The best firewall software is designed to keep viruses out by blocking illegal apps. Trojans can open ports on users’ computers invisibly, while sniffers can look for bugs in your network connection that can be exploited.
While antivirus and malware technology has advanced significantly over the years, firewalls are still a recommended requirement for all PC users because the risk has grown rather than decreased.
While any effective antivirus tool can protect your computer from dangerous activities, applications and apps can frequently abuse their licenses to establish illegal network connections and harvest user data from your machine.
This is where firewalls come into their own, insisting that the software on your PC be permitted to access the Internet, preventing remote attacks.
Some firewalls can be purchased as stand-alone devices, while others can be included as part of an antivirus company’s Internet security package to give a wide range of extra defences. Cloud firewalls may also be beneficial to business users.
Meanwhile, we’ll teach you how to set up the finest firewall security for your system, including the best-paid firewall protection platforms and, subsequently, the best free firewall protection platforms.
Best Paid Firewall Software
1. Bitdefender Total Security: The best firewall software on the market.
Reasons to use: Firewall protection, Anti-ransomware, Microphone protection, Up to 5 devices
Bitdefender Total Protection is a powerful Internet security package that includes a firewall and a variety of safeguards. Antivirus protection is also offered, although it does not guard against ransomware due to its multi-layered malware security.
Anti-phishing, anti-fraud, and anti-theft options, as well as a performance-boosting device, are among the other features. Anti-tracking, file encryption and shredding, parental control, and microphone protection are just a few of the privacy solutions available.
Bitdefender Total Protection is perfect for protecting Android, macOS, iOS users, and Windows users. Even better, a single product license allows you to use Bitdefender Complete Protection on up to 5 separate devices, allowing you to use it on both your home PC and your smartphone.
Overall, Bitdefender Total Security performs what its name implies, offering a wide range of security features that go beyond a firewall. However, the pricing is fairly reasonable, making peace of mind both affordable and practical.
2. Avast Premium Security – Powerful multi-device Firewall Software
Reasons to use: Firewall protection, Anti-ransomware, Windows, Mobiles, Up to 10 devices
Avast Premium Security is another fully paid Internet Security suite with two major modes: a single PC or up to ten devices running macOS, iOS, or Android.
It means that, like Bitdefender, it can protect both a home PC and mobile devices. However, because you can cover up to 10 devices with one license, you can use it to safeguard the entire family.
Avast Premium Security covers all devices with anti-ransomware defence, file encryption, and file shredder options, as well as a firewall. For safer online banking and security against a third-party hijacking of your webcam, anti-phishing and anti-fraud safeguards are also available.
Avast Premium Security is a stable and secure web security package, but it lacks continuous popup adverts for PC optimization and other apps.
3. Norton 360 Deluxe – Multi-feature Firewall Software
Reasons to use: Smart firewall, Secure VPN, Dark Web monitoring, Password manager, Online backup
Norton 360 Deluxe is a comprehensive internet security suite that goes far beyond firewalls. It differs from the Internet as mentioned above security suites in that it includes antivirus and common malware defence.
In the Norton 360 Deluxe Version, there was also a solid VPN, buttons, a password manager, and online cloud backup. There’s also a dark web monitoring feature that will alert you if your information is being sold on the dark web.
All of this is more expensive than the other Internet security packages we’ve reviewed, but the added functionality and peace of mind will be well worth it for some people.
If you want more identity protection, you may upgrade to Norton 360 Deluxe with Lifelock Pick, which provides additional identity protection, credit rating monitoring, and insurance if your personal information is misused.
Check out: Difference Between Hardware Firewall and Software Firewall
4. Panda Dome Essential – Good value Firewall Software
Reasons to use: Lots of features, Can cover unlimited devices
Firewall, real-time malware detection, cloud-based scanning, and URL filtering to prevent harmful websites: Panda Dome basic antivirus contains all of the features you’d expect from the top antivirus applications, plus a few extras.
And that’s only the beginning. Panda Dome has amenities that no other plan on this list can match, like port monitoring and ping, as well as in-depth process tracking and an integrated VPN.
The graphical user interface (GUI) can also be quite specific. Panda Dome will make sure that all of the unusual and wonderful features are present and that you can continue as long as you require. On the other hand, this may attract people looking for a speedy and quiet antivirus solution.
One undeniable advantage is the cost, which is one of the finest in Panda Dome Necessary. You can also pay an extra fee to increase your subscription to cover an unlimited number of computers, phones, tablets, and desktops with a single payment.
5. Webroot AntiVirus – Lightweight Firewall Software
Reasons to use: Extremely light on system resources, Lightning fast
Almost every antivirus program promises to be “light,” but Webroot AntiVirus is the only one that claims to be in this category. Installing takes seconds, the application files on your hard disk take up less than 2MB, the RAM footprint is small, and there are no annoying signature updates that chew up your Internet.
