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The clearest firewall alternatives here are Check Point Quantum Security Gateways, pfSense Plus and OPNsense Business Edition. The rest are narrower or adjacent options, so don’t treat them as drop-in replacements for Sophos Firewall. Reddit users cite concerns about Sophos in larger, more complex environments and questions about running a firewall on shared server hardware. Sophos pricing is listed as not available publicly, so compare written quotes, licensing and the exact features you need before moving.
01Why people leave Sophos Firewall
Concerns with complex deployments
In one MSP thread, the poster said Sophos did not seem to work reliably for larger, more complex clients, despite offering the needed capabilities.
Cloud management and updates
The same poster wanted built-in cloud management and disliked FortiGate firmware updates. Other commenters noted FortiGateCloud is available.
Firewall on shared server
A small-business thread questioned hosting the firewall on the same server as business software. A commenter said Sophos can be fine if licensed and up to date.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Enterprise hardware firewalls
Check Point Quantum Security GatewaysCheck Point Quantum Security GatewaysCheck Point Quantum Security Gateways is the closest listed fit for organizations seeking a hardware firewall rather than a DNS, VPN or DDI tool. The product is described as feature-rich for enterprise use and supports hybrid on-premises and cloud environments. Pricing is quote-only, so ask for the subscription scope and total costs before comparing it with Sophos.
Trade-off: Pricing is quote-only, and public product details are limited.
6.5/10from
Custom - VPN and cloud deployments
pfSense PluspfSense PluspfSense Plus suits teams looking for network functions, VPN and VPC connectivity, including AWS or Azure firewall deployments. The listed starting price is $10.75, with a free plan noted. That gives buyers a more visible starting point than Sophos, but the published details warn to check the full bill and upgrade terms before committing.
Trade-off: Check the full bill and upgrade terms; the starting price is not the whole cost.
6.7/10from
$10.75/mofree plan - Commercial firmware control
OPNsense Business EditionOPNsense Business EditionOPNsense Business Edition is worth evaluating if your reason for leaving is control over firmware and business-focused features. Its listed fit includes teams wanting a commercial firmware repository, businesses needing included security features, and operators considering OPNcentral for multiple installations. The listed starting price is $11.08.
Trade-off: Weigh the upfront cost against the features your team actually needs.
7.3/10from
€11.08/mo - Zscaler platform buyers
Zscaler Cloud IPSZscaler Cloud IPSConsider Zscaler Cloud IPS if your organization is already evaluating Zscaler or wants to assess a broader security platform. It is not presented in the published details as a conventional hardware firewall replacement, so confirm that its Cloud IPS scope covers the protections you currently rely on from Sophos. Pricing is not published; request a custom quote.
Trade-off: Get the Cloud IPS scope and a quote in writing first.
5.5/10from
Custom - Private app access
Zscaler Zero Trust ExchangeZscaler Zero Trust ExchangeZscaler Zero Trust Exchange is a possible direction if the change is about consolidating zero trust controls or securing access to private apps, rather than replacing every firewall function. The published details also list security for AI deployments. Treat it as a targeted alternative, and map its access limits against your requirements before signing.
Trade-off: Published pricing is unavailable, and access limits need checking.
6.3/10from
Custom - Simpler private networking
ZeroTierZeroTierZeroTier is relevant if you are leaving Sophos to simplify private networking or replace a complex VPN setup. It is not described as a full firewall replacement, so keep it on the shortlist only if VPN or network connectivity is the specific problem. The listed business entry price is $18, and the free plan is limited to 10 devices.
Trade-off: It is for private networking, not a stated full firewall replacement.
7.4/10from
$18/mofree plan - Cloud and on-prem DDI
BlueCat EdgeBlueCat EdgeBlueCat Edge is an adjacent option for teams whose real need is managing DNS, DHCP and IP address management across cloud and on-premises environments. The published details also list remote-branch connectivity and API automation. It is not presented as a direct firewall substitute, so evaluate it only if DDI is part of the reason you are reconsidering Sophos.
Trade-off: Opaque pricing and limits make value hard to assess.
5.8/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sophos Firewall Sophos Firewall (current) | 5.9 | Free | Yes | Non-commercial home firewall users |
| Check Point Quantum Security Gateways Check Point Quantum Security Gateways | 6.5 | Custom | No | Enterprises seeking hardware firewalls |
| pfSense Plus pfSense Plus | 6.7 | $10.75/mo | Yes | Netgate appliance buyers |
| OPNsense Business Edition OPNsense Business Edition | 7.3 | €11.08/mo | No | Teams wanting a commercial firmware repository |
| Zscaler Cloud IPS Zscaler Cloud IPS | 5.5 | Custom | No | Organizations already considering Zscaler |
| Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange | 6.3 | Custom | No | Organizations consolidating zero trust controls |
| ZeroTier ZeroTier | 7.4 | $18/mo | Yes | Teams replacing complex VPN setups |
| BlueCat Edge BlueCat Edge | 5.8 | Custom | No | Teams managing DDI across cloud and on-premises |
Questions people ask
Which alternative is closest to a Sophos Firewall replacement?
From this list, Check Point Quantum Security Gateways, pfSense Plus and OPNsense Business Edition are the most relevant firewall options. The published details identify Check Point as a hardware firewall, while pfSense Plus lists network functions and OPNsense lists business security features. Confirm that each covers your Sophos use cases before switching.
How much does Sophos Firewall cost?
The published pricing information lists Sophos Firewall as starting at n/a and notes a free plan; it does not provide a usable paid price. Ask Sophos or a reseller for a quote that spells out licensing, subscriptions and the hardware or deployment scope, then compare that total with alternatives.
Can I replace Sophos Firewall with ZeroTier or BlueCat Edge?
Not as a like-for-like replacement based on the published product details. ZeroTier is listed for private networking and VPN alternatives, while BlueCat Edge is for DDI management. They may address a specific need alongside another firewall, but the published information does not describe either as a full firewall substitute.