Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs WatchGuard Firebox comparison

Netskope and WatchGuard are both solutions in the Data Loss Prevention (DLP) category. Netskope is ranked #14 with an average rating of 8.8, while WatchGuard is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.0. Additionally, 83% of Netskope users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of WatchGuard users who would recommend it.

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 9, 2025

WatchGuard Firebox and Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) are competitors in the cybersecurity field, with WatchGuard focusing on network security and Netskope specializing in data protection. WatchGuard is recognized for its cost-effectiveness and integration capabilities, offering a broad range of security features. In contrast, Netskope stands out for its advanced data protection capabilities, justifying its higher pricing.

Features: WatchGuard Firebox offers firewall protection, advanced malware detection, and the ease of integrating with existing IT infrastructure. Netskope DLP provides advanced content filtering, sensitive data identification capabilities, and focuses on cloud security for superior data loss prevention.

Room for Improvement: WatchGuard could benefit from enhanced data protection features to match those of Netskope. Additional user training resources could improve the usability and deployment experience. Netskope could enhance ease of deployment and provide more intuitive user interfaces, as its setup can be complex. Performance improvements in handling large amounts of data could also be beneficial for Netskope.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: WatchGuard Firebox is appreciated for its straightforward deployment and user-friendly setup process. Its customer service is reliable, enhancing overall user satisfaction. Netskope DLP, while stellar in data protection, involves a more complicated deployment process, potentially requiring additional support, which may lead to challenges in user adoption despite its robust customer service.

Pricing and ROI: WatchGuard Firebox is favored for its competitive pricing and significant ROI, making it attractive for budget-conscious businesses needing comprehensive security solutions. Netskope's premium pricing is deemed worthy for its advanced data protection capabilities, offering high ROI through safeguarding sensitive cloud-based information, although it may not fit within all budgets.

To learn more, read our detailed Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs. WatchGuard Firebox Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs. WatchGuard Firebox

December 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 881,114 peers since 2012

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

Fortinet FortiGate

Featured Reviews

Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

A stable solution with an intuitive interface and quick customer service

I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate, WatchGuard, Sophos, and SonicWall. I'm not as comfortable with SonicWall because of their UI and limitations. I prefer Fortinet above all other options. When it comes to configuration, I am confident in my ability to handle various tasks, including creating policies such as firewall rules, web policies, and application policies. Additionally, I can configure VPNs and implement load balancing, among other tasks. Overall, I feel much more comfortable working with Fortinet. Fortinet has made significant improvements by integrating AI with firewalls for threat analysis and prevention. In the past 2-3 years, they have launched FortiSASE and SIEM, and they also provide SOC services. Both Palo Alto and Fortinet FortiGate are excellent. While Fortinet FortiGate comes at higher prices, the functionality and support justify the cost. They promptly resolve firmware issues and inform all support providers about configuration changes.

Read full review

reviewer1595751

Information Security Manager at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees

Has improved sensitive data detection while requiring better support for data-at-rest scanning and classification

Data in transit works quite well and operates in near real-time. However, data at rest scanning operates under separate licensing, and it would be beneficial to examine applications where the location of sensitive data is unknown. Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) could improve data-at-rest scanning capabilities. Regarding DLP-specific improvements, data-at-rest scanning could be enhanced in terms of the applications supported, as coverage is currently limited to a restricted set of enterprise applications. Expanding application coverage would be beneficial. Additionally, data-at-rest scans should be made easier and faster to execute. Most solutions lack Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) functionality, and this capability is not yet mature. A significant limitation is that Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) does not support out-of-the-box data classification. Third-party integrations must be relied upon instead, whereas having built-in data classification support would be advantageous.

Read full review

Pedro Soteras

CEO at ajuntament del Prat

Network protection has improved with stronger VPN connectivity but administration remains complex

Deploying WatchGuard Firebox was quite easy, but we have had some problems regarding the VPN and the administration of the tool and the two firewalls that we have. When comparing WatchGuard Firebox with our previous solution, Palo Alto, we have had some problems in administration because of the tools. I think that they have some aspects in their system that are cloud-provided, but they also have an on-premise solution, which makes this combination good. Although I should say that when compared to Palo Alto, we have taken a step backwards. In general, I would rate WatchGuard Firebox around 6-7; it is a good firewall, but they lack good administration tools. We experience many problems with the performance and administration tools on the web, including several issues with VPNs.

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

"By utilizing features such as dynamic path selection and application-aware routing, we've been able to reduce latency for critical applications such as VoIP and video by 20-30% during peak times."

