Check Point Application Control vs WatchGuard Firebox comparison

Check Point Application Control vs. WatchGuard Firebox

December 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

5.8

Fortinet FortiGate offers cost-effective, robust security, reducing expenses, enhancing efficiency, easy implementation, quick ROI, and improved network management.

Sentiment score

7.1

Check Point Application Control boosts ROI by enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and minimizing security risks through efficient website management.

Sentiment score

6.9

WatchGuard Firebox enhances security, reduces management time, and boosts productivity but results in varied cost-savings among users.

Clients are now comfortable and not wasting productive hours on IT support.

MURALI NIDAMANURI

Managing Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

The automation part is giving us a cost benefit and speed; we can react faster.

Bart Homblé

BDM Fortinet & BDM Teamlead at Exclusive Networks

It's a very useful tool to mitigate and protect your enterprise.

Bernard Samontanes

Staff Infrastructure & Security Engineer at Mozn Systems

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

Before granular application control, IT support saw 5 to 7 tickets per week related to blocked apps or network slowdown. After implementing rule-based access and bandwidth prioritization, that dropped to 1-2 tickets per month, saving 6 to 8 hours per month for our team.

YeAung

Network Engineer at ATG Systems

I have seen a return on investment, noting that after using Check Point Application Control blade, we minimized our bandwidth usage by half and also observed improved productivity, so we get what we invested in.

Abnet Tsegaye Belay

Cybersecurity Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

I have seen a return on investment since Check Point Application Control reduces my time spent searching for what applications users are accessing.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Team Lead - Network and Security at Digitaltrack

I do not see any return on investment after WatchGuard Firebox implementation in terms of cost reductions.

Pedro Soteras

CEO at ajuntament del Prat

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.6

Fortinet FortiGate's customer service is generally praised for responsiveness, though some users experience delays in critical situations.

Sentiment score

4.5

Check Point Application Control support is praised for knowledgeable, committed service, though improvements in response times are suggested.

Sentiment score

6.2

WatchGuard Firebox customer support is praised for responsiveness and expertise, although some delays and knowledge gaps are occasionally noted.

The quick resolution of issues with Fortinet FortiGate is due to the support of the company and the fact that the equipment is easy to work with.

Alexandre Menezes

IT Manager at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

I would rate the technical support for Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.

AnishKumar

NAC Support at Rah Infotech Pvt Ltd

As a solution provider, when I encounter problems, I connect directly with Fortinet support, and they provide solutions within a very short time.

Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

The support was very good, with representatives who were skilled in resolving issues.

Technical Specialist at Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt. Ltd.

When I create a case, I receive responses and solutions quickly.

Abnet Tsegaye Belay

Cybersecurity Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

We receive timely responses from Check Point if any network issues arise related to software blades.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Team Lead - Network and Security at Digitaltrack

On a scale of one to 10, I would rate the technical support of the WatchGuard Firebox a 10.

Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Finally, we connected with someone, and I would rate their support as eight or nine out of ten once we were able to speak with them.

Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS

The technical support is good.

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Owner at It logic

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.1

Fortinet FortiGate is scalable and popular for SMEs but requires careful design and may incur scaling costs and licensing constraints.

Sentiment score

7.5

Check Point Application Control is scalable and adaptable, managing increased traffic efficiently through seamless integration and effective rule management.

Sentiment score

6.8

WatchGuard Firebox is scalable and user-friendly, but some find its performance average compared to newer solutions.

They scale up really well from smaller models like the FortiGate 40 and 50 to bigger sites with the FortiGate 100 for more throughput - up to enterprise datacenters.

Ian Manton

IT Manager at Daltons Limited

The variation comes in terms of the interfaces and throughputs, but from a security perspective, you get the same benefit, irrespective of whether you have an entry-level unit or an enterprise.

reviewer2667480

Cewa Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

We determine sizing based on multiple factors: number of users, available links, traffic types, server count, services in use, and whether services will be published.

FatmaSamy

General Surgery Specialist at Helwan University Cairo

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

Even when running a small office or upgrading to a large enterprise environment, Check Point Application Control scales very easily, provided the hardware and infrastructure are properly sized.

AimanSayyed

Program Lead at DigitalTrack Solutions Pvt Ltd

It is very useful in an organization to limit bandwidth usage.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Technical Specialist at Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt. Ltd.

Scalability-wise, Check Point Application Control is excellent and can grow with our organization's needs.

