# Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) vs Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall excels in providing consistent security across both on-premises and cloud environments, making it a preferred choice for organizations looking for comprehensive protection. Users appreciate features like App-ID and User-ID for enhanced visibility and control.
- **Users say** that Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual offers robust protection against advanced threats, particularly for businesses with multiple branch locations or cloud-based applications. Its scalability and ease of use are frequently highlighted, with one user noting its "simple to understand interface."
- **Reviewers mention** that Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall stands out for its strong cloud and automation support, particularly with platforms like AWS and Azure. This capability is crucial for organizations looking to streamline their security management in cloud environments.
- **According to verified reviews** , Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual is praised for its high-quality support, with users rating it highly in this area. This level of support can be a significant advantage for businesses that require reliable assistance during implementation and ongoing management.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that while both products have similar ratings for ease of use, Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall edges ahead with a more intuitive user interface, making configuration and management straightforward for users, especially those less experienced in firewall management.
- **Users report** that Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual has a strong performance in specific security features like logging and reporting, which are crucial for compliance and monitoring. However, the overall user satisfaction is lower compared to Palo Alto Networks, indicating a potential area for improvement.



| | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 93 | 92 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (43.8% of reviews) | Enterprise (44.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

Pros:
- Ease of Use (1 reviews)
- Easy Management (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Coding (1 reviews)
- Complex Configuration (1 reviews)

### Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall

Pros:
- Features (18 reviews)
- Threat Protection (18 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (26 reviews)
- Difficult Learning Curve (11 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (83 reviews) | 8.8 (85 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.1 (82 reviews) | 8.3 (86 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.4 (51 reviews) | 8.2 (82 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.7 (49 reviews) | 8.5 (63 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (74 reviews) | 8.3 (82 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (47 reviews) | 8.6 (63 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.5 (83 reviews) | 9.4 (82 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Network Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Penetration Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Virus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **VPN** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Behavior Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Patch Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly/Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DNS Leak Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Provisioning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Detection System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Firewalls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Spam** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Response** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Prevention System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | 9.5/10 | 6 |
| **Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall** | 8.8/10 | 37 |

#### Prevention

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 9.2 (36 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | Not enough data | 9.2 (37 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 9.2 (35 reviews) | 
| **Security hardening** | Not enough data | 9.1 (36 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 8.8 (32 reviews) | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (36 reviews) | 
| **Security Monitoring** | Not enough data | 9.1 (35 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | Not enough data | 9.1 (36 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 9.0 (35 reviews) | 
| **Administration Console -** | Not enough data | 8.8 (36 reviews) | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | 8.6 (35 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 7.7 (11 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | 9.3/10 | 16 |
| **Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall** | 8.7/10 | 70 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (69 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 8.9 (68 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | 9.2 (11 reviews) | 8.6 (67 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 9.2 (11 reviews) | 8.7 (66 reviews) | 
| **Uptime Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Web Traffic Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Incident Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.3 (12 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | 8.9 (11 reviews) | 
| **AI/Machine Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 9.6 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (64 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (65 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 9.0 (64 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 8.9 (12 reviews) | 9.0 (65 reviews) | 
| **IP Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 9.2 (10 reviews) | 8.7 (65 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 9.2 (12 reviews) | 8.7 (65 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.5 (13 reviews) | 8.9 (68 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 8.9 (65 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Prevention System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 7.9 (17 reviews) | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | Not enough data | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Spam Blocker** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Role-Based Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visual Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Spam** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Hardware Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Summary Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Log Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-Location** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Behavior Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboard Creation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### AWS Marketplace

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/intrusion-detection-and-prevention-systems-idps)

**Unique to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) (1):** [AWS Marketplace Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/aws-marketplace)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 13.5% | 26.4% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 43.8% | 29.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 42.7% | 44.0% | 

### By Industry

#### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

- **Information Technology and Services:** 18.0%
- **Higher Education:** 6.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 6.7%
- **Computer Software:** 5.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.5%
- **Computer Networking:** 3.4%
- **Education Management:** 3.4%
- **Entertainment:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 3.4%
- **Government Administration:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 41.6%

#### Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall

- **Computer & Network Security:** 17.6%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 16.5%
- **Consulting:** 5.5%
- **Computer Software:** 5.5%
- **Insurance:** 4.4%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.3%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.3%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.3%
- **Banking:** 3.3%
- **Education Management:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 34.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

- [Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (170 reviews)
- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (869 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (595 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (268 reviews)
- [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (249 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (154 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (52 reviews)
- [Azure Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (514 reviews)

### Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall

- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (869 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (595 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (514 reviews)
- [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (249 reviews)
- [Check Point Cloud Firewall (formerly CloudGuard Network Security)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-cloud-firewall-formerly-cloudguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (294 reviews)
- [Zscaler Internet Access](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (268 reviews)
- [TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security](https://www.g2.com/products/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (187 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (154 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

No discussions available for this product.

### Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv-vs-palo-alto-networks-vm-series-virtual-firewall)