KerioControl vs Stormshield Network Security comparison

GFI and Stormshield are both solutions in the Unified Threat Management (UTM) category. GFI is ranked #8 with an average rating of 9.0, while Stormshield is ranked #14 with an average rating of 8.0. GFI holds a 4.3% mindshare in UTMU, compared to Stormshield’s 3.7% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of GFI users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Stormshield users who would recommend it.

KerioControl

Read 58 KerioControl reviews

7,552 Views
2,417 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Stormshield Network Security

Read 18 Stormshield Network Security reviews

3,755 Views
1,727 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

KerioControl

Stormshield Network Security

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 7, 2024

Stormshield Network Security and KerioControl are competing in the network security category. KerioControl seems to have the upper hand due to its robust features.

Features: Stormshield Network Security includes advanced intrusion prevention, application control, and extensive network protection. KerioControl provides a strong VPN setup, bandwidth management, and an intuitive web filter. Its focus on remote access and control positions it ahead in features.

Room for Improvement: Stormshield Network Security could enhance its customer service responsiveness and simplify its deployment process. Expanding the feature set for remote access might also be beneficial. KerioControl could improve its pricing model to be more competitive and reduce its initial deployment complexities. Addressing these areas could enhance its market position.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: KerioControl offers an efficient deployment model with simple integration and proactive support, making it favorable for many organizations. Stormshield Network Security requires a more complex setup with inconsistent customer service experiences, which may deter some users.

Pricing and ROI: Stormshield Network Security presents a lower initial cost, appealing to budget-conscious buyers. However, KerioControl, despite being more expensive to start, offers better long-term ROI due to its superior performance and comprehensive features.

To learn more, read our detailed KerioControl vs. Stormshield Network Security Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

KerioControl vs. Stormshield Network Security

August 2026

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Helped 908,800 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

KerioControl

Ranking in Unified Threat Management (UTM)

8th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Firewalls (27th), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) (13th)

Stormshield Network Security

Ranking in Unified Threat Management (UTM)

14th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Unified Threat Management (UTM) category, the mindshare of KerioControl is 4.3%, up from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Stormshield Network Security is 3.7%, up from 3.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Unified Threat Management (UTM) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
KerioControl	4.3%
Stormshield Network Security	3.7%
Other	92.0%

Unified Threat Management (UTM)

Featured Reviews

Constantnos Achilleos

Product manger at Asbis Mediteranean

Leveraging geo-tagging and web filtering for enhanced network security

The solution is used for site-to-site VPN connections and it is valued for its cost efficiency and easy connectivity. It is especially beneficial for multi-site VPNs and is used in about fifteen different components KerioControl has provided a financial benefit as it allows purchasing one license…

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Zsolt Jónás

System Administrator at NaxoNet

Advanced GUI and layered security have supported compliance and simplified intrusion prevention

I haven't had a task that I couldn't solve with Stormshield Network Security. The active-active high availability solution would be beneficial because currently, if you build a high availability solution with Stormshield Network Security, you have a main device and another one is a backup device. The HA can switch between them, but it would be good to have a master-master solution, not just a master-slave one. I could set a URL that I can call to update the DNS record. Currently, Stormshield Network Security devices support DynDNS, which is not a usual feature request from a server environment. I have my own solution instead of DynDNS because I don't prefer it, so I have my own service for that. However, the GUI does not support using a custom service instead of DynDNS. I had to solve it in the console on Stormshield Network Security device, but it would be much better if it was reachable on the GUI. I had to figure out a trick for the IPsec configuration. In the IPsec config, we have to provide the remote side's IP address, but it's always changing. This means that an office, for example a company that has an office but without a fixed IP address, cannot be used with IPsec VPN.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Kerio is a lot clearer to set up to do particular things, whereas when I do it on a Cisco or a FortiGate I have to go fight with it per week sometimes to do something I can do in 20 minutes on Kerio."

"The most valuable feature is to provide users with the ability to log in to the portal page, keep track of their data usage and perform bandwidth management."

"What I like the most about Kerio is that I can use the software appliance as a solution, so if the hardware fails for any reason then I can quickly replace it with hardware that I have in stock."

"The comprehensiveness of the security features that Kerio Control provides us with is good. Before GFI had it, they would have more updates. The updates have been slower, but I like the things that they keep adding like the ability to block by country. I use pretty much every feature."

"The firewall and intrusion detection features are very useful these days because hackers have a lot of tricks that they use to get into a system. With Kerio Control you can see something that's happening. Otherwise, you have to use other tools to see what's happening on the firewalls. Having IPS in it is quite useful for us."

"The user interface and the ease of use are pretty good. Everything fits together so nicely."

