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Gianluca Vinci - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Jan 28, 2023
Helps us protect published resources with a valuable alarm system
Pros and Cons
  • "The alarm system is valuable."
  • "The user interface and configuration can be improved."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case for the solution is to protect published resources.

What is most valuable?

The alarm system is valuable because it alerts us if an external intruder tries to attack published resources.

What needs improvement?

The user interface can be improved because it is sometimes difficult to manage functionality. For example, the site interface is challenging to customize, and it isn't easy to retrieve information.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using this solution for approximately 15 years.

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WatchGuard Firebox
December 2025
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. I rate it as a seven out of ten, and it is better suited for small and medium enterprises.

How are customer service and support?

We have had a good experience with customer service and support. I rate them a nine out of ten because they are very responsive and prompt.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

For good implementation, one week is sufficient to reach an acceptable configuration.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is not expensive. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate the product an eight out of ten. The solution is good, but the user interface and configuration can be improved.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
PeerSpot user
reviewer1483701 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at a retailer with 11-50 employees
Real User
Jan 1, 2023
Advanced defence tools that stop known and unknown malware threats
Pros and Cons
  • "WatchGuard is very user-friendly. It provides us with all of the security services we need."
  • "When it comes to live-monitoring, the user-interface could be improved to make things easier."

What is our primary use case?

We use WatchGuard for security services mostly.

How has it helped my organization?

WatchGuard has made a few improvements to its user interface which have improved the user experience. 

They also made a few improvements to their cloud platform which are good.

What is most valuable?

WatchGuard is very user-friendly. It provides us with all of the security services we need. 

What needs improvement?

When it comes to live monitoring, the user interface could be improved to make things easier.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard for more than 10 years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

WatchGuard is very stable. I would compare it to other top solutions. We have never experienced any bugs or glitches.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I cannot speak about large deployments, but documentation-wise, WatchGuard is pretty scalable. It is easily scalable, you just have to choose the proper hardware — that's it. 

How are customer service and support?

The technical support is very fast and reliable. They are very professional. We have never had any issues with the technical support team.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I used to use FortiGate. The main difference between FortiGate and WatchGuard is their interfaces. FortiGate uses a web-based interface for configuration, whereas WatchGuard has a special application for management. WatchGuard also has a web-based interface but centralized management is done specially. Otherwise, they're pretty much the same product when it comes to functionality, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, etc.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very easy, we experience no issues. It comes with very good documentation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of WatchGuard is very good.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, on a scale from one to ten, I would give WatchGuard a rating of nine.

I would recommend WatchGuard or something from FortiGate. These two solutions are pretty similar and are very good in terms of quality and functionality. I have personally used both of them and they're great.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
WatchGuard Firebox
December 2025
Learn what your peers think about WatchGuard Firebox. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
879,853 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1082562 - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Systems Administrator at a logistics company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Sep 4, 2022
Highly stable, easy to use, and excellent support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of WatchGuard Firebox is its ease of use."
  • "WatchGuard Firebox could improve the speed of updates, such as new features or improvements. However, they are frequently improving the solution in many areas, such as geo-locations, definitions, and web blocking."

What is our primary use case?

We're using WatchGuard Firebox for multi-factor authentication (MFA), layer three switching, and to segregate our industrial network from our corporate network.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of WatchGuard Firebox is its ease of use.

What needs improvement?

WatchGuard Firebox could improve the speed of updates, such as new features or improvements. However, they are frequently improving the solution in many areas, such as geo-locations, definitions, and web blocking.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Firebox for approximately six years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of WatchGuard Firebox is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

WatchGuard Firebox is very scalable. We're using it in a redundant system with two stacked together. It has good redundancy and is good for failover.

Our whole company of approximately 100 users is using the solution.

How are customer service and support?

The support from WatchGuard Firebox is very good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What about the implementation team?

We have one system administrator doing the support and maintenance of the WatchGuard Firebox.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We license the WatchGuard Firebox annually. There are different types of subscriptions available. We are paying approximately $15,000 annually. The cost can increase if you purchase different subscriptions.

What other advice do I have?

You can purchase the solution without support, but I would strongly recommend the support. The support is great.

I rate WatchGuard Firebox an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Infrastructure Administrator at a manufacturing company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Aug 14, 2022
Provides decent security, is user-friendly, and has a good traffic monitor feature
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution has a useful traffic monitor."
  • "It's sometimes not easy to understand and can require specialist assistance."

What is our primary use case?

I'm a system administrator and we have a partnership with WatchGuard. 

What is most valuable?

