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WatchGuard Firebox Reviews

Vendor: WatchGuard
4.2 out of 5
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What is WatchGuard Firebox?

WatchGuard Firebox is a high-performance firewall known for its ease of setup, offering robust security with layered protection and centralized management capabilities.

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WatchGuard Firebox is the #4 ranked solution in top Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software, #4 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, #5 ranked solution in top Application Control solutions, #7 ranked solution in top Anti-Malware Tools, #11 ranked solution in top Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, #11 ranked solution in best firewalls, and #18 ranked solution in EDR tools. PeerSpot users give WatchGuard Firebox an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. WatchGuard Firebox is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: WatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGate. WatchGuard Firebox is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 46% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 13% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
WatchGuard Firebox
December 2025
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WatchGuard Firebox mindshare

Product category:
Firewalls
As of December 2025, the mindshare of WatchGuard Firebox in the Firewalls category stands at 2.7%, down from 2.9% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Firewalls Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
WatchGuard Firebox2.7%
Fortinet FortiGate19.1%
OPNsense11.5%
Other66.7%
Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on WatchGuard Firebox reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryFirewallsDec 30, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersDec 30, 2025Download
ComparisonWatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGateDec 30, 2025Download
ComparisonWatchGuard Firebox vs Netgate pfSenseDec 30, 2025Download
ComparisonWatchGuard Firebox vs OPNsenseDec 30, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Fortinet FortiGate4.219.1%92%580 interviewsAdd to research
CrowdStrike Falcon4.3N/A97%136 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated Oct 26, 2025

Valuable Features

WatchGuard Firebox's key features include ease of setup, a user-friendly GUI, robust VPN capabilities, and WebBlocker for URL filtering. Users praise its powerful reporting tools and excellent throughput. Integration with Active Directory enhances security management. Advanced threat detection features and layered security make it a dependable choice. The intuitive interface aids in simplifying network management, and its geolocation services allow blocking specific countries' traffic, enhancing security. High availability ensures network reliability, while seamless integration offers smooth operations.
  • "The technical support of WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response is generally helpful; we have had two issues related to the VPN, and we experienced 24/7 activity from their team—their support was very powerful as they responded very quickly and stayed online with us for two days."
  • "WatchGuard Firebox simplifies my job through the policies we can define, and when we create a policy, it simplifies our workflow, which helps with our overall efficiency."
  • "The stability of WatchGuard Firebox is good."

Room for Improvement

WatchGuard Firebox needs enhancements in integration with third-party vendors, better cloud-based management, and improved reporting capabilities. Users find the interface complex and not user-friendly, leading to challenges in configuration and management. Training and support resources lack comprehensive accessibility, while pricing and renewal fees are concerns. Improved threat detection, more intuitive policy management, and better mobile device connectivity are desired. Some experience difficulties with VPN reliability and technical support responsiveness, impacting overall satisfaction.
  • "It is also difficult to diagnose issues if any devices get compromised; for example, if someone hacks our system, it becomes hard to trace who made changes or accessed the firewall."
  • "It is also difficult to diagnose issues if any devices get compromised; for example, if someone hacks our system, it becomes hard to trace who made changes or accessed the firewall."
  • "The main problem that WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response has is that they use several tools to do the same tasks, and they are sometimes very complicated to use and very slow."

ROI

WatchGuard Firebox provides significant cost savings and reduced maintenance time, enhancing network security. It frequently demonstrates its value by efficiently blocking threats and simplifying processes like VPN management. Many users experience a notable decrease in administrative workload, faster troubleshooting, and increased service uptime. The device's security features prevent network issues, yielding a strong return on investment, particularly in threat prevention and network performance enhancement, while ensuring productivity improvement by controlling network usage.

Pricing

WatchGuard Firebox offers competitive pricing, especially when bundled with three-year licenses, which provide significant discounts and hardware upgrades. It competes effectively with other brands like SonicWall and Barracuda, often being more cost-effective for features like Intrusion Prevention and endpoint protection. Licensing costs include subscriptions for security features such as Total Security Suite, with managed service options available. Pricing scales based on feature sets and user numbers, appealing to both small and midsize businesses.
  • "For what we use, the tool's price has been reasonable, but it is not the cheapest. The tool has been quite reasonable."
  • "I think the tool is quite competitive compared to the other brands."
  • "It's an affordable tool"

Popular Use Cases

WatchGuard Firebox is primarily used for network security and VPN connectivity across multiple sites. Organizations deploy it to protect data, control traffic and applications, and manage security protocols. It offers features like antivirus, anti-spyware, intrusion prevention, and web blocking. Often used as a firewall and UTM device, it supports integration with cloud services, enabling secure connections for remote branches and facilitating compliance and data protection within various industries.

Service and Support

Customers describe WatchGuard Firebox support as responsive and knowledgeable. They quickly address issues, leverage a reliable ticket system, and provide good phone support. Some note occasional delays, especially across different time zones. Many appreciate the helpfulness and professionalism of the team. Though most feedback is positive, a few mention areas for improvement. The team earns high ratings for efficiency and solving problems promptly.

Deployment

User feedback highlighted a generally easy initial setup for WatchGuard Firebox, emphasizing its intuitive GUI and automatic system checks for device-specific configurations. Pre-existing knowledge aids speed, though novices may experience a learning curve. Experts find deployment swift, often under an hour. Some noted challenges with complex network configurations. Once familiar with the interface and settings, users described the process as efficient, aided by strong documentation and support resources.

