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Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series vs. WatchGuard Network Security

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series

    Score10 out of 10
    N/AThe VM-Series is a virtualized form of Palo Alto next-generation firewall that can be deployed in a range of cloud environments. The VM-Series natively analyzes all traffic in a single pass to determine the application identity, the content within, and the user identity.N/A

    WatchGuard Network Security

    Score8.7 out of 10
    N/AWatchGuard Network Security is a network security and firewall software. WatchGuard includes secure Wi-Fi, multi-factor authentication, and network intelligence products and services designed for SMB’s.N/A
    Pricing
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Support
    Contact sales team
    Contact sales team
    Basic Security
    Contact sales team
    Contact sales team
    Total Security
    Contact sales team
    Contact sales team
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Considered Both Products
    Palo Alto Networks
    Chose Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
    The above firewalls are great but the Palo Alto is the king. The Palo Alto does everything from layer 3 to layer 7. It gives visibility to the network, unlike other firewalls. When configured properly it will monitor and report on each and every packet that enters and leaves …
    Incentivized
    Chose Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
    PAN was a much more solid choice, with less infrastructure needs required than Checkpoint. Cost was also a factor, with PAN being cheaper, even without the discounts given by our rep. VPN's are much easier to configure with non-heterogeneous products where the checkpoint …
    Incentivized
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Chose WatchGuard Network Security
    they’re niche players, but it worth to check out their solutions. Best choice for SMB
    Incentivized
    Chose WatchGuard Network Security
    None of the other next-generation firewall appliances competed on ease of use/setup, feature set, and price as well as WatchGuard. WatchGuard uses best-in-breed technologies from expert vendors to run their individual security services where other vendors create inferior …
    Incentivized
    Chose WatchGuard Network Security
    The ease of implementation and making changes is a million times better then Palo-Alto
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    100%
    Would buy again
    7 Answers
    96%
    Would buy again
    356 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    7 Answers
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    341 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    98%
    Happy with the feature set
    364 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    7 Answers
    96%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    314 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    86%
    Implementation went as expected
    6 Answers
    97%
    Implementation went as expected
    340 Answers
    Features
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Firewall
    Comparison of Firewall features of Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series and WatchGuard Network Security
    Feature
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
    9.5
    6 Ratings
    10% above category average
    WatchGuard Network Security
    9.0
    460 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Identification Technologies9.76 Ratings8.7419 Ratings
    Visualization Tools9.56 Ratings8.5417 Ratings
    Content Inspection10.06 Ratings9.1444 Ratings
    Policy-based Controls9.56 Ratings9.1457 Ratings
    Active Directory and LDAP9.56 Ratings8.8388 Ratings
    Firewall Management Console9.46 Ratings8.5450 Ratings
    Reporting and Logging9.36 Ratings9.0446 Ratings
    VPN9.26 Ratings9.5441 Ratings
    High Availability8.85 Ratings9.5399 Ratings
    Stateful Inspection10.06 Ratings9.3413 Ratings
    Proxy Server9.44 Ratings9.4298 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Small Businesses
    SonicWall NSA Series
    Score8.5 out of 10
    SonicWall NSA Series
    Score8.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
    Score9.4 out of 10
    Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
    Score9.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
    Score9 out of 10
    Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
    Score9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.5
    (8 ratings)
    8.5
    (475 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.7
    (37 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.9
    (118 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.2
    (4 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (4 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.5
    (29 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (4 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.2
    (3 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (264 ratings)
    Configurability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (3 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (3 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (4 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.2
    (3 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.2
    (3 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Palo Alto Networks
    PaloAlto VM-200 is a virtualized firewall with high processing power and network edge protection. The great advantage is being able to implement in a VMware environment without worrying about hardware, rack space, physical network connections and others. It can be easily managed via the web and remotely to create protection, access and reporting rules. The VM-200 firewall can be used by any company, small or large because it has several models available according to the real needs of each one.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Watchguard is well suited for small businesses without significantly complex networks and infrastructure. WatchGuard firewalls perform well on IPv4 networks and offer basic security features that match other vendors that target the small business market. WatchGuard firewalls are less appropriate for mid-sized business and larger. There is limited IPv6 support, and the firmware often lacks some or all of more advanced features that businesses that size often need.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Palo Alto Networks
    • Decrypt internet traffic
    • daily reporting of top internet users
    • classify internet traffic in real-time to allow us to understand the organization needs.
    • Strong AI capabilities
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    • Incoming Torrent attempts were blocked, but outgoing (by a user) were permitted. Similarly, other direct attempts were summarily blocked.
    • provides full administrative support for analysis of usage and scope.
    • strong Wi-Fi support and security - area wi-fi maps
