Azure Firewall Manager vs Microsoft Purview Information Protection comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Azure Firewall Manager and Microsoft Purview Information Protection are both solutions in the Microsoft Security Suite category. Azure Firewall Manager is ranked #25 with an average rating of 9.3, while Microsoft Purview Information Protection is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.1. Azure Firewall Manager holds a 1.4% mindshare in Microsoft Security Suite, compared to Microsoft Purview Information Protection’s 2.4% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Azure Firewall Manager users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of Microsoft Purview Information Protection users who would recommend it.

Azure Firewall Manager

Read 9 Azure Firewall Manager reviews

1,835 Views
954 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Microsoft Purview Informati...

Read 22 Microsoft Purview Information Protection reviews

4,974 Views
1,542 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Azure Firewall Manager

Microsoft Purview Informati...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Azure Firewall Manager and Microsoft Purview Information Protection based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Microsoft Security Suite solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Firewall Manager vs. Microsoft Purview Information Protection Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Azure Firewall Manager vs. Microsoft Purview Information Protection

September 2026

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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 (10th)

Microsoft Purview Informati...

Ranking in Microsoft Security Suite

12th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Data Governance (7th), Data Privacy Management Software (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Microsoft Security Suite category, the mindshare of Azure Firewall Manager is 1.4%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Purview Information Protection is 2.4%, up from 1.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Microsoft Security Suite Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Purview Information Protection	2.4%
Azure Firewall Manager	1.4%
Other	96.2%

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

Abhi T

Associate Director at LTI - Larsen & Toubro Infotech

Achieve comprehensive data protection with reliable performance and room for enhanced discovery accuracy

The product is still in a growing phase. I could see that many use cases in their product are not capable enough in terms of detecting or protecting. Compared to other products, they are in the middle of bringing their solution up to the mark, so it is not a full-grown solution. They have to get more accurate results in terms of data discovery and classification. The second thing is their support; support from Microsoft takes a lot of time to get a response from their support team. The third thing is their OCR capability is not that great in terms of identifying the documents. We would love to see response times of less than 24 hours. Additionally, there is no way to check the policy's current status in terms of whether it got synced or not. You have to wait and test the use cases after 24 hours or after 48 hours, and once it starts working, then it appears the policy got implemented.

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

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

"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."

"The best feature of Azure Firewall Manager is that it is easy to maintain and configure."

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

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

"The tool's support is good."

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

"From a traffic management perspective, it's a good firewall because it's automatically scalable based on the traffic availability."

More Azure Firewall Manager pros

"I think Purview is incredibly stable."

"Incorporating data loss prevention capabilities built into the Microsoft platform to endpoints, such as Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, can also help prevent data loss and is highly advantageous."

"I recommend Microsoft Purview Information Protection for organizations using the Microsoft ecosystem."

"My advice to other organizations considering this product is that it is best in the business if you are a heavy Microsoft shop."

"Purview saves customers time by offering them a quick way to assess a situation and insights into how to improve."

"Microsoft Purview Information Protection supports data classification, sensitivity labels, and data loss prevention."

"My favorite feature about Microsoft Purview Information Protection is how it applies to everything generally, so I don't have to do it manually."

"I created training materials for end users on applying different labels, explaining their purposes, and providing examples. This was crucial since end users would apply the labels in different protection scenarios. The implementation helped the organization in several ways."

More Microsoft Purview Information Protection pros

Cons

"The solution can improve the integration with open-source tools."

"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."

"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."

"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."

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

"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."

"The cost is a significant concern because we are in a region where the dollar is not our default currency, and converting to dollars makes it very expensive."

More Azure Firewall Manager cons

"I had experience with previous versions of Microsoft Purview Information Protection as well. The new version doesn't have all the features that were present in the previous native clients and functionalities. For example, the ability to track documents - knowing where your document is, who is accessing it, when and where. You could even revoke access to a particular document if needed, which was a cool feature. These aren't available right now, although Microsoft is working on bringing them back, which might take some time."

"Microsoft customer service is hit or miss. Sometimes, I get a fast and knowledgeable response, while other times, I've experienced delays and received no resolution."

"Our primary concern is third-party application visibility. Many people choose other DLP tools, as they can search the Office 365 suite and detect sensitive information across thousands of other apps. The product is weak compared to the competitors on the DLP front, but the classification is good; the tool needs a bit more maturation."

