[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":434},["ShallowReactive",2],{"footer-services-en":3,"footer-local-en":28,"cmp-\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fsmall-business-firewall-comparison":45,"cmp-alt-\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fsmall-business-firewall-comparison":419,"cmp-others-\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fsmall-business-firewall-comparison":421},[4,8,12,16,20,24],{"path":5,"navTitle":6,"order":7},"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Fcybersecurity-audit","Cybersecurity Audit",1,{"path":9,"navTitle":10,"order":11},"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Fpenetration-testing","Penetration Testing",2,{"path":13,"navTitle":14,"order":15},"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Fmicrosoft-365-google-workspace-audit","Microsoft 365 \u002F Google Workspace Audit",3,{"path":17,"navTitle":18,"order":19},"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Flaw-25-compliance","Law 25 Compliance",4,{"path":21,"navTitle":22,"order":23},"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Fremediation-hardening","Remediation and Hardening",5,{"path":25,"navTitle":26,"order":27},"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Fongoing-security-partner","Ongoing Security Partner (vCISO)",6,[29,33,37,41],{"path":30,"city":31,"translationKey":32},"\u002Fen\u002Fcybersecurity-audit\u002Fmontreal","Montréal","montreal",{"path":34,"city":35,"translationKey":36},"\u002Fen\u002Fcybersecurity-audit\u002Flaval","Laval","laval",{"path":38,"city":39,"translationKey":40},"\u002Fen\u002Fcybersecurity-audit\u002Fsouth-shore","South Shore","rive-sud",{"path":42,"city":43,"translationKey":44},"\u002Fen\u002Fcybersecurity-audit\u002Fnorth-shore","North Shore","rive-nord",{"id":46,"title":47,"body":48,"criteria":220,"date":283,"description":284,"extension":285,"faq":286,"keyword":299,"meta":300,"navigation":301,"options":302,"path":359,"rawbody":360,"seo":361,"sources":362,"stem":404,"translationKey":405,"updated":406,"verdict":407,"verified":417,"__hash__":418},"comparisons_en\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fsmall-business-firewall-comparison.md","Small Business Firewall: FortiGate, Sophos, WatchGuard or UniFi",{"type":49,"value":50,"toc":213},"minimark",[51,55,58,79,84,87,114,123,127,130,133,141,145,148,151,159,163,166,199,202,209],[52,53,54],"p",{},"The firewall is often the first security device a small business buys, and the last one anyone looks at afterwards. It sits on a shelf next to the modem until the licence renewal notice shows up, or a vulnerability bulletin lands for that exact model.",[52,56,57],{},"Choosing between Fortinet, Sophos, WatchGuard and Ubiquiti isn't just a hardware comparison. You're picking a licensing model you'll pay for over five years or more, a console your IT provider has to know well, and an update cadence you'll need to keep up with.",[59,60,63],"callout",{"title":61,"type":62},"Our method","info",[64,65,66,70,73,76],"ul",{},[67,68,69],"li",{},"We compared entry-level models aimed at small offices and branches, using manufacturers' official pages and technical documentation reviewed in October 2026.",[67,71,72],{},"Criteria: licensing model, intrusion prevention, web filtering, sandboxing, SD-WAN, remote access VPN, centralized management, published pricing and ecosystem.",[67,74,75],{},"When a manufacturer doesn't publish something, we write \"Not specified\" rather than guess. Bundles change often, so confirm with your reseller.",[67,77,78],{},"This comparison is not sponsored.",[80,81,83],"h2",{"id":82},"the-real-cost-the-box-or-the-subscription","The real cost: the box or the subscription?",[52,85,86],{},"Three of the four vendors sell hardware paired with subscriptions, and those subscriptions unlock the protections that matter most.",[64,88,89,96,102,108],{},[67,90,91,95],{},[92,93,94],"strong",{},"Fortinet"," groups its FortiGuard services into three bundles. ATP includes IPS, antivirus, FortiSandbox SaaS and application control. URL and DNS filtering require the UTP bundle; the Enterprise bundle includes everything.",[67,97,98,101],{},[92,99,100],{},"Sophos"," ships a Base Licence with the hardware: networking, unlimited remote access VPN, site-to-site VPN and reporting. The Xstream Protection bundle adds Network Protection (IPS), Web Protection, Zero-Day Protection, Central Orchestration and DNS Protection, which is only sold in the bundle.",[67,103,104,107],{},[92,105,106],{},"WatchGuard"," offers four tiers. Standard Support covers the firewall, VPN and SD-WAN; Basic Security Suite adds IPS, gateway antivirus and WebBlocker filtering; Prime adds APT Blocker and DNSWatch; Total adds ThreatSync XDR and EDR Core.",[67,109,110,113],{},[92,111,112],{},"Ubiquiti"," requires no licence for baseline IPS and content filtering. The optional CyberSecure subscription adds richer signatures (Proofpoint) and filtering (Cloudflare).",[52,115,116,117,122],{},"The practical advice: compare total cost over five years, renewals included. A quote should never show only the first-year price. Our guide to a ",[118,119,121],"a",{"href":120},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fsmall-business-cybersecurity-budget","small business cybersecurity budget"," helps put that line item in context.",[80,124,126],{"id":125},"management-and-logs-whos-watching","Management and logs: who's watching?",[52,128,129],{},"A firewall nobody checks protects less than you think. All four vendors offer a cloud console, on different terms.",[52,131,132],{},"FortiGate Cloud has a free basic tier limited to seven days of logs and one default report; the Standard subscription adds management, analytics and a year of logs, and requires a FortiCare Premium contract. Sophos includes cloud management at no extra charge with its protection bundles. WatchGuard includes centralized management in WatchGuard Cloud from Standard Support up. Ubiquiti describes Site Manager as a licence-free dashboard for every UniFi site.",[52,134,135,136,140],{},"Those logs are often the first source investigators use to piece together a ",[118,137,139],{"href":138},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fransomware-small-business-attack-anatomy","ransomware attack",". Check how long they're kept and who gets the alerts.",[80,142,144],{"id":143},"remote-access-vpn-the-most-exposed-feature","Remote access VPN: the most exposed feature",[52,146,147],{},"VPN gateways and management interfaces exposed to the internet are prime targets. The joint advisory from CISA and its partners, including the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, on the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023 lists flaws in products from several firewall and VPN manufacturers. None of them is immune; what matters is how fast you patch.",[52,149,150],{},"One recent change deserves attention from Fortinet customers: as of FortiOS 7.6.3, SSL VPN tunnel mode has been removed, and models with 2 GB of RAM or less no longer support SSL VPN at all. Fortinet recommends migrating to IPsec VPN before upgrading. If your staff connect through SSL VPN, plan that migration with your IT provider.",[52,152,153,154,158],{},"Whatever the brand, require multi-factor authentication on the VPN, turn off management access from the internet, and follow a ",[118,155,157],{"href":156},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fpatch-management-policy-small-business","patch management policy"," that covers emergencies.",[80,160,162],{"id":161},"how-to-choose","How to choose",[52,164,165],{},"Ask these questions in order:",[167,168,169,175,181,187,193],"ol",{},[67,170,171,174],{},[92,172,173],{},"Who will run it?"," If your IT provider already knows one brand well, that outweighs any single feature. A misconfigured firewall is no better than an ordinary router.",[67,176,177,180],{},[92,178,179],{},"How many sites?"," Beyond one office, SD-WAN and centralized management start to matter. All four offer them, at different licence levels.",[67,182,183,186],{},[92,184,185],{},"What