WatchGuard Firebox - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

Reviewers appreciate WatchGuard Firebox's firewall capabilities for their high security, ease of use, and excellent management aspects. They report the firewalls are easy to configure, offer granular control over traffic, and provide robust protection against external threats. Users find the DNS Watcher helpful in catching and stopping malicious activity quickly. They indicate the firewalls are important for protecting networks in various environments, including schools and corporate networks, and value the customizable accessibility and live protection capabilities. Of the 59 WatchGuard Firebox users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Firewalls, 100% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Reviewers highlight the flexibility and user-friendliness of WatchGuard Firebox's policy management. They find it easy to set specific rules for different users and applications, and appreciate the ability to manage policies both online and offline. Users report that the policy management allows for straightforward customization, routing, and filtering plans. They also value the centralized control over network security policies and the ease of updating policies to fit changing environments. Some note a steep learning curve but find it effective once understood. Of the 49 WatchGuard Firebox users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Policy Management, 94% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users report that WatchGuard Firebox's Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) effectively tracks and prevents intrusion attempts, providing a critical defense against unauthorized access. They appreciate the system's ability to handle high data loads with minimal performance impact and the quick updates to subscription services. Reviewers indicate that IPS helps protect data between offices and warehouses, and is essential for real-time scanning for threats like spyware and SQL injections. They find it important for maintaining network security and preventing malicious activities. Of the 65 WatchGuard Firebox users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Intrusion Prevention System, 92% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Reviewers indicate that WatchGuard Firebox's VPN functionality provides secure, reliable remote access for users. They appreciate the support for various VPN configurations, including site-to-site and client-to-site, and the strong encryption ensuring data protection. Users find the VPN easy to configure and value the multiple methods available for secure remote access on different devices and platforms. They report that the VPN is critical for remote work, allowing staff to connect safely from home or other locations, and integrates well with MFA for added security. Of the 107 WatchGuard Firebox users who gave detailed accounts of their use of VPN, 91% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The multiple methods available for VPN/Secure Remote Access on multiple devices/platforms has allowed us to replace a number of previously used appliances and set the security at the perimeter of the network.”

IK

Iain K.

IT and Special Projects Manager

“The SSL VPN and IPSEC VPN products work wonderfully. We use both site to site VPNs for multiple sites as well as the software VPN client for remote workers on hotspots. Works great every time!”

Chris B.

IT Manager

Reviewers highlight the importance of WatchGuard Firebox's Intrusion Detection System (IDS) in monitoring and detecting anomalies. They appreciate the system's ability to flag and block suspicious traffic and the customization options available. Users report that IDS works well in conjunction with the Intrusion Prevention System to provide comprehensive protection. They find it important for alerting them to potential intrusions and appreciate the dashboard for monitoring threats. Some suggest improvements in real-time capabilities and notification mechanisms. Of the 48 WatchGuard Firebox users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Intrusion Detection System, 83% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users find WatchGuard Firebox's IP filtering capabilities valuable for blocking IP addresses and utilizing geo-blocking to enhance security. They appreciate the ease of controlling IP filtering through an intuitive interface and the ability to filter traffic by IP and region. Reviewers report that IP filtering helps keep attackers away from the network and is useful for basic control, although some feel it is less critical compared to advanced security capabilities. They value the regular updates to the blocked list and the ability to whitelist IP addresses easily. Of the 39 WatchGuard Firebox users who gave detailed accounts of their use of IP Filtering, 82% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Keeping attackers away from your network is critical to security. Being able to filter by IP and region is very helpful in achieving this.”

John S.

Sr. Network Engineer

“IP filtering and geolocation management have been powerful security tools.”

SK

Scott K.

CTO