# Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) vs Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls Comparison
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## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls excel in overall user satisfaction, reflected in their higher G2 Score of 74.94 compared to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual's score of 47.06. Users appreciate the reliability and extensive feature set of Palo Alto, which includes effective policy implementation and robust support.
- **According to verified reviews** , Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual is praised for its **comprehensive protection** against advanced threats, making it a solid choice for businesses with hybrid infrastructures. Users highlight its scalability and ease of use, particularly for remote access, which can be beneficial for organizations with multiple branch locations.
- **Reviewers mention** that Palo Alto Networks offers a more intuitive user interface and configuration methods, contributing to a smoother day-to-day experience. This is particularly noted in their ability to handle a large number of logs, which aids in troubleshooting and enhances operational efficiency.
- **Users say** that while Cisco Secure Firewall provides strong **intrusion prevention** capabilities, scoring notably high in this area, it faces challenges in ease of setup and administration compared to Palo Alto. Reviewers have pointed out that Cisco's setup can be more complex, which may require additional time and resources.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** the quality of support for Cisco Secure Firewall, which received a high score of 9.1. This indicates that users feel well-supported, especially when dealing with advanced configurations and troubleshooting, contrasting with Palo Alto's support score of 8.2.
- **According to recent user feedback** , both products are well-regarded for their security features, but Cisco Secure Firewall stands out in areas like **encryption** and **cloud data protection** , with users noting its effectiveness in safeguarding sensitive information across various platforms.



| | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 93 | 170 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (43.8% of reviews) | Mid-Market (47.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

Pros:
- Ease of Use (1 reviews)
- Easy Management (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Coding (1 reviews)
- Complex Configuration (1 reviews)

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

Pros:
- Firewall Efficiency (14 reviews)
- Ease of Use (13 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (23 reviews)
- Difficult Learning Curve (12 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (83 reviews) | 8.9 (153 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.1 (82 reviews) | 8.3 (154 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.4 (51 reviews) | 8.2 (138 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.7 (49 reviews) | 8.4 (107 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (74 reviews) | 8.2 (145 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (47 reviews) | 8.8 (105 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.5 (83 reviews) | 9.2 (149 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | 9.5/10 | 6 |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | 8.8/10 | 68 |

#### Prevention

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 9.1 (65 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | Not enough data | 9.3 (64 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 8.9 (64 reviews) | 
| **Security hardening** | Not enough data | 9.0 (64 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | 8.3 (60 reviews) | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (65 reviews) | 
| **Security Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.9 (64 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | Not enough data | 8.9 (64 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 8.8 (62 reviews) | 
| **Administration Console -** | Not enough data | 8.8 (64 reviews) | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | 8.6 (59 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | 9.3/10 | 16 |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | 8.3/10 | 113 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 8.7 (105 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 9.6 (12 reviews) | 8.6 (105 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | 9.2 (11 reviews) | 8.3 (97 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 9.2 (11 reviews) | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.0 (10 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | 7.5 (10 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 9.6 (13 reviews) | 8.7 (102 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (99 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 8.9 (12 reviews) | 8.8 (98 reviews) | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 9.2 (10 reviews) | 8.4 (96 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 9.2 (12 reviews) | 8.6 (97 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.5 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.4 (12 reviews) | 8.7 (98 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 7.1 (29 reviews) | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | Not enough data | 7.4 (17 reviews) | 

### AWS Marketplace

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)** | N/A | N/A |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

| Feature | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/intrusion-detection-and-prevention-systems-idps)

**Unique to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) (1):** [AWS Marketplace Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/aws-marketplace)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv) | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 13.5% | 18.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 43.8% | 47.0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 42.7% | 34.8% | 

### By Industry

#### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

- **Information Technology and Services:** 18.0%
- **Higher Education:** 6.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 6.7%
- **Computer Software:** 5.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.5%
- **Computer Networking:** 3.4%
- **Education Management:** 3.4%
- **Entertainment:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 3.4%
- **Government Administration:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 41.6%

#### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.2%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 13.5%
- **Banking:** 6.7%
- **Computer Software:** 6.1%
- **Financial Services:** 5.5%
- **Education Management:** 3.7%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.7%
- **Higher Education:** 3.7%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 2.5%
- **Consulting:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 31.9%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (869 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (593 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (268 reviews)
- [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (245 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (154 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (52 reviews)
- [Azure Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/threatlocker-zero-trust-platform/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (514 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (32 reviews)

### Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (869 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (593 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (268 reviews)
- [Zscaler Internet Access](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (271 reviews)
- [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (245 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (154 reviews)
- [Check Point Quantum Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-intrusion-prevention-system-ips/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (69 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (52 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (32 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)

No discussions available for this product.

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

- Title: [What is Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewall-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is an enterprise firewall solution which provides secure connection between two zones with features of firewall, IPS, Antivirus, DDOS protection, SSL..."

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**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv-vs-palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls)