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Petri Alhainen - PeerSpot reviewer
Administrator at Sulbana Oy
Real User
Top 5
Sep 4, 2024
Reasonably priced and simple to use
Pros and Cons
  • "It does its job very well, and it is quite easy to put to use."
  • "There were a little bit of problems with the tool's updates, making it an area where improvements are needed."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is used when you want to handle policies with the file. There are different ways you can use it, like in the firewall rules and in proxy rules, and to secure emails. The tool was used very much when there were emails with other set files, and then it would all be checked in the firewall.

What needs improvement?

It is a basic tool tool, and it does very well for what it is supposed to do. It does simple checks against signatures. I think it is very much what it needs to be, and it is a basic tool that you just use.

There were a little bit of problems with the tool's updates, making it an area where improvements are needed. Sometimes, the firewalls did not get updated in the databases.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Gateway AntiVirus for over ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The tool is so simple to use. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Buyer's Guide
WatchGuard Firebox
July 2026
Learn what your peers think about WatchGuard Firebox. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: July 2026.
906,852 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability depends on how many firewalls you have, and you can put every firewall in it which takes part in the gateway on device checking. Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

In my company, there are around 50 people who use the tool. My company also has sister concerns and head offices using the tool. I know that sister concerns are using the same WatchGuard devices as the main company.

How are customer service and support?

I don't think I need any technical support from the website, as it is a basic product. You just plug it in where you need it and then use it. I went through some basic training, and after that, I don't think I ever had to ask someone something. You just put it on and make sure that it can connect to the outlet server.

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

I know about a lot of different tools, but I have been working with WatchGuard for almost all of my career, as it offers services with which you just connect to the ISPs and firewalls, after which you can put the settings on, but for most of my career, I have been working with WatchGuard.

How was the initial setup?

During the product's installation phase, you just put the tool in the right place, and it works.

The solution is deployed on an on-premises model.

The solution can be deployed in a couple of minutes. The installation process is so basic that I don't even remember what you need to do. You just put the tick marks in the tool and ask the tool to use them. In the rules, where you see the files go through is where you can think over what to do with the files. With the tool, you just need to put it on, and then the default rules make sure that there is some indication that something is wrong.

What about the implementation team?

My company manages everything associated with the tool by myself. I was also involved in the tool's maintenance. As a small team, we all can do it.

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

Every pair has a license, especially for commercial products. For what we use, the tool's price has been reasonable, but it is not the cheapest. The tool has been quite reasonable.

The tool's cost includes various things, like licenses and support. If you buy basic licenses for the device, everything is included, making it easy to use. If one is very expensive and ten is absolutely cheap, then I rate the tool's price as a six.

What other advice do I have?

It is the basic starting tool. We used different tools in the company. In our gateway, we used WatchGuard because we used WatchGuard's firewalls. It was very easy to set it up. It was used so that if there was anything you needed, you could just use the tool, and then we had different tools for workstations.

The tool is a basic product. You usually start with it, and you make sure that everything goes through your devices. If there is a possibility to check the file that is going through your firewall, you do it. If you catch something, then it is very good, and it is much easier to do when no user has access to it. You just need to use the tool at the start, as it makes the end part easier to manage. It doesn't distract your attention from other tasks. It just works, and you don't need to distract yourself.

If users are downloading something from somewhere, the tool makes sure that the easy issues don't get through. Everything else can work a little less because it takes the easy issues out, so it is the backbone for doing the checks. When it can do its checks and block the infected files, it does it very well and easily. When there are different cases where it cannot act as an antivirus gateway that cannot touch files, then you may need different tools, especially if you don't use WatchGuard products for your emails, so you will need to have something on the email side of things. If you are using web emails and trying to transfer them through your firewalls, then it checks the files and says what is not good.

There are bad elements trying to find different ways to get the files through, and they already know their bad deeds very well. They are finding ways to pass your checks and basic things, and so they are always training their people to find better tools to help them in their job to find what needs to be accessed, making it the biggest challenge for the tool to overcome. The tool is good at the start, but it is not so good until the end. You need to be vigilant about changes. I think what is needed is that one gets a view of his or her network so that you know what is happening in your network. Antivirus and firewall products can be a part of our network, and they provide logs so you can see the logs and what is happening in your network. Providing the big picture of your network is what I think we need to do a little bit of a job now.

I have not used the tool's AI features. Someday, I may use it.

