of Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW |
| Ensures seamless security for cloud-native applications | Can consume significant network resources, slowing performance |
| Allows fine-tuned control over user activities and application access | CostlyRegular updates and maintenance may become for small-scale businesses |
| Provides instant threat defense when connecting to web-based services | May occasionally flag legitimate traffic as malicious, causing disruptions |
“I like the number of features available in the product and ease of integration of the firewall for automation and people with palo firewall knowledge compared to other firewalls. The product is also easy to use when compared to other firewalls.”
- Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW Review, Surya K.
“Deploying Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW may require dedicated hardware or virtual resources, depending on the scale of deployment and the desired performance. This can add to the overall cost and complexity, especially for organizations with limited IT resources.”
- Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW Review, Dipak K.
Arista NG Firewall stands out for its advanced web filtering, policy control, malware protection, and efficient bandwidth management. This free firewall shines in the cybersecurity landscape with its high customization potential. It caters to both small businesses and larger companies looking for comprehensive protection without complexity.
The platform comes with a free 30-day trial. Unless you sign up for a paid plan, the tool will be limited to the basic features of the free version after the trial.
Pros of Arista NG Firewall |
Cons of Arista NG Firewall |
| Offers extensive web filtering and malware protection | Requires time and expertise to master the advanced features |
| Easy to navigate and configure, even for those with limited technical expertise | Less community support compared to more widely adopted solutions |
| Adaptable to specific network requirements with customizable policies | Performance dependent on the quality of underlying hardware |
“This has been the firewall of choice for eight years. The product has continued to hold its value throughout the changes in the industry, as well as the integration with other products. For any startup user, this would be an excellent teaching tool.”
- Arista NG Firewall Review, Jason B.
“Content filtering can be problematic when a website is flagged to multiple categories or when categories include diverse or uncategorized content, as you'll encounter blocked pages or false-positive alerts. Since licensing is done per device, you must have enough for the maximum number of clients you could have connected, so content filtering guest WiFi, for example, could require a large investment.”
- Arista NG Firewall Review, Bill T.
Barracuda MSP accommodates managed service providers who need to deliver comprehensive security services, including firewall capabilities. This solution excels at managing backups, securing data, and smoothing out disaster recovery processes.
The vendor offers a 30-day risk-free trial for its Cloud Generation Firewall solution.
Pros of Barracuda MSP |
Cons of Barracuda MSP |
| Sends consistent updates to address the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities | May require specialized knowledge for initial deployment |
| Provides ample cloud and unlimited local storage across all plans | Requires stable and consistent internet connectivity |
| Offers reliable backup and disaster recovery features | Possible performance overhead with extensive security features |
“The biggest benefit is having the opportunity to learn more about how other MSPs are succeeding in helping their customers: what products and solutions are working the best and how we can improve our methods and tools in order to reach the high-performance goals we have set for ourselves. Barracuda MSP gives us resources and information about more than just what Barracuda does; it also shows how we can get better at what we do. They are more than just a manufacturer's marketing platform, but rather a trustworthy industry resource giving us a view to best practices beyond just the products we offer.”
- Barracuda MSP Review, Nate H.
“I find that product names are changing and evolving frequently. It can be challenging to keep up with the change and find the tool you are looking for. The fact that it is agentless has some pros and cons as well. I would prefer to have an agent installed.”
- Barracuda MSP Review, Scott C.
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free firewalls, this comparison table will help you with the most important aspects:
| Software name | G2 rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| Netgate pfSense | 4.8/5 | Available for free download | Starting at $129/year |
| Cloudflare SSE & SASE Platform | 4.6/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $7/user/month |
| CrowdSec | 4.7/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $31/month/enrollment |
| Avast Endpoint Protection | 4.4/5 | Free 30-day trial is available | Starting at $29.67/device/year |
| Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW | 4.4/5 | Free 30-day trial is available | Base NGFW: $1.5/unit |
| Arista NG Firewall | 4.7/5 | Available post 30-day free trial | Available upon request |
| Barracuda MSP | 4.1/5 | Free 30-day trial is available | Available upon request |
Have more questions? Find your answers below.
It's time to take the necessary steps to protect yourself against hackers. Once you understand your unique network security requirements, you can identify the right solution to fortify your defenses.
Start by downloading and testing a couple of the free firewall options that stood out to you. Also, consider whether the free version alone suffices for your long-term security goals or whether upgrading to a premium version would be worth the investment.
We hope this list takes you one step closer to finding the right solution!
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