Azure Firewall Manager vs Microsoft Purview Data Governance comparison

Azure Firewall Manager vs. Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Download the complete report

Helped 902,894 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Azure Firewall Manager

Ranking in Microsoft Security Suite

25th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Firewall Security Management (11th)

Microsoft Purview Data Gove...

Ranking in Microsoft Security Suite

14th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Governance (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2026, in the Microsoft Security Suite category, the mindshare of Azure Firewall Manager is 1.2%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Purview Data Governance is 4.6%, up from 4.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Microsoft Security Suite Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Purview Data Governance	4.6%
Azure Firewall Manager	1.2%
Other	94.2%

Microsoft Security Suite

Featured Reviews

Sikkander Batcha

DevOps Engineer at CloudIQ

Has managed traffic effectively but lacks visibility and advanced control features

Azure Firewall is typically behind other vendor firewalls because we don't see what kind of traffic is traveling through it. That is one drawback. The main drawback is that we need log support from Azure Firewall, which can be quite costly. There is no login feature in Azure Firewall because only the IAM feature is available in the Azure site; we manage it only through the Azure portal, not through any other portal. Other vendors, such as Palo Alto, provide GUI or CLI interfaces to manage their firewalls, whereas we only manage Azure Firewall through the Azure portal. In the future, I would like to see additional features in Azure Firewall Manager to make it more competitive, such as technologies like App-ID and User-ID that Palo Alto has. Azure Firewall currently only allows traffic based on layer four and sometimes layer seven, so they need to improve in those areas compared to other vendors.

Read full review

Ayinampudi Srikanth

Tech lead at a healthcare company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Automated data discovery has streamlined management while configuration remains complex

Compared to Big-ID, Microsoft Purview Data Governance looks complicated to me. I do not feel it has a good user-level UI. The interface feels a little complicated compared to Big-ID. I did not appreciate the configuration part. It felt complex, whereas when I went for a Big-ID demo, the interface looked better and was easier to understand for any user.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It has helped us in multiple ways; for example, we don't require different spaces to manage it, we can do a lot of automation integrations into the code, we could integrate it into the DevOps pipeline, and it has helped us with our time-to-market for a very specific product when we are actually deploying or upgrading."

"Azure Firewall Manager centralizes network security management with a hub and spoke architecture."

"The most valuable feature is the web firewall, as it is easy to install and does not require any plugins for your browser."

"The tool's support is good."

"We are utilizing Azure Entra ID for group labeling, so Active Directory, or now it is Entra ID, securing our application for everyone who accesses it, and Azure Firewall Manager is definitely securing our projects and all its features are fine."

"I would definitely recommend the solution to my clients, especially if one is using Azure Cloud."

"The solution has improved our organization with its firewall."

"The most valuable feature of Azure Firewall Manager is the testing and configuration."

More Azure Firewall Manager pros

"Overall, I would laud its ease of use, intuitive interface, and easy navigation."

"It is designed to seamlessly connect to various data sources, which is particularly beneficial for our customers who primarily use Microsoft technologies."

"The most significant value lies in its seamless integration into the Azure ecosystem, automating various processes and reducing operational burdens."

"The best part is that I can create classifications per my requirements. I use it to classify multiple platforms like AWS, GCP, Azure, and different file sharing systems."

"It starts off with records management, insider risk management, and information protection. And there is the discovery of the clouds, and we can get analytics on that as well, so that we know which user is using which cloud application and for how much time. The Activity explorer tells us which user was transferring out what data at what moment and on which device, including the serial number."

"The cataloging tool is definitely the most valuable... It tells you about all the data you have in your tables, which helps people understand our data. We now know what data we have."

"The feature that I find most valuable is its ability to block unintended data sharing, like forcing unencrypted emails to be encrypted. We're evolving technologically, so people aren't always working from their desks. Our people are on the move. We have data everywhere. For example, in airlines, they're mobile and working from one door to another. They can't carry a computer from one station to another. That's where a lot of airlines use iPads. Securing and integrating iPads is helpful."

"The data lineage feature stands out. It tracks where the data comes from and any changes made."

More Microsoft Purview Data Governance pros

Cons

"There should be a simple one-click deployment for a firewall, rather than a set of setup instructions that include steps such as the DNS configuration, et cetera."

"With Azure Firewall, the problem is that the NAT-ing still has to be improved."