It is a very good product for how it works and does its job, but it is not an all-inclusive solution. It does its job very well, and it is quite easy to put to use. You need to get different views of what is happening in your network and what is coming into your network. Suppose the network traffic is going to interrupt it. If you don't go to the SSE proxy settings or you aren't allowed to do it also, then it cannot take all the traffic. If there are possibilities for the traffic to go through, or it cannot check-in, then we need to understand that all the products cannot do it all.

I rate the tool 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
Senior IT Tech at PCSL
Reseller
Dec 28, 2023
Offers deployment simplicity, especially for firewalls and firewall configuration and good documentation available
Pros and Cons
  • "The basic functionality is fantastic. It has been performing well. I generated a report on one machine, using that as the deployment machine. When scanning the network, it discovered machines on the network and deployed the same endpoint protection from that one machine I have on my network."
  • "I'd like a few extra features, especially around threat severity assessment."

What is most valuable?

The basic functionality is fantastic. It has been performing well. I generated a report on one machine, using that as the deployment machine. When scanning the network, it discovered machines on the network and deployed the same endpoint protection from that one machine I have on my network. 

I can see all of that from any cloud solution. So far, it has been really easy to install, deploy, and have visibility on the endpoints that I manage.

What needs improvement?

I'm just looking for a few extra features, which are likely included in XDR and the other additional software services. Mainly the FortiEDR system. If I go through the computer status and look at the risk, it's a very basic assessment. 

Compared to Rapid7, which is a highly rated vulnerability scanner,  WatchGuard is more limited. Rapid7 can give me vulnerabilities like autorun being enabled and provide solutions to fix them. It can also reassess vulnerabilities. 

However, the EDR Core I'm using only gives me basic information, like "File full of fire and execution detection" as a high vulnerability. It doesn't tell me how to fix it, just that it's a risk. It's very minimal in terms of risk assessment. Rapid7 would say, "This software is outdated," or "You're using an older version of SQL." It's much more detailed, whereas EDR Core is more scaled-down and doesn't provide a full assessment.

So, I'd like a few extra features, especially around threat severity assessment.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have actually been using this for the past two weeks because I'm using it in a test environment before I deploy it into anything. 

I want to make sure that the features they are providing are what my client really wants. Regarding compliance, it really receives no complaints. 

So, with the EDR tool, which is what I currently use, I have deployed it in my business. I checked if it could gather my asset information, software information and scan my machines for any malware. So, that basic functionality is fantastic. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It has been stable so far. I haven't noticed any performance impact on my machines. My only complaint is that I can't schedule scans. I can only see live monitoring of micro activity. I'd like to schedule scans at specific times, but maybe that feature is only available in higher subscription tiers.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I've only been using it for two weeks. I would like to see more features, especially with the addition of xDR or Endpoint Detection and Response Pro (EDR Pro). 

How are customer service and support?

I'm still exploring what's available in my current plan. Once I understand everything better, I'll reach out to WatchGuard if I need additional features or clarification. 

However,  I requested a full cybersecurity overview from their sales department to explore all their solutions, including network asset management, penetration testing, etc. They'll recommend different subscription tiers based on my needs.

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

Fortinet is the main competitor, especially when considering firewall and firewall configuration. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) is also in the mix, as some of our clients use it. These are competitors for a comprehensive security offering, not just antivirus. 

Other competitors who offer similar features like asset management would be Trellix, SentinelOne (formerly McAfee), Microsoft Azure Sentinel, and Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR.

In my experience, WatchGuard shines in deployment simplicity, especially for firewalls and firewall configuration. The renewal process is also easier, and their documentation, support library, and overall support experience are excellent.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was easy. It took ten minutes. I read the instructions. I downloaded the software and installed it on my machine in a minute, and it automatically showed up in the cloud console. 

It even identified other machines on the network and asked if I wanted to deploy protection to them. All I had to do was provide admin credentials and let it run. Within half an hour, all the protected machines were visible in the cloud console, including my servers and workstations. 

I would rate my experience with the initial setup a ten out of ten, where one is difficult, and ten is easy. One of the easiest EDR deployments I've ever done.

Some parts are deployed from the cloud. I have my cloud account, but I downloaded the client software that I executed on individual machines. So, it's hybrid, but the core Threat platform is in the cloud. I just installed the client on each machine. So, it's primarily a cloud solution.

