Get clear, hands-on control of your network without extra monthly fees.
You’ll find a compact device that packs powerful hardware into a small box. It supports gigabit speeds and gives you granular controls for devices on your home network.
Setup is simple: scan a QR code in the mobile app and you get access to features like parental controls, ad blocking, malware protection, and vulnerability scans across your entire network.
The unit runs fast thanks to a six-core CPU, DDR4 memory, and onboard Wi‑Fi. You can use it as a primary router or pair it with existing gear, keeping your internet stable while adding strong security and monitoring.
Upfront price sits at $359 with no subscription required, so long‑term costs often drop versus services that charge monthly. If you value device-level oversight and professional-grade protection, this device is worth a close look.
Quick Take: Is Firewalla Purple the right home network upgrade for you?
If you want more control than your stock gear offers, this upgrade gives clear device-level rules and traffic insight.
You’ll get strong parental controls, ad blocking, and useful data about each device on your network. Family-wide filters and one-tap Social Hour make managing gaming and social time simple.
The unit supports a gigabit connection and can sit behind or replace your modem or existing router. VPN support includes a built-in server plus clients for popular services, so you can secure traffic when you travel.
The app sends many notifications at first, but you can mute or tune alerts per device as you learn the settings. If you like fine control, you’ll value the deep features. If you want only basic Wi‑Fi, this may be more than you need.
- No subscription and a one-time price of $359, versus rivals that add about $99/year for advanced protection.
- Flexible setup process for standalone modems, gateway devices, or mesh systems.
- Improved call and streaming stability when Smart Queue manages traffic under load.
| Use case | Benefit | Who should consider |
|---|---|---|
| Parental controls | Family filters, Social Hour | Families with kids |
| Privacy | Built-in VPN server + client support | Remote workers and travelers |
| Network visibility | Per-device traffic and data insights | Power users and tech-savvy homeowners |
Design, hardware, and build quality
A small footprint hides a six‑core processor and the ports you need to secure and manage your network.
The compact box measures about 3cm x 6cm x 9cm and weighs just 110g. It has two 1G ethernet ports for WAN and LAN, a USB‑C power input, an unused USB‑A, a microSD slot, and a tiny reset pinhole.
Inside sits an Amlogic 922X six‑core CPU (1.9GHz), 2GB DDR4 RAM, and 16GB eMMC. Active cooling and side vents help keep the device from throttling under steady load.
- Compact chassis with clear port labeling for neat cabling.
- Dual‑band 2×2 802.11ac Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for quick setup.
- Status LEDs provide immediate health and connection feedback.
| Hardware | Spec | User benefit |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Amlogic 922X, 6 cores | Sustained inspection and policy enforcement |
| Memory & storage | 2GB DDR4, 16GB eMMC | Fast rule processing and local logs |
| I/O | 2x 1G ethernet ports, USB‑C, microSD | Simple WAN/LAN connection and expandability |
| Cooling | Small fan + vents | Stable performance during heavy traffic |
Getting started and setup experience
Getting the unit online is fast: power it via USB‑C, run an ethernet cable from your modem into WAN, then plug LAN to your switch or main node.
Open the mobile app (iOS/Android) and scan the QR code to pair. Bluetooth handles the first‑run process, so you avoid flaky temporary Wi‑Fi steps.
You can pick Router mode for full control and DHCP management, or Bridge mode to keep your current router handling IPs while adding visibility and protection.
- Devices show up quickly in the app with names and IPs so you can organize your LAN.
- Default scans alert you to vulnerabilities and odd flows; tweak notifications to reduce noise.
- Common settings like DNS, VLANs, and VPN can be enabled later as needed.
| Mode | Best for | Quick result |
|---|---|---|
| Router | Max control | End‑to‑end policies |
| Bridge | Keep existing modem router | Security visibility only |
| Mesh-friendly | Mesh systems | Clear wiring guides |
You can test internet speed and connection path after setup and rewire or flip modes later if you upgrade hardware. The process keeps your network flexible and manageable from day one.
Features that matter for everyday control and protection
A clear app and sensible defaults let you focus on family life, not complex settings.
You get practical features for daily use: family profile filters, Safe Search, and Social Hour to pause social apps at dinner or study time.
Granular controls let you block categories or specific services like TikTok and Discord by device or group. Schedules by hour and day make rules fit your routine.
- Network‑wide Ad Block with per‑group exemptions so streaming stays smooth.
- Open Port scanner, DNS over HTTPS, and continuous vulnerability scans for steady security and protection.
