Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services vs. WatchGuard Network Security

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Score 7.7 out of 10
N/A
Cisco offers a threat-focused next-generation firewall (NGFW), the ASA 5500-X Series. The ASA 5500 Series platforms can run either the Cisco ASA Firewall or Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD). The series features appliances in a variety of form factors, including standalone options for small and midsize businesses, ruggedized appliances for extreme environments, midsize appliances for security at the Internet edge, and high-performance appliances for enterprise data centers.N/A
WatchGuard Network Security
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
WatchGuard 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
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Editions & Modules
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Support
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Basic Security
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Total Security
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Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsCisco ASA 5500-X pricing starts at ~$400 and scales up to $20,000 for higher capacity appliances.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Considered Both Products
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Chose Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Palos are great but they are a bit more expensive. Cisco ASA 5500-Xs are very competitive budget-wise. Small to medium offices can easily afford Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirewPOWER services compared to Palo Altos. At the end of the day cisco even though more affordable still get …
WatchGuard Network Security
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Watch Guard has a better management portal than Fortinet and Sonic Wall with more features and functionality. Compared with Cisco, Watch Guard is much easier to configure initially and manage. Cisco, with their price points, are obviously laden with more functionality than …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
I prefer the Watchguard over the cisco products for us. It was always a huge pain to get updates for the Cisco product so I was runing it for years without updates. I know it was a risk and that's why I have moved to the Watchguard knowing that I can get updates as needed.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
I like WatchGuard firewalls a lot more over our previous appliance Cisco ASAs. Cisco ASA management dashboard ran on Java which gave us fits all the time. The UI was also far less intuitive to configure and manage. WatchGuard licensing scheme is also far simpler to understand …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security is simpler to implement than a solution such as Cisco ASA. User-friendly interface, logical configuration. WatchGuard Network Security is less expensive than a Cisco Meraki MX solution, and allows the product to be used, albeit without additional …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
From a network security perspective WatchGuard is one of the best all around tools available. Many of the features you would like to see at a reasonable price point.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Performed very well, though had similar learning challenges but due to the similarities of services it was not very difficult to learn.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Ease of use, easy-to-learn new features and US-based support. I also think they do a good job of constantly updating their products. All of our end clients are happy with the service provided.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard provides a cost competitive product stack against all their main competitors, in many cases coming in cheaper, with a more impressive feature set. The range of models available allows you to match the right sized appliance to any office.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard is hands down better, from state side service, to pricing and performance in most cases, to ease of management.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
The WatchGuard Network Security suite comes in at a very competitive price point, with a model that matches every size of site. The feature set is rich, and all integrates really well. With both on-prem (WSM) and cloud management options, you can use the product suite in …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
We have used Cisco Firewalls and Ubiquiti in the past but we preferred the interface and ease of use of the WatchGuard firewalls. The Cisco devices are complex to configure and leave room for error. The Ubiquiti devices did not have enough features to provide the level of …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
It goes shoulder-to-shoulder with those other vendors that we have used. In some cases cheaper to implement and easier to set up.
Chose 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 …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard's Network Security firewalls offer comparable security and processing capabilities at a cost-effective price point. When comparing the packet handling on DPI, VPN, and simple packet filtering, Watchguard will usually test above the other competitors; especially when …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Watchguard is much simpler to set up, has more intuitive interfaces, better support options, all at a better price point.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Cisco: Watchguard is easier to configure and manage also less expensive. Fortinet: Watchguard has a better policy management GUI. Sonicwall: Watguard Client VPN is great, and works for PC, Mac, and non-IOS devices as well.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
I've found the Cisco ASA to be rather confusing to implement. Although the WatchGuard might have its own level of understanding needed I've found it to be easier overall to implement. I am CCNA certified and a Cisco fan but still prefer the WatchGuard over the ASA.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Firewall
Comparison of Firewall features of Product A and Product B
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
9.0
30 Ratings
6% above category average
WatchGuard Network Security
8.6
402 Ratings
1% above category average
Identification Technologies9.228 Ratings8.6367 Ratings
Visualization Tools9.024 Ratings7.7364 Ratings
Content Inspection9.129 Ratings8.6387 Ratings
Policy-based Controls9.828 Ratings8.7400 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP9.829 Ratings8.5337 Ratings
Firewall Management Console9.230 Ratings8.6394 Ratings
Reporting and Logging8.829 Ratings8.1391 Ratings
VPN9.830 Ratings8.9384 Ratings
High Availability9.828 Ratings8.6346 Ratings
Stateful Inspection8.14 Ratings9.0361 Ratings
Proxy Server7.23 Ratings9.0258 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Small Businesses
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.2 out of 10
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.3 out of 10
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.3 out of 10
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
9.4
(30 ratings)
8.8
(416 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.6
(3 ratings)
9.7
(32 ratings)
Usability
7.2
(2 ratings)
9.0
(114 ratings)
Availability
10.0
(1 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Performance
9.4
(26 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
9.6
(29 ratings)
2.6
(26 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(4 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(2 ratings)
9.4
(263 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
9.0