"The tool's security features need to improve. It needs also to include a monitoring system for logs. It is also complicated to find a query on the Azure firewall."

"Azure charges for many aspects including scaling, automated scaling deployment, and traffic management, which leads to higher costs."

"We could do only one-way NAT-ing, where the traffic comes from outside to internal, to Azure, which is fine. However, when we actually do NAT-ed traffic to hit the firewall, that way is not working."

"Microsoft was unable to fully solve the problem with email phishing and spamming."

"For Azure Firewall Manager, the learning curve for new people is a bit challenging, but the integration should be more straightforward for configuring a centralized system."

"The configuration and settings require substantial time for learning, particularly for new users. Improvements in ease of configuration would benefit users significantly."

More Azure Firewall Manager cons

"As Microsoft Purview got a little more mature, the deployments got a little more complex, as we were kind of seeing that there are a lot of ways, like there were a hundred ways to do one thing or less."

"It supports only a limited number of tools and technologies that pertain to Microsoft products. If you want to leverage other solutions such as Workday or Oracle Fusion, features will be coming up, but as of now, it is for the Microsoft suite."

"Data quality has been a highly requested feature among customers."

"Microsoft Purview's compliance processes for handling various Mac and iOS devices could be significantly improved."

"The product must provide better integrations with OS X and iOS."

"Blueprints and landing zones like we have in Azure would be great to see in Purview. The solution could offer a baseline or blueprint of recommended settings for compliance regulations such as GDPR and ISO, which could be applied with a simple switch in the options."

"We've had a few issues with the scanner. It runs perfectly one day, and on another day, it will run the whole night. It's probably related to the rules. If I set some compliance rules and apply the rules to any column, I can't delete it. I have to disable it and reactivate it."

"There should be more clarity about the costing, particularly how the cost is calculated, especially when utilizing health reports and quality features."

More Microsoft Purview Data Governance cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is reasonable but it is reasonable for the features."

"The solution is certainly expensive in comparison with other cloud services."

"While Purview's standard pricing might not be accessible to most small businesses, we were fortunate to benefit from the educational pricing which made it a financially viable option for our needs."

"There is some competition out there, but the other solutions are quite expensive. They are enterprise tools that are a bit more mature but the license costs $100,000 for some of them. Purview is pay-per-use and a lot of companies are interested in that."

"We pay $15,000 per end user for the E5 license."

"Price-wise, I think it's very generous and accessible to not just enterprises but small to medium-sized companies as well. I think it's very fair in terms of how they break apart the storage and the actual computing, and that makes it very accessible. So, that is a very big plus for Purview."

"It's not cheap. I'm not exactly sure how much our license costs, but it is very expensive."

"I consider it cost-efficient because of the metrics it provides."

"The price is reasonable considering its value."

"The pricing is decent. It is neither too low nor too high. Given its capabilities, the pricing is justified."

More Microsoft Purview Data Governance pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Microsoft Security Suite solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

902,894 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Construction Company

11%

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

14%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	2

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	33

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure Firewall Manager?

The pricing for Azure Firewall Manager is expensive. In our project, we have used both Palo Alto Firewall and Azure Firewall. Azure charges for many aspects including scaling, automated scaling dep...

What needs improvement with Azure Firewall Manager?

What is your primary use case for Azure Firewall Manager?

My customers are using Azure Firewall Manager, so I'm learning from both documentation and practical knowledge. I usually recommend Azure Firewall Manager for projects such as an animal hospital pr...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Azure Purview?

Microsoft Purview Data Governance is quite affordable compared to other market solutions, which have high initial costs. It allows for a cost-effective start with negligible initial cost. However, ...

What needs improvement with Microsoft Azure Purview?

The features in the actual data governance could be improved, and I think there is room for improvement in the product. We haven't used role-based access control in a complex way; it's somehow embe...

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Azure Purview?

We are currently working with Microsoft Purview Data Governance and other Microsoft products. We are using Microsoft Purview Data Governance.

