Best Snort Alternatives in 2026
The top Snort alternatives are Suricata, Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention and Check Point Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): 15 intrusion detection and prevention software our editors would look at instead of Snort, in our ranking order.
Snort: A low-cost Snort engine with inline blocking and flexible packet analysis. Where it falls short: deployment is focused on linux self-hosted environments.
Switching from Snort? For most intrusion detection and prevention software buyers the best Snort alternative is Suricata, built for free open-source network IDS and IPS. On a budget, CrowdSec starts at $49/mo.
Why People Look for a Snort Alternative
- Deployment is focused on Linux self-hosted environments
- Rule subscriptions add annual per-sensor costs
- Configuration and deployment are handled by the user
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSuricata9.3
Free open-source network IDS and IPS
Visit Suricata - Lowest priceCrowdSec7.8
Paid plans from $49/mo
Visit CrowdSec - Best free optionSuricata9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Suricata
All 15 Snort Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forFree open-source network IDS and IPS
- Better than Snort:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.4
A capable free network IDS and IPS for teams prepared to manage self-hosted deployment.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Suricata -
Best forAdvanced zero-day and exploit prevention
- Better than Snort:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.4
A strong fit for Palo Alto environments needing inline zero-day and exploit prevention.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Palo Alto -
Best forEnterprise IPS with mature threat prevention
- Better than Snort:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.4
Enterprise IPS combining signature, behavioral, and virtual patching defenses.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forBroad hybrid IPS and malware defense
- Better than Snort:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.4
A broad hybrid IPS for organizations needing inline blocking and malware defense.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Trellix -
Best forNetwork appliances with detailed IPS controls
- Better than Snort:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.4
A focused network IPS for appliance-based deployments and granular policy control.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit AhnLab -
Best forAppliance-based network threat prevention
- Better than Snort:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.4
A broad appliance IPS for inline blocking, encrypted traffic inspection, and centralized control.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Hillstone -
Best forOpen-source Suricata monitoring and hunting
A free Suricata stack for network detection, hunting, dashboards, and packet analysis.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit SELKS -
Best forCloud IPS for distributed user traffic
A cloud IPS for distributed users with inline detection, TLS inspection, and security integrations.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Zscaler -
Best forHigh-capacity network security appliances
A high-capacity appliance combining inline prevention, inspection, and centralized security management.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
- Threat intelligence
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Huawei -
Best forAffordable multi-scope detection with threat sharing
A multi-scope, open-source IDS/IPS with free detection and paid threat-intelligence options.
- Cloud workload support
- Inline blocking
- Threat intelligence
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit CrowdSec -
Best forStraightforward appliance IPS deployment
A focused appliance IPS with SSL inspection, virtual patching, and weekly signatures.
- Inline blocking
- Encrypted traffic inspection
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Zyxel -
Best forUsage-priced IPS inside AWS networks
A usage-priced AWS firewall with deep inspection, TLS controls, and Suricata-compatible IPS rules.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forAzure-native cloud IPS
A focused Azure-native IPS for traffic inspection, filtering, and centralized firewall management.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forHybrid IPS with automation and cloud support
A hybrid firewall and IPS suite with cloud support, automation, and broad controls.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit FortiGate -
Best forOpen-source firewall with integrated Suricata IPS
A free, open-source firewall with integrated Suricata intrusion detection and prevention.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit OPNsense
Snort Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Snort?
Suricata: #1 in our Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A capable free network IDS and IPS for teams prepared to manage self-hosted deployment.
Is there a free alternative to Snort?
Yes. Suricata, SELKS, CrowdSec and OPNsense have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Snort alternatives?
Deployment is focused on Linux self-hosted environments; Rule subscriptions add annual per-sensor costs; Configuration and deployment are handled by the user.
How do I switch from Snort?
Export your data from Snort (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Snort.
How to Switch from Snort
- Export your data from Snort (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Snort.
Snort vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Network scope | Inline blocking | Encrypted traffic inspection | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Snort | Yes | $29.99/device/yr | Software | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 1 | Suricata | Yes | Free | Software | Network | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention | No | $0.009/GB usage-based | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Check Point Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Trellix Intrusion Prevention System | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 5 | AhnLab AIPS | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | ||
| 6 | Hillstone Network Intrusion Prevention System | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 7 | SELKS | Yes | Free | Software | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 8 | Zscaler Cloud IPS | Cloud | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 9 | Huawei HiSecEngine USG6800G | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 10 | CrowdSec | Yes | $49/mo | Hybrid | Multi-scope | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 11 | Zyxel Intrusion Prevention System | Appliance | Network | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | ||
| 12 | AWS Network Firewall | No | $0.07/GB usage-based | Cloud | 7.5 | |||
| 13 | Azure Firewall Premium | No | Cloud | 7.4 | ||||
| 14 | FortiGate | No | Hybrid | 7.3 | ||||
| 15 | OPNsense | Yes | Hybrid | 7.2 |
Head-to-Head
- Snort vs Suricata
- Snort vs Palo Alto Networks Advanced Threat Prevention
- Snort vs Check Point Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
- Snort vs Trellix Intrusion Prevention System
- Snort vs AhnLab AIPS
- Snort vs Hillstone Network Intrusion Prevention System
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update