5 Best Firewalls for Small Businesses in 2024

In 2024, small businesses face an ever-expanding landscape of cybersecurity threats, making the selection of the right firewall solutions more critical than ever. To safeguard sensitive data and networks from relentless cyberattacks, it's essential to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in firewall technology. In this blog post, we will guide small businesses through the top firewall options available in 2024. These recommendations are designed to offer simplicity and effectiveness in fortifying your digital defenses against evolving cyber threats.

There are numerous advanced yet affordable network security appliances ranging in price from $549 to $1,000+ that can protect your small business network.

A lot can be said about firewalls. We will focus on performance because it is the biggest factor that sets this class of product apart from more commonly used consumer-grade alternatives. A note on performance: vendors may base throughput claims on IPerf or IMIX, and it’s not always stated which standard is being used. IMIX is a more realistic measure than IPerf. So as you delve in, check the vendor’s fine print for details. We will assume most users interested in this article have an internet connection advertised at somewhere between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps.

Here are five popular options we think buyers often consider. 

1. Netgate 4200
2. Cisco Firepower 1010
3. SonicWall TZ270
4. Watchguard Firebox T45
5. Sophos XGS 87

Netgate 4200

Starting at $549

The Netgate 4200 is a state-of-the-art secure networking appliance that is highly versatile. It is equipped with pfSense® Plus software, making it an official pfSense router, firewall, and VPN. The device boasts four unswitched 2.5 Gb Ethernet WAN/LAN ports, offering unparalleled flexibility and high-bandwidth connectivity. It utilizes the fast performance of a 4-core Intel® Atom® C1110 CPU, achieving benchmark results up to three times faster in routing, firewall forwarding, and IPsec VPN than the previous generation of security gateways. The device delivers over 9.2 Gbps of L3 routing across four independent 2.5 GbE flexible WAN/LAN ports. 

The Netgate 4200 is designed for performance and versatility, capable of offering 9.28 Gbps of routing speed, 3.21 Gbps of firewall throughput, and up to 1.05 Gbps of IPsec VPN throughput (IMIX).

With pfSense Plus software, the 4200 offers a comprehensive set of features for routing, firewall, attack prevention, content filtering, VPN, user authentication, system security, configuration, monitoring, and reporting. It supports policy-based routing, multiple IP addresses per interface, multiple WAN connections with load balancing and failover, dynamic routing protocols, and optional high availability clustering. The firewall capabilities include extensive rule-based packet filtering, stateful filtering, and packet inspection, with support for layer 7 application detection and blocking. It also provides VPN support for site-to-site and remote access, user authentication with LDAP, and various security features like lockout after repeated attempts. Configuration is made easy with setup wizards and encrypted backups, while monitoring and reporting include customizable dashboards, local monitoring graphs, and network diagnostics.

pfSense Plus software is also available on the AWS and Azure cloud platforms.

Pros:

• Excellent price-to-performance ratio
• Advanced firewall features
• Software and customer support included for the life of the appliance
• Quiet

Cons:

• Flexibility can be overwhelming for first-time users

Cisco Firepower 1010

Starting at $1,413

The Cisco Firepower 1010 is a next-generation firewall specifically designed for small businesses and branch offices, focusing on hardware efficiency and scalability. In terms of hardware specifications, the device includes eight RJ-45 ports, two PoE+ ports, one 1000BASE-T port, one Serial console port, and one USB port.

The 1010 model is built with a throughput capacity that can handle the demands of small business networks. It offers 890 Mbps of Firewall throughput and 400 Mbps of IPsec VPN throughput.

Compact and rack-mountable, the Firepower 1010 is designed for easy deployment in various environments. Its robust hardware and scalable performance make it a versatile and reliable choice for businesses needing advanced security with a focus on speed and connectivity.

