# Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls vs Snort Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls significantly outshine Snort in overall user satisfaction, boasting a G2 Score of 98.02 compared to Snort's 23.59. Users appreciate the extensive features and reliability of Palo Alto, with one reviewer noting, "I like the features of Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls and how well it handles policy implementation."
- **Users say** that Palo Alto Networks offers a more robust support experience, with a quality of support rating that reflects its commitment to customer service. Reviewers highlight the "very good support" and the "large number of features" that contribute to a smoother operational experience, while Snort's community-driven support, although active, may not match the structured assistance provided by Palo Alto.
- **Reviewers mention** that Palo Alto Networks excels in meeting specific business requirements, achieving a higher satisfaction in this area. Users have noted that it holds a "large number of logs which are useful for troubleshooting," making it a preferred choice for organizations needing detailed insights into their network security.
- **According to verified reviews** , Snort shines in its customization capabilities, allowing users to tailor rules for specific protection needs. One user remarked, "Snort can detect malware and suspicious activities," which highlights its flexibility as an open-source solution, appealing to those who prioritize adaptability in their security tools.
- **Users report** that while Palo Alto Networks has a slightly lower ease of use rating, it still provides a user-friendly interface and configuration methods. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive design, with one stating, "The user interface and the configuration methods as well as the SP3 architecture that checks the packets and forwards it" contribute to a positive user experience.
- **Reviewers highlight** that Snort's open-source nature fosters a vibrant community, which can be a double-edged sword. While this community provides valuable resources and collaboration opportunities, some users may find the lack of formal support challenging compared to the structured assistance offered by Palo Alto Networks, which is often preferred by mid-market companies.



| | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 170 | 18 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (47.0% of reviews) | Mid-Market (72.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### 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)

### Snort

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.9 (153 reviews) | 6.5 (18 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.3 (154 reviews) | 8.8 (18 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.2 (138 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.4 (107 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.2 (145 reviews) | 8.1 (18 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (105 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (149 reviews) | 7.3 (17 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Snort

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | 8.8/10 | 68 |
| **Snort** | N/A | N/A |

#### Prevention

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.1 (65 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Firewall** | 9.3 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | 8.9 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security hardening** | 9.0 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | 8.3 (60 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Detection

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.0 (65 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security Monitoring** | 8.9 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | 8.9 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | 8.8 (62 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Administration Console -** | 8.8 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **API / integrations** | 8.6 (59 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | 8.2 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

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

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | 8.3/10 | 113 |
| **Snort** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 8.7 (105 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 8.6 (105 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Application Gateway** | 8.3 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 8.4 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 8.0 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | 7.5 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 8.7 (102 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Antivirus** | 8.4 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **URL Filtering** | 8.8 (99 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Availability** | 8.8 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 8.4 (96 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 8.6 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 8.7 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | 7.1 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | 7.4 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/intrusion-detection-and-prevention-systems-idps)

**Unique to Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (1):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | Snort | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 18.3% | 22.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 47.0% | 72.2% | 
| **Enterprise** | 34.8% | 5.6% | 

### By Industry

#### 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%

#### Snort

- **Computer Software:** 83.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 11.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 5.6%

---
## Alternatives

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

- [Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (93 reviews)
- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (868 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (592 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 (244 reviews)
- [Zscaler Internet Access](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (258 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)

### Alternatives to Snort

- [Ossec](https://www.g2.com/products/ossec/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (10 reviews)
- [CrowdSec](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdsec/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (88 reviews)
- [FortiGate IPS](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-ips/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [LevelBlue USM Anywhere](https://www.g2.com/products/levelblue-usm-anywhere/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (114 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-ips-ngips/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (17 reviews)
- [ExtraHop](https://www.g2.com/products/extrahop/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (68 reviews)
- [TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security](https://www.g2.com/products/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (187 reviews)
- [Trellix Network Detection and Response (NDR)](https://www.g2.com/products/trellix-network-detection-and-response-ndr/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (66 reviews)
- [Blumira Automated Detection & Response](https://www.g2.com/products/blumira-automated-detection-response/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (124 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)

---
## Top Discussions

### 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..."

### Snort

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls-vs-snort)