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# Azure Firewall vs Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Azure FirewallCisco Adaptive Security...[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Azure Firewall**
No pricing available

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**Azure Firewall**
5 months

Based on 6 responses

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**Azure Firewall**
Not enough reviews yet

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**Azure Firewall**
$$$$$

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**
Not enough reviews yet

Average Discount

**Azure Firewall**
Not enough reviews yet

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**
Not enough reviews yet

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Azure Firewall**
[
Security Protection (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2284710&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Ease of Use (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2284726&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
High System Requirements (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2284719&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Slow Performance (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2284734&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**
Not enough data

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Azure Firewall**

9.0

9.022

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

8.8

8.814

Ease of Use

**Azure Firewall**

8.7

8.723

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

8.7

8.714

Ease of Setup

**Azure Firewall**

8.5

8.513

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

8.9

8.96

Ease of Admin

**Azure Firewall**

8.8

8.812

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

8.3

8.36

Quality of Support

**Azure Firewall**

9.0

9.021

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

9.1

9.113

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Azure Firewall**

9.2

9.211

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

8.3

8.36

Product Direction (% positive)

**Azure Firewall**

7.8

7.821

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)**

8.3

8.314

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Firewall Software

8.9

15

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
24.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
48.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
28.0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
24.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
48.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
28.0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
29.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
41.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
29.4%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
29.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
41.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
29.4%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Azure Firewall](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/azure-firewall.svg "Azure Firewall")](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews)
Azure Firewall

Information Technology and Services
40.0%

Computer Networking
8.0%

Computer & Network Security
8.0%

Medical Practice
4.0%

Market Research
4.0%

Other
36.0%

[![Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_4fdf22f6c73c85d2b8d8d6ba135094b4/cisco-adaptive-security-virtual-appliance-asav.jpg "Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)")](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-adaptive-security-virtual-appliance-asav/reviews)
Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)

Information Technology and Services
17.6%

Higher Education
17.6%

Hospital & Health Care
11.8%

Retail
5.9%

Research
5.9%

Other
41.2%

Alternatives

**Azure Firewall Alternatives**

 ![Zscaler Internet Access](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f063065622874e0a8214c8615c634d1e/zscaler-internet-access.svg "Zscaler Internet Access")

[
Zscaler Internet Access
](/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews)

 ![FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fa3376b61f91a50021359e71d1976187/fortigate-vm-ngfw.jpg "FortiGate-VM NGFW")

[
FortiGate-VM NGFW
](/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews)

 ![Netgate pfSense](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f4469990cc8ea128d45e4ab41bf45ef3/netgate-pfsense.svg "Netgate pfSense")

[
Netgate pfSense
](/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews)

 ![Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/bac35b1c7d560638b47c46bddb26a15c/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv.svg "Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)")

[
Cisco Secure Firewall...
](/products/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv/reviews)

**Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) Alternatives**

 ![FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fa3376b61f91a50021359e71d1976187/fortigate-vm-ngfw.jpg "FortiGate-VM NGFW")

[
FortiGate-VM NGFW
](/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews)

 ![Netgate pfSense](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f4469990cc8ea128d45e4ab41bf45ef3/netgate-pfsense.svg "Netgate pfSense")

[
Netgate pfSense
](/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews)

 ![Sophos Firewall](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c3eafd206cf051259b58dcd9712f2d46/sophos-firewall.svg "Sophos Firewall")

[
Sophos Firewall
](/products/sophos-firewall/reviews)

 ![Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/64ff8da1b6e6ffabf4336ae2510e8e3e/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws.svg "Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)")

[
Check Point Next Generation...
](/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews)

## Azure Firewall vs Cisco Adaptive Security... FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 15, 2026

### What is the difference between Cisco Adaptive Security... vs Azure Firewall?

Azure Firewall stands out with a higher G2 rating and stronger reviewer sentiment for meeting requirements, while Cisco Adaptive Security... is noted for advanced threat protection and high availability.

| [Cisco Adaptive Security...](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-adaptive-security-virtual-appliance-asav/reviews) | [Azure Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (17 reviews) | 4.5/5 (31 reviews) |
| — | — |
| 8.9 | 8.5 |
| 9.1 | 8.9 |
| Advanced threat protection and high availability | Cloud-native deployment and strong network traffic filtering |

### How do the pricing models of Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall compare?

Azure Firewall is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Cisco Adaptive Security....

- **Cisco Adaptive Security...:** Reviewers note that licensing costs are extremely high and can be a significant consideration.
- **Azure Firewall:** Recent reviews highlight that while Azure Firewall is not cheap, it is considered cost-effective compared to third-party virtual appliances, though costs can accumulate with increased usage.

