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If WatchGuard Firebox’s license costs or renewal terms are pushing you to switch, start by deciding whether you need another firewall or a narrower replacement. pfSense Plus and OPNsense Business Edition are the closest fits in this list; Check Point is another hardware-firewall option. Zscaler’s products and ZeroTier cover different scopes, so they are not like-for-like swaps. WatchGuard pricing is not published on the vendor's site, so ask resellers for a quote and confirm which subscriptions your deployment needs.
01Why people leave WatchGuard Firebox
Licensing can limit usefulness
A Reddit commenter warns that a Firebox is not very useful when its licensing runs out; another says to learn which subscription services are active.
Some buyers find it expensive
One r/msp commenter says WatchGuard is expensive compared with SonicWall and Fortinet. This is a user’s comparison, not published price data.
IKEv2 fragmentation concern
One r/sysadmin thread reports intermittent IKEv2 VPN failures and says WatchGuard support cited missing packet-fragmentation support on the hardware.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Flexible firewall deployments
pfSense PluspfSense PluspfSense Plus is the most direct alternative here for teams already comfortable managing a firewall themselves. The pricing page names Netgate appliances and AWS or Azure deployments, plus VPN and VPC connectivity. Its listed starting price is $10.75, with a free plan; check the full bill and upgrade terms before comparing that figure with a WatchGuard reseller quote.
Trade-off: Check total costs and upgrade terms; the published information does not detail them.
6.7/10from
$10.75/mofree plan - Commercial firewall software
OPNsense Business EditionOPNsense Business EditionOPNsense Business Edition suits teams looking for a commercial firmware repository rather than WatchGuard’s hardware-and-subscription model. The listing also names multi-installation operators considering OPNcentral and businesses needing included security features. Its listed starting price is $11.08. Compare the upfront cost with your deployment needs; the published information does not give further plan limits.
Trade-off: The listed price is only a starting point; weigh upfront cost against your needs.
7.3/10from
€11.08/mo - Enterprise hardware firewall
Check Point Quantum Security GatewaysCheck Point Quantum Security GatewaysCheck Point Quantum Security Gateways is the closest listed fit if you still want an enterprise hardware firewall rather than moving to a narrower network tool. The pricing page covers hybrid on-premises and cloud environments and quote-based security subscriptions. Pricing is not published, and public product detail is limited, so ask for a scoped quote before treating it as a cost-saving switch.
Trade-off: Quote-only pricing and limited public detail make costs harder to compare.
6.5/10from
Custom - Broader security platform
Zscaler Cloud IPSZscaler Cloud IPSConsider Zscaler Cloud IPS if your team is already considering Zscaler and wants to assess a broader security platform instead of choosing another Firebox. It is not presented as a direct hardware-firewall replacement. Pricing is not published, and the published guidance is to get the Cloud IPS scope and quote in writing before comparing it with WatchGuard.
Trade-off: Not a like-for-like firewall; pricing and scope need a custom quote.
5.5/10from
Custom - Zero trust access
Zscaler Zero Trust ExchangeZscaler Zero Trust ExchangeZscaler Zero Trust Exchange fits a different switch: teams consolidating zero trust controls, securing private app access, or protecting AI deployments. That may suit an organization reconsidering how it provides access, but the listing does not position it as a replacement hardware firewall. Pricing is not published, and the published summary flags meaningful access limits.
Trade-off: It is a zero trust platform, not a direct Firebox substitute; access limits matter.
6.3/10from
Custom - Simpler private networking
ZeroTierZeroTierZeroTier is worth considering if the problem is a complicated VPN setup rather than firewall inspection or centralized security administration. The listing describes it as private networking, with a free plan and a business entry price of $18. It names a 10-device limit for personal users, so verify the plan fits your team before switching any remote-access workloads.
Trade-off: Private networking is narrower than a firewall; personal use is limited to 10 devices.
7.4/10from
$18/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 WatchGuard Firebox WatchGuard Firebox (current) | 7.0 | Custom | No | MSPs managing multiple client firewalls |
| pfSense Plus pfSense Plus | 6.7 | $10.75/mo | Yes | Netgate appliance buyers |
| OPNsense Business Edition OPNsense Business Edition | 7.3 | €11.08/mo | No | Teams wanting a commercial firmware repository |
| Check Point Quantum Security Gateways Check Point Quantum Security Gateways | 6.5 | Custom | No | Enterprises seeking hardware firewalls |
| Zscaler Cloud IPS Zscaler Cloud IPS | 5.5 | Custom | No | Organizations already considering Zscaler |
| Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange | 6.3 | Custom | No | Organizations consolidating zero trust controls |
| ZeroTier ZeroTier | 7.4 | $18/mo | Yes | Teams replacing complex VPN setups |
Questions people ask
Why do some teams leave WatchGuard Firebox?
The Reddit threads we read point to license dependence, a user’s view that WatchGuard is expensive compared with SonicWall and Fortinet, and a reported IKEv2 fragmentation issue. These are individual reports, not proof that every Firebox deployment has those problems. Check your active subscriptions and VPN requirements before deciding.
Is WatchGuard Firebox pricing published?
Pricing is not published on the vendor's site. One Reddit commenter specifically recommends checking licensing and subscription services, while the product listing notes that buyers may need reseller quotes. Ask for hardware, subscription, renewal and support costs in writing so you can compare the full bill.
Which alternative is closest to a Firebox?
Among these options, Check Point Quantum Security Gateways is explicitly listed as an enterprise hardware firewall. pfSense Plus and OPNsense Business Edition are alternatives for teams considering firewall deployments or commercial firewall software. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange and ZeroTier cover different scopes, so they are not direct hardware-firewall replacements.