"The traffic insight page or the administrative portal is really helpful because you can see all the internet usage down to the point where you can see if it's big files or streams. It gives us a good view of what the internet usage is of users who are coupled to an IP address. That way, if there are problems with, for example, a lot of data usage or problems with the connection, we can narrow it down to a single user or server and address the problem. It's really helpful for diagnostic data."

"I want to have access to my computer from the outside and Kerio Control plays a role because it has a VPN... It is more reliable because it's a smaller group of computers to target for hackers and the like. The VPN works very well. I use it to work remotely very easily and exchange information, both to and from the location where it's deployed, and there have been no problems there."

More KerioControl pros

"Our organization's main concern is stability, and this is a stable solution."

"I like how you can configure the rules. There is the task for the rules and a task for the network configuration. It also provides SMD filtering, and it can be integrated with the active directory for the users, their mission, and the VPN configuration. We are here in Sudan, and Stormshield didn't work in Sudan for more than a decade. Stormshield is a very strong firewall and very easy to configure and maintain. I am just working with the firewall solution, and we don't have any other solutions like endpoint solutions or something like that."

"The multi-layered security approach of Stormshield Network Security is a good one and has helped with compliance."

"The most valuable features of this solution are the URL filtering database, which is great and contains all internet categories, the highly scalable interface that I can turn into what I want including hybrid, bridge, or router mode, the security with no back doors that is more secure than other solutions, and the hardware performance that is also better than others."

"The StormShield solution has enabled us to fully implement best practices from Microsoft in the cloud : the hub and spoke architecture."

"Easily manageable in a variety of environments."

"This solution is quick and easy to configure."

"Ease of use is the best feature of the product."

More Stormshield Network Security pros

Cons

"I would like to see geo-IP filtering added to the filtering rules. Incorporating these rules would be very beneficial if you have different ideas or reasons to filter, such as communication to the email server or specific websites."

"The VPN features are the ones that we really like, but we are using a VPN client to be able to use them. We would like to have an SSL implementation for this same feature so we don't need to install anything on the client side. That's a feature I really miss and that should really be embedded in the product. We really would love to use it via a web browser."

"Technical support is not the best. As an example, this past weekend I had an issue; it took me four days to get a hold of their support team, and I'm a premium client."

"KerioControl has met some of the network infrastructure needs yet could improve in terms of scalability, which I rate four out of ten."

"There were certain things I didn't know about it, but I've always been able to just contact our IT company. They've been able to walk me through certain things. It was quite a monumental task to set up a public site. Support really had to help me with setting up the VLANs and walk me through it. It was not possible for me to figure that out on my own, but that's what they're here for. That could have been a little bit easier laid out."

"The reporting needs to be improved. It is hard to get a domain."

"There isn't a lot to be improved. It works well as it is, but they can maybe improve the reporting side."

"I would like to see a little improvement in their technical support when you have a problem. I may be a little jaded because I came from Kerio when we could call and get a person on the phone who worked on the product. Every tech had their own demo setup. They had instant messaging capability with the developers. If we found a problem, then we could get a result for it quickly. Now, the product seems to be 24 hours. They have also gone to the model that if you need quicker support, then they now charge you additional for the exact same level of support that they used to give. I am assuming it's the exact same level of support that they say it is. I'm not paying extra for it. That's the biggest flaw with the product."

More KerioControl cons

"The pricing of this solution needs to be decreased."

"An application firewall like other next generation firewalls have."

"The technical support for this solution in Poland is not good."

"The stability is not that good based on my experience. We have a lot of disruptions when it comes to Stormshield."

"One thing, though, is that not all the fields are activated yet and we were informed that it will take at least one month."

"Stormshield Network Security is quite expensive."

"It could be better if it were more user-friendly for us as we dont use it very often even if we never had problems to modify setup when needed."

"The biggest issue was their support department was not able to help us, then everything stops. This is a no-go area for me."

More Stormshield Network Security cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Our clients see ROI with Kerio Control, as they are saving bandwidth costs."

"On the low-end device that I use, it has unlimited IP addresses. So, they have a subscription model where, on the higher models, you pay X dollars for 10 IP addresses. Then, if you want any more, you have to pay more on the model. On the low-end model, it has unlimited IP addresses, because if you have too many users, the thing will just slow you down and stop working. At some point, you need to say, "Okay, I've grown to a point where performance is impacted. I need to get some bigger hardware." If I get to that stage, I will possibly look at using one of the virtual appliances and putting it on some bigger hardware."

"It's pretty expensive in licensing costs, especially if you use the product longer than one or two years. The licensing costs are still high, which I don't think is reasonable for a product like this."

"We have to pay approximately EUR 175 for the product."

"Its licensing is yearly. You renew every year. Its price is all-inclusive."

