Untangle Application Control vs WatchGuard Application Control comparison

Untangle Application Control vs. WatchGuard Application Control

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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

Untangle Application Control

Ranking in Application Control

9th

Average Rating

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

WatchGuard Application Control

Ranking in Application Control

8th

Average Rating

8.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Application Control category, the mindshare of Untangle Application Control is 4.6%, up from 2.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of WatchGuard Application Control is 4.6%, down from 6.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Control

Featured Reviews

Andre Lourens

Technical at Gemini Networks

Stable performance and effective control over user access to specific applications and websites

I'm not sure about its scalability since most of my deployments are for small to medium-sized companies. I haven't faced any scalability issues so far. It runs smoothly. I don't use dedicated appliances; instead, I have it running on existing PCs. And it works fine. I haven't experienced any throughput issues or similar problems. I have around five or six different clients using Untangle Application Control.

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ScottEastman

Project Consultant at SEVERN HOSPICE LIMITED

Reliable with good blocking capabilities for enhanced security

We like the blocking capabilities on offer. I like the brand, and I know the product really well, which is what keeps me using it. I have a good knowledge of the solution. It is stable and reliable. The solution can scale well. Technical support has been helpful. We have witnessed an ROI as it has helped with security measures.

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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

"Application filter features are the most valuable for us."

"Content filtering is really easy to use. We have rules for content filtering. One of the rules that we have is that if it is not an SSL site, it should block the site. It scans, and if it finds a bad site, it is not going to allow it. We can also block based on what the company wants us to block. If the company wants us to block porn, we'll block porn. If the company wants to block social media, we're going to block social media."

"The fact that I can limit access to certain apps is the most valuable feature for me. For example, I can restrict access to specific websites or certain functions within websites."

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

"Zero-trust and threat-hunting services are most valuable."

"We have witnessed an ROI as it has helped with security measures."

"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."

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

"The most valuable feature is the category control."

"I found several features valuable in WatchGuard Application Control such as the HTTP Proxy, DNSWatch, VPN, and HTTPS Content Inspection."

"The solution is very stable. We've never had any problems with stability. Once a year we do a reboot just as a precaution. The solution never stops running otherwise."

More WatchGuard Application Control pros

Cons

"There is room for improvement in blocking torrents."

"The only thing that they need to improve is that they drop sessions. Currently, if you see a session come in, such as a DHCP session or a VPN session, you don't have the ability to click on that session, hit drop, and have them re-negotiate. It would be a really nice feature, and they are working on it. This is the only feature that is missing."

"Reporting functionality could be improved to provide more comprehensive insights."

"They could expand the amount of applications that are on the list, but it's pretty intensive anyway, so it's pretty good."

"There is no message displayed for the user on the desktop informing them that access to a web page has been blocked by Application Control."

"The licensing can be a bit expensive."

"What could be improved in WatchGuard Application Control is its price. It could be cheaper. You always want the best price for any solution, but for security products, pricing is usually on the higher side."

"The solution needs to improve the interface. I'm not able to easily find things using it."

"I believe there is room for improvement in policies, with the potential to enhance the margins further."

"There should be more reports available on different subjects."

"The control software is currently only available for Windows, which can be a little annoying for Linux users."

More WatchGuard Application Control cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I use the free version of Untangle."

"Everything is included on the firewall at one price point, and we sell it for $70 a month, which includes the hardware."

"Over the years, the costs have increased, especially since I cater to very small businesses."

"Its cost is okay. It is not too expensive, not too low. I would rate it a nine out of ten in terms of pricing."

"The licensing model for WatchGuard Application Control is based on the number of users. WatchGuard Application Control also has licensing models with several features."

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Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Untangle Application Control?

The fact that I can limit access to certain apps is the most valuable feature for me. For example, I can restrict access to specific websites or certain functions within websites.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Untangle Application Control?

I use the free version of Untangle as it is because I use the VPN feature. It's easy, quick, and helps with network protection. There are no hidden fees. I make it clear upfront what features you g...

What needs improvement with Untangle Application Control?

Maybe the reporting could be improved to provide more useful insights. In future releases, better reporting would be helpful. For me, that's normally an area that could be enhanced.

What do you like most about WatchGuard Application Control?

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.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for WatchGuard Application Control?

Over the years, the costs have increased, especially since I cater to very small businesses. While they comprehend the necessity of investing in network protection, these features have become relat...

What needs improvement with WatchGuard Application Control?

I believe there is room for improvement in policies, with the potential to enhance the margins further.

Comparisons

No data available

Product Reports

Application Control

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WatchGuard Application Control

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Learn More

Untangle

WatchGuard

Overview

Untangle is an innovator in cybersecurity products designed specifically for the below-enterprise market, safeguarding businesses, home offices, nonprofits, schools and governmental organizations. Untangle’s integrated suite of software and appliances provides enterprise-grade capabilities and consumer-oriented simplicity to organizations with limited IT resources. Untangle’s award-winning network security solutions are trusted by over 40,000 customers around the world. Untangle is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Organizations of all sizes rely on various applications for daily business operations, but how do you ensure only sanctioned applications are being used on your network? With WatchGuard Application Control, you have the power to limit application usage, and keep unproductive, inappropriate, and dangerous applications off your network.

Sample Customers

Bridger Valley Electric, Rathbone Group, Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (CPNJ), Brown County Schools

Chester School District, Kensington Close Hotel

Untangle Application Control vs. WatchGuard Application Control