WatchGuard Firebox Reviews

Name: WatchGuard Firebox
Brand: WatchGuard
Rating: 4.2 (86 reviews)

Vendor: WatchGuard

4.2 out of 5

86 reviews
95% willing to recommend

772 followers

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What is WatchGuard Firebox?

WatchGuard Firebox is a versatile security solution primarily used for security purposes such as firewalling, VPN, and protecting networks from outside and inside threats. It is also used for routing, multi-factor authentication, vulnerability management, and segregating industrial networks from corporate networks.

Get the WatchGuard Firebox Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about WatchGuard Firebox, Fortinet FortiGate, Netgate pfSense and more!

WatchGuard Firebox is the #4 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions and #12 ranked solution in best firewalls. 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 41% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Helped 838,640 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Steve Rubin

President and Owner at Peak Communication Systems, Inc.

We can open or close individual ports, which most can, but I like the way that this programs. Meaning its GUI interface versus Cisco's, where their interface is still not all that great. We just become very comfortable with WatchGuard over the years because we know what to do with them. We have found it to be very usable and friendly. We can use it for identifying and hunting down. If we run into a problem for some reason, the reporting capability makes it much easier for us to ID where problems may be. Depending on what specific model you get, along with how deeply reprogrammed and restrictive we make it, their throughput is pretty good. Though, the models are all pretty close to the same. We get about an 85 to 90 percent throughput, depending on which of their security platforms we install. Some will take a little bit more and some will take a little less.

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Reviewer843600

Director of Information Technology at a recreational facilities/services company with 201-500 employees

If they could make the traffic monitoring easier that would be great. I don't use it that frequently, but I would like to see some improvements in the ease of use of that component, so it makes more sense. I know it's a technical component so there's going to be some difficulty trying to make that easier. Also, if they could provide more examples in their documentation, that would help. Sometimes they will say, "Hey, go in and set this up," and it would be so much easier to do it if they put in a couple of examples and showed me. Imagine instructions on how to change a tire and the steps you go through. Give me some pictures or some examples of how you change the tire. Where do you put the jack so it doesn't tear up the fender on your car? I'm a person who loves looking at examples cause I can look at things and see how they applied them and then learn from them. Even if they put in some snapshots and said, "Here's how this should look after you put this information in," that would help. It would be confirmation that this is accurate and this is going to work. Finally, when we did the split tunneling, as it turned out, that was an all-or-nothing, global setting. As soon as I did that it impacted everybody. What I was hoping to do was to set that up so that I could do a pilot group and, once it was working, I could turn it on for everybody. We needed to get it going and it was all-or-nothing. We did that on a weekend and it ate up my weekend time.

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Hiro Amano

IT Manager at YAMAZEN, INC

The most valuable feature is the GUI, especially the real-time bandwidth usage report. Also, its integration with WiFi access points is nice. The product's usability is very good. We were using Cisco products before, and that was terrible. The difference is in integration. With Cisco we had to go into the command line to configure devices. With WatchGuard we can do everything from the GUI, so it's much easier to set up and to make sure everything is working the way we want. The throughput of the solution is good. It's also very good at reporting. I can see things graphically so I don't have to read through all the log text files. The solution provides our business with layered security. In terms of the attack vectors it secures, we have a firewall set up and it gives me reports. It also has an integrated web filtering solution. I can set up a website filter and it's all filtered in one place. I don't have to go to another solution.

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WatchGuard Firebox mindshare

Product category:

As of February 2025, the mindshare of WatchGuard Firebox in the Firewalls category stands at 3.0%, up from 2.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	WatchGuard Firebox vs Netgate pfSense	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	WatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGate	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	WatchGuard Firebox vs OPNsense	Feb 21, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.7%	90%	318 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	16.0%	94%	213 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

WatchGuard Firebox offers ease of setup, intuitive WebGUI, superior URL category database, real-time bandwidth monitoring, and extensive integration with WiFi. Users appreciate seamless VPN setup, VLAN management, robust VPN and proxy features, superior threat detection with DNSWatch, secure web filtering, and comprehensive customer support. Its layered security includes antivirus, intrusion prevention, geolocation blocking, and application control. High throughput and user-friendly interfaces contribute to its appeal for businesses seeking reliable network protection.

"I recommend Firebox since this device will not let anyone down."
"The Firebox offers valuable features such as network security, URL filtering, UTM features, intrusion prevention and detection, and authentication."
"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."

Room for Improvement

WatchGuard Firebox users desire more user-friendly interfaces and simplified management capabilities. There are requests for enhanced integration with third-party vendors and better traffic monitoring. Reporting and documentation need improvement to offer clearer and more practical insights. Users also mention issues with technical support, pricing, and the need for a more responsive licensing process. Furthermore, increased cloud functionality and API accessibility are also sought to improve usability and performance.

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

ROI

Organizations experience reduced admin time with WatchGuard Firebox, cutting fees significantly compared to previous solutions. Users achieve savings both in time and costs, experiencing improved productivity through efficient threat management. Users note substantial prevention of network breaches and enhanced remote working capabilities, leading to early financial returns and a high rate of satisfaction. ROI is seen in terms of operational efficiency and peace of mind due to increased network security.