What about the implementation team?

I did it all myself. 

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

The pricing is acceptable and competitive. WatchGuard's pricing is in a range where they can compete effectively with other vendors. WatchGuard offers similar features for a comparable price, making them a good option for small businesses like ours. 

We mainly support small businesses with 1 to 5 users, or maybe up to 50 users at most. That's why we chose WatchGuard. It's cost-effective for small office, home office (SOHO) environments.

What other advice do I have?

It is very easy to use.  It's designed for anyone, even non-technical folks like myself. Anyone could pick it up. It's like "IT for Dummies" - read it, and boom, you're a WatchGuard specialist! But, knowing deployment requirements helps, but WatchGuard makes it user-friendly.

Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
WatchGuard Firebox
July 2026
Learn what your peers think about WatchGuard Firebox. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: July 2026.
906,852 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer2105850 - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Information Technology Officer / Head Emel at a government with 1-10 employees
Real User
Top 10
Aug 29, 2024
Provides ease of use to users
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of the solution is its ease of use."
  • "The product can improve in terms of layout to provide easier access and viewing to users, especially for the reports."

What is our primary use case?

I use the solution in my company mainly for security management and also for VPN.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of the solution is its ease of use. For budgetary purposes, it meets our requirements.

What needs improvement?

For most of the part, the tool's interface is quite simple. The product can improve in terms of layout to provide easier access and viewing to users, especially for the reports.

One of the things that I think is missing in the tool is the area of managing IPv4 traffic via the IPv6 tunnel. If a few features were added to the tool, it would be great for migrating our network from IPv4 to IPv6.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Firebox for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Considering we have even used the tool in our company for the past three years, we don't see much problem with the devices, except with what we call the updating and patching processes, which require some downplay and everything. I think we are quite satisfied with the tool's performance in our company.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I do believe the solution provides devices with a profile for a much higher requirement, but it all depends on the number of users and everything. Currently, my company is not that big, but we are supported by good vendors. I do believe the tool is scalable in terms of the devices because the product does provide a much higher model, but we don't need it because we are quite a small company.

In my company, we have only around 200 users, so we don't have many staff members.

How are customer service and support?

My company contacted the solution's technical support regarding the services, especially when we had some new requirements in terms of configurations and settings or when there were new protocol rules and policies and policies that needed to be implemented. I rate the support an eight out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

Previously, we used Sangfor, which is a brand from China, for our firewall and internet access management, but we switched to WatchGuard Firebox three years ago. One of the biggest reasons to use WatchGuard Firebox was related to the area of expertise. Our team or staff had experienced some lack of knowledge in Sangfor. After my company figured out which product was easy to learn and after making some comparisons, we decided to go for WatchGuard Firebox.

Compared to Sangfor, I think one of the advantages of WatchGuard Fire is the VPN solution, which includes a certain number of licenses in the package. There is no requirement to purchase more VPN licenses. The con is that Firebox is a part of the existing solution provided by WatchGuard.

How was the initial setup?

When it comes to the product's initial setup phase, our vendors support us, so they handle the setup process. We don't have many issues or problems during procurement or setting up all the configurations for WatchGuard Firebox.

The solution is deployed on the hybrid cloud model.

Last time, we got the tool ready within three days. After we provided all the information that the vendors required regarding the setup and configuration settings that we needed, they set it up within three days. A third party also provides the tool's maintenance services.

What was our ROI?

From the budgetary perspective, I believe the proposed price for WatchGuard Firebox was certainly much better than the other model that had been promoted to us before because the concerned department in our company procured the tool. I don't have any specific information on it.

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

I am not sure about the tool's price as the commercial part is under a different department. I think the tool is quite competitive compared to the other brands.

What other advice do I have?

The tool's most effective for managing threats revolves around the area of the reporting services it offers, which is cloud-based reporting, so we can get a lot of information from the services.

I don't have much experience with other models, so I can't speak about WatchGuard Firebox's security. The good thing is that because it is easier to handle, and the company that supports us provides us with a lot of information, it is easier for us to operate the product.

WatchGuard Firebox VPN features significantly enhance operations, making it easier during COVID-19, when many people work from home. There are very good features, I recall, whereby you can access office resources without requiring employees to come to the office. The tool did help us a lot during COVID-19.

Our company has a data leakage prevention solution for our email. It is quite intuitive, but it's not WatchGuard Firebox.

