The Best Next Generation Firewall Software in 2026
We researched next generation firewall software using vendors’ official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job, value for money and verified features, to help security and network teams compare products for protecting network traffic.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
9.4/10A broad NGFW family for organizations combining threat prevention, traffic control and VPN.
Pricing on request
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Runner-up
FortiGate#2 of 189.2/10Hybrid NGFW and SD-WAN in one platform, with pricing tailored to model and deployment.
Pricing on request · 30-day trial
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#3 ranked
9.1/10A broad gateway feature set for mid-market and enterprise networks, with model-dependent capacity.
Pricing on request
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 18 tools, best first
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Best forEnterprises needing broad, threat-focused NGFW
A broad NGFW family for organizations combining threat prevention, traffic control and VPN.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forOrganizations needing hybrid NGFW and SD-WAN
Hybrid NGFW and SD-WAN in one platform, with pricing tailored to model and deployment.
Pricing on request · 30-day trial Our FortiGate verdict → Visit FortinetFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit Fortinet -
Best forMid-market and enterprise gateway deployments
A broad gateway feature set for mid-market and enterprise networks, with model-dependent capacity.
9.1/10★★★★★Contact Check Point -
Best forCloud-first teams across multiple environments
A broad virtual firewall for teams securing cloud and on-premises environments.
- VPN support
- Intrusion prevention
- Application control
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forAWS environments needing managed network filtering
Managed VPC filtering with deep inspection and usage-based charges.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit AWS -
Best forEnterprises prioritizing deep traffic inspection
Deep traffic inspection and centralized controls for distributed enterprise networks.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Forcepoint -
Best forSmall and midsize teams wanting flexible deployment
Flexible firewall coverage for small teams through enterprises across cloud and virtual environments.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit WatchGuard -
Best forLarge networks needing appliance-based threat controls
Enterprise appliance firewall with VPN, IPS, anti-DDoS and encrypted-traffic inspection
8.6/10★★★★☆Contact Huawei -
Best forDistributed networks needing SD-WAN with firewalling
A WAN-focused choice for distributed networks that need routing, resilience and firewalling together.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Barracuda -
Best forSmall and midsize sites needing appliance security
Business firewall appliances pair SD-WAN options with layered network security.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Zyxel -
Best forKubernetes teams protecting container workloads
Kubernetes-focused traffic protection with Layer 7 controls and centralized Panorama management.
- Intrusion prevention
- Application control
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forMidmarket and enterprise security teams
Integrated firewall, threat prevention, and traffic controls for midmarket and enterprise networks.
- VPN support
- Intrusion prevention
- Application control
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Versa Networks -
Best forTeams managing multiple Stormshield SNS firewalls
A centralized control plane for Stormshield SNS fleets, not a standalone firewall.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Stormshield -
Best forTeams managing Juniper SRX firewall policies
A Juniper-focused control plane for firewall policy operations, not a firewall engine.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forOrganizations managing fleets of Sophos firewalls
Centralizes Sophos firewall policies and operations, but is not an NGFW itself.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Sophos -
Best forGoogle Cloud users needing secrets management
A managed secrets service for Google Cloud workloads, not a next-generation firewall.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Google Cloud -
Best forBudget-conscious home and small-business users
A flexible firewall with a free tier and paid plans starting at $9.99 per month.
- VPN support
- Intrusion prevention
- Application control
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zenarmor -
Best forCisco teams managing network configuration and assurance
Centralized Cisco network operations, not next-generation firewall protection.
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Cisco
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | FortiGate | No | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Check Point Quantum Security Gateway | 9.1 | ||
| 4 | Check Point Cloud Firewall | No | 9.0 | |
| 5 | AWS Network Firewall | No | $0.07/GB usage-based | 8.9 |
| 6 | Forcepoint Network Security Platform | No | 8.8 | |
| 7 | WatchGuard Firebox | 8.7 | ||
| 8 | Huawei HiSecEngine USG6800G | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | Barracuda Secure SD-WAN | 8.4 | ||
| 10 | Zyxel SD-WAN | No | 8.3 | |
| 11 | Palo Alto Networks CN-Series | No | 8.2 | |
| 12 | Versa Next Generation Firewall | 8.1 | ||
| 13 | Stormshield Management Center | 7.8 | ||
| 14 | Juniper Security Director | 7.7 | ||
| 15 | Sophos Central Firewall Management | No | 7.7 | |
| 16 | Google Cloud Secret Manager | Yes | $0.03/unit/mo | 7.7 |
| 17 | Zenarmor | Yes | $9.99/mo | 7.7 |
| 18 | Cisco Catalyst Center | 5.8 |
Head-to-head All 19 comparisons →
- Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Check Point Cloud Firewall
- Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs AWS Network Firewall
- Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Forcepoint Network Security Platform
- Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Huawei HiSecEngine USG6800G
- FortiGate vs Check Point Cloud Firewall
- FortiGate vs Forcepoint Network Security Platform
- Check Point Quantum Security Gateway vs Check Point Cloud Firewall
- Check Point Quantum Security Gateway vs AWS Network Firewall
- Check Point Quantum Security Gateway vs Forcepoint Network Security Platform
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How we rank next generation firewall software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update