What users are saying about
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring#question3' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>Customer Verified: Read more.</a>
63 Ratings
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring#question3' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>Customer Verified: Read more.</a>
63 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.3 out of 100
Based on 63 reviews and ratings
WatchGuard Network Security
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring#question3' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>Customer Verified: Read more.</a>
Top Rated
313 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 9.3 out of 100
Based on 313 reviews and ratings
Feature Set Ratings
- WatchGuard Network Security ranks higher in 1 feature set: Firewall
Firewall
8.5
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
85%
8.8
WatchGuard Network Security
88%
WatchGuard Network Security ranks higher in 7/11 features
WatchGuard Network Security ranks higher in 7/11 features
Identification Technologies
8.5
85%
24 Ratings
9.0
90%
177 Ratings
Visualization Tools
7.8
78%
21 Ratings
7.9
79%
184 Ratings
Content Inspection
8.0
80%
25 Ratings
8.9
89%
193 Ratings
Policy-based Controls
8.8
88%
25 Ratings
9.3
93%
199 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP
9.0
90%
24 Ratings
8.9
89%
173 Ratings
Firewall Management Console
8.7
87%
25 Ratings
8.9
89%
197 Ratings
Reporting and Logging
8.7
87%
25 Ratings
8.1
81%
193 Ratings
VPN
9.5
95%
25 Ratings
9.1
91%
192 Ratings
High Availability
9.7
97%
25 Ratings
9.1
91%
175 Ratings
Stateful Inspection
8.0
80%
4 Ratings
9.0
90%
180 Ratings
Proxy Server
7.1
71%
3 Ratings
9.0
90%
133 Ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services is rated higher in 1 area: Performance
- WatchGuard Network Security is rated higher in 5 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Likelihood to Renew, Usability, Support Rating, Implementation Rating
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
87%
25 Ratings
9.3
WatchGuard Network Security
93%
213 Ratings
Likelihood to Renew
7.1
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
71%
2 Ratings
9.6
WatchGuard Network Security
96%
15 Ratings
Usability
7.1
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
71%
2 Ratings
9.2
WatchGuard Network Security
92%
105 Ratings
Availability
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
N/A
0 Ratings
8.2
WatchGuard Network Security
82%
1 Rating
Performance
8.5
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
85%
21 Ratings
8.2
WatchGuard Network Security
82%
1 Rating
Support Rating
9.1
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
91%
25 Ratings
9.3
WatchGuard Network Security
93%
19 Ratings
In-Person Training
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
N/A
0 Ratings
9.6
WatchGuard Network Security
96%
3 Ratings
Online Training
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
N/A
0 Ratings
9.1
WatchGuard Network Security
91%
2 Ratings
Implementation Rating
8.2
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
82%
2 Ratings
9.3
WatchGuard Network Security
93%
278 Ratings
Product Scalability
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
N/A
0 Ratings
9.1
WatchGuard Network Security
91%
1 Rating
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
This device fits very well in medium to large enterprise networks, the ability for active/passive failover makes it extremely reliable should you choose to purchase two units. For smaller networks, the 5500 series may be overkill with a multitude of less expensive options available. Having everything in one box and management utilizing the Cisco ASDM console is very nice.

Verified User
Professional in Information Technology
Civil Engineering Company, 51-200 employeesWatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard has excellent features for enterprise network security, but some are only available in higher-cost versions that deliver high security, such as IPS, BOTNET, APT Blocker, SpamBlocker, etc. However, due to its rather high cost, it ends up being more interesting for medium-large companies, and lower-cost solutions for small companies do not have all these security functions, so in many cases, it ends up not being interesting for small companies.
IT Analyst
Hidro Jet Equipamentos Hidráulicos LTDAMachinery, 201-500 employees
Pros
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
- Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services are very well suited for most environments.
- Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services have a variety of networking features including NextGen, web content filtering, data analysis, high availability failover, packet inspection, context-based ACL, and other features to protect your networks.
- It's easy to deploy and manage.