Whether I would recommend the product or not is something that depends since I work in a small company where the income is not too much. Other companies of similar sizes might find some similarities with our organization, so I can recommend WatchGuard Firebox to such users or businesses. Bigger or corporate users who have much more requirement settings or a large number of users should look for a different brand that can support the large numbers.

I rate the overall tool an eight out of ten.

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
Petri Alhainen - PeerSpot reviewer
Administrator at Sulbana Oy
Real User
Top 5
Oct 15, 2024
Efficient threat detection and responsive security alerts with excellent support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features include the ability to raise alarms when there are issues, easier configuration compared to other vendors, centralized update management, and keeping the product updated efficiently."
  • "The pricing of WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response is used to monitor traffic and give alarms to the administration if something goes wrong. It reacts when services protected by it are attacked and sends notifications that something is amiss.

How has it helped my organization?

There is a significant improvement in the security of our organization. It's challenging to quantify the cost savings precisely, but it prevents potential breaches and protects our intellectual property. If a breach occurs, it could be catastrophic and very costly.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features include the ability to raise alarms when there are issues, easier configuration compared to other vendors, centralized update management, and keeping the product updated efficiently.

What needs improvement?

The pricing of WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response could be improved. It's not the cheapest option available. That said, it often meets our needs effectively. There are areas for improvement in making the product more economical. 

In the future, I would like to see enhancements in eliminating threats more intuitively, allowing easier identification of issues.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response for about five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In terms of stability, there have been no major issues after upgrades. I would rate the stability of the solution an eight out of ten. There were no significant problems related to this part of the solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response is quite scalable. It is designed to handle expansion and increase in usage efficiently. I would rate its scalability an eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

The customer service and support from WatchGuard are excellent. In Finland, the technical support team has always provided outstanding service whenever required. I would rate the technical support team ten out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup involves configuring many elements, which can be a bit challenging. However, with detailed knowledge and preparation, the setup process can be completed in a day or two.

What about the implementation team?

Usually, WatchGuard's sales team in Finland includes a great technical team. I often turned to them if there was something I could not resolve right away. They provided really good support.

What was our ROI?

It's challenging to put a monetary value on the return of investment for this product as it primarily enhances security. Its effectiveness in preventing breaches significantly impacts overall cost savings.

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

WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response is not the cheapest solution. It usually falls in the middle of the price spectrum. However, considering the overall picture, including support and ease of use, it can be more economical in the long run.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

There are alternative solutions available, but if you are using WatchGuard firewalls, it is quite easy to use this product too.

What other advice do I have?

In selecting security solutions, it's essential to consider the overall support and long-term ease of use. WatchGuard products, including firewalls, tend to be easier to configure and use compared to some cheaper alternatives.

I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Country Head at LS Systems Philippines
Reseller
Mar 25, 2024
Offers a streamlined deployment, intuitive interface and robust security features
Pros and Cons
  • "Their centralized console simplifies management for organizations with multiple Fireboxes."
  • "Due to their lack of investment in marketing, channel development, and certifications, WatchGuard faces challenges in gaining visibility and market share, especially in regions like Pakistan."

How has it helped my organization?

The WatchGuard Firebox is excellent for ensuring the security of remote workers, making it ideal for organizations with distributed teams or remote workforce setups.

It manages network traffic, serving as a fundamental component of the firewall.

WatchGuard excels in reporting and monitoring capabilities, offering comprehensive options for filtering and querying data. Their centralized console simplifies management for organizations with multiple Fireboxes. Instead of logging into each firewall individually, administrators can access and monitor their entire firewall infrastructure from a single IP address.

What is most valuable?

Certain features stand out as particularly effective for threat prevention, such as XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and MDR (Managed Detection and Response). These functionalities, although not inherent to Firebox, can be integrated seamlessly for existing WatchGuard customers. This integration offers significant benefits, as it streamlines security processes and eliminates redundancy that often occurs when using multiple security tools from different vendors.

What needs improvement?

The distribution and channel strategy, particularly in regions like Pakistan and Afghanistan, may hinder their visibility and adoption. Due to their lack of investment in marketing, channel development, and certifications, WatchGuard faces challenges in gaining visibility and market share, especially in regions like Pakistan. Unlike competitors such as Cisco and Fortinet, who offer extensive training and certifications for their partners, WatchGuard's limited focus in this area hinders their ability to attract technical talent and expand their customer base. To address this issue and improve its presence in the market, WatchGuard could consider offering free or low-cost certification programs to educate potential partners and customers on their technology. By empowering individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, WatchGuard can create a network of brand ambassadors who can advocate for their solutions and drive adoption.

