Untangle NG Firewall vs WatchGuard Firebox comparison

Arista and WatchGuard are both solutions in the Firewalls category. Arista is ranked #32 with an average rating of 8.0, while WatchGuard is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.3. Arista holds a 1.0% mindshare in Firewalls, compared to WatchGuard’s 2.1% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Arista users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of WatchGuard users who would recommend it.

Untangle NG Firewall

Read 26 Untangle NG Firewall reviews

4,605 Views
3,914 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

WatchGuard Firebox

Read 143 WatchGuard Firebox reviews

17,804 Views
8,546 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Untangle NG Firewall

WatchGuard Firebox

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 15, 2026

Untangle NG Firewall and WatchGuard Firebox compete in the network security category. WatchGuard Firebox appears to have the upper hand due to its feature richness and centralized management.

Features: Untangle NG Firewall is valued for its adaptability, running on generic hardware with features like web filtering, application control, and VPN, which are highly regarded. It is especially desirable for small businesses due to ease of setup and management. WatchGuard Firebox is noted for a comprehensive feature list that includes security layering and robust VPN functionalities, along with strong management and reporting tools, making it superior in integration and centralized management.

Room for Improvement: Untangle NG Firewall users mention the need for enhanced processing power and local support availability. The pricing model could be clarified and real-time threat protection needs betterment. WatchGuard Firebox could benefit from improved reporting capabilities, simplified management, and enhanced third-party tool integration. Its interface and policy management are also areas for improvement, despite its strong functionality.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Untangle and WatchGuard primarily offer on-premises deployments with limited cloud options. Untangle's support has been described as problematic, lacking effective local channels, while WatchGuard is recognized for efficient, though sometimes limited, technical support that resolves issues proactively. WatchGuard's centralized management aids in smooth setup experiences compared to Untangle.

Pricing and ROI: Untangle's pricing model is attractive for smaller setups, but can become costly for larger deployments due to its per-device licensing model. WatchGuard, though priced higher initially, offers a robust feature set that provides significant value and dependable performance. While both solutions offer good ROI through reliable security capabilities, WatchGuard's layered security and better integration are appealing features for many, warranting its higher cost.

To learn more, read our detailed Untangle NG Firewall vs. WatchGuard Firebox Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Untangle NG Firewall vs. WatchGuard Firebox

August 2026

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Helped 908,834 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:

ROI

Sentiment score

6.5

Untangle NG Firewall saves users time and money, simplifies management, enhances security, and offers substantial ROI through scalable solutions.

Sentiment score

6.1

WatchGuard Firebox delivers reduced incidents, better security, and savings, despite some difficulty quantifying ROI, enhancing productivity and peace of mind.

My ability to monetize it as a gateway security appliance to offer enhanced service offerings allows me to increase our price point.

Matt @ CasCom

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

From a security standpoint, preventing even a single major security incident or prolonged outage can represent significant cost savings.

Abhishek Saini

Professional Services Engineer at Next7 IT

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

Pedro Soteras

CEO at ajuntament del Prat

Reduced incidents and easier management helped lower operational cost.

Alexander Tabacman

Security Engineer at Antina Empleos

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

5.6

Untangle NG Firewall's support is responsive but faces challenges with time zones, expertise, resources, and documentation improvements.

Sentiment score

6.5

WatchGuard Firebox support is praised for expertise and responsiveness, with satisfaction noted despite some regional communication challenges.

They're able to remotely manage the devices if necessary for support.

Matt @ CasCom

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

I use official documentation, guides, or manuals for Untangle NG Firewall.

Panagiotis Kontaxis

Information Technology System Administrator at Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου / Eugenides Foundation

They got back to me pretty quickly, the response time was fast, and they're knowledgeable.

Gary-Downey

Director of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

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

reviewer2698002

Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

When comparing WatchGuard Firebox with other vendors such as Fortinet, SonicWall, Palo Alto, and Sophos, WatchGuard Firebox performs competitively.

Yevheniy Moyko

Cyber Security Engineer at Underdefense

Most of the time, support engineers are knowledgeable and able to assist effectively with firewall configuration issues, VPN troubleshooting, firmware updates, and security-related concerns.

Abhishek Saini

Professional Services Engineer at Next7 IT

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

6.3

Untangle NG Firewall is versatile, scalable, and suitable for both large enterprises and small businesses, supporting varied user demands.

Sentiment score

6.6

WatchGuard Firebox offers scalable solutions for small to mid-sized businesses, efficiently managing growth with flexible upgrades and configurations.

Since it can be put on any box, the scalability is fantastic.

Matt @ CasCom

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

Overall, WatchGuard Firebox offers strong scalability for SMBs, MSPs, branch offices, and hybrid environments while keeping deployment and management relatively straightforward.

Abhishek Saini

Professional Services Engineer at Next7 IT

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.

Syed Pasha

Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS

You can choose different models based on throughput and features, which makes it easy to support growing environments.

