Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall

Paid#1 of 36 in Network Firewall SoftwareNext Generation Firewall Software

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall: An enterprise firewall family combining application control, threat prevention and centralized management. Ranked #1 of 36 in Network Firewall Software by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Pricing on request; best for enterprises needing advanced threat prevention.

9.4/10★★★★★Editor score

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Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall9.4 Visit site

At a glance

• Editor score
  9.4 / 10
• Pricing
  Pricing on request
• Best for
  Enterprises needing advanced threat prevention
• Deployment model
  Hybrid
• Founded
  2005 · Santa Clara, California, USA
• Facts checked
  21 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Application-aware control with App-ID and URL filtering
  • Zero-day prevention with TLS 1.3 inspection
  • Hardware, virtual and cloud deployment options

• Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • The product family spans multiple deployment models and offerings
  • Advanced security subscriptions add scope to product selection

Our verdict on Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall is a hybrid network security platform for organizations protecting branch offices, campuses, data centers, public clouds and 5G environments. Its product family includes PA-Series hardware appliances, VM-Series virtual firewalls and Cloud NGFW services. The platform is aimed at enterprises and service providers that need application-aware traffic control, threat prevention, encrypted-traffic inspection, VPN connectivity and centralized administration across distributed environments.

Application control is a central strength. App-ID classifies traffic for policy control, while inline threat prevention addresses known, unknown and zero-day threats. SSL/TLS decryption and inspection includes TLS 1.3, and URL filtering supports web-traffic inspection. IPSec site-to-site VPN and large-scale branch VPN capabilities extend the platform beyond perimeter filtering. Administrators can work through a web interface, CLI or XML API, with Panorama and Strata Cloud Manager providing centralized management. These capabilities suit environments where policy visibility and control need to span multiple locations and deployment types.

The platform also extends through cloud-delivered DNS Security, WildFire and data-loss prevention subscriptions. That model can support organizations seeking a broader security stack around the firewall, but it also makes product selection more involved than choosing a single standalone appliance. Pricing follows a contact-sales model, and the family covers hardware, virtual and cloud offerings rather than one product configuration. Choose Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall when advanced threat prevention, application-aware policy, TLS inspection, VPN and centralized management are priorities. Organizations seeking a narrowly scoped firewall with a simple, single-offering purchase path may prefer a smaller product family.

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Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall pricing

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall fact sheet

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall integrations

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall lists 3 integrations on its own site.

• Panorama
• Strata Cloud Manager
• PAN-OS XML API

Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall

• FortiGateA broad hybrid firewall platform for enterprises that need integrated network security and automation.9.3
• Check Point Quantum Security GatewayA broad network security platform for enterprises that need clustered, policy-driven gateways.9.2
• WatchGuard FireboxA broad hybrid firewall family for distributed teams that need centralized cloud management.9.1

See all Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall alternatives →

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs the competition

• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs FortiGate
• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Check Point Quantum Security Gateway
• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs WatchGuard Firebox
• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall
• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs Zscaler Cloud Firewall

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update