John Rajan

Business Development Manager at Digitaltrack

The user interface and features compared to newer firewalls are not up to the mark, which includes functionalities such as filtering, web filtering, threat protection, user identity, and UTM features that need improvement.

Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS

If we're going for more concurrent users, we need to change the entire box.

Owner at It logic

I find the WatchGuard Firebox scalable, as it's easy to change configurations from this product to another one.

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.7

Fortinet FortiGate is praised for its stability, with effective long-term performance and improvements in newer firmware versions.

Sentiment score

8.0

Check Point Application Control is praised for stability and reliable performance, though some note installation needs and planning issues.

Sentiment score

7.9

WatchGuard Firebox is highly stable and reliable, with minimal glitches easily resolved and recommended battery backup for power issues.

We're experiencing 99.999% availability consistently.

Ricardo Biggs

Manager, Information Technology at a consumer goods company with 11-50 employees

I would rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.

AnishKumar

NAC Support at Rah Infotech Pvt Ltd

Currently, we are experiencing a general outage of one of the main internet service providers of the Dominican Republic, and we have not been impacted in our operations because with SD-WAN, we have another internet service provider and we are working with the second WAN connection without any disruption.

Juan Frias

CISO at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

Check Point Application Control is stable for my needs; there are no downtime or reliability issues.

Technical Specialist at Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt. Ltd.

Check Point Application Control is stable, being more stable than other solutions due to its simplified GUI and policy management, making it the first choice for many customers.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Team Lead - Network and Security at Digitaltrack

Check Point Application Control is a stable solution.

Abhijeet Chaskar

Cyber Security Analyst at Digitaltrack

There are issues with traffic hitting the firewall, which could indicate performance problems related to throughput.

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS

We had many bottlenecks before deploying WatchGuard Firebox, but when we switched to a higher version of our firewalls, the bottlenecks were solved.

Pedro Soteras

CEO at ajuntament del Prat

Room For Improvement

Fortinet FortiGate needs enhanced UI, simplified licensing, improved performance, reporting, third-party integration, and expanded automation features.

Check Point Application Control needs improvement in pricing, user interface, application detection, support, and policy management effectiveness.

WatchGuard Firebox needs a simplified interface, better integration, and affordable pricing for improved usability and threat management.

These sessions should be around five to ten minutes long, allowing users and partners to quickly grasp the information without disrupting their daily tasks.

MURALI NIDAMANURI

Managing Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

The solution should be able to implement machine learning and analytics of all the logs for threat detection and protection.

Elvis Mahadeo

Senior Systems Engineer at Caribbean Development Company

It would be better for customers to get immediate replacements even with a standard subscription.

Pravin Mandlik

Director at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

Check Point can do a deep dive to understand how they can improve the performance while we enable the application control feature on all the policies.

Tarun Bhatia

Cyber Security Manager at BT - British Telecom

There are many complications while using the smart console, making it very difficult to configure a VPN, such as a route-based VPN for someone transitioning from other technologies to Check Point.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Technical Specialist at Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt. Ltd.

If an unusual app suddenly spikes bandwidth or starts behaving suspiciously, the system should automatically suggest a policy adjustment instead of waiting for the admin to dig into logs.

reviewer2753559

Cyber Security Solution Engineer at a computer software company with 201-500 employees

The cost for renewal after three years is 75% of the hardware cost, which is a significant problem.

Owner at It logic

When implementing a rule using a group of IPs, it is not possible to do that directly.

Victor Massey

Solution Architect at Simvicitsolutions

It is also difficult to diagnose issues if any devices get compromised; for example, if someone hacks our system, it becomes hard to trace who made changes or accessed the firewall.

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS

Setup Cost

Enterprise buyers find Fortinet FortiGate costly initially, but cheaper overall, despite some high renewal and setup costs.

Check Point Application Control pricing is high but justified by features; proper licensing choice is crucial for cost efficiency.

WatchGuard Firebox offers competitive pricing, especially with three-year licenses, providing value through dependability, features, and cost-effectiveness.

Last year, I renewed the support for three years, which can sometimes be expensive but depends on the security benefits and how it helps us.

AiméKouchade

Network & System Admin at Invoke Studios

It offers cost savings as it is generally cheaper than the competition.

NilsPaley

IT Infrastructure Architect at Apotek 1

It is about 20% cheaper.

MithatBulut

Network Security Engineer at TD SYNNEX

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

The elastic licensing for cloud installation allows floating licenses rather than new licenses per gateway, which is beneficial.