Azure Firewall vs Azure Firewall Manager

Comparisons

Compared 17% of the time

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) vs Azure Firewall Manager

Compared 14% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Azure Firewall Manager

Compared 12% of the time

AlgoSec vs Azure Firewall Manager

Compared 11% of the time

Palo Alto Networks Panorama vs Azure Firewall Manager

Compared 9% of the time

More Azure Firewall Manager Competitors

Collibra Platform vs Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Compared 22% of the time

Google Knowledge Catalog vs Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Compared 12% of the time

Varonis Platform vs Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Compared 6% of the time

Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) vs Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Compared 3% of the time

Netwrix Access Analyzer vs Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Compared 3% of the time

More Microsoft Purview Data Governance Competitors

Product Reports

Azure Firewall Manager

Download Azure Firewall Manager product report

Microsoft Purview Data Governance

Download Microsoft Purview Data Governance product report

Microsoft Purview Data Governance report

Also Known As

No data available

Microsoft Purview, MS Azure Purview

Overview

Azure Firewall Manager offers easy configuration, centralized management, and automatic scalability. Its integration with Azure Entra ID provides secure access, while Power BI facilitates centralized monitoring, contributing to its cloud-native benefits and reliable network management.

Azure Firewall Manager is recognized for its efficient security policy management and the ability to configure and test firewall settings across multiple locations. Its integration with Azure Kubernetes supports cloud environment security and the seamless migration of on-premise components to the cloud. With its hub-and-spoke architecture, users can detect threats and orchestrate policies more effectively, although integration with open-source tools and technical support responsiveness could be enhanced. Improvements in NAT capabilities and an AI-driven phishing prevention system would enhance its offering.

What are Azure Firewall Manager's key features?

Easy Configuration: Simplifies firewall setup without additional plugins.
Centralized Security Management: Streamlines policy management across locations.
Automatic Scalability: Adjusts resources to meet changing demands seamlessly.
Integration with Azure Entra ID: Provides secure user access control.
Hub and Spoke Architecture: Enables efficient threat detection and policy orchestration.

What benefits and ROI should users evaluate?

Cloud-Native Benefits: Offers stability and seamless integration with cloud environments.
Fair Pricing: Competitive cost structure, despite currency conversion challenges.
Simplified Monitoring: Uses Power BI for comprehensive security insights.
Enhanced Security: Protects against phishing and ransomware threats.

Azure Firewall Manager is widely implemented in industries like finance to secure applications and manage B2B interactions. This tool supports endpoint security, traffic management, and seamless orchestrations within cloud environments, ensuring robust protection against various threats.

Microsoft

Microsoft Purview Data Governance provides comprehensive data cataloging, lineage, and classification across multi-cloud environments, integrating seamlessly with Azure to enhance data management and compliance with flexible APIs.

Microsoft Purview Data Governance is designed to streamline data management processes through effective data cataloging, lineage tracking, and classification, all within multi-cloud environments. It supports seamless integration with Azure, enabling metadata consolidation and flexible API data exchange, which contributes to enhanced governance. The platform emphasizes critical compliance and security by offering real-time compliance visibility. Automation features, role-based security, and native app connectivity are included to optimize time and resource expenditure. Users appreciate AI-driven risk detection and customizable classifications, effectively managing sensitive information. However, areas for improvement include data quality features, better integration with non-Microsoft products, and enhancing its interface intuitiveness. Improvements are also sought for role management, compliance reporting, support for diverse data sources, efficient lineage tracking, DLP capabilities, documentation, integration with external cloud platforms, and training resources. Real-time notifications and enhanced scanning are highlighted for better data management.

What are the essential features?

Data Cataloging: Streamlines documenting and managing data assets
Data Lineage: Tracks data flow to ensure compliance and transparency
Data Classification: Identifies and categorizes data for improved management
Seamless Azure Integration: Facilitates smooth interaction with Microsoft's ecosystem
Flexible API Data Exchange: Allows easy data sharing across platforms

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Time Efficiency: Automation and native connectivity reduce manual tasks
Enhanced Security: Role-based access and real-time compliance visibility
AI-Driven Insights: Detects risks and manages sensitive data effectively
Workflow Improvement: Integration with Microsoft tools enhances processes

Industries implement Microsoft Purview Data Governance to leverage its data cataloging, lineage, and loss prevention capabilities. The tool assists in scanning and documentation of data sources, aiding in data classification, governance, and compliance. Integration with tools like Synapse and Power Platform enables streamlined data management and improved data security across cloud-based and on-premises environments.

Microsoft

Azure Firewall Manager vs. Microsoft Purview Data Governance