WatchGuard Firebox vs Zscaler Client Connector comparison

WatchGuard and Zscaler are both solutions in the Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) category. WatchGuard is ranked #18 with an average rating of 8.0, while Zscaler is ranked #33 with an average rating of 8.7. Additionally, 94% of WatchGuard users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Zscaler users who would recommend it.

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 9, 2025

WatchGuard Firebox and Zscaler Client Connector are competing in the network security category. Zscaler Client Connector has the upper hand with superior cloud integration and scalability, which positions it well for modern security strategies.

Features: WatchGuard Firebox offers advanced threat protection, comprehensive network security management, and intuitive policy enforcement. Zscaler Client Connector integrates seamlessly into existing environments, provides cloud-based security solutions, and ensures zero-trust access.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: WatchGuard Firebox utilizes a traditional deployment model with hardware requirements, complemented by extensive customer service for setup and support. Zscaler Client Connector offers quick deployment as a cloud-native solution with minimal hardware needs, paired with responsive customer support.

Pricing and ROI: WatchGuard Firebox typically entails higher setup costs due to hardware, promising high ROI through reliable network protection. Zscaler Client Connector offers a cost-effective subscription model enhancing budget flexibility, demonstrating ROI by lowering operational complexity and infrastructure costs.

To learn more, read our detailed WatchGuard Firebox vs. Zscaler Client Connector Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Firebox vs. Zscaler Client Connector

December 2025

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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.

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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.

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Dimitrios Arvanitakis

IT Support Admin at Kuehne+Nagel

Client activity has been monitored efficiently through in-depth log analysis and traffic filtering

I use the Zscaler speed test, and it is very nice. We use some logs from Zscaler Client Connector to collect data and see what is happening, such as if there is an interruption or something. There is a specific tunnel version that we have to use because, depending on the internet provider, some of them have lower speed, so we have some issues. This is because of the provider, not from Zscaler. We use Office 365 services and Office applications, and because some connections are slow and they do not have full coverage from the internet provider, we have some issues. If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down. This may be because they put some policy. Of course, if you use Office 365 services such as Outlook, the minimum bandwidth is 5 megabits and more, so this causes issues if the users do not have a good remote connection. This depends on the companies and the users, so they need to fix it. This is not from us or our company. It is very useful, and the logs are very helpful. When we go to logs, we understand what is happening.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We use the filtering feature the most. It has filtering and inbuilt securities. We can create customized rules to define which users can access a particular type of site. We can create policies inside the firewall."

"I have found most of the features to be good with excellent functionality."

"It has upscaled our security posture, especially regarding external connectivity, because any access or connection from the company has to go through the Fortinet FortiGate firewall."

"The biggest lesson would be that Fortinet FortiGate provides a high level of security at a good total cost of ownership."

"It has improved our organization with control data."

"The best feature of Fortinet FortiGate is SD-WAN; it ensures continuous connectivity by taking over during link failures, preventing any downtime for the company."

"The strengths of Fortinet FortiGate include network security, VPN, site-to-site tunnels, client VPN solutions, two-factor authentication for VPN clients, and SD-WAN for branch level. We have implemented these solutions for various customers."

"The main benefit is the grouping of our security monitoring."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"The solution has a useful traffic monitor."

"I have found the DNS Watch feature for intrusion and prevention response and APT Locker most valuable to me."

"The ease of use is most valuable. You can quickly train someone who hasn't seen a firewall in life. You can get people up to speed, and in a few months, they are able to manage this product very easily. It is a very user-friendly, scalable, and stable product. Its price is also spot-on."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is traffic management."

"The initial setup was straightforward and, because we only need intrusion detection and prevention, we needed only about four hours to deploy it."

"The most valuables feature of WatchGuard Firebox are the VPNs, and web filtering where we can stop users from going to malicious sites."

"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."

"Centralization is a crucial feature for me as it allows me to have all sites and customers accessible under a single click, not limited to just one."