"There should be more training and communication regarding new features. I may be missing those communications, but it often seems like changes happen in the Purview portal without notice. Having a roadmap or updates about new releases would be helpful for demonstrating to clients. If things are constantly changing, I sometimes look silly when I log in, and things have moved or changed."

"We don't trust Microsoft Purview Information Protection yet."

"In my opinion, Microsoft Purview Information Protection can be improved by having a more seamless user experience and ease of use in protecting both structured and unstructured data."

"I have not had much luck or much experience with the comprehensiveness of the data classification abilities in Microsoft Purview Information Protection, including identifying categories and sensitive information."

"There is room for improvement with the policy tips feature."

More Microsoft Purview Information Protection cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

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

"The pricing and setup costs are transferred to my clients, who find it affordable and are satisfied with what they receive."

"The tool's pricing is not a problem for customers because they often purchase it as part of a bundle. With an E5 license, for example, users get access to the entire functionality. This is one of the main reasons why many customers are choosing Microsoft."

"The tool's pricing is fairly low, less than 100,000 for a year."

"The product is affordable, and our clients agree. Sensitivity labels come with the MIP license at an additional $2 a month per user, an excellent deal for auto-labeling capabilities."

"Initially, Purview's cost seemed quite high because it was for personal use. I was scanning a tiny tenant and thinking, "If I extrapolate this to an enterprise-scale tenant, it will be quite costly." However, I talked to people who had compared it to other products on the market, and they're spending five figures to get started. At least, Purview has a free trial, so you can try some of the features early on."

"The price is determined by the enterprise licensing, either the E3 or E5 licensing or the EMS plus security and other feature licensing."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

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	5
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	15

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...

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What needs improvement with Azure Firewall Manager?

See all answers

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...

See all answers

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

It is reasonable from what I can say right now because we are using most of the Microsoft tools right now. We are using the managed SQL server of Microsoft. We are using Microsoft Purview Informati...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft Purview Information Protection?

In my opinion, Microsoft Purview Information Protection can be improved by having a more seamless user experience and ease of use in protecting both structured and unstructured data.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Purview Information Protection?

My main use case for using Microsoft Purview Information Protection is protecting our unstructured files.

See all answers

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management vs Microsoft Purview Information Protection

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure Firewall Manager

October 2026

Download Azure Firewall Manager product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Purview Information Protection

September 2026

Microsoft Purview Information Protection report

Download Microsoft Purview Information Protection product report

Also Known As

No data available

Microsoft Information Protection

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 Information Protection offers sensitivity labels, automated classification, and encryption to protect data across platforms while integrating with M365, Azure, and AWS to prevent unauthorized access and enhance data governance.

Microsoft Purview Information Protection supports compliance with regulatory standards through features like data loss prevention and intuitive DLP rules. It integrates with multiple platforms such as M365, Azure, and AWS for extensive data protection. The platform helps manage sensitive data through automated labeling and effective policy deployment. While there are areas needing improvement like third-party integration, API support, and policy enforcement consistency, Purview remains a powerful tool for businesses to assess data usage and reduce unauthorized access.

What are the key features of Microsoft Purview Information Protection?

Sensitivity Labels: Facilitates the classification and labeling of data to safeguard sensitive information.
Automated Classification: Automatically classifies data based on content to streamline data security processes.
Encryption: Provides encryption solutions across platforms for robust data protection.
DLP Rules: Offers intuitive data loss prevention rules to minimize the risk of data breaches.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with M365, Azure, and AWS, enhancing interoperability and efficiency.

What benefits should users expect when evaluating Microsoft Purview Information Protection?

Compliance Support: Helps organizations adhere to regulatory requirements efficiently.
Enhanced Data Security: Protects sensitive data with sensitivity labels and encryption.
Operational Efficiency: Facilitates data governance with automated labeling and reporting.
Data Loss Prevention: Minimizes unauthorized data exposure through efficient DLP rules.

Companies across various industries implement Microsoft Purview Information Protection to apply sensitivity labels to emails and cloud content like OneDrive and SharePoint. It's utilized for data classification, loss prevention, and governance. Microsoft partners use it for SAP integration and compliance assessments, while consultants focus on protecting and managing data efficiently for clients centered around Microsoft solutions.

Microsoft

Buyer's Guide

Azure Firewall Manager vs. Microsoft Purview Information Protection

September 2026

Free Report: Azure Firewall Manager vs. Microsoft Purview Information Protection

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