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WatchGuard Network Security Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Reviews & Insights

Score8.7 out of 10

892 Reviews and Ratings

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Who Buys & Uses WatchGuard Network Security

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Insights from WatchGuard Network Security Reviewers

Based on 22 verified reviews published in the last 18 months

Overview

Synthesised from 22 reviews | Last Published April 23, 2026

This product assessment summarizes 22 recent reviews of WatchGuard Network Security, covering nine key dimensions of product experience. WatchGuard Network Security is primarily deployed as a firewall and for network security (91% of reviewers) and VPN access (41%). Users value its unified security platform, with 73% appreciating the ability to manage security products from a single interface, leading to time savings and increased efficiency (36%). Many reviewers (45%) report improved security, preventing attacks and providing peace of mind, and a positive ROI (27%) through reduced cyber insurance costs and data breach prevention. While WatchGuard is praised for its VPN capabilities (18%), web filtering, and Active Directory integration (9% each), some users find the user interface not user-friendly (27%) and documentation lacking (18%). Cost is also a concern for some (14%), who find it more expensive than other mid-tier brands. Partner support experiences are generally positive (41%), though some report challenges with post-purchase technical support (9%).

Pros

  • Strong VPN capabilities for secure remote access (18% of reviewers)
  • Effective network security features, preventing attacks and intrusions (32% of reviewers)
  • Unified security platform enables centralized management, saving time and increasing efficiency (73% and 36% of reviewers respectively)
  • Positive ROI through reduced cyber insurance costs and data breach prevention (27% of reviewers)
  • Web filtering and Active Directory integration enhance security and management (9% of reviewers)

Cons

  • User interface is perceived as not user-friendly and difficult to navigate (27% of reviewers)
  • Documentation is sometimes lacking and would benefit from offline availability (18% of reviewers)
  • Some users find the platform takes time to get used to and settings are hard to find (14% of reviewers)
  • VPN capabilities lack multi-factor authentication options (14% of reviewers)
  • Cost is a concern for some, who find it more expensive compared to other mid-tier brands (14% of reviewers)
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WatchGuard Network Security Reviews

33 Reviews
Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesLaw Practice1Accounting1Architecture & Planning1Information Technology & Services18Computer & Network Security12

Great product

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We work with Watchguard because we wanted to partner with a security company that could give our customers peace of mind. Watchguard has provided us with a solution that we can use.

Pros

  • Good security
  • Good GUI
  • Good price points

Cons

  • Cost

Likelihood to Recommend

Any business.
NS
Nick Schimdt
President in Information Technology at Blue Pride IS LLC (Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
5 years of experience

WatchGuard - the Linus security blanket you always wanted - and need.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use WatchGuard Network Security both internally and for corporate clients. The range of security services, product range, configuration flexibility and ROI makes WatchGuard an outstanding choice.

Pros

  • Sufficient product range for SMB through large Gov't / Corporate
  • Easy to configure and maintain, reasonable ongoing subscription costs with flexible support options
  • Product availability - in stock or withing days for delivery
  • Top tier support when you need them.

Cons

  • Built in wireless devices have occasionally been problematic (ex T35-W series)
  • # 1 would be the ability to copy a base configuration easily from one device to another (policies)
  • Would like to see technical re write exams elongated, three years currently is just to short - min 5 yr would be reasonable, with all the certifications by other vendors this places undue/un-needed burden on the reseller. demand upkeep webinars instead.

Likelihood to Recommend

In today's quickly evolving security (risk) environment the need for active, secure firewall management and threat protection is really a must in all corporate and small business environments and WatchGuard has a sufficient product range to suit budget and need. About the only place it may be overkill is home based users, unless WatchGuard comes up with a basic home version under $150 USD.
PR
Paul Rose
Owner in Corporate at InterLink Computer Services (Computer & Network Security, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
10 years of experience
View profile

WatchGuard Review

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We deployed WatchGuard Network Security to many of our customers to better protect their perimeter network. It allows better visibility and greater security.