As a part of the Cisco Firepower 1000 Series, it offers comprehensive security with advanced threat defense capabilities. The 1010 model features integrated intrusion detection and prevention, advanced malware protection, and URL filtering, effectively guarding against various cyber threats. It's engineered to provide high performance with low latency, ensuring network efficiency is maintained. The firewall is user-friendly, offering simplified management through the Cisco Firepower Management Center or Cisco Defense Orchestrator, which allows for easy policy management and detailed reporting. The Firepower 1010 also integrates with Cisco's Threat Intelligence Director, using varied intelligence sources to enhance its threat detection and response capabilities. This combination of advanced security features, high performance, and ease of management makes the Cisco Firepower 1010 an excellent choice for small businesses looking for reliable network protection to protect against data breaches.

The list price of the Firepower 1010 is $1,413.55. Additional licensing and support costs may apply throughout the life of the product.

Pros:

• Strong feature set
• Cisco brand-name

Cons:

• Expensive, with additional software license costs

SonicWall TZ270

Starting at $865

The SonicWall TZ270 is a comprehensive security appliance tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. The device is equipped with 8x1GbE interfaces, 2 USB 3.0 ports, and a console port, facilitating a variety of connectivity options. Notably, the TZ270 boasts a firewall throughput of 2 Gbps and a VPN throughput of 900 Mbps, ensuring efficient and secure data handling. 

The SonicWall TZ270 is equipped with an array of sophisticated software security features designed to protect small to medium-sized business networks. Key among these is its Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) that offers real-time protection against ransomware, viruses, spyware, and other cyber threats, using cloud-based multi-engine scanning. The device also includes Content Filtering Services to control access to inappropriate or harmful websites, enhancing productivity and security. Intrusion Prevention Service (IPS) is another critical feature, providing in-depth network protection by scanning network traffic for malicious activities and known vulnerabilities. Additionally, the TZ270 supports Application Control, allowing administrators to manage and control applications on the network, ensuring that only safe and authorized applications are in use. These software capabilities, combined with SonicWall's proprietary Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection (RFDPI) technology, ensure a robust and comprehensive security solution for businesses.

The list price of SonicWall TZ270 with 1 year of TotalSecure Advanced software is $865.00 on Amazon. Additional licensing and support costs may apply throughout the life of the product.

Pros:

• Strong feature set, especially firewall and threat protection

Cons:

• Expensive, with additional software license costs

WatchGuard Firebox T45

Starting at $906

The WatchGuard Firebox T45 is a compact yet powerful firewall solution. It stands out for its hardware capabilities, featuring a range of ports to accommodate diverse network requirements. It has five 1GbE RJ45 connectors, supporting 1000 Base-TX (10/100/1000Mbps), 2 USB 3.0 ports (Type-A), and 1 RJ45 Serial Port.The device supports 2x2 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 dual-band radios. In terms of firewall and VPN speeds, the Firebox T45 can provide up to 1.44 Gbps of firewall throughput and 460 Mbps of IPsec VPN throughput (IMIX).

The Firebox T45 offers advanced features for network protection. It includes a stateful packet inspection firewall that scrutinizes network traffic in detail, ensuring only legitimate traffic passes through. Its capability to decrypt TLS-encrypted data allows for thorough inspection of secure traffic. The T45 also functions as a proxy firewall, adding an extra layer of security between users and the internet. It supports a range of application proxies for protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, DNS, and more, ensuring secure and efficient internet usage. Additionally, the device is equipped to protect against various cyber threats, including DoS attacks, fragmented and malformed packets, and blended threats that use multiple techniques. Finally, it offers filtering options like Browser Safe Search and integration with Google for Business, enhancing safe and productive internet usage.

The list price of the WatchGuard Firebox T45 with a 1-yr Basic Security Suite is $906.98 on Amazon. Additional licensing and support costs may apply throughout the life of the product.