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

WatchGuard's offerings are invaluable and I believe they provide superior security solutions compared to Barracuda and Juniper. WatchGuard's products are versatile and suitable for a wide range of organizations from small to large, yet they may not be fully recognized in the enterprise sector due to messaging and marketing strategies that focus on small to medium-sized environments.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

The product's simplicity and user-friendly interface require minimal assistance during configuration and deployment. Deployment time varies from customer to customer. For less complex use cases, the firewall can be deployed in just one day.

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

WatchGuard offers competitive pricing with attractive margins, benefiting both the company and its partners.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate it eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. reseller
PeerSpot user
Solution Architect at Simvicitsolutions
Real User
Top 5
Jan 16, 2025
Offers comprehensive network security features with easy configuration
Pros and Cons
  • "The Firebox offers valuable features such as network security, URL filtering, UTM features, intrusion prevention and detection, and authentication."
  • "I recommend Firebox since this device will not let anyone down."
  • "The only problem I have with Firebox is the grouping issue. When implementing a rule using a group of IPs, it is not possible to do that directly."

What is our primary use case?

We have all kinds of customers, including schools, colleges, institutes, and organizations. We do not work in a specific area, and we have a wide range of customers in various sectors.

What is most valuable?

The Firebox offers valuable features such as network security, URL filtering, UTM features, intrusion prevention and detection, and authentication. It also supports VPN, IPsec, and point-to-point communication. I did not encounter any problems after configuring threat detection and protection, intrusion prevention systems, and intrusion detection systems.

What needs improvement?

The only problem I have with Firebox is the grouping issue. When implementing a rule using a group of IPs, it is not possible to do that directly. I have to manually add all the IPs, and this is where I think WatchGuard should improve.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution since 2016.

How are customer service and support?

The support system is similar to EPDR and EPP. They will register my case and either call me back, email me, or send me an article or key bulletin if things are sorted out. 

Otherwise, they will take a remote session to resolve the issue. They have a centralized portal where I can get support for EPP and EPDR.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

Setting up Firebox is not an easy task for everyone. To set up Firebox, one should have at least professional knowledge. Not everyone can do a Firebox setup because it is executed based on protocols. 

One cannot simply pick up Firebox and go through a basic configuration. For Firebox setup, having knowledge equivalent to Cisco CCNA associate level plus professional level is essential. 

Additionally, understanding basic routing and switching is necessary. Having knowledge of IPs and professional skills is crucial. Unlike Sophos, which is easy with a 'next' approach, configuring Firebox requires deep knowledge about protocols and how they work.

What other advice do I have?

My only issue with Firebox is the grouping issue. I recommend Firebox since this device will not let anyone down. If someone drives a Volkswagen, they may find it challenging to switch to another car. It is the same with WatchGuard; once someone adopts this device, they will likely not buy another.  

I rate the overall solution a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. reseller
PeerSpot user
Rajesh  Makwana - PeerSpot reviewer
Regional Pre Sales Engineer at Roundrobin Tech
Reseller
Top 5
Sep 17, 2024
Efficient bandwidth management and secure network access with a strong firewall
Pros and Cons
  • "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."
  • "One area for improvement is the limitation in the product portfolio compared to competitors like Fortinet, which offers a broader portfolio including Authentication, VPNs, FortiMail, Sandbox, and Email Security."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case of the Firebox mainly revolves around bandwidth management, unnecessary web blocking, application control, and protection against brute force attacks. It is also implemented for load balancing, SD-WAN, and branch-to-branch connectivity from one location to another. We also use it for securing access through VPN and enforcing network security policies.

How has it helped my organization?

The WatchGuard Firebox has helped in securing our network by implementing a strong firewall with various features like VPN support, gateway antivirus, and application control. It has aided in preventing brute force attacks and managing our bandwidth effectively.

What is most valuable?

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.

What needs improvement?