Verified User
Manager in Information Technology
Paper & Forest Products Company, 10,001+ employeesWatchGuard Network Security
- Great combination of easy to configure but still maintaining a lot of in-depth features and control available if desired
- WatchGuard Cloud [is ]included on basic and total security packages to provide [a] valuable look into [an] activity that passes through the firewall. (A lot of other platforms such as Meraki you need to simply use Syslog and third-party tools to get insights and look for issues that need remediation)
- Cohesive integration with other products such as AuthPoint for MFA adds value you can't get from traditional RADIUS only integrations of other platforms.

Verified User
Consultant in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 11-50 employeesCons
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
- Performance when using FirePower services make the unit slow
- Capacity of what the FirePower services need
- The interface is better than ASDM but these still need ASDM and that can be a challenge to get the correct Java version loaded
- Certain 5500-X models are different than previous versions with no switchport options

Verified User
Manager in Information Technology
Mining & Metals Company, 501-1000 employeesWatchGuard Network Security
- It would be nice to have a fully functional web interface [for the] server manager. The server manager is often very slow over remote connections.
- Better support for OpenVPN server, or at least an easier way of creating tunnels using OpenVPN.
- user VPN user management is a little confusing until you understand that all users need to be created under SSL users, regardless of VPN type.
- Would be nice to have traffic statistics on traffic management objects.

Verified User
Manager in Information Technology
Entertainment Company, 11-50 employeesPricing Details
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services Editions & Modules
—
Additional Pricing Details
Cisco ASA 5500-X pricing starts at ~$400 and scales up to $20,000 for higher capacity appliances.WatchGuard Network Security
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
$0 Contact sales team
WatchGuard Network Security Editions & Modules
Edition
Support | Contact sales team1 |
---|---|
Basic Security | Contact sales team1 |
Total Security | Contact sales team1 |
- Contact sales team
Additional Pricing Details
—Likelihood to Renew
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services 7.1
Based on 2 answers
We are exploring cloud services, the services are getting cheaper and the features offered in terms of hardware and software are becoming comparable to ASA.
IT Network Specialist
Wood's HomesNon-profit Organization Management, 201-500 employees
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.6
Based on 15 answers
Ever since 2007, WatchGuard Fireboxes and WatchGuard network layer security solutions have been the most security effective with the lowest TCO of any solution on the market when properly implemented and properly maintained. As with any network layer security solution, the underlying network must first be architected correctly in order to facilitate network layer security, but then an extremely highly skilled network security architect must device, implement, and maintain a network layer security solution in order to achieve efficacy. This is true of any network layer security solution. Few people worldwide have that skill. However, WatchGuard technologies when implemented and supported by a qualified partner are able to deliver that solution very cost-effectively to the SMB space. No other solution can achieve that.
President
Quality Plus ConsultingInformation Technology and Services, 1-10 employees
Usability
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services 7.1
Based on 2 answers
Cisco firepower provides automatation for an organisations security operations to detect and stop the most advanced threats fast. It also assists in preventing attacks in using intelligence and innovative solutions.
Solutions Architect
Baraka Technology GroupInformation Technology and Services, 51-200 employees
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.2
Based on 105 answers
The WatchGuard Network Security provide a web interface or a client interface, no matter what you approach is but you have two full powerful instrument to manage the firewall with easy interface (web) or with strong security (client). We prefer the usage with client but in fast change can be done in the web interface in a zip
Senior Information Technology Audit Manager
SNF Italia s.r.l.Computer & Network Security, 11-50 employees
Reliability and Availability
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 8.2
Based on 1 answer
Applications errors should always be expected in any kind of technology. What matters most is the way you find to resolve it.
Marketing and Product Manager
Gantech Information SafetyRetail, 11-50 employees
Performance
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services 8.5
Based on 21 answers
The solution is great, it has incredible features, but when activating all Firepower services on the appliance, the ASA suffers from a performance degradation and is slower to process the information and access the management settings. That is why it is important to correctly size the equipment to avoid this type of problem.
Analista de sistemas
NestléFood & Beverages, 10,001+ employees
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 8.2
Based on 1 answer
Compared to another platform (not NGFW native), WatchGuard's performance runs fine and do not slow down user browsing experience
Marketing and Product Manager
Gantech Information SafetyRetail, 11-50 employees
Support Rating
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services 9.1
Based on 25 answers
I gave this rating because Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services offers the best technical and software solutions and it has the best customer care service. They solve issues within 24 hours and they provide so much consistent support and relevant solutions to products at hand and it is too cheap compared to all other software we have ever used as an organization.
Network Engineer
JohannesburgInformation Technology & Services, 5001-10,000 employees
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.3
Based on 19 answers
I give this rating as a result of almost 20 years of interfacing with WatchGuard technical support. Of all my vendors that I have to deal with WatchGuard is one of the best I have ever dealt with bar none. I have seldom finished a call to them without a solution. If they by chance don't have the solution, they will figure it out and get back to you ASAP as well as update the casefile online. Technical support is available via phone and web portal. It takes a few minutes to create a case online, assign a priority and submit. They get back to you depending on the critical nature of the issue, but you can expect urgent attention for critical and catastrophic issues.
Director Of Information Technology
Fort Walton Machining, Inc.Aviation & Aerospace, 51-200 employees
In-Person Training
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.6
Based on 3 answers
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.
Senior Information Technology Audit Manager
SNF Italia s.r.l.Computer & Network Security, 11-50 employees
Online Training
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.1
Based on 2 answers
Online training is good for learning how to use the product. It does not teach security strategy because that is not its intent.
President
Quality Plus ConsultingInformation Technology and Services, 1-10 employees
Implementation Rating
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services 8.2
Based on 2 answers
We find these easy to deploy and we have a process we follow. We normally take 1-2 days to deploy.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Gambling & Casinos Company, 51-200 employeesWatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.3
Based on 278 answers
We are very satisfied with the implementation. The deployment tools are easy to use and managing is a breeze. Training onsite IT contacts is easy to keep total investment of time low. We are happy with the management tool suite and find it easier to use especially policy center. It allows to see all rules and details from a single pane rather than fumbling through different configs

