SonicWall TZ vs. WatchGuard Network Security

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
SonicWall TZ
Score 7.2 out of 10
N/A
SonicWall TZ is an entry to mid-tier NGFW for small to mid-sized companies. It is a Unified Threat Management solution, with additional native decryption and deep-packet inspection capabilities.
$329.60
WatchGuard Network Security
Score 8.7 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
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Editions & Modules
SonicWall TZ270 High Availability
$329.60
SonicWall TZ270 (hardware only)
$414.04
SonicWall TZ370 High Availability
$493.04
SonicWall TZ270 Wireless-AC (hardware only)
$502.57
SonicWall TZ370 (hardware only)
$618.34
SonicWall TZ270 TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$689.16
SonicWall TZ370 Wireless-AC (hardware only)
$708.23
SonicWall TZ270 TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$769.52
SonicWall TZ470 High Availability
$776.33
SonicWall TZ270 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$796.76
SonicWall TZ270 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$930.24
SonicWall TZ370 TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$973.82
SonicWall TZ470 (hardware only)
$973.82
SonicWall TZ570 High Availability (HA) Unit
$988.80
SonicWall TZ470 Wireless-AC (hardware only)
$1063.71
SonicWall TZ370 TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$1085.50
SonicWall TZ370 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$1107.29
SonicWall TZ370 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$1232.60
SonicWall TZ570
$1240.77
SonicWall TZ670 High Availability (HA) Unit
$1273.46
SonicWall TZ570 Wireless-AC
$1356.54
SonicWall TZ570 with 8x5 Support (1 Year)
$1450.51
SonicWall TZ570 Wireless-AC with 8x5 Support (1 Year)
$1588.07
SonicWall TZ470 TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$1596.25
SonicWall TZ670
$1596.25
SonicWall TZ470 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$1729.72
SonicWall TZ470 TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$1805.99
SonicWall TZ670 with 8x5 Support (1 Year)
$1867.28
SonicWall TZ470 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$1876.82
SonicWall TZ570 TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$2006.20
SonicWall TZ570 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$2192.80
SonicWall TZ570 TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$2200.97
SonicWall TZ570 Wireless-AC TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$2442.04
SonicWall TZ670 TotalSecure - Essential Edition (1 Year)
$2574.15
SonicWall TZ670 TotalSecure - Advanced Edition (1 Year)
$2868.34
Support
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Basic Security
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Total Security
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Offerings
Pricing Offerings
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsSee pricing link for TZ Series (Gen6) editions. All prices have been converted from pounds. Conversion rates may change.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Considered Both Products
SonicWall TZ
Chose SonicWall TZ
We found SonicWall TZ licencing to be far simpler than barracuda options for the use cases we needed. We have run several other barracuda products andover time have swithced away fro other offerings - mostly due to the ease of use of the GUI. We also had much better support …
Chose SonicWall TZ
The son of all subscription for antivirus is much more cost-effective and works just as well as Symantec antivirus products.
Chose SonicWall TZ
SonicWall TZ is good at some things but overall I would pick Fortinet and UDM-Pro appliances most of the time and their VPN solution does not require paid license. Interface more modern and intuitive. Overall, better bang for your buck.
Chose SonicWall TZ
SonicWall TZ was a no brainer to choose over Fortigate or pfSense. We had used Fortigate units in the past and, in our experience, the interface is terrible, both on the device and the cloud side. There are constant updates that require you to jump through hoops to upgrade and …
Chose SonicWall TZ
We were using the cisco asa but there are lots of security features that are missing in these devices. SonicWall is a combination in advanced security and advanced routing. You can easy to use this firewall.
Chose SonicWall TZ
I have chosen SonicWall TZ over the Fortigate as more ease of use and support been outstanding.
Chose SonicWall TZ
We chose the Sonicwall TZ250 because it has reliability in the Dell Sonicwall brand. It is a reliable product, with excellent support and warranty with face-to-face service should the need arise. It is cheaper than the competition, does not take up rack space, does not heat up, …
Chose SonicWall TZ
We like it is a small, portable, and has many features. I have confidence in the brand a long time. Support was also a differential to make the decision.