More WatchGuard Firebox pros

"I'd rate the solution nine out of ten."

"The solution operates in the background seamlessly without the user noticing."

"The real-time analytics feature in Zscaler Client Connector is another valuable feature called Digital Experience, or ZDX, which can easily identify the root cause of issues accessing public or internal resources and provide good analysis so relevant teams can quickly resolve them, making it a very good tool that helps customers."

"The best features of Zscaler Client Connector are that it gives the client a much more transparent experience, as they don't have to worry about connecting to a VPN."

"It is very important to see what is happening between the user and the applications that we have, and to filter the traffic from outbound traffic and inside traffic."

"Zscaler Client Connector is quite scalable, and I would rate its scalability as nine or ten out of ten."

"It is very useful, and the logs are very helpful; when we go to logs, we understand what is happening."

More Zscaler Client Connector pros

Cons

"The price and deployment part of Fortinet FortiGate is good, but it can always be better."

"The integration with third-party tools may be something that they should work on."

"The main thing they have to improve in Fortinet FortiGate is the technical support; the rest of the features are good enough. We can handle them, but sometimes you really need support, and in that case, we are not getting it at the proper time."

"Fortinet FortiGate needs to improve the logging and reporting. Additionally, the next-generation application's policies should be improved. When they were released they had bugs."

"There are too many updates coming for VPN, and the VPN keeps disconnecting frequently, which I find problematic. It does what it's supposed to do, but I practically face reconnection issues with the VPN."

"Currently, without the additional reporting module, we only have access to basic reporting."

"It is somewhat expensive compared to other solutions such as Sophos."

"In the past six months, they took quite a long time to respond to the support tickets. I don't know if they are overwhelmed with too much activity, but for the last six months, the support has not been very good."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"The pricing of WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response could be improved."

"We were able to take from an older configuration, build a new one quickly, and get it up and running, which didn't take long, but there was some pain around it."

"It's very hard to get information from their website, for exactly what I need to do. Sometimes I end up having to open a lot of support tickets... It's a navigational issue which makes it hard to find what I'm looking for and it's just so broad."

"Regarding technical support, they could use more engineers."

"It's very difficult to find a reseller of WatchGuard Firebox to purchase a license"

"When implementing a rule using a group of IPs, it is not possible to do that directly."

"What could use some significant improvement in WatchGuard Firebox would be its interface and policy management. An additional feature I'd like to see in the next release of WatchGuard Firebox is the ability to modify an existing policy instead of having to recreate a policy when changes are necessary. At the moment, there's no possibility to modify the policy. You have to delete the policy and recreate it."

"Its graphical user interface could be improved because not everybody is technical. There is a lack of knowledge, and they can give some training for this solution."

More WatchGuard Firebox cons

"If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down."

"The stability of Zscaler Client Connector needs improvement, as it often disconnects and reconnects."

"Zscaler Client Connector is not low in cost; it is definitely on the higher side."

"There is a hard learning curve for Zscaler Client Connector; their support isn't the greatest all the time."

"If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down."

"There is room for improvement regarding the price of Zscaler Client Connector, as it is one of the most expensive solutions available."

"If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down."

More Zscaler Client Connector cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is a cost-effective solution that meets the user's needs."

"When you look at these end security systems and firewalls, these firewalls even five years ago were $50,000 or perhaps $25,000 to implement in some types of customer sites. Now we're talking about tools that are $1,000. In this case, it might have been $500 or something like that."

"It was worth the money overall. It's good value."

"Before choosing a piece of equipment you have to take into account the cost-benefit offered by each one. Sometimes it is not worth paying a very cheap price to have a minimum level of security."

"Each feature costs money, so it is important to study your needs."

"We just pay a flat monthly fee to the vendor for the support."

"Price-wise, it's at a good price point for our market."

"It is less expensive than a Cisco solution."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"The price of the solution is not expensive, it is less than FortiGate."