Pros

  • WatchGuard Cloud is great. It allows visibility into the things happening on the network.
  • WatchGuard is growing and adding new services all the time.
  • WatchGuard allows us to provide granular access based on users.

Cons

  • WatchGuard is a great security appliance, but lacks in the routing and network department.
  • Sometimes when we see threats it can take a while to truly understand whether they are a false positive or a true threat.
  • Support has been lacking lately.

Likelihood to Recommend

WatchGuard is expensive. We recommend WatchGuard in all scenarios where a customer values their security. Many small companies do not value this.
VU
Verified User
Consultant in Information Technology (Information Technology and Services company, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
WatchGuard Network Security
2 years of experience

WatchGuard Review

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are using it currently in our own organization as our primary firewall, wireless, and VPN solution. We are also using them for some of our clients with managed services.

Pros

  • Enterprise level security.
  • Price-point accommodating for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Ability to have integrated 2-factor authentication platform.

Cons

  • More traditional-style ACL list for firewall rules.

Likelihood to Recommend

WatchGuard is very well suited to provide true next-gen quality protection for businesses. We also are using it for some of our high-end residential customers to provide visibility to what is taking place over their network. The downside is that they focus specifically on network-security products and do not have other networking devices (switches/routers/etc).
RE
Randall E
Lead Sales Manager in Sales at Tarcsys Corp (Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
WatchGuard Network Security
2 years of experience

WatchGuard Network Security Device Review

Rating: 7 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use it as our go to for firewall protection at our company and across 99% of our clients. This addresses network security.

Pros

  • WatchGuard uses best in breed for their services, which means they do not try to reinvent something that a company is already doing well... they partner with them.
  • Geo location blocking works great.
  • Easy to install and setup.

Cons

  • The only con I see may be something getting blocked when you have a policy in place to allow it.
  • WatchGaurd, by default, blocks unless allowed by a policy. This is good, but you just need to educate users and techs to know what they are looking for.

Likelihood to Recommend

We have been using them for 5+ years and still love their product.
TS
Thomas Shemon
Senior Computer and Information Systems Manager in Information Technology at "Solutions" Inc (Information Technology and Services, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
3 years of experience

WatchGuard Firebox's Single Pane of Glass Dashboard Improves Perimeter Protection

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

i3 Business Solutions is a technology managed services and security provider in West Michigan. We are a WatchGuard partner using the WatchGuard Dimension Dashboard to monitor or manage over 100 Fireboxes for our clients. The Dimension Dashboard single pane of glass allows us to improve and tighten cybersecurity for clients in a standardized, consistent, and efficient manner.

Pros

  • The WatchGuard Firebox flags and prevents bot attempts on clients' network.
  • The WatchGuard Firebox provides layers of protection using best of breed partners to protect clients perimeter.
  • The WatchGuard Firebox can be centrally managed on a single pane of glass or dashboard allowing for centralized and efficient updating of security profiles.

Cons

  • With the proliferation of IoT and VoIP, managing network traffic priority and access can be a challenge due to the WatchGuard Firebox' tight security.

Likelihood to Recommend

The WatchGuard Firebox is excellent for small to medium-size businesses who are looking for a clean user interface and user-friendly UTM - unified threat management to protect their network perimeter.
MR
Michael Ritsema
Principal & President in Information Technology at i3 Business Solutions, LLC (Computer & Network Security, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
WatchGuard Network Security
8 years of experience
View profile

Why WG and Me?

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are a reseller and we use it as our first line firewall in all our clients as a security and firewall/router.

Pros

  • Very intuitive GUI.
  • Dimension server for managing the client's activities and logs is simple and responsive.
  • WatchGuard support both from a re-seller information perspective and from a technical support perspective. We, as Advanced Office Solutions, feel very well supported.

Cons

  • Although Dimension Server is great, it is simple. More reporting, more in-depth capabilities, and functions would be helpful. Added trouble reports that are automated and sent to the support agent as an example.