### What are the best alternatives to Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall?

The top three alternatives to Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall are Zscaler Internet Access, FortiGate-VM NGFW, and Netgate pfSense.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Cisco Adaptive Security...](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-adaptive-security-virtual-appliance-asav/reviews) | 4.3/5 (17 reviews) | — | Licensing costs are extremely high | Advanced threat protection and high availability |
| [Azure Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews) | 4.5/5 (31 reviews) | — | Cost-effective compared to third-party appliances, but costs can accumulate | Cloud-native deployment and strong network traffic filtering |
| [Zscaler Internet Access](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) | 4.4/5 (291 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) | 4.6/5 (252 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |
| [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) | 4.7/5 (326 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |

### Which Firewall Software features should I prioritize when comparing Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall?

Buyers should prioritize advanced threat protection, high availability, ease of setup, quality of support, and cloud-native deployment when comparing Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall.

- **Advanced threat protection:** Cisco Adaptive Security... is frequently cited for its advanced threat protection features, including IPS and malware protection; Azure Firewall is noted for threat intelligence and WAF capabilities.
- **High availability:** Both products are praised for high availability, with Azure Firewall offering built-in cloud scalability and Cisco Adaptive Security... supporting clustering and failover.
- **Ease of setup:** Cisco Adaptive Security... scores 8.9, Azure Firewall scores 8.5.
- **Quality of support:** Cisco Adaptive Security... scores 9.1, Azure Firewall scores 8.9.
- **Cloud-native deployment:** Azure Firewall is specifically highlighted for its cloud-native design and integration with Azure environments.

### What are the pros and cons of Cisco Adaptive Security... vs Azure Firewall?

Cisco Adaptive Security... is strongest in advanced threat protection and high availability, while Azure Firewall excels in cloud-native deployment and ease of integration with Azure environments.

- **Cisco Adaptive Security... strengths:** Advanced threat protection (IPS, malware protection, URL filtering), high availability (clustering, active/standby failover), and flexible deployment options (private or public cloud).
- **Cisco Adaptive Security... trade-offs:** High resource consumption, complex configuration (especially via command line), and high licensing costs.
- **Azure Firewall strengths:** Cloud-native deployment, strong network traffic filtering, built-in WAF, scalability, and centralized security management.
- **Azure Firewall trade-offs:** Costs can accumulate with increased usage, lacks some advanced threat intelligence and TLS inspection, and configuration can be tricky for newcomers.

### Is Cisco Adaptive Security... or Azure Firewall better for small businesses?

Netgate pfSense is the top-rated alternative for small businesses, but between Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall, Azure Firewall is more frequently cited as suitable for small environments.

- **Cisco Adaptive Security...:** No explicit small-business segment share or recent small-business sentiment is available.
- **Azure Firewall:** Recent reviews state it is suitable for small, medium, or large environments, though cost may be a consideration for small companies.

### Which Firewall Software platform has better integrations?

Neither Cisco Adaptive Security... nor Azure Firewall has recent reviewer-cited integrations with third-party tools.

- **Cisco Adaptive Security...:** No recent integrations mentioned in reviews.
- **Azure Firewall:** No recent integrations mentioned in reviews.

### How do Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall compare on customer support?

Cisco Adaptive Security... and Azure Firewall are rated within 0.2 points on Quality of Support, indicating near parity (9.1 vs 8.9).

- **Cisco Adaptive Security...:** Reviewers consistently describe support as quick, efficient, and helpful, with several citing positive experiences with TAC support and real-time troubleshooting.
- **Azure Firewall:** Reviewers note fast and reliable customer support, with several highlighting helpfulness and responsiveness, though a few mention that support can be time-consuming or less helpful for complex issues.

### Which is easier to implement, Cisco Adaptive Security... or Azure Firewall?

Cisco Adaptive Security... scores higher on Ease of Setup (8.9 vs 8.5), indicating it is somewhat easier to implement than Azure Firewall.

- **Cisco Adaptive Security...:** Reviewers highlight easy and fast deployment, though some note that configuration can be challenging for advanced features.
- **Azure Firewall:** Reviewers describe setup as generally easy, especially for those familiar with Azure, but note that configuration can be tricky for newcomers and may require additional documentation.

## Azure Firewall vs Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv)

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found them equally easy to use. However, Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) is easier to set up , while reviewers preferred administration and ease of doing business with Azure Firewall overall.

- Reviewers felt that Azure Firewall meets the needs of their business better than Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv).
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) over Azure Firewall.