Alexander Tabacman

Security Engineer at Antina Empleos

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

8.4

Untangle NG Firewall is praised for stability and reliability, experiencing minor issues but no major disruptions, suitable for large-scale administration.

Sentiment score

8.0

WatchGuard Firebox is praised for stability, minimal downtime, and excellent performance, with prompt resolutions to occasional hardware issues.

I would rate the stability and reliability of Untangle NG Firewall as a ten.

Panagiotis Kontaxis

Information Technology System Administrator at Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου / Eugenides Foundation

I haven't had to mess with it too much; it's pretty stable.

Gary-Downey

Director of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

I have just one WatchGuard Firebox unit that is licensed, and I have no bugs on it, so I am happy with that.

Raphael Diacamille

Administrateur Systã¨Mes Et Rã©Seau at Btp Consultants

Once properly configured, the platform handles VPN connectivity, traffic inspection, and security services constantly, even in multi-site environments with remote users.

Abhishek Saini

Professional Services Engineer at Next7 IT

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

Syed Pasha

Senior Network Consultant at NETOPS

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Room For Improvement

Untangle NG Firewall needs improved support, a streamlined console, and enhanced features like web filtering, mobile access, and reporting.

WatchGuard Firebox needs better analytics, performance, usability, pricing, support, learning resources, and cloud integration compared to high-end competitors.

The user interface, training, and general product innovation need improvement.

Matt @ CasCom

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

I haven't dug into the advanced features, but I think some of the advanced capabilities are probably where it lacks a little bit, with the filtering and firewall rules.

Gary-Downey

Director of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

I would like to improve the ad blocker and SSL Inspector by having more settings in the filters, cookie filters, and pass lists.

Panagiotis Kontaxis

Information Technology System Administrator at Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου / Eugenides Foundation

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

It gives good visibility and control over the traffic, and the UI makes it easy to manage policies and respond quickly when something comes up.

Salbu Kumar

Manager at Cyvogenix

Some improvements in threat intelligence integrations and SIEM integration as an out-of-the-box context would be beneficial.

Prajwal Chougale

System Analyst at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

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

Manish Nalawade

Owner at it logic

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Setup Cost

Untangle NG Firewall's modular pricing varies with setup size, offering cost-effective open-source options and flexible enterprise packages.

WatchGuard Firebox offers affordable pricing and comprehensive security, appealing to small and mid-sized businesses with flexible licensing.

It's less expensive, especially because it has a lot of the pieces integrated into the firewall, so you get savings on that front.

Gary-Downey

Director of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

It is not very expensive, so it is affordable for my budget.

Panagiotis Kontaxis

Information Technology System Administrator at Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου / Eugenides Foundation

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

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

PedroSoteras

Digital Solution Designer at Accenture

Fortinet is more expensive than WatchGuard.

Alexander Tabacman

Security Engineer at Antina Empleos

I find WatchGuard Firebox to be cost-effective.

Maikel Broekx

Chief Technology Officer at Falcon Automation

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Valuable Features

Untangle NG Firewall provides versatile security features, easy setup, and centralized management, ideal for small businesses on generic hardware.

WatchGuard Firebox offers robust firewall capabilities, centralized management, and AI-enhanced security, making it ideal for scalable network protection.

The ease of use and the built-in and integrated features, including the apps that include OpenVPN, IPsec, and WireGuard VPN, are all built straight into Untangle NG Firewall.

Gary-Downey

Director of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

The all-in-one gateway security functions and the ability to install it on generic equipment stand out.

Matt @ CasCom

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

The most useful features of Untangle NG Firewall are the firewall and bandwidth control capabilities.

Panagiotis Kontaxis

Information Technology System Administrator at Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου / Eugenides Foundation

For more quotes and insights, download the Untangle NG Firewall report

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

The features of WatchGuard Firebox are most valuable for maintaining network security.

Yevheniy Moyko

Cyber Security Engineer at Underdefense

Some of the best features of WatchGuard Firebox in my experience are its ease of management, strong VPN capabilities, and integrated security services.

Abhishek Saini

Professional Services Engineer at Next7 IT

For more quotes and insights, download the WatchGuard Firebox report

Categories and Ranking

Untangle NG Firewall

Ranking in Firewalls

32nd

Ranking in Unified Threat Management (UTM)

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

WatchGuard Firebox

Ranking in Firewalls

12th

Ranking in Unified Threat Management (UTM)

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

143

Ranking in other categories

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) (9th), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) (4th), Anti-Malware Tools (7th), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) (10th), Application Control (4th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Firewalls category, the mindshare of Untangle NG Firewall is 1.0%, down from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of WatchGuard Firebox is 2.1%, down from 2.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
WatchGuard Firebox	2.1%
Untangle NG Firewall	1.0%
Other	96.9%

Firewalls

Featured Reviews

Gary-Downey

Director of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

Has provided built-in VPN tools and reporting features that streamline remote access and monitoring tasks

We do an outside-sourced threat prevention regarding the Threat Prevention features. I haven't run into areas that could be improved or cons versus pros for Untangle NG Firewall. I haven't done anything too advanced when it comes to the filtering, so I'm not sure what can be improved or added. I haven't dug into the advanced features, but I think some of the advanced capabilities are probably where it lacks a little bit, with the filtering and firewall rules. These areas could be improved to make it a nine out of 10 or a 10 out of 10 for overall rating.