"I spent $600 or $800 on this product and I'm paying a couple of hundred dollars a year in a subscription service to keep the lights on, on it... It works out to $100 or $200 a year if you buy several years at once. It's fair."

"The price is so small that I don't pay attention to it anymore. I think we pay a few thousand dollars for two to three years, so about $100 per month. That's for all of our users. There is an additional cost if we want to go with a deeper licensing model, but we just pay for antivirus, IPS, and main product support."

"WatchGuard had a very competitive price. It was only 10 to 20 percent more than a single instance device but with that extra cost it provided a second load balancing device... unlike other brands whose method of hardware and software licensing would have doubled our cost."

"WatchGuard Firebox has good quality, but it is expensive."

"I think we might be subscribed to one or two of the premium features."

"The solution is cheap."

"The cost was somewhere in the vicinity of $2,000 to $3,000 for each one..."

More WatchGuard Firebox pricing and cost advice

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Manufacturing Company

24%

Government

14%

Insurance Company

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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

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

No data available

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...

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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...

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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 ...

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What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

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

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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...

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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

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zscaler Client Connector?

Zscaler Client Connector is notably costly, with pricing rated at five out of ten in terms of affordability, reflecti...

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What needs improvement with Zscaler Client Connector?

Zscaler continues to strengthen the Zscaler Client Connector by introducing new features and expanding the platform’s...

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What is your primary use case for Zscaler Client Connector?

I’m not working directly for Zscaler; I work with a partner organization as a Systems Integrator. Our work is not lim...

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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

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

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Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 24% of the time

Tanium vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 14% of the time

Trellix Endpoint Security Platform vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 12% of the time

SentinelOne Singularity Complete vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Secure Endpoint vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 8% of the time

More Zscaler Client Connector Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

January 2026

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Firebox

January 2026

Download WatchGuard Firebox product report

Buyer's Guide

Zscaler Client Connector

January 2026

Download Zscaler Client Connector product report

Also Known As

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

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

No data available

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

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

Zscaler Client Connector enhances network security by providing seamless access to applications, ensuring a safe and efficient digital experience. It is designed for businesses needing comprehensive protection and optimized resource access within a unified platform.

Organizations deploy Zscaler Client Connector to securely connect users to applications while maintaining robust data protection standards. It eliminates the need for traditional gateways by offering direct-to-cloud security, which enhances performance and reduces complexity. This solution is ideal for remote work environments where secure and efficient application access is required. It simplifies IT infrastructures, allowing businesses to scale without compromising security.

What are the key features of Zscaler Client Connector?

Zero Trust Access: Provides secure connectivity by validating user identities and context.
Cloud Firewall: Ensures robust protection by inspecting all traffic for potential threats.
Bandwidth Control: Manages network resources to optimize application performance.
Seamless User Experience: Integrates smoothly into existing environments with minimal disruption.
Comprehensive Visibility: Offers detailed analytics and reporting for informed decision-making.

What are the benefits users should expect?

Improved Security Posture: Strengthens defenses against cyber threats with advanced protocols.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces operational costs by streamlining IT management and reducing hardware dependencies.
Scalability: Easily adapts to organizational growth or changes in IT requirements.
Enhanced Productivity: Increases workflow efficiency by ensuring secure and rapid access to necessary applications.
Reduced Latency: Direct-to-cloud connectivity minimizes lag and improves user experience.

Zscaler Client Connector is widely adopted across industries such as finance, healthcare, and retail, where secure data transmission and compliance are critical. In finance, it supports secure transactions and data protection. For healthcare, it ensures HIPAA compliance, and in retail, it simplifies secure customer-facing services. Each industry benefits from tailored implementations that address specific security and connectivity challenges.

Zscaler

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

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

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Firebox vs. Zscaler Client Connector

December 2025

Free Report: WatchGuard Firebox vs. Zscaler Client Connector

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