With this in mind, there are no compromises in terms of functionality, which adds to its allure. Intelligent activity surveillance, precise anti-phishing in real-time, network access monitor, better anti-ransomware, and, of course, firewall protection are all included in core security.
It’s difficult to compare Webroot’s accuracy to that of the competition because significant testing labs rarely examine the company’s products. When tested, however, they are usually high, and our tests give a robust and accurate defence.
There’s a lot to like about Webroot AntiVirus, and the company’s confidence in the product is reflected in its 70-day money-back guarantee. If you’re tired of overly intricate and bloated engines, Webroot is a worthy contender.
Best Free Firewall Software
1. ZoneAlarm
Reasons to use: Easy to use, Great antivirus engine
For over 20 years and over 20 million installations, ZoneAlarm has become one of the most popular firewall systems.
ZoneAlarm comes in two flavours: free and paid. Advertisements and features on the former offer expert rules, 24/7 help, part control, and other cutting-edge features. It will identify potentially dangerous traffic, stop malicious programs, and conceal open ports.
It also has a two-way firewall that monitors traffic entering and leaving your network, hides your PC from hackers, and stops spyware from sharing your personal information. Furthermore, early boot protection can safeguard your machine against a malicious rootkit attempting to take control of your computer.
ZoneAlarm also gives anti-phishing URLs to guarantee that you do not enter personal information on websites that have been designated as security hazards. And any harmful code in the files you download will be removed.
2. GlassWire
Reasons to use: Stylish design, Easy to use
GlassWire is one of the most attractive free firewalls available. With its stunning GUI, you can monitor your current and previous network behaviour, making it simple to discover dangers to your device.
GlassWire will also notify you if your PC or internet-related software has changed. In addition, if unknown devices attempt to connect, your network will follow them and alert you.
Perhaps the most useful feature is the ability to view detailed network utilization statistics broken down by IP/host, device, and network type. The ‘Link order’ setting in GlassWire permits or disallows new app connections. You can also create custom profiles when connecting to your home WiFi or at work, for example.
And, if you’re ever frustrated by the amount of data you have, you can erase logs in a matter of seconds to make them usable again.
3. Comodo Firewall
Reasons to use: Sandbox for testing apps, Low resource usage
For a free product, Comodo Firewall offers a solid set of functions. You’ll check that all incoming and outgoing traffic is legitimate, prohibit harmful apps and software from providing your personal information, and hide hacker ports on your computer. It will automatically notify you if it detects questionable behaviour.
It also features a secure browser, a virtual kiosk, and a host intrusion security mechanism (HIPS). When a program detects unusual behaviour, the HIPS asks if it should be enabled, blocked, or handled as an installation.
Comodo’s Dragon and IceDragon browsers are safer versions of the popular Chrome and Firefox browsers. Comodo browsers provide reliability, privacy, and efficiency enhancements not seen in other browsers.
Comodo’s Virtual Kiosk is a virtual sandbox that acts as an independent operating system for running unknown apps. The kiosk’s apps do not affect your real smartphone, making it ideal for evaluating new, untrustworthy apps.
Check out: Top 10 Best Firewall Software For Windows
4. TinyWall
Reasons to use: No annoying popups, Lightweight
TinyWall is developed for Windows’ built-in Defender firewall and has a negligible performance impact.
TinyWall successfully prohibits Trojans, viruses, worms, and other malware from manipulating Windows firewall settings and prevents harmful programs from doing so. All of this will be accomplished without any knowledge of the port, protocol, or application.
But its non-popup method is arguably the most appealing feature. When a program tries to access the Internet, many firewalls display a window asking what you wish to do. This is inconvenient, but you can only gradually begin to grant access to everything to eliminate the unclean popups.
TinyWall tackles this problem by requiring you to create a list of apps from which you wish to access the Internet. If a program is disabled, you can add it to the allowlist and continue as before.
5. Windows Defender
Reasons to use: Already installed with Windows, Low false positive rate
If you have a desktop or laptop running a Windows version other than XP, you already have a free firewall installed, and it is ready to use until you modify any settings.
The firewall became part of a suite of default protection technologies for Windows installations after Windows 10, known as Windows Protector. Even if you use a different firewall, Microsoft recommends that you keep the Protector turned on.
To control your settings, search for ‘protection’ in Windows and select the Security program. When Windows Defender Firewall appears, turn it on. Press the same button to turn it off again.
You can also configure the firewall to enable a certain application to pass through. You can opt to ‘Allow an app via firewall’ simultaneously you switch it on or off and then choose the app in question.
Check out: What is Hardware Firewall? Everything You Need to Know