(1 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER ServicesWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
This firewall is best suited for the network edge/perimeter deployment. The next gen features works very well and the remote access VPN is also very much suitable for the organizations which have a huge user base working remotely. The Remote Access VPN is very much customizable and the authentication integration option like LDAP and RADIUS provides and addon.
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WatchGuard Technologies
I can't think of any place where WatchGuard isn't well suited, unless the customer is cheap. I have used WatchGuard devices in a two person office up to enterprise environments. Because they are not overly complicated to use, I prefer them to a name brand I'm not willing to mention, but most will know.
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Pros
Cisco
  • The Cisco ASA with FirePOWER Services model works perfectly for network edge protection scenarios.
  • It allows for the creation and connection of sites through site-to-site VPN configuration.
  • It enables remote connection and home office with remote SSL or IPSEC VPN.
  • It has layer 7 traffic protection and visibility.
  • It has anti-malware protection from start to finish.
  • The configuration is easy to perform.
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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.
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Cons
Cisco
  • URL Filtering feature could be easier to utilize for beginners
  • I'd like to see a visual of VPN networks setup and show the functioning or malfunctioning status to assist in making troubleshooting easier
  • Recommendations on ACLs for beginners based on their account creation date
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WatchGuard Technologies
  • Help with a better solution for working with MS Exchange on-prem so that we can secure the ECP and OWA from the outside without losing functionality for active sync for cell phones and such.
  • Even more affordable smaller boxes for home use.
  • Built-in ways to handle the newer network protocols/features such as QUIC protocols that services like google are using so that we don't have to block all of that type of traffic just to be able to block youtube from loading for users that we don't want using it.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
Ever since we installed Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services we have never had to deal with an attack. We can see in the logs almost every day hackers attempting to break into our networks and failing. We also have the ability to blacklist every IP address that attempts to break into our firewalls
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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
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Usability
Cisco
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.
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.
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Reliability and Availability
Cisco
We have never had an outage caused by firewall failure. We have had a few outages caused by the internet failing or cloud applications going offline but never a firewall breaking down. When making changes we have a very strong change control, major software updates are always carried out out of working hours. At places where we have two firewalls in HA, we are able to do upgrades in working ours and the users will never know that an upgrade is taking place, that how great these firewalls are
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WatchGuard Technologies
Applications errors should always be expected in any kind of technology. What matters most is the way you find to resolve it.
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Performance
Cisco
The Cisco ASA 5500X with Firepower performance needs consideration before deploying. Although the solution is Pay as you grow, adding additional features to the system has a negative impact on overall throughput. I would more like now only to deploy the Cisco FPR units as they have better performance and will last the test of time.
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WatchGuard Technologies
WatchGuard works seemlessly and so in the background you don't realize it's there until you need it!
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Support Rating
Cisco
I would recommend the purchase of the Smartnet 24x7 service in the case of a unit and the Smartnet 8x5NBD in the case of only one appliance installed on site. This service is important to always have the latest firmware updates, corrective updates and especially the hardware warranty and maintenance service in case of problems. The service is done by phone or on the official Cisco website and I can say that it is very good and efficient.
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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
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In-Person Training
Cisco
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.
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Online Training
Cisco
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.
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Implementation Rating
Cisco
We implemented a centralized management of all our Cisco ASA 5500-x with FirePOWER Services so that we can have a holistic view of all our sites in London and other European countries. This also helps when making changes, instead of login on to each firewall we can use Firepower Management Center (FMC) to central deploy changes across all devices
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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.
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco
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.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
At 3 of my locations I use both a Sonic Wall and a watch guard. In my experience, the sonic wall has a much better interface. I feel it was much easier for someone that has never accessed a fire wall to be able to make changes and learn very quickly. I feel the Watchguard has better built in applications and the VPN was easier to use and access.
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Scalability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
WatchGuard Technologies
We scaled it exactly as we needed it to be! Easy, money-saving, and we didn't end up with features or options that we'd never use or worry about.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Working of remote workforce made easy
  • Security was enhanced on the data traffic shared with the vendors due to the use of VPNs
  • Inbound attacks were mostly blocked on the edge and saved a lot of resources (which could had been used in case of attacks getting successful on the application servers)
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WatchGuard Technologies
  • The VPNs are very easy to configure, less time to loose at new implementation.
  • The traffic monitor can be improved, I can't see the ISO layers to do a faster diagnosis.
  • Having an ADDS authentication is a plus, can use it with rules and vpn for remote access. Very useful.
  • The dimension feature can be developed as a website + database for NGINX, Apache2, IIS, etc., I feel traped on that linux vm only.
  • Most of the customers doesn't like to pay for a solution like this. They will accept only after beign attacked. WatchGuard can improve the sales with a demo (hacking, active security, etc.).
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ScreenShots

WatchGuard Network Security Screenshots

Screenshot of Subscription DashboardScreenshot of Subscriber Device SummaryScreenshot of Subscription DashboardScreenshot of Executive Dashboard