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

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Score 9.7 out of 10
N/A
The 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
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
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Support
Contact sales team
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Basic Security
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Total Security
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Offerings
Pricing Offerings
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
Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
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 …
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 …
WatchGuard Network Security
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
they’re niche players, but it worth to check out their solutions. Best choice for SMB
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 …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
The ease of implementation and making changes is a million times better then Palo-Alto
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
Firewall
Comparison of Firewall features of Product A and Product B
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
9.5
6 Ratings
11% above category average
WatchGuard Network Security
8.6
417 Ratings
1% above category average
Identification Technologies9.76 Ratings8.6382 Ratings
Visualization Tools9.56 Ratings7.5378 Ratings
Content Inspection10.06 Ratings8.6402 Ratings
Policy-based Controls9.56 Ratings8.7415 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP9.56 Ratings8.5349 Ratings
Firewall Management Console9.46 Ratings8.7409 Ratings
Reporting and Logging9.36 Ratings8.0406 Ratings
VPN9.26 Ratings8.9399 Ratings
High Availability8.85 Ratings8.7359 Ratings
Stateful Inspection10.06 Ratings9.1376 Ratings
Proxy Server9.44 Ratings9.0269 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard 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
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM SeriesWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
9.5
(8 ratings)
8.7
(432 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(32 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(114 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
2.3
(26 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.4
(263 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 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
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.
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WatchGuard Technologies
Generally speaking, our customers have standard requirements and the WatchGuard Network Security Firebox is there to ensure they stay protected. We've never had a successful breach on a customer's on-premise setup with a WatchGuard Network Security Firebox installed. 3rd parties (like CCTV, Printers, Login Systems, etc.) do not know which port their devices work over, so we have to identify that with them and there are often delays when this occurs.
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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
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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
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.
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WatchGuard Technologies
  • Bridging ports, after the firewall is setup, isn't as easy as it could be.
  • Cloud integration for management requires recreating the entire device. It should just convert the current config.
  • Adding a Proxy policy should be on a different page from the other policy creation page.
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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
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Usability
Palo Alto Networks
No answers on this topic
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
Palo Alto Networks
No answers on this topic
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
Palo Alto Networks
No answers on this topic
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
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
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
Palo Alto Networks
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
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.
Read full review
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