Scalability

Many users find WatchGuard Firebox highly scalable, allowing upgrades for increased user capacity. It supports diverse environments, with models catering to different business sizes. Some express concerns about hardware limitations for specific high-demand applications, suggesting upgrades necessary for larger-scale use. Transition between models and managing configurations are generally straightforward. There are performance reservations related to CPU usage under heavy load, but scalability is typically rated positively, especially for small to medium enterprises.

Stability

WatchGuard Firebox is often described as stable, highly reliable, and requiring minimal reboots. Many users report it performs consistently without crashes or freezes. Some note occasional hardware issues or need for reboots after power outages but highlight quick resolutions. A few encountered performance variance, potentially due to network environments or older units. Most rate its stability at eight or nine out of ten, praising WatchGuard for maintaining reliability over extended periods.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our WatchGuard Firebox Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business76
Midsize Enterprise16
Large Enterprise12
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business580
Midsize Enterprise262
Large Enterprise424
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Retailer
6%
Financial Services Firm
5%
Educational Organization
5%
Hospitality Company
5%
Outsourcing Company
4%
Performing Arts
4%
University
4%
Government
4%
Real Estate/Law Firm
4%
Construction Company
3%
Healthcare Company
3%
Wholesaler/Distributor
3%
Media Company
2%
Non Profit
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Energy/Utilities Company
2%
Legal Firm
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Marketing Services Firm
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Agriculture
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%

Compare WatchGuard Firebox with alternative products

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Learn more about WatchGuard Firebox

WatchGuard Firebox stands out for its intuitive management and high throughput, addressing security needs with features like VPN, web filtering, and threat detection. Its centralized control and reporting abilities, along with Active Directory integration, make it popular among varied organizations. Its user-friendly interface and ongoing updates enhance usability and reliability. However, there's a call for better cloud-based administration, scalability, and improved integration with third-party vendors.

What are the key features of WatchGuard Firebox?
  • Ease of Setup: Quick and straightforward installation process.
  • GUI: User-friendly graphical interface for simplified navigation.
  • VPN Features: Secure and efficient virtual private network management.
  • Web Filtering: Advanced filtering for safer browsing experiences.
  • Threat Detection: Proactive monitoring and detection of cyber threats.
What benefits or ROI should be evaluated?
  • Centralized Control: Streamlined management from a single point.
  • High Throughput: Efficient data handling and processing capacity.
  • Stable Performance: Consistent and reliable operational functionality.
  • Active Directory Integration: Seamless connection with user directories.
  • Customer Service: Strong support service for customer inquiries.

WatchGuard Firebox is implemented across industries to secure internet gateways and protect data in multi-site businesses. Its applications span from Unified Threat Management (UTM) and intrusion prevention to compliance support in business environments requiring secure connectivity through VPNs.

WatchGuard Firebox was previously known as WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response, WatchGuard Application Control, WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention, WatchGuard Gateway AntiVirus, WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service.

WatchGuard Firebox customers

Ellips, Diecutstickers.com, Clarke Energy, NCR, Wrest Park, Homeslice Pizza, Fortessa Tableware Solutions, The Phoenix Residence

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Product Categories

Product Categories
Firewalls
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
Anti-Malware Tools
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Application Control
Unified Threat Management (UTM)

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WatchGuard Firebox Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS2.5I've used WatchGuard Firebox for five years; it's stable and user-friendly, but lacks advanced features, struggles with throughput, and is hard to troubleshoot. Support is good once reached, but overall, it's less competitive than alternatives.
Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees4.5I rely on WatchGuard Firebox for network protection and appreciate its efficient technical support, but the high cost and limited mobile coverage are drawbacks. While similar to other firewalls, incorporating SASE features could enhance its appeal.
Owner at It logic4.0I use WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention in the banking sector for security, particularly enjoying its SD WAN capabilities and ROI. However, the steep renewal cost in India is problematic. I also use pfSense occasionally.
Digital Solution Designer at Accenture3.5I've used WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response for three years; while it's affordable and has strong support, I find it complex to manage compared to Palo Alto, with overlapping tools and lacking unified firewall management.
Country Head at LS Systems Philippines4.0The WatchGuard Firebox excels in threat prevention with seamless XDR and MDR integration for customers, yet struggles with visibility in regions like Pakistan due to limited marketing efforts and certifications, affecting its ability to attract talent and expand market reach.
Solution Architect at Simvicitsolutions4.5We serve diverse clients in education and various sectors using WatchGuard Firebox. Its features like network security, VPN, and intrusion prevention impress me, though grouping IPs needs improvement. Configuring threat detection and protection posed no issues.
Senior IT Tech at PCSL4.5WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response offers fantastic basic functionality and easy deployment with network visibility. However, it lacks detailed threat assessments compared to competitors like Rapid7. Despite this, its simplicity shines, especially for firewall configuration and support.
Chief Information Technology Officer / Head Emel at a government with 1-10 employees4.0We use WatchGuard Firebox for security management and VPN due to its ease of use and budget-friendly pricing. It transitioned us from Sangfor due to its intuitive features, though improvements in its interface and IPv6 management would be beneficial.