AimanSayyed

Program Lead at DigitalTrack Solutions Pvt Ltd

That's why it's costly.

Abnet Tsegaye Belay

Cybersecurity Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

My experience with pricing, setup costs, and licensing for Check Point Application Control has been that they are very affordable for customers.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Team Lead - Network and Security at Digitaltrack

When we tried to renew the Palo Alto license, the cost was beyond any reasonable range.

PedroSoteras

Digital Solution Designer at Accenture

It's expensive us here.

Owner at It logic

I have faced challenges with the WatchGuard Firebox regarding price since we work with customers who use the Stormshield product, which is less expensive and French-made.

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiGate provides robust, flexible security solutions with key features like web filtering, SSL VPN, SD-WAN, and centralized management.

Check Point Application Control offers granular application management, enhanced security, and productivity through real-time visibility and custom policies.

WatchGuard Firebox is praised for ease of setup, robust security, exceptional support, and comprehensive network management features.

These features help reduce our downtime, manage the ISPs, and deploy SLAs for all the website traffic.

Syed Ali Waqas

Head IT at Burraq Cyber Security Solutions

The most valuable feature of FortiGate is FortiView which provides proactive monitoring.

Viraj Fernandopulle

General Manager Group IT at DART GLOBAL LOGISTICS PTE. LTD.

We got a firewall and gave an SSL VPN to my client to connect to their servers, after which, such kind of activities involving ransomware attacks stopped.

VINAY GUJARATHI

Owner at Mindware Computer Solutions

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report

The next-gen application visibility and cloud sync features are valuable for us because they allow us to provide granular controls over the traffic that is flowing in and out.

Tarun Bhatia

Cyber Security Manager at BT - British Telecom

We are using 4 Mbps of bandwidth, and by using Check Point Application Control, previously it was 3 Mbps, so now it is around 2 Mbps, allowing half of the bandwidth to be utilized for other work and minimizing the usage of bandwidth.

For more quotes and insights, download the Check Point Application Control report

Technical Specialist at Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt. Ltd.

The best features of Check Point Application Control are granular application and web control, user and group awareness, identity awareness, integration, SSL/TLS inspection, detailed visibility and reporting, and bandwidth management.

reviewer2753559

Cyber Security Solution Engineer at a computer software company with 201-500 employees

The Firebox offers valuable features such as network security, URL filtering, UTM features, intrusion prevention and detection, and authentication.

Victor Massey

Solution Architect at Simvicitsolutions

Basically, we have received a good return on investment.

Owner at It logic

I utilize AI within the WatchGuard Firebox, as we use the interconnection with threat syncs, and AI is implemented.

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiGate

Featured Reviews

Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

A stable solution with an intuitive interface and quick customer service

I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate, WatchGuard, Sophos, and SonicWall. I'm not as comfortable with SonicWall because of their UI and limitations. I prefer Fortinet above all other options. When it comes to configuration, I am confident in my ability to handle various tasks, including creating policies such as firewall rules, web policies, and application policies. Additionally, I can configure VPNs and implement load balancing, among other tasks. Overall, I feel much more comfortable working with Fortinet. Fortinet has made significant improvements by integrating AI with firewalls for threat analysis and prevention. In the past 2-3 years, they have launched FortiSASE and SIEM, and they also provide SOC services. Both Palo Alto and Fortinet FortiGate are excellent. While Fortinet FortiGate comes at higher prices, the functionality and support justify the cost. They promptly resolve firmware issues and inform all support providers about configuration changes.

Read full review

AimanSayyed

Program Lead at DigitalTrack Solutions Pvt Ltd

Has improved network visibility and allowed enforcement of precise app-level policies for better productivity

Check Point Application Control could be improved by integrating well with other Check Point solutions, allowing us to monitor bandwidth and leverage threat emulation and sandboxing. Initially, the complexity was very difficult, and there is a learning curve, so the ease of use and user interface for Check Point Application Control could be improved. Simplifying the setup process or providing guided, step-by-step policy creation would be beneficial. Overall, performance is also good. I chose nine out of ten because it gives a few false positives, which could be improved. There is also some pain in the setup that could be addressed. Other than that, it is a good application. Apart from the good aspects of Check Point Application Control, there are a few things that could be adjusted and improved, such as reducing false positives, simplifying policy management, and enhancing the user interface. The performance could also be improved, especially in high-traffic environments.

