I've been using the free Outpost firewall for over a year now with no problems whatsoever. Compared to the other free firewalls this is certainly one of the best. It is low on resources, non-intrusive, very sensitive to any unauthorized changes made on the system. I'm satisfied with this product.

Before you can claim that this is the best free firewall, try first to test it on a firewall security site of your choice. Stealth mode does not work (although GUI says it is enabled!), some primitive methods of hacker attack are still allowed, and a considerable number of ports are left open. If this is the best, then how the worst looks like? :(

The challenge this year (2010) is for firewall software developers to create a free firewall as good or better than outpost with regular updates

6 months in vista sp2, once learned it makes no noise. NEED A UPDATE LIKE THE REST! and version info on web site. day 1 s**t.

Read carefully ! As this firewall leaks alot of yor priv. info to websites you visit. This is a dangerous program. By default, allows your computer to be used as a server by other applications. By default, publishes your NetBios information.
By default, you cannot uninstall this program without first going to their site and providing them with your usage data. While this program is purportedly "running in the background," it is leaking everything about you to every site you visit. You should be very cautious and very frightened about using this program. This is real people if your serious about your security, dont be fooled by there "paid expert testimony."

as others have stated, it needs to be updated. Still...you get what you (didn\'t) pay for...an excellent firewall for Vista x64.

To the managing director of Agnitum, all 28,446 people that I have download this software would like you to update this free version

thanks very good

Judging by editorial content and popular acclaim this is the best free firewall available, brought to you by the crew that gave the world Tauscan way back in the 90's.

There are two serious considerations, though: 1) From their forum FAQ: "Agnitum does intend to update bug fixes in the Free version as the Pro version progresses but since no update functionality is available the free version will require downloading the newest version, reinstalling and possibly reconfiguring the firewall rules anew." 2) Free is v6.5.1 and was released in April, 2009 and the current Pro is v6.7. Ponder that Free has not been updated since then while the latest Pro hails from July 27 as of this writing. Outside of screenshots and some paid-product comparisons, the Free site is completely devoid of version release details or news.

This is not to say Free is obsolete in any way; both it and Pro are version 6.x and the latter seems to have gained more in user functionality and OS compatibility. In addition to an anti-spyware module, Pro adds "Attack Detection" which "automatically blocks KNOWN (emphasis mine) types of hacker attacks from entering your computer." Each of these can be provided by a good anti-malware program, some of them also free (Avira, Avast, AVG...) which you should be using anyhow. Free does use an excellent HIPS offering superb protection against real-time hacking from UNknown threats.

That said, Free installed on my WinXPproSP3 system without a hitch. It can be set to church quiet for Aunt Petunia's computer or you can pop open the hood and tweak it for alerts and popups for just about anything a geeky power user would desire. It has the best freeware help I've seen in a while; both a highly detailed Windows Help file is included and the Settings dialogues support pointer "What's this?" Agnitum's Web Knowledge Base includes references to Free. The online forum will politely address issues posted up by Free users, but its there for Pro users, as in paying customers.

Bottom line: a classic dichotomy... one of the best you can get; you get what you pay for.

Excellent software. the developer should update outpost from time to time. Looking forward to the 2010 update

I've started using this firewall a few weeks ago, and I can tell you that it does a great job. Personally, I think this is one of the best firewalls so far. I would recommend you to put the firewall policy in block most and Host protection - advanced. It will allow only the programs that you know and use. It works great, absolutely not heavy on resources, sensitive to any unauthorized changes to your system, and I have also tried and uninstalled it with no problems at all. I would recommend this firewall to everybody because it's unobtrusive though with a strong protection. It is very easy to use and you can configure it to your needs.

This is a dangerous and pernicious program. By default, allows your computer to be used as a server by other applications. By default, publishes your NetBios information.
By default, you cannot uninstall this program without first going to their site and providing them with your usage data. While this program is purportedly "running in the background," it is leaking everything about you to every site you visit. You should be very cautious and very frightened about using this program.

excellent free firewall,after experiencing serious problems with online armour countless times and versions and problems comodo pro frree conflicts ect pleasure to have a firewall that gives NO PROBLEMS at all!!

Excellent firewall!

To keep your configuration just download the updated version and install it, it will ask you if you want to keep your config!
It's the best firewall!

No issues, far better than Comodo firewall was, a keeper! System runs fine, no slowdowns, very nice.

The best free firewall out there.

missing export configuration, BUT THE BEST FREE FW!