- VLAN support to isolate iot devices and New Device Quarantine to keep unknown gear off until approved.
- Smart Queue reduces bufferbloat so gaming, calls, and video stay responsive when many devices use bandwidth.
- Built‑in vpn server plus easy import guides for popular third‑party services to secure traffic that can’t run clients.
| Feature | Why it matters | Quick result |
|---|---|---|
| Parental controls | Block content, enforce Safe Search | Fewer distractions during key hours |
| Data & usage | Per‑device metrics and alerts | Spot heavy consumers and avoid ISP caps |
| Segmentation | VLANs & quarantine for IoT | Limits blast radius if a gadget is breached |
The software centralizes complex settings into readable toggles. You keep quick access to rules, device lists, and security services without digging through confusing menus.
Performance and app experience in real homes
In everyday homes it keeps streams, calls, and games running smoothly while watching traffic.
You can expect full gigabit throughput without obvious bottlenecks while the device inspects flows and enforces rules.
The mobile app shows connected devices with hostnames and IPs, plus graphs of data and clickable flows for quick drill‑downs.
Alerts arrive early and often. You can mute routine flags by site, domain, or IP so noise drops while truly odd activity stays visible.
Device Groups, policies, and New Device Quarantine make onboarding and ongoing controls simple and consistent across your network.
Smart Queue helps reduce bufferbloat so gaming and calls stay responsive during busy evenings. Remote access via the app is responsive both inside and outside your internet connection.
You can also route remote laptops and phones through the built‑in vpn for secure access when you travel.
- Full gigabit throughput while applying inspection and rules.
- Clear dashboards to spot noisy devices and drill into traffic.
- Tune alerts, manage policies centrally, and monitor iot devices over time.
| Metric | Result | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Throughput | Full gigabit | No obvious slowdowns |
| Latency | Improved with Smart Queue | Smoother gaming and calls |
| Management | Responsive app | Remote access and quick configuration |
Pricing, value, and how it compares
Upfront cost matters, so weigh what you pay now against subscriptions you’ll avoid later.
You can buy firewalla purple for about $359 on the maker’s site. TechRadar noted a short sale near $319 and an MSRP around $369.
This price is higher than many basic routers, but you avoid ongoing services that often cost about $99 per year. Over a few years, that saves money and lowers your total cost of ownership.
If you need more throughput and ports, step up to firewalla gold (~$478). For business gear, options like WatchGuard or Zyxel may cost more, use more power, or lack family‑friendly features.
You also get included software updates, VPN, DNS‑over‑HTTPS, and low power use for 24/7 operation. That matters if you run a modem and many devices on your network.
| Model | Approx. price | Notable tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| firewalla purple | $359 (site) | No subscription; strong per‑device controls |
| firewalla gold | ~$478 | More ports and throughput for heavier use |
| WatchGuard T15 | ~2x purple | Higher cost, weaker CPU, fewer home features |
| Zyxel USG Flex 100 | Similar | More Ethernet ports but older CPU, no Wi‑Fi |
Firewalla Purple Review: The Ultimate Home Firewall & Router Combo
This compact device blends gigabit performance with clear controls so you can protect every device on your network.
You get parental controls, ad blocking, VLAN segmentation, and a built‑in VPN server and clients. Setup is simple using the app and Bluetooth, and dual Wi‑Fi radios help with portability and local pairing.
Under the hood a six‑core CPU and 2GB of RAM sustain inspection without slowing your internet. Real‑world testers saw stable throughput and a responsive remote app for management and access.
- Enterprise‑grade features presented in an easy app.
- Unified policies that apply to all your devices.
- Ongoing software updates that improve protection over time.
| Strength | Why it matters | Quick result |
|---|---|---|
| Throughput & inspection | Six‑core CPU keeps speeds high | Gigabit without big slowdowns |
| Policy & parental controls | Per‑device rules and schedules | Fewer distractions and safer browsing |
| VPN & remote access | Server + client support | Private access to your network anywhere |
Conclusion
If you want clearer visibility and practical controls for every device on your network, this option delivers.
You’ll get strong features for families and power users: parental limits, ad blocking, VLANs for iot devices, and a built‑in vpn. Setup via the app is modern and quick, though you should expect a bit of tuning to mute routine alerts and refine rules.
Performance holds up at gigabit speeds, so gaming and streaming stay smooth while you inspect traffic. The upfront price is higher than basic products, but you avoid recurring service fees and gain long‑term software updates and support.
Buy it if you want consolidated control and data clarity across many devices; consider a higher‑end unit only if you need extra throughput or more ports.
