# Top 10 Palo Alto Networks... Alternatives & Competitors (92)4.3 out of 5 Many buyers researching Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall on G2 ultimately choose a competing solution from this list of highly rated tools. Firewall Software is used by teams seeking secure, productive platforms with features like policy management, ai text summarization, and virtual private network (vpn), according to G2 reviews. When comparing Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall with other tools, reviewers most often evaluate features and security as key differentiators. The best overall alternative to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall is [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews), rated ~4.7 stars on G2 from 817+ reviewers. It is frequently praised for firewall efficiency and customer support. Other well-known alternatives to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall are: - [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) – known for cybersecurity and threat detection (G2 star rating ~4.5) - [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) – highly rated for customizability and easy setup (G2 star rating ~4.7) - [ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews) – offers customer support and threat detection (G2 star rating ~4.8) - [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) – best suited for teams that need security and protection (G2 star rating ~4.6) Browse top options below. Based on G2 review data, Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall is most commonly used in industries like [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Zero Trust Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/zero-trust-platforms), [Secure Web Gateway Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-web-gateways). Compare user ratings by vertical to find the best fit. ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall - Sophos Firewall - Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) - Netgate pfSense - ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform - FortiGate-VM NGFW - Check Point Cloud Firewall (formerly CloudGuard Network Security) - Zscaler Internet Access - WatchGuard Network Security ## Top 10 Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Computer & Network Security, Consulting, and Education Management, and find the best product for your business. [![G2 Advertising](/assets/my-g2-logo-41632af6f81a240a0a9886638f412b2ac9a29f4001534f8c83be89a58ef9d45d.svg "G2 Advertising")](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) Sponsored G2 Advertising Get 2x conversion than Google Ads with G2 Advertising! G2 Advertising places your product in premium positions on high-traffic pages and on targeted competitor pages to reach buyers at key comparison moments. [ Learn More ](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/dae0031c2ae3821616be108bd707a35f/sophos-firewall.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) [ Sophos Firewall ](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) By [Sophos](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sophos) [ 4.7/5(869) ](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews#reviews) Product Description Ultimate enterprise firewall performance, security, and control. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, Sophos Firewall is: Slower to reach roi More usable Easier to set up Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/8dedb235969bcb553f9e412b16e93d0a/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) [ Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) By [Check Point Software Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/check-point-software-technologies) [ 4.5/5(594) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews#reviews) Product Description Check Point Firewall. The Check Point Firewall Software Blade incorporates all of the power and capability of the revolutionary FireWall-1 solution while adding user identity awareness to provide granular event awareness and policy enforcement. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) is: Slower to reach roi Easier to do business with More usable Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/78b1b52c363e5cd2e421b6545c0c15da/netgate-pfsense.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) [ Netgate pfSense ](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) By [Netgate](https://www.g2.com/sellers/netgate) [ 4.7/5(326) ](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews#reviews) Product Description The Netgate pfSense project is a powerful open source firewall and routing platform based on @FreeBSD. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, Netgate pfSense is: Better at support Better at meeting requirements Easier to do business with Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [![G2 Advertising](/assets/my-g2-logo-41632af6f81a240a0a9886638f412b2ac9a29f4001534f8c83be89a58ef9d45d.svg "G2 Advertising")](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) Sponsored G2 Advertising Get 2x conversion than Google Ads with G2 Advertising! G2 Advertising places your product in premium positions on high-traffic pages and on targeted competitor pages to reach buyers at key comparison moments. [ Learn More ](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/16429689ef6ba607e8f10dda46efd6c1/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews) [ ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform ](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews) By [Threatlocker Inc](https://www.g2.com/sellers/threatlocker-inc) [ 4.8/5(514) ](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews#reviews) Product Description Get unprecedented visibility and control of your cybersecurity, quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. Schedule a free product demonstration and ThreatLocker will show you how. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform is: Better at support Easier to do business with Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/9a05b2e8752221bee881a302a02b612a/fortigate-vm-ngfw.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) [ FortiGate-VM NGFW ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) By [Fortinet](https://www.g2.com/sellers/fortinet) [ 4.6/5(249) ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews#reviews) Product Description FortiGate offers a network security platform, designed to deliver threat protection and performance with reduced complexity. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, FortiGate-VM NGFW is: Slower to reach roi More usable Easier to set up Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/77497338577f7495ee27b5f5c164b5ac/check-point-cloud-firewall-formerly-cloudguard-network-security.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-cloud-firewall-formerly-cloudguard-network-security/reviews) [ Check Point Cloud Firewall (formerly CloudGuard Network Security) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-cloud-firewall-formerly-cloudguard-network-security/reviews) By [Check Point Software Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/check-point-software-technologies) [ 4.4/5(294) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-cloud-firewall-formerly-cloudguard-network-security/reviews#reviews) Product Description Check Point CloudGuard Network Security for private and public cloud platforms is designed to protect assets in the cloud against the most sophisticated threats. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, Check Point Cloud Firewall (formerly CloudGuard Network Security) is: Easier to set up Better at support More usable Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/abe41444dc81e2b5c176f734da86a102/zscaler-internet-access.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) [ Zscaler Internet Access ](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) By [Zscaler](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zscaler) [ 4.4/5(283) ](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews#reviews) Product Description Zscaler Internet Access delivers the complete security stack as a service from the cloud. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, Zscaler Internet Access is: More usable Easier to set up Better at support Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/fabd23a5e8170805c2f0990daf382d0a/watchguard-network-security.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) [ WatchGuard Network Security ](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) By [WatchGuard](https://www.g2.com/sellers/watchguard) [ 4.7/5(268) ](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews#reviews) Product Description WatchGuard has deployed nearly a million integrated, multi-function threat management appliances worldwide. Our signature red boxes are architected to be the industry's smartest, fastest, and meanest security devices with every scanning engine running at full throttle. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, WatchGuard Network Security is: Slower to reach roi Easier to set up More usable Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/cdd671625f5e27185587365aeeda296a/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security/reviews) [ TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security ](https://www.g2.com/products/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security/reviews) By [TrendAI](https://www.g2.com/sellers/trendai) [ 4.5/5(187) ](https://www.g2.com/products/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security/reviews#reviews) Product Description Hybrid Cloud Security solution, powered by XGen security, delivers a blend of cross-generational threat defense techniques that have been optimized to protect physical, virtual, and cloud workloads. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security is: Slower to reach roi More usable Easier to do business with Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) ](/categories/intrusion-detection-and-prevention-systems-idps) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/a91c790d4dcb23f5394f7d7ba650ea65/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) [ SonicWall Next Generation Firewall ](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) By [SonicWall](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sonicwall) [ 4.1/5(154) ](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews#reviews) Product Description SonicWall real-time breach detection and prevention solutions protect more than one million networks worldwide. Reviewers say compared to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall, SonicWall Next Generation Firewall is: Slower to reach roi More usable Categories in common with Palo Alto Networks...: [ Firewall Software ](/categories/firewall-software) ## Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall Alternatives FAQs Generated using AI ### How does Palo Alto Networks... compare to Sophos Firewall? According to G2 data, [Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-vm-series-virtual-firewall/reviews) holds an average rating of 4.3/5 from 92 reviews, while [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) leads with a 4.7/5 rating across 741 reviews. Sophos Firewall outperforms Palo Alto Networks by 0.4 points in meeting requirements (9.2 vs 8.8), 0.9 points in usability (9.2 vs 8.3), 0.9 points in ease of setup (9.1 vs 8.2), 0.7 points in ease of administration (9.2 vs 8.5), 0.7 points in support quality (9.0 vs 8.3), and 0.6 points in ease of doing business (9.2 vs 8.6). Users praise