One area for improvement is the limitation in the product portfolio compared to competitors like Fortinet, which offers a broader portfolio including Authentication, VPNs, FortiMail, Sandbox, and Email Security. WatchGuard's focus on UTM solutions may not meet the needs of all enterprise customers.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using the WatchGuard Firebox for approximately five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the WatchGuard Firebox can vary depending on the customer network environment. The performance and latency may differ from customer to customer and infrastructure to infrastructure.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the Firebox depends on the specific model and the number of concurrent users it can support. Different models offer different VPN capacities and can be tailored to fit the needs of various sizes of organizations.

How are customer service and support?

Customer service and support are not explicitly mentioned in terms of rating, but overall feedback seems positive.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

I have previously used various solutions including CyberRooms, Sophos, Fortinet, SonicWall, and other competitors. We largely switched to WatchGuard to integrate their UTM solutions and later their acquired endpoint security portfolios.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of the WatchGuard Firebox is straightforward and time-saving. It is designed to be user-friendly even for those with basic IT knowledge, making it easy to deploy and manage.

What about the implementation team?

Implementation can be done by internal IT teams. WatchGuard also provides support for implementation, ensuring that the configurations are appropriately pushed as per the model and requirements.

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

WatchGuard offers cost-effective solutions, especially beneficial for economically-constrained customers. Pricing and discounts are deal-dependent and vary based on customer requirements.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated multiple products, including Fortinet, SonicWall, Sophos, CyberRooms, and various others in the market.

What other advice do I have?

To maintain the efficacy of the Firebox, it is crucial to renew the subscription to get security updates and additional support features. Ensuring the subscription is up-to-date is necessary for ongoing product support.

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
ScottEastman - PeerSpot reviewer
Project Consultant at SEVERN HOSPICE LIMITED
Real User
Jun 12, 2024
Reduces the risks of sending data where it shouldn't be going
Pros and Cons
  • "If we don't want specific data sent out, the tool will stop that data based on the policy we have allocated to it. It has reduced the risks of sending data where it shouldn't be. I haven't faced any issues with the tool's integration capabilities."
  • "WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention needs to improve its support."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution to ensure that no data breach, such as credit card details and national insurance numbers, leaves the company. However, we have to allow some information to go through because we send a lot of information to the National Healthcare Service.

What is most valuable?

If we don't want specific data sent out, the tool will stop that data based on the policy we have allocated to it. It has reduced the risks of sending data where it shouldn't be. I haven't faced any issues with the tool's integration capabilities. 

What needs improvement?

WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention needs to improve its support. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with the product for eight to nine years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I haven't had any issues with the tool's stability, so I rate it a ten out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the product's scalability a ten out of ten. My company has 380 users who use it daily. 

How are customer service and support?

The tool's support is responsive and very helpful. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

I chose the tool because it was easy to use and implement. I haven't faced any security breaches since implementing it. 

How was the initial setup?

WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention's deployment is simple. You can complete the policies you want to run in a few hours. Once it's been set up, we only need to analyze it every now and then to ensure it's still functioning as intended.

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

WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention's pricing is expensive. I rate it a seven out of ten. 

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend the solution to others. It's effective because it stops data from being sent out easily once set up. I rate the overall product a nine 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.
PeerSpot user
Product Manager of IT Ops and Management at ManageEngine A division of Zoho Corporation.
Real User
Top 10
Jun 13, 2024
Has an easy configuration and an intuitive user-interface with transparent licensing
Pros and Cons
  • "WatchGuard Firebox offers a satisfying VM and hardware"
  • "It's very difficult to find a reseller of WatchGuard Firebox to purchase a license"

What is our primary use case?

I have used WatchGuard Firebox for firewall testing purposes and setting up a couple of new projects for my company. I test the solution's efficiency in blocking IPs, role management and policy optimization. 

What is most valuable?

The product can be configured very easily. The license model of WatchGuard Firebox is also simple and transparent. A purchaser can effortlessly obtain the required features through the license system. 

WatchGuard Firebox offers a satisfying VM and hardware. The performance of the solution differs when it's deployed as a VM and a physical appliance. 

All basic firewall-based tasks, such as creating a policy or role, can be effortlessly implemented using WatchGuard Firebox. The user interface is simple and intuitive, allowing even a beginner to complete tasks without difficulty. 

What needs improvement?