Likelihood to Recommend

I feel that based on the suites of products that WatchGuard has that there is really no place that does not fit. Cost may be a catalyst for a smaller client, however, we, even then, recommend the investment as no one business escapes Cyber attacks/ers.
SU
Simone Upham
VP in Information Technology at AOS (Computer & Network Security, 51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
3 years of experience

WatchGuard Partner Review

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

As a reseller of the product, I have many clients using various Watchguard products including schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, etc. We use the units for branch office VPN tunnel connections, geolocation to prevent workstations from going to sites in various other countries they shouldn't be going to. The proxy services are very strong and useful. Web blocker features are also particularly useful to prevent users from going to unauthorized categorized sites.

Pros

  • Watchguard equipment is easily configured via a native app or a built-in Web-browser.
  • Their technical support is very helpful when needed.
  • Branch office VPN tunnels can be configured and forgotten. The tunnels always reestablish after reboots with no fuss.
  • Many choices for VPN including IPSEC, their own proprietary SSLVPN client, and L2TP, which allows for various client types connecting to the corporate network as needed.

Cons

  • The pricing of the "optional" security features should be looked at more closely. In some cases, long-time small business clients that have been using Watchguard seem to be getting priced out of the products due to the high costs of the Total Security Defense packages.

Likelihood to Recommend

Branch office VPN Tunneling for bridging remote offices seems to be a very strong component of the units. Reputation Enabled Defense is of great use. We are impressed with the overall reliability of the units.
VU
Verified User
Partner in Information Technology (Information Technology and Services company, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
18 years of experience

Watchguard Security as MSP solution

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Currently, we utilize WatchGuard Network Security as the key component for both of our offices. We also resell and recommend WatchGuard to our clients and support approximately 50-60 deployed scenarios as the solution for network protection and security, through hardware and the integrated security such as DPI, AV, Webblocking and so much more.

Pros

  • URL Filtering: Extremely effective for blocking of questionable content and protecting from phishing sites.
  • Antivirus: Our clients have seen far fewer active threats when a WatchGuard Network Security Device is in place.
  • Data Loss Prevention: A valuable tool for our clients who require more security when it comes to metadata and personal data leaving the network.

Cons

  • It would be great to have a migration tool to HELP between competitor products to attempt to migrate a configuration so that time and client money is saved when moving into a WatchGuard Network Security deployment.
  • Remote deployment is inconsistent i.e. setting a configuration ahead of time for the device to implement when it powers on and dials home. Would like to see this developed more and with more capability for complexity.

Likelihood to Recommend

I have and will continue to recommend WatchGuard Network Security to clients large and small. Our business has had no opportunity to say, " You're too small or simple to not benefit from this level of security." WatchGuard has a solution we can confidently offer to even our smallest client with confidence and know we can convey the peace of mind having a WatchGuard Network Security appliance.
TA
Tracy Atwood
Senior Support Specialist / Project Manager in Information Technology at Tech Help (Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
5 years of experience

Our review of Watchguard Network Security and how it helps our clients and adds to our business value

Rating: 8 out of 10
Incentivized

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use it in our own company and we recommend WatchGuard to other businesses to help protect their network infrastructure.

Pros

  • Gateway Antivirus works well.
  • Web filtering helps prevent users from going sites they shouldn't be visiting.
  • SSL VPN works great and secure.

Cons

  • Routine visit from our WatchGuard rep at least twice a year.
  • Not having to take two tests for two people every two years to stay at the Gold Level. One test each after meeting Gold status should be sufficient.
  • Highly recommend taking the online test for staying at Gold level instead of going to a testing center. Like a continuing education course and an online test.

Likelihood to Recommend

Well suited for small businesses except the cost of the Basic Security Suite is becoming a deterrent for the better security because of the cost point for small business.
VU
Verified User
Paraprofessional in Sales (Information Technology and Services company, 11-50 employees)
Vetted Review
Reseller
WatchGuard Network Security
15 years of experience