Palo Alto Networks for its advanced threat protection, deep application awareness, and strong cloud integration, highlighting features like App-ID, User-ID, and Threat Prevention. However, it is frequently criticized for high cost, complex licensing, steep learning curve, and resource-intensive performance. Conversely, Sophos Firewall is lauded for its ease of use, intuitive interface, centralized management via Sophos Central, synchronized security with endpoints, and strong threat protection. It also offers good value for money and reliable customer support, though some users note performance slowdowns under heavy feature loads and occasional complexity in advanced configurations. Overall, Sophos Firewall provides a more user-friendly experience with stronger scores in usability and support, making it a preferred choice for organizations seeking easier deployment and management. Palo Alto Networks excels in advanced security features and cloud-native deployment but at a higher cost and complexity level. ### What are the best alternatives to Palo Alto Networks...? The best alternatives to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall according to G2 user reviews are [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 741 reviews), [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) (4.5/5 stars, 589 reviews), [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 326 reviews), and [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 230 reviews). These alternatives outperform Palo Alto Networks (4.3/5 stars, 92 reviews) in areas such as ease of administration, support quality, meeting requirements, usability, and ease of setup, with Sophos Firewall and Netgate pfSense rated highest in user satisfaction and review volume. ### Which Firewall Software tools do reviewers recommend instead of Palo Alto Networks...? Reviewers recommend [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) for its ease of use, centralized management, AI-driven threat detection, and strong integration with endpoint security, making it suitable for enterprises seeking comprehensive yet manageable security. [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) are favored for their industry-leading threat prevention, centralized SmartConsole management, granular policy control, and scalability, ideal for complex and large-scale environments. [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) is recommended for its open-source flexibility, powerful routing and firewall capabilities, and cost-effectiveness, appealing to organizations valuing customization and community support. [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) is praised for its ease of deployment in virtual/cloud environments, strong integrated security features, intuitive interface, and Fortinet Security Fabric integration, making it a solid choice for hybrid and cloud-centric infrastructures. ### Why do users choose Sophos Firewall over Palo Alto Networks...? Users choose [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) over Palo Alto Networks primarily due to its superior ease of use and management, reflected in its higher scores for usability (9.2 vs 8.3) and ease of administration (9.2 vs 8.5). Sophos offers a clean, intuitive interface and centralized management through Sophos Central, simplifying policy configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Its synchronized security feature, which integrates firewall and endpoint protection for automated threat response, is highly valued. Sophos Firewall also delivers better value for money, with users appreciating its cost-effectiveness compared to the higher licensing and subscription costs of Palo Alto Networks. The comprehensive feature set bundled into a single platform reduces complexity and operational overhead. Additionally, Sophos provides reliable customer support and smoother deployment experiences, which contribute to its preference among organizations seeking strong security with less administrative burden. While some users note that Sophos can have performance impacts when all features are enabled and that advanced configurations may require a learning curve, these are generally outweighed by its ease of use, integrated security capabilities, and overall cost efficiency compared to Palo Alto Networks' more complex and expensive offering. ### Explore Articles [ Leading customer success applications for technology firms ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/leading-customer-success-applications-for-technology-firms) [ Which cloud migration assessment vendors deliver executive-ready cost-benefit analyses without requiring manual spreadsheet work? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-cloud-migration-assessment-vendors-deliver-executive-ready-cost-benefit-analyses-without-requiring-manual-spreadsheet-work) [ Leading service for managing influencer campaigns ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/leading-service-for-managing-influencer-campaigns) [ What platform provides analytics on video engagement? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-screen-and-video-capture-platform-provides-analytics-on-video-engagement) [ Most effective account-based orchestration tools out there ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/most-effective-account-based-orchestration-tools-out-there-what-s-delivering-results) [ Which AI video generation platform offers the fastest rendering? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-ai-video-generation-platform-offers-the-fastest-rendering) ### Spotlight Categories [ Identity and Access Management (IAM) Software ](https://www.g2.com/categories/identity-and-access-management-iam) [ ERP Systems ](https://www.g2.com/categories/erp-systems) [ Bot Platforms Software ](https://www.g2.com/categories/bot-platforms)