WatchGuard Firebox Reviews

Name: WatchGuard Firebox
Brand: WatchGuard
Rating: 4.2 (125 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

125 reviews
95% willing to recommend

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 #2 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, #7 ranked solution in top Application Control solutions, #8 ranked solution in top Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software, #11 ranked solution in top Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, #12 ranked solution in top Anti-Malware Tools, #14 ranked solution in best firewalls, and #20 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 44% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

Helped 865,164 peers since 2012

Featured WatchGuard Firebox reviews

reviewer2698002

Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

WatchGuard Firebox technical support is very easy for us to contact, and we also have presales engineers such as Jeremy Schramm, who is French and provides excellent technical help; he visits our office one day a month to assist us in trying some solutions.I utilize AI within the WatchGuard Firebox, as we use the interconnection with threat syncs, and AI is implemented; we try to sell our customers XDR or IDR, so there is AI in the product.I have a good impression of the efficiency for threat detection provided by the WatchGuard Firebox, as we have cybersecurity teams and sell security about the product, so we think it is a good product to protect our clients.

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Manish Nalawade

Owner at It logic

I'm using it in the banking sector only. Basically, I'm using it for security and other purposes, including data loss prevention. Security is the main purpose in banks Nowadays, we are using small models for SD WAN also, depending on security purposes. Basically, we have received a good return on…

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PedroSoteras

Digital Solution Designer at Accenture

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. However, when we find something strange in the firewall, such as access issues or configuration changes, the WatchGuard team has to recompile some new features or make a new deployment to our installation to solve the problem. This was not the case with Palo Alto. They are very powerful in this sector, but they have some issues in the way they manage the firewall system.

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WatchGuard Firebox mindshare

Product category:

As of August 2025, the mindshare of WatchGuard Firebox in the Firewalls category stands at 2.9%, up from 2.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on WatchGuard Firebox reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Aug 18, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Aug 18, 2025	Download
Comparison	WatchGuard Firebox vs Netgate pfSense	Aug 18, 2025	Download
Comparison	WatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGate	Aug 18, 2025	Download
Comparison	WatchGuard Firebox vs OPNsense	Aug 18, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.8%	91%	410 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	12.0%	93%	218 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

WatchGuard Firebox users value its ease of setup, intuitive WebGUI, and excellent tech support. Key features include VPN, active directory integration, geolocation, web filtering, DNSWatch, and intrusion prevention. Users appreciate its layered security, real-time bandwidth reporting, and advanced threat protection. The user-friendly interface is praised for being straightforward, allowing convenient management. The VPN capabilities, spam blocker, traffic management, and highly reliable performance make WatchGuard Firebox a favored choice among users.

"On a scale of one to 10, I would rate the technical support of the WatchGuard Firebox a 10."
"Basically, we have received a good return on investment."
"We have received a good return on investment."

Room for Improvement

WatchGuard Firebox could benefit from enhancements in its reporting capabilities, integration with third-party vendors, and user interface design. Administrative tools need simplification, with improved cloud-based management and technical support options. Pricing could be more competitive. Better user education and training resources are desired. The Wi-Fi integration and threat detection features require refinement. The firewall's policy and configuration management require enhancements to ease navigation and functionality.

"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."
"The main trouble is the price of the product."
"The major problem is pricing and licensing loss. In India, the cost for renewal after three years is 75% of the hardware cost, which is a significant problem."

ROI

Organizations report that WatchGuard Firebox enhances security and saves significant time by preventing network breaches and reducing administrative effort. Its investment value is clear, users experience notable cost savings, and productivity improvements by blocking unnecessary activities. Reliable equipment, ease of use, and the ability to quickly adapt to remote work are highlighted benefits. Many experience ROI within months, but measuring specific financial returns remains challenging.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find WatchGuard Firebox pricing competitive, often comparable to alternatives like Cisco, SonicWall, and Fortinet. Standard licensing covers substantial security features, with options for three-year or annual subscriptions, offering cost-effective entry points. However, advanced add-ons can increase expenses. Discounts for upgrades or competitor trade-ins are available. Total Security Suite subscriptions provide comprehensive protection but can be costly for some small businesses. Overall, it's considered a reliable, affordable choice in the cybersecurity market, offering good value for its features.

"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 utilized as a firewall for securing networks, providing VPN connectivity between locations, and managing traffic. Organizations use it for internet access control, intrusion prevention, and endpoint protection. It is involved in application control, web filtering, and routing operations. Businesses deploy it for high-tech threat management, VLAN management, and network segmentation, ensuring robust protection against external risks and internal vulnerabilities across various industries.

Service and Support

WatchGuard Firebox's customer service is consistently praised for responsiveness and expertise, often resolving issues promptly with minimal escalation. Users appreciate knowledgeable tech support that provides timely responses via phone or their ticketing system. There are mentions of swift resolutions and effective communication with the support team. However, some note slower responses in certain regions and room for improvement in complex cases. Overall, technical support is considered reliable and competent by many users.

Deployment

The setup for WatchGuard Firebox is generally straightforward with a user-friendly GUI, but some users encounter complexities depending on prior experience and network intricacies. Experienced users find it easy, often completing installation in under an hour. Those less familiar or dealing with complex configurations may need additional support or guidance. Deployments typically involve answering prompts and applying templates, with many utilizing online resources and support for additional assistance.

Scalability

WatchGuard Firebox offers scalability, accommodating various needs from small to large organizations. Users note that while scalability depends on choosing the right model, the ability to expand or upgrade is seamless. Internal configurations provide flexibility, supporting additional licenses and connections. Some experience high CPU usage with increased user traffic, advising larger models for higher bandwidth needs. Testimonials highlight that, for many, WatchGuard Firebox handles expansion efficiently, despite some encountering hardware limitations when scaling.

Stability

WatchGuard Firebox shows high stability with numerous users experiencing no crashes or significant issues. While some encountered hardware problems, these were often resolved efficiently. Users appreciate its reliability, often reporting long periods without needing reboots. A few noted occasional restarts due to power-related issues or high memory usage, but these were infrequent. Many rate WatchGuard Firebox's stability highly, with ratings often between eight to ten out of ten.

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

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Retailer

Manufacturing Company

Hospitality Company

Educational Organization

Government

University

Financial Services Firm

Performing Arts

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Outsourcing Company

Healthcare Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Non Profit

Insurance Company

Media Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Legal Firm

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Consumer Goods Company

Compare WatchGuard Firebox with alternative products

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.