Smoothwall UTM vs. WatchGuard Network Security

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Smoothwall UTM
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Smoothwall UTM is a firewall security suite for educational environments. It includes the standard firewall services, as well as load balancing, and has hardware and software deployment options.N/A
WatchGuard Network Security
Score 8.6 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
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard 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
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard 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
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard Network Security
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard Network Security
Firewall
Comparison of Firewall features of Product A and Product B
Smoothwall UTM
9.3
1 Ratings
8% above category average
WatchGuard Network Security
8.3
459 Ratings
3% below category average
Identification Technologies9.01 Ratings8.3418 Ratings
Visualization Tools10.01 Ratings7.3416 Ratings
Content Inspection9.01 Ratings8.2443 Ratings
Policy-based Controls9.01 Ratings8.7456 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP10.01 Ratings8.1387 Ratings
Firewall Management Console10.01 Ratings8.1449 Ratings
Reporting and Logging9.01 Ratings8.0445 Ratings
VPN10.01 Ratings8.9440 Ratings
High Availability8.01 Ratings8.7398 Ratings
Stateful Inspection9.01 Ratings8.7412 Ratings
Proxy Server9.01 Ratings8.7298 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard Network Security
Small Businesses
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.6 out of 10
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.6 out of 10
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.5 out of 10
Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls - PA Series
Score 9.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(2 ratings)
8.3
(474 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(37 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.7
(118 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.5
(4 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.9
(29 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(3 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.5
(264 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.6
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
Smoothwall UTMWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
Smoothwall
After a year of using the Smoothwall UTM Firewall solution, we can say that it is a secure solution, it offers a graphical interface for configuration and access with easy understanding and usability, the security features and blocking of url and applications work very well and also protects against malware and ransomware. For small and even intermediate scenarios I recommend it, but not for very large scenarios. Licenses can be renewed and are priced very well compared to competitors.
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WatchGuard Technologies
WatchGuard Network Security is well suited for everyone's needs but isn't well suited for a price conscience consume. They are overpriced for what they are and have a semi enclosed licensing model, so it's hard to use them after their 5-year life cycle has expired. You are forced into another model once your device is EOL even if the device is more than what you need hardware wise.
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Pros
Smoothwall
  • easy to manage by its web platform that allows quick access to system functions
  • allows the administration of the company's network by creating IP navigation permissions to prevent access to unprotected pages
  • this system can be installed on computers with very few resources and even with old equipment just by adapting an additional network card. This is helpful for companies that are starting and do not have much capital to invest but need to protect their systems
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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
Smoothwall
  • Rare problems have been noticed when there are many connections at the same time.
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WatchGuard Technologies
  • Sometimes, it is not very intuitive. You'll not know how to use certain features unless you read the documentation.
  • Some settings in the firebox are not visible unless you enter edit mode. This can cause inadvertent issues if you make a change when you just want to review the settings.
  • The use of blocks in the design of the Firewatch interface can be confusing. A better design could have been used.
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Likelihood to Renew
Smoothwall
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
Smoothwall
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
Smoothwall
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.
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Performance
Smoothwall
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.
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Support Rating
Smoothwall
No answers on this topic
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
Smoothwall
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
Smoothwall
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
Smoothwall
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
Smoothwall
Smoothwall is a system that is cheaper than just a free license due to being a Linux distribution. Simplewall is a bit more for robust equipment or large networks.
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WatchGuard Technologies
I honestly feel they're best in class, I've used other platforms but when it comes to comprehensive security I don't think they offer as many features, or the level of security that we needed. Again the support has been excellent for us too, and keeping our firewalls up to date has proven simple and pretty straight forward.
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Scalability
Smoothwall
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.
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Return on Investment
Smoothwall
  • Internal network security and intruder protection for a cost-effective solution.
  • The solution contributed and greatly reduced malware attacks and ddos ​​attacks.
  • Reports allowed more accurate analysis.
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WatchGuard Technologies
  • Increased Productivity - uptime has greatly increased form old system. I believe the percentage would be a decrease in downtime of 35 to 40 percent.
  • Compliance and regulatory ROI has helped financially offering the WatchGuard Network Security setup for protection to our insurance company. This proof of security has saved us thousands of dollars on our liability insurance.
  • On the negative side - Performance overhead when implementing deep packet inspection and VPN encryption effect performance of WatchGuard Network Security.
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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