It's very difficult to find a reseller of WatchGuard Firebox to purchase a license. The number of resellers for the solution should be increased through partnerships. The solution's network observability should be improved. The observance adaptability of different WatchGuard devices is minimal and it should be improved. The information or guidance provided by the vendor for using APIs, syslogs and exports should be enhanced. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Firebox for eight years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability an eight out of ten. It's a fairly stable product. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I would rate the scalability a seven out of ten. In our company, when we perform some load tests on one interface, there is a requirement for multiple packet drops at times, which the firewall might not be able to handle, and the other interfaces might go down as well.

There are some performance issues in WatchGuard Firebox when the load is high, but within limits the solution works perfectly. There are seven users of WatchGuard Firebox in our organization for the network administrator cycle. The solution is used daily in our company. There are no plans to increase the usage of the product any time soon in our organization as it is being used only for testing purposes. 

How was the initial setup?

The solution has a seamless initial setup process. I would rate the initial setup a nine out of ten. All the deployment aspects of WatchGuard Firebox are straightforward, and all basic features are available, but for advanced features, many professionals might prefer other solutions over WatchGuard Firebox.

The deployment process of the solution took about an hour in our company, it was a step-by-step configuration process but there were some issues with the VM otherwise it would have taken much less time. One professional is enough to deploy WatchGuard Firebox. For maintenance of WatchGuard Firebox only one person is required and multiple professionals monitors the solution in rotational shifts. 

What about the implementation team?

The solution was implemented completely in-house. 

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

I would rate the pricing as four out of ten. It's an affordable tool. The basic product license costs our company ₹400,000 per year. In our organization, we don't purchase any security add-ons with WatchGuard Firebox. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I am part of the research and development team, so I parallelly use competitor solutions from vendors like Palo Alto, Sophos and Check Point. 

What other advice do I have?

Our company professionals claim that WatchGuard Firebox is competent with other firewall solutions in the market. For security purposes, our organization mostly relies on proxy software and other application firewalls.

Our company is majorly concerned with the application firewall and not the network security; this is why we choose application firewalls like WatchGuard Firebox, which can be used both as a VM and physical appliance. In our organization, we use the solution not only for testing purposes but also for data centers. 

I would rate the product's performance and reliability for the remote workforce an eight out of ten. When I setup a data center and keep the solution as an entry point, then later on when I access it through a VPN, it will be flawless. It's very easy to configure a VPN using WatchGuard Firebox. The solution will showcase stability and easy accessibility even in remote functions.

For small and medium-scale networks, WatchGuard Firebox will be an ideal and cost-effective solution. I would rate the solution as eight out of ten. I would surely recommend the solution to others. 

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
IT Manager at Prologica
Real User
Feb 28, 2024
Easy to configure and has a nice user interface
Pros and Cons
  • "WatchGuard Firebox is easy to configure and has a nice user interface."
  • "The solution's pricing could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

I used WatchGuard Firebox for small configurations and to give Active Directory access to some users so they could bypass the firewall. I also used the solution as a VPN.

What is most valuable?

WatchGuard Firebox is easy to configure and has a nice user interface.

What needs improvement?

The solution's pricing could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using WatchGuard Firebox for one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the solution ten out of ten for stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Around five users are using the solution in our organization.

I rate WatchGuard Firebox a seven out of ten for scalability.

How was the initial setup?

On a scale from one to ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy, I rate the solution's initial setup a six or seven out of ten.

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

The pricing depends on the quality of the product we are buying and the support. WatchGuard Firebox has good quality, but it is expensive.

On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven or eight out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

The solution has some specific rules that detect multiple traffic from the same IP address. It will generate a report and send it to the administration's account email address so that we can analyze it and give the correct feedback for us to take action.

With the high competition in the market with AI, everything is done a lot faster, and all the companies are trying to lower the cost of their IT solutions. Companies that don't make the correct investments in their IT solutions face malware attacks and ransomware attacks. Every company needs security because any kind of disruption will be extremely costly for the company to get out of.

The solution's VPN capabilities have greatly improved our remote work security. It was very easy to configure and use. It was a bit tricky to configure on the remote computer, but everything was okay.

The solution's management interface eases the setup and ongoing maintenance of the solution. I did an update a couple of months ago, and it was very easy. I rate the solution's documentation a six out of ten.

I would recommend WatchGuard Firebox to other users because it's a well-known company that has been in the market for quite some time. It might have some vulnerabilities, like every other product in the market. Once the vulnerability is detected, it quickly makes patches for the system.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine 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
Buyer's Guide
Download our free WatchGuard Firebox Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: July 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free WatchGuard Firebox Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.