Read full review

Pedro Soteras

CEO at ajuntament del Prat

Network protection has improved with stronger VPN connectivity but administration remains complex

Deploying WatchGuard Firebox was quite easy, but we have had some problems regarding the VPN and the administration of the tool and the two firewalls that we have. When comparing WatchGuard Firebox with our previous solution, Palo Alto, we have had some problems in administration because of the tools. I think that they have some aspects in their system that are cloud-provided, but they also have an on-premise solution, which makes this combination good. Although I should say that when compared to Palo Alto, we have taken a step backwards. In general, I would rate WatchGuard Firebox around 6-7; it is a good firewall, but they lack good administration tools. We experience many problems with the performance and administration tools on the web, including several issues with VPNs.

Read full review

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881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

56%

Computer Software Company

Performing Arts

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	357
Midsize Enterprise	133
Large Enterprise	188

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	35
Midsize Enterprise	23
Large Enterprise	20

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	92
Midsize Enterprise	27
Large Enterprise	15

Questions from the Community

Which is the better NGFW: Fortinet Fortigate or Cisco Firepower?

When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage a...

What is the biggest difference between Sophos XG and FortiGate?

From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know...

What are the biggest technical differences between Sophos UTM and Fortinet FortiGate?

As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite ...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Check Point Application Control?

I was not part of the team concerning pricing, setup cost, and licensing as everything is handled by a different team.

What needs improvement with Check Point Application Control?

Based on my experience and the current work environment, I do not see anything lacking in the current features of Che...

What is your primary use case for Check Point Application Control?

Check Point Application Control is built for controlling application access to our organization network. It is an inb...

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

We are providing our services to all WatchGuard customers in the region.

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

We just use it as a secondary WiFi device. We're a small office and we needed to set up a WiFi device for a few of ou...

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

We're a hospital and we use it for developing our incoming and outgoing policies, and we also use it for VPN.

Sophos Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

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Compared 7% of the time

OPNsense vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 7% of the time

Sophos UTM vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 4% of the time

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Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Fortinet FortiGate

January 2026

Check Point Application Control

January 2026

Download Check Point Application Control product report

Download WatchGuard Firebox product report

WatchGuard Firebox

January 2026

Also Known As

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

No data available

WatchGuard Threat Detection and Response, WatchGuard Application Control, WatchGuard Data Loss Prevention, WatchGuard Gateway AntiVirus, WatchGuard Intrusion Prevention Service

Overview

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?

VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet

Check Point Application Control provides the industry’s strongest application security and identity control to organizations of all sizes. It enables IT teams to easily create granular policies, based on users or groups, to identify, block or limit usage of thousands of Web applications and widgets.

Learn more about Application control software

Check Point Software Technologies

WatchGuard Firebox is a high-performance firewall known for its ease of setup, offering robust security with layered protection and centralized management capabilities.

WatchGuard Firebox stands out for its intuitive management and high throughput, addressing security needs with features like VPN, web filtering, and threat detection. Its centralized control and reporting abilities, along with Active Directory integration, make it popular among varied organizations. Its user-friendly interface and ongoing updates enhance usability and reliability. However, there's a call for better cloud-based administration, scalability, and improved integration with third-party vendors.

What are the key features of WatchGuard Firebox?

Ease of Setup: Quick and straightforward installation process.
GUI: User-friendly graphical interface for simplified navigation.
VPN Features: Secure and efficient virtual private network management.
Web Filtering: Advanced filtering for safer browsing experiences.
Threat Detection: Proactive monitoring and detection of cyber threats.

What benefits or ROI should be evaluated?

Centralized Control: Streamlined management from a single point.
High Throughput: Efficient data handling and processing capacity.
Stable Performance: Consistent and reliable operational functionality.
Active Directory Integration: Seamless connection with user directories.
Customer Service: Strong support service for customer inquiries.

WatchGuard Firebox is implemented across industries to secure internet gateways and protect data in multi-site businesses. Its applications span from Unified Threat Management (UTM) and intrusion prevention to compliance support in business environments requiring secure connectivity through VPNs.

WatchGuard

Sample Customers

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell, HP, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, BT Group, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink, NTT Communications, Tata Communications, SoftBank, China Mobile, Singtel, Telus, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telkom Indonesia, Telkom South Africa, Telmex, Telia Company, Telkom Kenya

SEB, Luma Arles, Terma, Aerospace, Midwest Rubber

Ellips, Diecutstickers.com, Clarke Energy, NCR, Wrest Park, Homeslice Pizza, Fortessa Tableware Solutions, The Phoenix Residence