Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs WatchGuard Firebox

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall9.4Visit WatchGuard Firebox9.1Visit

Higher score Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall #1 in Network Firewall Software 9.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit site

vs

WatchGuard Firebox #4 in Network Firewall Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit WatchGuard

• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall fits best

  Enterprises needing advanced threat prevention

• WatchGuard Firebox fits best

  Distributed teams using cloud-managed appliances

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Side by side

Feature	Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall 9.4/10 Visit ↗	WatchGuard Firebox 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Network Firewall Software	#4 in Network Firewall Software
Best for	Enterprises needing advanced threat prevention	Distributed teams using cloud-managed appliances
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	Pricing on request
Free plan	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Phone, Docs	Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall 3/3 · WatchGuard Firebox 3/3
Intrusion prevention	✓	✓
SSL inspection	✓	✓
Site-to-site VPN	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Hybrid	Hybrid
Firewall throughput	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Concurrent connections	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Application-aware control with App-ID and URL filtering Zero-day prevention with TLS 1.3 inspection Hardware, virtual and cloud deployment options	Combines firewalling, VPN, IPS, HTTPS inspection, filtering, and threat services Supports physical, virtual, AWS, and Microsoft Azure deployments Centralizes management through WatchGuard Cloud
Cons	Pricing requires contact with sales The product family spans multiple deployment models and offerings Advanced security subscriptions add scope to product selection	Pricing requires contact with WatchGuard or a partner Model-specific throughput and connection figures vary across the family Optional security services and multiple models add purchasing complexity
Our verdict	Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall is a hybrid network security platform for organizations protecting branch offices, campuses, data centers, public clouds and 5G environments. Its product family includes PA-Series hardware… Read the review →	WatchGuard Firebox is a network security firewall family for small businesses, branch offices, midmarket organizations, and enterprises. It includes physical T-Series and M-Series appliances, FireboxV for virtual environments, and Firebox… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall — where it wins

  • Application-aware control with App-ID and URL filtering
  • Zero-day prevention with TLS 1.3 inspection
  • Hardware, virtual and cloud deployment options

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • The product family spans multiple deployment models and offerings
  • Advanced security subscriptions add scope to product selection

• WatchGuard Firebox — where it wins

  • Combines firewalling, VPN, IPS, HTTPS inspection, filtering, and threat services
  • Supports physical, virtual, AWS, and Microsoft Azure deployments
  • Centralizes management through WatchGuard Cloud

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contact with WatchGuard or a partner
  • Model-specific throughput and connection figures vary across the family
  • Optional security services and multiple models add purchasing complexity

• Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall9.4/10 · Pricing on request

  An enterprise firewall family combining application control, threat prevention and centralized management.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• WatchGuard Firebox9.1/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad hybrid firewall family for distributed teams that need centralized cloud management.

  Visit WatchGuardFull verdict →