    • They think of all the things secure and I don't have to worry about it.
    • I have not identified anything else that needs improvement - I am well satisfied.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Palo Alto Networks
    • High Availability can be improved to allow active-active deployment
    • All command line documentation to provide and support automation
    • It will be nice to have link aggregation just like in the hardware firewall models.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    • Better integration with VoIP services, such as templates for policies handling traffic for Bria or Asterisk endponts and servers.
    • Get webblocker to work without breaking secure websites.
    • Lower cost on endpoint agents for antivirus and include application control and webblocker with the agents.
    • Make the cost per endpoint with TDR and Netowrk access control lower than the cost of Antivirus licensing that is not integrated.
    • Make it easier to set up network access control and VLAN assignment by device, perhaps with templates.
    • Get webblocker and application control working with QUIC.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    I'm giving this note to WatchGuard Network Security due to its ease of daily support (after acquiring necessary knowledge in the solution), which allows agility in configuration changes, its integration of several reliable security features (such as SSL VPN, VPN Virtual Interfaces between companies, and others) and functional and stability in operation, with no downtime in the equipment due to problems or malfunctions
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Palo Alto Networks
    It is very easy to use, even for those with little experience in this particular firewall. Some of the advanced content filtering and content-based policies are difficult to pick up; however, almost all required decoders are built in. Built-in logging and rule testing make rule definition easy, and labels/tags allow filtering, grouping, and categorisation of rules. Updates are easy, and high availability is also reliable.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Although it might take some time to figure out, we have been able to use WatchGuard's online reference library and tech support to create/implement/modify all of our filtering rules and exceptions needed. There really has not been a shortcoming other than perhaps a learning curve.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Availability has always been a strong point of this product, it is rare that watchguard does not have a solution for customers' network monitoring needs.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Performance
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    The performance of WatchGuard Network Security is very good, in the years that we have used the solution we have only had a single error and Watchguard itself was able to solve it. Furthermore, when purchasing any product, the partner always evaluates the capacity of the solution to recommend the most appropriate product for our needs.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Palo Alto Networks
    Palo Alto VM series are best selling and industry's top-selling security product which customers prefer while securing their public cloud environment
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    We have only had to contact them once during the initial set up to help bring the internet back on line. After that for the most part our systems have been automated, and could easily be checked form their online FAQ and Knowledge base that they provide. Everything else is easily handled from their browser based interface
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    We participate to a in person training and the three days of learning was really useful and complete to gain skill to solve the major part of the problem we encounter during our life. And more the in person training give us the opportunity to create a network with other WatchGuard partner.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Online Training
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    Online training is good for learning how to use the product. It does not teach security strategy because that is not its intent.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    I had my key information for setting up the firewall, and they assisted me in finding the settings and appropriate places to enter data. They also helped troubleshoot when I didn't understand some of their feature concepts, and we got it running.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Palo Alto Networks
    palo alto firewalls are application-oriented systems. They can beat other product which are based on layer 3/4 inspection. Vm series are also quickly available and could be useful in urgent deployment needs . other vendors like Fortinet and cisco could take much more time to provide the VM and in some cases installation and license validation are complicated
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    I think the solutions are comparable, but the cloud management piece is critical for MSPs these days. We need to be able to schedule and push out updates as soon as they are stable and ready. Insurance companies and government regulations mandate this.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Scalability
    Palo Alto Networks
    No answers on this topic
    WatchGuard Technologies
    This product is very scalable since previously everything related to Watchguard was on premises but that has now changed with the inclusion of watchguard cloud. Now the product has evolved to have full control of firewalls at the cloud level.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Palo Alto Networks
    • ROI has been achieved quickly through lack of security incidents.
    • Inline filtering happens at line rate, unline Sourcefire from Cisco.
    • Great incentives from PAN to switch made a difference in the choice to change.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    WatchGuard Technologies
    • at least 3-5X a year (that I know of), this device has single-handedly prevented members of our staff from inadvertently connecting to services they did not intend and could have resulted in security disruption
    • although you can never rule out human-behaviour-engineered threat, it's helpful to know that our network has a higher level, enterprise-class control and monitoring behind it
    • any time our network might be showing signs of abnormal performance, the WatchGuard control panel is the first place I turn to help identify the level of concern. It can quickly set my mind at ease and help to identify the specific device that might be out of compliance
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    WatchGuard Network Security Screenshots

    Screenshot of WatchGuard Cloud Customizable DashboardScreenshot of Threat Monitoring SummaryScreenshot of Device Security SummaryScreenshot of Automated ReportingScreenshot of User Authentication SummaryScreenshot of Endpoint Protection Summary