Chose SonicWall TZ
Pretty much similar functionality. SonicWall TZ400 compared to ASA 5506 has better hardware performance. SonicWall licenses cost less money which makes it better for the same needs and functionality. However, the Cisco ASA Internet unity and knowledge base are bigger then …
Chose SonicWall TZ
Our previous firewall, from Xyzell, couldn't handle the bandwidth that video files needed within the internal LAN, so we looked at alternatives. SonicWall came recommend by a different IT professional for its solid performance and good documentation. We further researched the …
Chose SonicWall TZ
SonicWall and WatchGuard are both fine appliances, but I am accustomed to the Barracuda NG. The Barracuda Control Center is so powerful and useful that it beats out the other two. SonicWall does a great job of dividing up firewall rules and NAT policies, but this is a …
Chose SonicWall TZ
SonicWall TZ is a much better product. Easier to administer and use and much more elaborate in its rules. I would choose it over Watchguard any day.
Chose SonicWall TZ
Costs, features and ease of use were the determining factors. The UI alone outweighs the CLI from the ASA and SRX, features were easier to understand and licenses were more easily obtained.
WatchGuard Network Security
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
For some customers, WatchGuard Network Security was the preferable choice. Its price point, compactness, portability, accessibility, ease of design, installation, implementation, configuration, management, monitoring, alerting, user education, technician training, power usage, …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
I'm not sure what else is out there, but our team is pretty good at researching and looking at the big picture. I've never had complaints about the experience with various Watchguard products, and am impressed by the new features they announce and integrate with relative …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Watchguard Network Security is easier to use and more effective that its competitors, with certifications you can trust and a good reputation, we can rest assured that our network security is in good hands. Competitors have also demonstrated poor aftersales support, which has …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
It has been the recommendation of our computer maintenance company due to their experience.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security allows for more in-depth customization and has better logging
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
We chose WatchGuard Network Security specifically because of the firewall implementation. It was easy for us to pick a product that had everything packaged together versus having to buy another firewall and network security software separately from the VPN software.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
AD users are synchronized with the cloud
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Each of these systems have already been in place at former employers when I transitioned. While each one has its benefits and drawbacks, as a whole, they all do a great job providing protection against malicious intent. I would say that WatchGuard Network Security is much …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
We are a small Technology business and WatchGuard Network Security is a solid affordable and easily implemented solution.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
As I mentionned before, the WSM tool and Dimension is the main reasons we stock with WatchGuard beside being satisfied with deployement results at our clients infrastructures.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Our tech had previous experience with WatchGuard Network Security and the Fortinet devices we were using weren't functioning to the standards we needed them to. As costs have increased with WatchGuard Network Security and across the board, we are looking for a different vendor …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
SonicWall TZ, pfSense, MikroTik Routers and Switches and Ubiquiti Networks UniFi
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
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 …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security blows them out of the water in my opinion just with the ease of use alone and the ability within the logs. The details of logs are better and help maintain better support. Some features like policies is just so far advanced for maintaining better …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
In comparison with other network security companies and its services', WatchGuard Network Security seems to be a more economic choice for our customers needs
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security is in league with SonicWall regarding value and features but is not as robust as Sophos or Fortinet. It is also not as simple to configure as Sophos or Fortinet. We selected WatchGuard based solely on the recommendation of an outside party, and that …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
Our corporate parent company wants us to switch to Cisco products, but the value the Watchguard Security System brings is more than enough that our organization requires. It has great reporting and analytics and simplified updates and maintenance.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
with WatchGuard we have a long history of partnership precisely due to the close relationship with the commercial and technical people who work at WatchGuard. It is an excellent relationship of collaboration and growth that has allowed us to choose WatchGuard as our first …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security integrates multiple security functionalities (firewall, VPN, intrusion prevention, antivirus, application control, etc.) into a unified platform. This integration simplifies management, enhances visibility, and ensures consistent policy enforcement …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
I find WatchGuard's Network Security interface clunky and outdated. I’ve had to dig in multiple locations to find the answer to a question numerous times. Reviewing and reconfiguring a WatchGuard that has been deployed by someone else is time consuming compared to competitive …
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
WatchGuard Network Security is easier to configure, support is better and the price is better.
Chose WatchGuard Network Security
We are moving away from WatchGuard Network Security due to issues with Web interface and more cloud possibilities with the competitors.