Pricing

WatchGuard Firebox offers competitive and reasonable pricing, with several users highlighting its affordability, especially compared to similar solutions like Barracuda and SonicWall. Many purchase three-year subscriptions to optimize costs, with attractive trade-in options available. Licensing models allow flexibility, with costs mainly tied to security feature packages. Users appreciate the value, though some mention extra expenses for advanced features. Businesses find the pricing fair, with a strong recommendation for those seeking an effective, budget-friendly security solution.

"I think the tool is quite competitive compared to the other brands."
"It's an affordable tool"
"I would rate the pricing at seven out of ten. As for the licensing costs, we typically have yearly licenses for our clients, but there are no additional costs beyond the standard licensing fees."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use WatchGuard Firebox as a firewall and VPN for network security across multiple locations. It offers Unified Threat Management, intrusion protection, web filtering, and bandwidth management. Its features support VPN tunnels, firewalling, application control, URL filtering, SD-WAN, routing, and internet gateway protection. WatchGuard is used for internal infrastructure defense, network traffic management, and securing connections between branches. It helps manage and protect the environment from external threats while providing remote and mobile security access.

Service and Support

Users report that WatchGuard Firebox customer service is prompt and knowledgeable. Technical support is highlighted for its efficiency, quick response times, and expertise. Some users find support takes longer for complex issues, while typical response times range from minutes to a few hours. Many appreciate the ability to resolve issues swiftly, though a few note delays or challenges in complex areas like VoIP. Support ratings are positive, emphasizing the team’s knowledge and responsiveness.

Deployment

Users generally found WatchGuard Firebox's initial setup straightforward, especially when using the intuitive GUI. For those familiar with the system, the setup process was quick and hassle-free. Even though some found the configuration complex, resources like online guides and support eased the process. Most deployments involved only one IT person, taking minutes to a few hours, depending on complexity. Templates and prior configurations significantly reduced setup times for multiple locations.

Scalability

WatchGuard Firebox can scale effectively, but its scalability varies based on the model and usage requirements. Some users find it highly scalable with easy upgrades and model flexibility, while others experience performance issues under heavy load. It supports large organizations, offers model upgrades, and handles various features well for many. However, some users note limitations, requiring upgrades for increased capacity. The flexibility to scale according to organizational needs is generally well-regarded.

Stability

Users find WatchGuard Firebox stable with minimal issues. Many report it functioning for years without crashes. Some suggest adding battery backups for power outages. Updates are frequent, contributing to stability, although occasional reboots are recommended for maintenance. Some encountered hardware issues, resolved with replacements. Performance varies slightly based on customer environments. Most rate stability highly, often nine or ten out of ten, praising its reliability and consistent operation.

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

17%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Hospitality Company

Retailer

Educational Organization

Government

Manufacturing Company

University

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Non Profit

Media Company

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

Transportation Company

Compare WatchGuard Firebox with alternative products

Learn more about WatchGuard Firebox

The product is praised for scalability, stability, user-friendliness, reasonable pricing, and good technical support. Some users use it for web filtering and hosting web pages, while others – for remote access connections and mobile VPNs. Firebox offers great protection, good performance, and flexibility without licensing limitations.

WatchGuard Firebox Features

WatchGuard Firebox has many valuable key features, including:

Policy management
Strong security
High performance
Network configuration for multiple clients
Built-in SD-WAN
Application control
Threat detection and response
Network discovery
Intuitive interface

WatchGuard Firebox Benefits

Some of the benefits of using WatchGuard Firebox include:

IT administrators can create and implement policies for content filtering, VPNs, and network inspections.
The solution is easy to set up, manage, and maintain.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by WatchGuard Firebox users.

PeerSpot user Kelly C., IT Manager at a hospitality company, mentions, “One of the most valuable features is the Gateway AntiVirus. We scan all traffic as it's coming through. We also use spamBlocker to scrub spam. We use content filtering, which is critical in any corporate environment to make sure that people don't surf things they're not supposed to. WatchGuard has a very easy VPN and branch office VPN setup, so we use those pretty extensively too.It's very easy to use. In terms of performance, WatchGuard has always worked well for us. Regarding the reporting, I was in the Dimension server earlier today. It's very powerful. I like it. And the management features are easy to use. I like the fact that I can open up the System Manager client or I can just do it through the web if I'm making a quick change.”

A Director of Information Technology at a retailer says, “Among the most valuable features is the ease of use — love the interface — of both the web interface and of the WatchGuard System Manager. It's a stable platform. The devices are pretty rock-solid.”

Jason M., IT Director at a healthcare company, explains, “The policy monitoring and allowing different traffic flows are the most useful features for us; regulating which traffic comes in and out. In terms of the throughput and performance, we don't have a problem or any bottleneck there. We downgraded the size of our appliance because we're a small facility, and what we had before was actually too big. The one we are now going with seems to be doing a great job.” He also adds, “The management feature is pretty nice.”

Steve R., President and Owner at Peak Communication Systems, Inc., comments, "It saves us time in the respect that we now have the template built for it so we can get in and get it done. We've had much less problems supporting Voice over IP technologies from different companies. Because our client base has grown over the years, we're probably saving 20 to 30 man-hours a month now that we've got this on a good stable level."