The solution has a useful traffic monitor. You can check if the packet in the unit works and analyze the proof quickly. It's very easy to use and provides good security. 

What needs improvement?

We've found that sometimes the solution is not easy to understand and we need to bring in some specialist assistance. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for two years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We haven't needed to scale so I can't comment on that. 

How are customer service and support?

The support is good but we've had some difficult situations because not everyone in support is good when it comes to specific problems such as VoIP. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used Cisco but there came a time when we needed to move to a more updated product. 

How was the initial setup?

The solution is difficult to implement without a specialist, especially the first time. It requires an IT technician. It's become easier for us to deploy ourselves now that we've had some experience.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Licensing costs are very reasonable and paid annually. If you need additional options they can be bought separately. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. partners
PeerSpot user
Andrew Keywood - PeerSpot reviewer
CEO at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Jul 13, 2022
A lower-end product that does the job, but doesn't do it very well
Pros and Cons
  • "The set up was quite straightforward and we handled it in-house. It took a few hours to deploy the product."
  • "There is room for improvement in the threat protection, data packet inspection, and performance of the solution. Generally, it's just a lower-end product. It does the job but doesn't do it very well."

What is our primary use case?

It's mainly an internet gateway that is used for internet gateway protection and remote access.

What needs improvement?

There is room for improvement in the threat protection, data packet inspection, and performance of the solution. Generally, it's just a lower-end product. It does the job but doesn't do it very well.

Compared to Palo Alto, for example, some of the main differences are zero-day protection, performance, deep packet inspection, and App-ID. I'm not really a fan of WatchGuard. We only use it with one client and we're trying to get them to get rid of it. I prefer to use Palo Alto instead. Industry analysts have voted Palo Alto the number one firewall for the last eight consecutive years, so if you want good protection, it's a no-brainer.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with this solution for 18 months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is reasonably stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I do not think the product is scalable.

How was the initial setup?

The set up was quite straightforward and we handled it in-house. It took a few hours to deploy the product. One a scale of one to five, one being very hard and five being very easy, I would rate the set up as a five.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It is an entry-level product, so the price is cheap.

What other advice do I have?

The program requires maintenance, including updates, patching, and subscriptions. 

My advice to someone considering this project would be to look into Palo Alto instead. 

I would rate this solution as a one out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
PeerSpot user
Project Consultant at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
MSP
Mar 22, 2022
Reasonably priced, secure, and simple setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of the WatchGuard Firebox are all the security and updated features. You are able to configure the solution from the cloud platform and the application and web interface are very nice."
  • "They are working on cloud-based options. However, they do not have the options fully functional in their solution at this time."

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of the WatchGuard Firebox are all the security and updated features. You are able to configure the solution from the cloud platform and the application and web interface are very nice.

Since I have been using this solution I have not been hacked or had any problems.

What needs improvement?

They are working on cloud-based options. However, they do not have the options fully functional in their solution at this time.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Firebox for approximately five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

WatchGuard Firebox is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the WatchGuard Firebox is good.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support is good from WatchGuard Firebox.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was easy, and the time it took was a couple of hours.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of the WatchGuard Firebox is reasonable.

What other advice do I have?

I rate WatchGuard Firebox an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1753128 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Technician at a real estate/law firm with 11-50 employees
Real User
Jan 12, 2022
Excellent support, very stable, and fairly easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "Their support is excellent, and the stability is very good."
  • "Some of the configuration options are somewhat confusing."

What is our primary use case?

WatchGuard Firebox is our daily firewall. It gets used on a regular basis.

It is deployed locally. We are using its latest version.

What is most valuable?

Their support is excellent, and the stability is very good.

What needs improvement?

Some of the configuration options are somewhat confusing.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It has been very stable.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is excellent.

What other advice do I have?

It is very stable and fairly easy to use.

I would rate it an eight out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Director of Information Systems at a hospitality company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Dec 1, 2021
Complicated setup, but reliable, and scalable
Pros and Cons
  • "The most important feature of this solution is the SLAs."
  • "Multi properties could be added to the solution in the future to make it better."

What is our primary use case?

I use WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service for all our properties for network security.

What is most valuable?

The most important feature of this solution is the SLAs.

What needs improvement?

Multi properties could be added to the solution in the future to make it better.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service for approximately three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

The support could improve. I had to deal with support to give me new hardware and it took four weeks.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used Fortinet solutions and they are the best.

How was the initial setup?

The implementation is very complex, you install the application for WatchGuard.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

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

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service a five out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free WatchGuard Firebox Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: December 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free WatchGuard Firebox Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.