Verified User
Manager in Sales
Information Technology & Services Company, 11-50 employeesAlternatives Considered
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Previous],] I was using the [pfSense] in my organization but when i switched to [Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services] I realized there are lots of issue and missing security features in [pfSense]. The deployment and configuration is very easy as compare to [pfSense]. I highly recommend this product to everyone.
Executive System Admin
FreelancerInformation Technology & Services, 1-10 employees
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security has the same features as some of the above, yet they will cost you far less than some of the mentioned firewalls. The deployment process is very easy compared to the above. I mentored and trained a few engineers, and in no time, they were able to scope, deploy and support WatchGuard Network Security without asking for help.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Computer Networking Company, 11-50 employeesScalability
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security 9.1
Based on 1 answer
The entire organization didn't face any trouble to integrate the technology into our workforce.
Marketing and Product Manager
Gantech Information SafetyRetail, 11-50 employees
Return on Investment
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
- As an integrated appliance, we saved costs on getting other security technologies.
- It provided secure access to our remote users, saving costs and time as our users could get access to the network anywhere and anytime.
- Since we have other Cisco devices, integration was seamless.
- Integration with Active Directory meant we did not need to create addition user accounts.
Solutions Architect
Baraka Technology GroupInformation Technology and Services, 51-200 employees
WatchGuard Network Security
- VPN has meant my users are secure even when they are not in the office, this has reduced risk when they are using public networks and home networks that IT cannot regulate.
- The increased security provided by the firewalls has enabled us to positively answer questions on customers' RFI assessments to their potential customers.
- Central Management in Dimension saves our engineers time by not having to jump onto every firewall one by one.
Technical Manager
Agilis Technical ServicesComputer & Network Security, 1-10 employees