Features
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Firewall
Comparison of Firewall features of Product A and Product B
SonicWall TZ
5.6
Ratings
43% below category average
WatchGuard Network Security
9.0
Ratings
4% above category average
Identification Technologies7.00 Ratings8.70 Ratings
Visualization Tools7.00 Ratings8.40 Ratings
Content Inspection6.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Policy-based Controls4.50 Ratings9.10 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP5.50 Ratings8.70 Ratings
Firewall Management Console5.00 Ratings8.40 Ratings
Reporting and Logging5.50 Ratings9.00 Ratings
VPN5.50 Ratings9.40 Ratings
High Availability5.00 Ratings9.50 Ratings
Stateful Inspection6.00 Ratings9.30 Ratings
Proxy Server5.00 Ratings9.30 Ratings
Best Alternatives
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Small Businesses
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.9 out of 10
pfSense
pfSense
Score 9.9 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.6 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Score 10.0 out of 10
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Score 10.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(0 ratings)
8.4
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
7.7
(0 ratings)
Usability
6.0
(0 ratings)
7.9
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
6.0
(0 ratings)
9.5
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.2
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
SonicWall TZWatchGuard Network Security
Likelihood to Recommend
Good price for scope of functionality Challenge for those that are not highly technical Many options within Firewall Setting that need to understood to maximize use of the device. Would be nice to see some sort of configuration wizard to assist in configuring unit.
Read full review
Watchguard is well suited for small businesses without significantly complex networks and infrastructure. WatchGuard firewalls perform well on IPv4 networks and offer basic security features that match other vendors that target the small business market. WatchGuard firewalls are less appropriate for mid-sized business and larger. There is limited IPv6 support, and the firmware often lacks some or all of more advanced features that businesses that size often need.
Read full review
Pros
  • If you have multiple sites and you want the connect the sites through secure medium this is best firewall for you.
  • There are very advanced features helps you to connect the device easily and securely.
  • Easy to connect the sites through advanced routing protocols.
Read full review
  • 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.
Read full review
Cons
  • management is confusing has many items that could be improved to facilitate the work to the network administrator
  • in the diagnostic tool I would improve the response times, that is, if a ping test is required, it should be quick, since in cases of failures it is sought to minimize the impact as much as possible.
  • each function has a different license item, I would place a single license package for all team functions
Read full review
  • Better integration with VoIP services, such as templates for policies handling traffic for Bria or Asterisk endponts and servers.
  • Get webblocker to work without breaking secure websites.
  • Lower cost on endpoint agents for antivirus and include application control and webblocker with the agents.
  • Make the cost per endpoint with TDR and Netowrk access control lower than the cost of Antivirus licensing that is not integrated.
  • Make it easier to set up network access control and VLAN assignment by device, perhaps with templates.
  • Get webblocker and application control working with QUIC.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
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
Overall the new interface is very logical and easy to navigate. We did struggle at first coming from the older interface and finding our way around the new. But our new users found it very simple to find what they were looking for. One negative we do all struggle with is packet cpature not always being clear how its set/what is being monitored. this could do with more information on teh intial page instead of having to look for it
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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
No answers on this topic
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
No answers on this topic
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
Once you get to a competent technician the support experience is better. But I have found that the lower tiers of support are very slow to respond (like 1 email per day) and you typically have to re-explain yourself a couple times before they get it. I have not used Phone support, and that may be a better experience.
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For something that is considered business critical they should be far more responsive. Security isn't something to take lightly in today's work environment and so long as its working you are happy. But when it doesn't and you need that professional assistance, they weren't always there and I ultimately resolved my issues with the help of Google.
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In-Person Training
No answers on this topic
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
No answers on this topic
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
No answers on this topic
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
SonicWall and WatchGuard are both fine appliances, but I am accustomed to the Barracuda NG. The Barracuda Control Center is so powerful and useful that it beats out the other two. SonicWall does a great job of dividing up firewall rules and NAT policies, but this is a preference among engineers.
Read full review
I think the solutions are comparable, but the cloud management piece is critical for MSPs these days. We need to be able to schedule and push out updates as soon as they are stable and ready. Insurance companies and government regulations mandate this.
Read full review
Scalability
No answers on this topic
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
  • We have three SonicWall TZ devices and they are very helpful in a VPN set up.
  • The subscription costs for the different features has a great return on investment. It is very well worth the money.
  • The antivirus component has been very effective on the computers and servers the SonicWall TZ device protects.
Read full review
  • at least 3-5X a year (that I know of), this device has single-handedly prevented members of our staff from inadvertently connecting to services they did not intend and could have resulted in security disruption
  • although you can never rule out human-behaviour-engineered threat, it's helpful to know that our network has a higher level, enterprise-class control and monitoring behind it
  • any time our network might be showing signs of abnormal performance, the WatchGuard control panel is the first place I turn to help identify the level of concern. It can quickly set my mind at ease and help to identify the specific device that might be out of compliance
Read full review
ScreenShots

SonicWall TZ Screenshots

Screenshot of the SonicWall TZ 570 applianceScreenshot of the SonicWall TZ 370W appliance

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