"The most significant aspect of IPS is self-explanatory as it primarily focuses on intrusion prevention, which is crucial for Fortinet's internal outbreak prevention efforts and ensuring compliance on endpoint devices."

"Unified Threat Management (UTM) features."

"The most valuable features are the possibility of having one fabric for switching on security."

"Fortinet FortiGate's reliability is valuable."

"The most valuable feature is the bundled subscription, which is IPS, TV and web filtering."

"The interface is user-friendly, so it's easy to add policies and block traffic."

"FortiGate is more feature-rich and has a broader range of hardware. T"

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"The product is flexible."

"The product provides visibility to manage sensitive data and control access."

"The Real-Time Analytics and Reporting capabilities of Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) are good and up to the mark."

"Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) provides predefined templates, indexed data matching, EDM, and OCR capabilities, and the role functionality provides significant information, and considerable automation has been built on top of the platform using the available APIs."

"I find Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) easier and more appealing than Zscaler."

"Some of the most valuable features of the Firebox include web blocking, application control, protection against brute force attacks, load balancing, SD-WAN, and VPN support. These features help us manage and secure our network efficiently."

"It also provides us with layered security. It has onboard virus scanning features that allow it to scan before something gets to the host. It will also stop a person from going to a site that is known to be bad."

"It protects me against malicious websites, as well as malicious downloads, as a perimeter anti-virus. I've also seen it blocking a lot of pings and different probes."

"It does the job of what it says it does. We set it to what we want it to block and then it blocks it."

"Regarding the reporting, I was in the Dimension server earlier today. It's very powerful. I like it. And the management features are easy to use. I like the fact that I can open up the System Manager client or I can just do it through the web if I'm making a quick change."

"The VPN and the filtering features are the most valuable. Its VPN is very strong, and its services are very nice. The main problem in India is the service. There are not enough Check Point and Fortinet Firewall services, but for this product, the service is very good."

"One of my favorite features is the Geolocation service, where you can actually block specific activity or IP addresses registered to certain countries. For example, I don't want any web traffic from Russia or North Korea. I may even lock down certain policies down to 'I only want U.S. IP addresses.' I find that very useful."

"Basically, we have received a good return on investment."

More WatchGuard Firebox pros

Cons

"The solution can have more features in a single box that can be multi-applied to integrate everything."

"The initial setup is medium complex and takes between five days and a week."

"From my experience, I see that the datasheets of the Fortinet FortiGate portfolio need to be more accurate because correct sizing is essential."

"The solution's GUI is not very appealing."

"The cloud features and integration could be improved."

"There is room for improvement in being proactive about identifying and integrating new signatures."

"The reporting was limited."

"Scalability is one of the disadvantages. When it comes to scalability, you have to actually change the box. If you want to upgrade it, you need to actually change the existing box and probably you take the system off to other sites."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"I have not seen any benefits from this real-time analysis at this time."

"Technical support has been rated low. Numerous bugs have been discovered in terms of functionality, and the support team takes considerable time to resolve these issues."

"The product should be compatible with multiple file formats."

"Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) can be improved primarily because we were looking for any other provider due to the ZTNA feature that we were scoping from Netskope."

"I rate the pricing a seven out of ten. The pricing is moderate."

"Last year, I had an issue with one of the Fireboxes going down. It was overheated, because my server room became overheated and this fried it."

"Particularly in India, the cost for renewal after three years is 75% of the hardware cost, which is a significant problem."

"When working with WatchGuard, specifically in configuring Panda Security on the portal for the first time, it was challenging for me."

"The user interface and configuration can be improved."

"Reporting is something you've got to set up separately. It's one of those things that you've got to put some time into. One of the options is to set up a local report server, which is what I did. It's not great. It's okay... Some of the stuff is a little complicated to get up and running. Once you do, it becomes very user-friendly and easy to work with, but I find there are some implementation headaches with some of their stuff."

"WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention needs to improve its support."

"There are a couple of things I wished that it would do, but I can't think of those off the top of my head."

"The few issues that we have had, such as not knowing where to go, they have been answered quickly."

More WatchGuard Firebox cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is an annual license to use this solution. The prices have been increasing over the years."

"They are more expensive than others."

"I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive."

"As far as I'm aware, in our case, it's just a yearly pricing arrangement with no additional licensing costs."

"The license is too expensive to renew. The license renewal process is also complex."

"It is expensive. You need to pay for the subscription every year, which is very expensive. The subscription includes technical support and hardware exchange in case of failure."

"The pricing is based on a licensing model for each IPS in your environment."

"In terms of the market, it's not a cheap product, but it's cost-effective."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"The pricing is moderate."

"WatchGuard Firebox is a cheap solution."

