7 Best Free Firewall Software in 2024

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. 

How did we select and evaluate the best free firewall software?

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 top 7 free firewall software tools of 2024

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:

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

This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity. 

1. Netgate pfSense

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.

What users like best:

“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.

What users dislike:

“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.

2. Cloudflare SSE & SASE Platform

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.

What users like best:

“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.

What users dislike:

“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.

3. CrowdSec

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.

What users like best:

“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.

What users dislike:

“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.

4. Avast Endpoint Protection

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.

What users like best:

“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.

What users dislike:

“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.

5. Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW

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.

What users like best:

“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.

What users dislike:

“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.

6. Arista NG Firewall

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.

What users like best:

“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. 

What users dislike:

“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.

7. Barracuda MSP

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.

What users like best:

“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.

What users dislike:

“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. 

Comparison of the best free firewall software 

If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free firewalls, this comparison table will help you with the most important aspects:

Frequently asked questions on free firewall software

Have more questions? Find your answers below.

Q. Can free firewall software provide adequate protection for my network?

Most free firewalls offer essential functionalities like traffic filtering, intrusion detection, and basic monitoring, which are sufficient for many small-to-midsize networks. However, for highly sensitive environments and larger organizations, a paid solution with advanced features and dedicated support may be more appropriate.

Q. Are there any hidden costs associated with free firewall software?

Generally, free firewall solutions don’t carry hidden costs, but some advanced features may require in-app purchases. Additionally, while the core software is free, businesses may incur costs related to installation, configuration, and upgrades.

Q. How often is free firewall software updated?

The frequency of updates depends on the developer. Reputable providers regularly update their software to address new vulnerabilities and improve performance. It's important to choose a software solution that receives consistent updates to stay protected against emerging threats.

Q. Does free firewall software affect network performance?

Yes, depending on its efficiency and the resources required. While most modern solutions are designed to minimize performance overhead, you should evaluate the software's impact during deployment to ensure it doesn't significantly slow down your network.

Keep your guard up

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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