Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) vs Sophos Firewall (XGS)

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Sophos Firewall (XGS) take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.

View Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) Review View Sophos Firewall (XGS) Review

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Sophos Firewall (XGS) take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.

Overview

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Sophos Firewall (XGS) are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.

Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.

Next-gen firewall (SFOS on XGS appliances) with a built-in reverse-proxy Web Application Firewall via its Web Server Protection module; the active successor to the end-of-life Sophos UTM.

Quick Comparison

Feature Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) Sophos Firewall (XGS)
Overall Rating 4.1/5 3.8/5
Free Tier Yes Yes
Pricing Model Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license) Appliance plus subscription (varies by appliance and subscription bundle)
Ease of Use 4.3/5 3.9/5
Value for Money 4.2/5 4.0/5
Support 4.0/5 3.8/5
Open Source Yes No
Platforms WordPress (self-hosted) XGS Series hardware appliances, virtual (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM), software/Home Edition, and cloud (Firewall in AWS and Azure)
Compliance Contact vendor Common Criteria, FIPS-validated cryptography (model dependent)

Pricing Comparison

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)

Free Tier Available

Free

$0

Pro (1 site)

$99/year (~$8.25/month)

Pro (multi-site)

From $199/year

View full pricing →

Sophos Firewall (XGS)

Model: Appliance plus subscription (varies by appliance and subscription bundle)

Free Tier Available

Home Edition

Free

Xstream Protection (Commercial)

Custom pricing

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

  • Patchstack Firewall

    Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.

  • Two-Factor Authentication

    Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.

  • Passwordless Login

    Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).

  • Site Scanner

    Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.

  • File Change Detection

    Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.

  • Security Dashboard

    Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.

  • Trusted Devices

    Recognizes trusted devices and restricts admin access from unknown devices (Pro feature).

Sophos Firewall (XGS)

  • Reverse-Proxy WAF

    Apache-based reverse proxy that protects published web servers against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, directory traversal, and other common web attacks.

  • Form Hardening

    Signs and validates form fields to prevent manipulation of submitted web forms.

  • URL Hardening

    Restricts accessible URLs based on the learned structure of the protected application.

  • Cookie Signing

    Cryptographically signs cookies to detect and block tampering.

  • Reverse-Proxy Authentication

    Adds basic or form-based authentication policies in front of published web servers via WAF rules.

  • Antivirus Scanning

    Scans uploads and traffic to protected web servers for malware as part of Web Server Protection.

Which One Is Right for You?

The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

  • You need: WordPress agencies managing multiple sites, users wanting modern authentication features like passkeys, sites needing automatic virtual patching for plugin vulnerabilities
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You prefer open-source solutions
  • You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
Learn more →

Sophos Firewall (XGS)

  • You need: Organizations already running Sophos Firewall, businesses wanting WAF and network security in one appliance, home labs and educational users via the free Home Edition
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: XGS Series hardware appliances, virtual (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM), software/Home Edition, and cloud (Firewall in AWS and Azure)
Learn more →

We recommend evaluating both options with a trial or free tier before committing. Consider your existing infrastructure, team expertise, compliance requirements, and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for startups: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?

Both Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Sophos Firewall (XGS) offer free tiers, making them accessible for startups. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Sophos Firewall (XGS) (3.8/5). However, support quality can vary based on your plan tier - enterprise customers typically receive more responsive support from both providers. Consider evaluating support during a trial period.

Which is easier to implement: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5) versus Sophos Firewall (XGS) (3.9/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?

Both providers offer free tiers, making it easy to start without commitment. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which works better with AWS: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?

Sophos Firewall (XGS) explicitly supports AWS while Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)'s AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.