"The price is fine."

"The price of Kerio Control could be better, it is a bit overpriced compared to other solutions."

"The price of the solution is reasonable. For additional costs, you can add on more features such as antivirus."

More KerioControl pricing and cost advice

"We bought a three-year license, and we renew it whenever it expires. The price could be better. It's always very expensive."

"I think the price is good."

"The pricing could be better."

"We chose Stormshield for its price, as the Azure firewall was too expensive."

"The price of this solution and the price of support are ok."

"The SN200 series costs between $500 USD and $600 USD per year, whereas the SN700 series costs approximately $1,000 annually."

"For mid-sized companies, they sell their appliances for good prices."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

15%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Construction Company

11%

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	44
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for KerioControl?

KerioControl offers good pricing as one license covers all features needed without extra payment. The price for the product is rated as ten out of ten.

See all answers

What needs improvement with KerioControl?

Regarding KerioControl's application awareness and control feature, I have not used it much.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for KerioControl?

With KerioControl, we usually use them for site-to-site VPNs for most of our clients. With multiple offices, we use KerioControl as our solution.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Stormshield Network Security?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Stormshield Network Security?

I already use Stormshield Network Security, and I am now looking for a new solution. I am already working with Stormshield Network Security, and the official reseller of Stormshield.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Stormshield Network Security?

The pricing is increasing, and I would say it is a bit expensive. Palo Alto and others are much more expensive, but Stormshield Network Security is also not inexpensive. My overall review rating fo...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 17% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 11% of the time

Sophos UTM vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 9% of the time

OPNsense vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 5% of the time

Sophos Firewall vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

KerioControl

July 2026

Download KerioControl product report

Buyer's Guide

Stormshield Network Security

July 2026

Download Stormshield Network Security product report

Also Known As

No data available

NETASQ Firewalls

Overview

KerioControl is a comprehensive network security solution integrating firewall, antivirus, and VPN in an easy-to-use interface for small to medium businesses seeking robust protection.

KerioControl offers a blend of essential security features wrapped in a user-friendly graphical interface that enables effective network management. It supports firewall protection, intrusion detection, real-time monitoring, and flexible VPN capabilities ensuring high reliability and productivity. Despite being suitable for small to medium enterprises, improvements could enhance its overall performance, such as better GUI updates, stronger connectivity, and advanced VPN functionality. Common uses include unified threat management, bandwidth management, remote access, and web filtering.

What are the important features of KerioControl?

Ease of Use: Intuitive interface for effortless security management.
Firewall and VPN Integration: Combines essential security tools seamlessly.
Real-time Monitoring: Offers constant insight into network activities.
Intrusion Detection: Advanced system for prevention and alerts.
Bandwidth Management: Efficient allocation for optimized network usage.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Cost Savings: Economical security solution for smaller businesses.
Productivity Gains: Simplified management increases operational efficiency.
Enhanced Security: Comprehensive coverage with antivirus and malware protection.
Remote Access: Streamlined management of multiple sites and networks.

KerioControl is effectively implemented in industries needing strong security measures, supporting small to medium businesses in sectors like IT services, retail, and education. It's particularly well-suited for companies requiring efficient threat management and convenient internet service management across various sites.

GFI

Stormshield Network Security offers comprehensive protection with features like backup inspection, scalable interface, and load balancing, suitable for network security management.

Stormshield Network Security is designed for organizations requiring reliable IT infrastructure protection, providing firewall capabilities, intrusion detection, and application control. Users find VPN support, URL filtering, and UTM functions beneficial for network management. Models like SN200 and SN910 are used globally in clustered configurations, addressing different demands. Challenges include pricing, interface friendliness, filtering configurations, and technical support.

What are the key features of Stormshield Network Security?

Backup Inspection: Enhances reliability and recovery options.
Antivirus Controls: Provides robust virus protection.
Intrusion Detection: Alerts on potential threats.
Load Balancing: Distributes network traffic efficiently.
URL Filtering: Blocks malicious websites for safe browsing.

What benefits should users seek in reviews?

Scalability: Adapts to each organization's growing needs.
Reliability: Supports clustered configurations for uptime.
Management Ease: Intuitive dashboard aids network oversight.
Performance: High throughput with efficient clustering.

Stormshield Network Security is widely implemented in industries needing IT infrastructure protection, like finance or healthcare. Organizations deploy it in data centers or branch offices, benefiting from features ensuring safety and performance. The tool supports environments that demand high security levels and robust network monitoring.

Stormshield

Sample Customers

Triton Technical, McDonald's

ACESUR group, Ministry of Education Oman, Anios Laboratories, Zain, DLM Location

Buyer's Guide

KerioControl vs. Stormshield Network Security

August 2026

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