Pros:

• Strong feature set

Cons:

• Expensive, with additional software license costs

Sophos XGS 87

Starting at $713

The Sophos XGS 87 is a high-performance firewall appliance. The device offers a firewall throughput of 3.85 Gbps, TLS inspection of 375 Mbps, and IPSec VPN throughput of 3 Gbps. The XGS 87 has five fixed Ethernet interfaces (4 x GE copper and 1 x SFP Fiber). It also includes management interfaces (1 x COM RJ45 and 1 x COM Micro-USB) and other I/O interfaces (1 x USB 2.0 front and 1 x USB 3.0 rear).

The Sophos XGS 87 Firewall offers powerful protection and performance for prosumers. It addresses the challenge of encrypted web traffic with TLS 1.3 inspection, ensuring efficient and effective inspection of encrypted traffic without compromising performance. It includes deep packet inspection (DPI) for scanning traffic for threats without slowing down the process. The firewall also accelerates trusted business application traffic, reducing latency and optimizing performance. With integrated SD-WAN capabilities, it provides performance-based link selection, load balancing, and seamless transitions between links during disruptions. Sophos Central, the cloud management platform, simplifies firewall management, reporting, and zero-touch deployment. It also offers synchronized security features for threat detection and automatic response, enhancing network security.

The list price of the XGS 87 with 1-year Standard Protection is $713.93 on Amazon. Additional licensing and support costs may apply throughout the life of the product.

Pros:

• Strong feature set, including a cloud management platform and zero-touch deployment

Cons:

• Expensive, with additional software license costs

Summary

Small businesses need firewall solutions that provide greater control over configuration specifics and more effectively match up to their internet connection speed. And, they want devices that are quiet, aesthetically pleasing, and don’t break the bank.  A sizable array of solutions are available in the $549 to $1,000+ price range, and a given vendor may even have multiple price-point solutions in that band. The five network firewalls highlighted above offer readers a good cross section of popular options.

Each lives in the space between consumer-grade and heavier commercial-grade segments and makes them solid options for small businesses. Each has its respective pros and cons across the spectrum of security and VPN feature set, performance (the attribute that most importantly defines this market space), and price - both initial and annual recurring. 

Check them out in detail to select the best solution for your needs, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a safe and high-performing home network.

Q&A

Does my small business need a firewall?

Yes, a firewall is essential for a small business as it provides a critical layer of security to protect sensitive data and network resources from cyber threats. It helps in managing and monitoring network traffic, preventing unauthorized access, and safeguarding against various types of online attacks, hackers, and data breaches. For small businesses, a properly configured firewall is a fundamental component of a robust cybersecurity strategy.

Which type of firewall is best for small businesses?

For small businesses, a Unified Threat Management (UTM) firewall is often the best choice. UTMs provide a comprehensive security solution, combining multiple features like anti-virus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, and web filtering into a single device, which simplifies management and reduces costs. Additionally, small businesses may also consider next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) that offer advanced features like application control and deeper inspection capabilities tailored to their specific network needs.

How much does a firewall cost for a small business?

The cost of a firewall for a small business can vary widely, typically ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Factors influencing the price include the firewall's features, capacity, and the specific security needs of the business. Basic firewalls are more affordable, while advanced solutions with additional features like intrusion prevention, VPN support, and advanced threat prevention will be more expensive.

What is the most effective firewall?

The most effective firewall is one that is properly configured and tailored to the specific needs of its network environment. Hardware firewalls, like those from Netgate or Fortinet, are highly effective for robust, enterprise-level security. For individual users or smaller networks, software firewalls integrated into antivirus programs or operating systems can provide sufficient protection. The key to firewall effectiveness lies in regular updates, correct configuration, and integration into a broader security strategy.

Which firewall is most secure?

The security level of a firewall largely depends on its configuration and the environment in which it's deployed. Hardware-based firewalls, often used in business settings, are generally considered more secure due to their dedicated resources and comprehensive network coverage. However, the most secure firewall is one that is properly configured, regularly updated, and part of a layered security approach that includes both hardware and software solutions tailored to specific needs.