"The solution is cheap."

"I usually tell people that it's really affordable as well, particularly compared to Cisco."

"I think the larger firewall packages are much better because a normal firewall is not enough for these times. You need IPS, APT, and all the security features of a firewall that you can buy."

"The price is comparable."

"The price of WatchGuard is very good."

"It is not expensive. Other products like Fortinet and Check Point are of the same price."

"They have an annual subscription license. Initially, we had opted for three years. After that, we went for another three years, and after that, we have been doing it yearly. They also have a license for five years."

More WatchGuard Firebox pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

881,114 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	357
Midsize Enterprise	133
Large Enterprise	188

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	92
Midsize Enterprise	27
Large Enterprise	15

Questions from the Community

Which is the better NGFW: Fortinet Fortigate or Cisco Firepower?

When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage a...

See all answers

What is the biggest difference between Sophos XG and FortiGate?

From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know...

See all answers

What are the biggest technical differences between Sophos UTM and Fortinet FortiGate?

As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Data in transit works quite well and operates in near real-time. However, data at rest scanning operates under separa...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is being used as a Secure Services Engine (SSE) solution for the CASB solution, S...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Remediation involves blocking specific communications when users attempt to upload sensitive information. Users shoul...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

We are providing our services to all WatchGuard customers in the region.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

We just use it as a secondary WiFi device. We're a small office and we needed to set up a WiFi device for a few of ou...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

We're a hospital and we use it for developing our incoming and outgoing policies, and we also use it for VPN.

See all answers

Comparisons

Sophos Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 20% of the time

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 13% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 6% of the time

OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

Palo Alto Networks WildFire vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 2% of the time

More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors

Varonis Platform vs Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Compared 16% of the time

Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention vs Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Compared 13% of the time

Cyera vs Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Compared 11% of the time

Cloudflare One vs Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Compared 7% of the time

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform vs Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Compared 7% of the time

More Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Competitors

Sophos Firewall vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 7% of the time

OPNsense vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 7% of the time

Sophos UTM vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 4% of the time

SonicWall TZ vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 4% of the time

SonicWall NSa vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 4% of the time

More WatchGuard Firebox Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

January 2026

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

January 2026

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) report

Download Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) product report

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Firebox

January 2026

Download WatchGuard Firebox product report

Also Known As

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

No data available

WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response, WatchGuard Application Control, WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention, WatchGuard Gateway AntiVirus, WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service

Overview

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?

VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) offers advanced protection against sensitive data loss with robust features tailored for enterprise security needs, providing seamless integration and efficiency in monitoring data across cloud platforms.

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) helps organizations safeguard their sensitive information by providing comprehensive data visibility and control. It addresses key needs such as compliance and IT security with its contextual understanding of data movements. It delivers flexible policy creation, which enhances data protection across all digital touchpoints. Adaptive machine learning capabilities allow precise identification and prevention of data leaks, ensuring that enterprises can confidently protect their data in real-time. The tool is highly regarded for its integration capabilities, though some users seek improvements in analytics and reporting functionalities.

What are the most important features of Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Advanced Threat Protection: Guards against unauthorized data exfiltration.
Granular Control: Offers precise policy enforcement based on content and context.
Cloud Integration: Seamlessly embeds into cloud services enhancing data security.
Customizable Policies: Enables tailored approaches to data protection rules.
Machine Learning: Utilizes AI for improved identification of sensitive data.

What benefits or ROI can users expect from Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP)?

Enhanced Compliance: Assists in adhering to data protection regulations.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces data breach-related expenses through proactive measures.
Risk Management: Identifies vulnerabilities and mitigates risks effectively.
Data Visibility: Provides clear insights into data flows and storage locations.

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is deployed across industries like healthcare, finance, and technology. In healthcare, it ensures patient data protection, supporting HIPAA compliance. Finance organizations benefit from its rigorous security controls for safeguarding financial records. For technology companies, it secures intellectual property against unauthorized access and leakage.

Netskope

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

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

Sample Customers

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell, HP, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, BT Group, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink, NTT Communications, Tata Communications, SoftBank, China Mobile, Singtel, Telus, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telkom Indonesia, Telkom South Africa, Telmex, Telia Company, Telkom Kenya

Information Not Available

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

Buyer's Guide

Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs. WatchGuard Firebox

December 2025

Free Report: Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs. WatchGuard Firebox

Find out what your peers are saying about Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs. WatchGuard Firebox and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.

DOWNLOAD NOW

881,114 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Netskope Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vs. WatchGuard Firebox report.

See our list of best Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vendors and best Firewalls vendors.

We monitor all Data Loss Prevention (DLP) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.