Best Small Business Firewall in 2023

Protecting your business is incredible from both a digital and physical standpoint. You would only want to allow someone to walk into your store and take merchandise if they pay and leave or have them destroy the business you worked hard on. 

To that end, you would want some security measures in place should the worst happen. To that end, a firewall stands vigilant in your stead should anyone attempt to damage your business from an unwelcome internet connection.

Below, nine firewall options will help keep your business safe and your peace of mind uninterrupted. While each brings something slightly different, they have pros and cons, be it price, ease of access, or even customization. One of these brands will offer a perfect firewall for you and your business, so they are as follows:

• SonicWall
• Palo Alto Networks
• pfSense
• Cisco
• Glassware
• Fortinet
• WatchGuard
• Comodo Internet Security
• Cisco Meraki

If you wish to learn about each firewall, continue reading for more information. Lastly, we have some frequently asked questions that many people need answers to.

What Are the Best Small Business Firewalls?

The best firewalls allow you to custom tailor all traffic that goes to your network, or in this case, business, and prevent connections that could have a history of being problematic or display irregularities that could be hiding something more malicious.

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1. SonicWall

Sonicwall has a lot of skin in the game, with 27 years in the industry. They have experience and are focused on keeping your network safe without sacrificing speed. 

With an emphasis on Next-Generation Firewalls, you can expect your business to have protection when needed. Sonicwall can thwart some of the most intrusive malware available currently.

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2. Palo Alto Networks

Going with Palo Alto has a lot of perks, ranging from a customer service plan that makes troubleshooting any problems you have with your new firewall a breeze. It also provides customer satisfaction benchmarks like 30-day return policies on hardware and fast deliveries, and its firewalls utilize machine learning. 

This means your firewall is constantly getting more advanced and can adapt on the fly to prevent malicious activity, no matter how well it is concealed. Best of all, it actively monitors everything in real time, letting you know things are being watched without you scouring over everything that attempts to connect with your business.

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3. pfSense

pfSense might be one of the most well-known names in the firewall market. This company boasts a #2 rating on Peerspot and features multiple options for your ever-growing business in terms of protection. 

These options range from your basic hardware to an entirely cloud-based system, removing the need for hardware and allowing you to free up a little room in your business. The best part is whether you use the cloud system or the traditional hardware, you won't sacrifice any security benefits.

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4. Cisco

Cisco's entire business model is meeting the customers where their needs are and does not attempt to get them to purchase a firewall that is bigger than they are. 

This firewall protection has explanations that can be broken down to the most basic of digital security understanding practices, or for those who are more versed, you can delve into their more advanced protocols and customize a firewall that uses a zero-trust posture. With Cisco, you will discover how it can be viable for your business, ensuring that employees, apps, and all aspects of your business are cared for.

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5. Glasswire

Here, we have a firewall that is more catered to personal use but can be put to work on a business level. Glasswire is endorsed by some of the biggest PC enthusiasts, including PCWorld, PC magazine, and Networkworld. 

Glasswire actively screens all connections in search of malware, spyware, and even pesky apps snooping where they shouldn't be. This firewall technology can even alert you when unknown devices sync up to your wifi, giving you a real-time heads up of the goings on in your business.

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6. Fortinet

Versatility is something that Fortinet builds its entire platform on, offering firewall protection you can believe in. However, Fortinet takes it one step further by using FortiManager to constantly oversee every aspect of your protection as it's happening. This allows you to change what you need and plan ahead. 

Not only that, but Fortinet offers security that can grow as your business does, with protection perfect for when you are just starting your business to a protection plan fit for an entire data center.

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7. WatchGuard

If you need a watchdog, WatchGuard has you covered with its Firebox brand of firewalls. Each brings something unique to your business, ensuring you are well-secured regardless of your environment. The three fireboxes include:

• One for smaller businesses
• The next is for large-scale businesses
• The last one is fit for enduring the elements or more difficult environments

The best part is no matter which firebox you go with, you can trust that you'll have the comprehensive security WatchGuard is known for, with a system that displays things in an easy-to-understand fashion. This means you do not need to be an internet wizard to understand your business is safe.

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8. Comodo Internet Security

Comodo takes its stand in a unique position of power. It is one of few firewalls on this list that offers deep protection capable of handling almost any size business and gives users more than a simple taste of their product. 

Comodo Internet Security offers a free firewall for use and the ability to upgrade to complete protection for a modest fee. Even more to the point, this protection can be purchased with a per-PC model, allowing you to only pay for what you need.

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9. Cisco Meraki

Saving the best for last, we have Cisco Meraki. This firewall system utilizes some of the premier technology available, and what sets it apart from everything else on the list would be the unique access to some of the world's most renowned security analysts being utilized in Cisco Talos, a dedicated group of threat hunters who are pioneering digital defense against malware and more.

Do Small Businesses Need a Hardware Firewall?

Yes, small businesses need a hardware firewall. This is because, despite some people thinking they wouldn't be targeted as a startup or budding business, you couldn't be further from the truth. 

Hackers will target anyone and everyone, and if you aren't actively defending yourself, you are painting a target on your back that they will be happy to capitalize on at your expense.

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How Do I Set up a Firewall for My Small Business?

Setting up a firewall for your business can be done in many ways. Comodo Internet Security, for example, offers a free firewall download that you can install with a step-by-step process. 

Still, your best bet would be to get in contact with a firewall provider listed here and have one of their team not only go over which firewall will work best for you and your business but how to optimally set it up so you aren't putting yourself at risk, or misusing the firewall you have.

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What Type of Firewall Do Most Companies Use?

On average, most companies utilize a hardware firewall as it's the easiest to utilize on a larger scale and actively monitors more access points.

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How Much Does a Firewall Cost for a Small Business?

Firewall prices vary greatly depending on how many people are a part of your business. Still, if you went with something specifically for a single computer, you could be looking at something as low as $30. However, the depth of coverage and monitoring will increase as the price increases, offering more perks and a better team to monitor traffic going to your business actively, so investing upfront could save you more later.

Conclusion

Suppose you are starting a new business or looking for protection for your already established one; getting a firewall is imperative to your business's success. The larger your business becomes, the more you lose should your security become compromised.

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