Read full review

Abhishek Saini

Professional Services Engineer at Next7 IT

Centralized security management has improved VPN reliability and simplified daily operations

WatchGuard Firebox is a strong and reliable platform overall, but there are a few areas where improvements could make the experience even better. One area is the user interface and navigation in some management tools. While the platform is powerful, certain configurations and troubleshooting workflows can feel less intuitive compared to some newer cloud-native firewall platforms. Another point is reporting and log analysis. Although the logging features are very useful, deeper analytics and more customizable reporting dashboards would make security monitoring much more effective. Firmware upgrades and policy synchronization can sometimes require careful planning to avoid security interruptions. Overall, the core security and VPN functionality are very solid, but improving usability, reporting, and automation would make the platform even stronger. One area that could be improved is the learning curve for new administrators. While experienced engineers can work with the platform effectively, some advanced networking and security configurations can be a bit complex for junior technicians. More guided configuration workflows, smarter recommendations, and simplified troubleshooting tools would make onboarding easier. Another improvement would be more flexible reporting customization for executive-level and client-facing reports.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

17%

Construction Company

10%

University

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

12%

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	26
Midsize Enterprise	1

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	104
Midsize Enterprise	30
Large Enterprise	17

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Untangle NG Firewall?

It is not very expensive, so it is affordable for my budget.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Untangle NG Firewall?

I would appreciate improvements to the ad blocker and SSL Inspector of Untangle NG Firewall.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Untangle NG Firewall?

My usual use cases for Untangle NG Firewall are just like a firewall and router. The main purpose is for firewall functionality. It has a captive portal, web filter, virus blocker, spam blocker, ba...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Firebox?

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

See all answers

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 our employees.

See all answers

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.

See all answers

Comparisons

OPNsense vs Untangle NG Firewall

Compared 15% of the time

Sophos UTM vs Untangle NG Firewall

Compared 9% of the time

Fortinet FortiGate vs Untangle NG Firewall

Compared 8% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Untangle NG Firewall

Compared 8% of the time

IPFire vs Untangle NG Firewall

Compared 3% of the time

More Untangle NG Firewall Competitors

Fortinet FortiGate vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 7% of the time

OPNsense vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 4% of the time

Sophos Firewall vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 4% of the time

SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 3% of the time

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks vs WatchGuard Firebox

Compared 3% of the time

More WatchGuard Firebox Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Untangle NG Firewall

July 2026

Download Untangle NG Firewall product report

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Firebox

July 2026

Download WatchGuard Firebox product report

Also Known As

No data available

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

Overview

Untangle NG Firewall provides a user-centric security firewall solution. It combines ease of integration with features such as comprehensive web filtering, VPN capabilities, and content control, tailored for small businesses and scalable for enterprise deployments.

Untangle NG Firewall is designed to enhance network security for small businesses, law offices, and unions. It offers centralized management and strong performance with features like SSL inspection, application control, and threat detection. Users appreciate customization options, bandwidth management, and tools like OpenVPN. However, there is room for improvement in reporting, hardware specs, and configuration options to match evolving security requirements. The call for a mobile app, better content filtering, and robust VPN capabilities is growing alongside a desire for improved licensing and support structures.

What are the important features?

Web Filtering: Provides comprehensive controls for managing internet access.
VPN Capabilities: Ensures secure remote access via stable VPN connections.
SSL Inspection: Inspects encrypted traffic for threats.
Application Control: Allows management of applications in the network.
Threat Detection: Identifies and mitigates potential security risks.

What benefits and ROI can be found in reviews?

User-Friendliness: Simplifies network management with easy setup and integration.
Cost-Effectiveness: Affordable pricing with potential savings through hardware-as-a-service model.
Security: Offers robust security features and tools to ensure network safety.
Scalability: Accommodates growth from small to enterprise-level networks.

In industries like law offices and unions, Untangle NG Firewall is implemented primarily on-premises and managed via the cloud. Its integration with existing hardware allows for seamless deployment, delivering features such as web filtering, intrusion prevention, and virus blocking. The easy setup and diverse capabilities make it a suitable option for enhancing security in various professional environments.

Arista

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

North American Stamping Group, Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (CPNJ), Brown County Schools, IN, City of Bridgeton, MO, Lancaster County, SC, Vision Charter School, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, NC, Breakwater School, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, NH, Admiral Farragut Academy, Flow Companies, No Ordinary Hotel, KECdesign,

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

Buyer's Guide

Untangle NG Firewall vs. WatchGuard Firebox

August 2026

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