do you already have?"," Sophos endpoints, UniFi Wi-Fi or Fortinet access points: integration makes management easier.",[67,188,189,192],{},[92,190,191],{},"Which protections do you need?"," If web filtering and sandboxing are essential, confirm they're actually in the bundle you're quoted.",[67,194,195,198],{},[92,196,197],{},"What's the five-year budget?"," Hardware, subscriptions, support and admin hours.",[52,200,201],{},"In short: UniFi suits small offices with simple needs, FortiGate suits multi-site networks that want a full ecosystem, Sophos suits companies already using that vendor, and WatchGuard suits businesses that want a clear all-in-one tier.",[52,203,204,205,208],{},"Already have a firewall? Our ",[118,206,207],{"href":5},"cybersecurity audit"," reviews its configuration, including overly permissive rules, exposed management ports, outdated firmware and VPN access without multi-factor authentication.",[210,211],"cta",{"variant":212},"devis",{"title":214,"searchDepth":11,"depth":15,"links":215},"",[216,217,218,219],{"id":82,"depth":11,"text":83},{"id":125,"depth":11,"text":126},{"id":143,"depth":11,"text":144},{"id":161,"depth":11,"text":162},[221,228,235,242,249,256,263,270,276],{"label":222,"values":223},"Licensing model",[224,225,226,227],"Hardware + FortiGuard subscription (ATP, UTP or Enterprise)","Base Licence included + Xstream Protection or modules","Hardware + Standard Support or a suite (Basic, Prime, Total)","Hardware only; CyberSecure optional",{"label":229,"values":230},"Intrusion prevention (IPS)",[231,232,233,234],"With subscription (from the ATP bundle)","Network Protection module (in Xstream)","From Basic Security Suite","Included; enhanced signatures with CyberSecure",{"label":236,"values":237},"Web filtering",[238,239,240,241],"UTP or Enterprise bundles (not in ATP)","Web Protection module (in Xstream)","WebBlocker, from Basic Security Suite","Included (100+ categories); advanced with CyberSecure",{"label":243,"values":244},"Sandboxing (unknown files)",[245,246,247,248],"FortiSandbox SaaS, from the ATP bundle","Zero-Day Protection (in Xstream)","APT Blocker (Prime or Total Security Suite)","Not specified",{"label":250,"values":251},"SD-WAN",[252,253,254,255],"Built into FortiOS, no separate licence","Built in; orchestration via Central Orchestration (Xstream)","Included in every tier","Site Magic, licence-free",{"label":257,"values":258},"Remote access VPN",[259,260,261,262],"IPsec; SSL VPN tunnel mode removed as of FortiOS 7.6.3","Unlimited, included in the Base Licence","Included from Standard Support","WireGuard and OpenVPN, included",{"label":264,"values":265},"Centralized cloud management",[266,267,268,269],"FortiGate Cloud: free basic tier (7-day logs); paid Standard tier","Sophos Central \u002F Fusion, no extra charge with bundles","WatchGuard Cloud, from Standard Support","Site Manager, licence-free",{"label":271,"values":272},"Pricing published on official site",[273,274,273,275],"No","No (quote through a partner)","Yes (online store)",{"label":277,"values":278},"Ecosystem managed in the same console",[279,280,281,282],"FortiAP access points, FortiSwitch, FortiExtender","Sophos endpoints (Synchronized Security), NDR Essentials","ThreatSync XDR and EDR Core (Total Security Suite)","UniFi Wi-Fi access points and switches","2026-10-24","FortiGate, Sophos XGS, WatchGuard Firebox or UniFi: licensing, IPS, web filtering, SD-WAN, VPN and cloud management compared for Canadian small businesses.","md",[287,290,293,296],{"q":288,"a":289},"Isn't the router from my internet provider good enough?","It blocks unsolicited inbound connections, but it generally offers no intrusion prevention, no web filtering, no properly managed remote access VPN and no usable logs after an incident. For a business with an office network, remote staff or personal information to protect, a managed business firewall remains the norm.",{"q":291,"a":292},"What happens if we don't renew the security subscription?","With Fortinet, Sophos and WatchGuard, subscription-based protections such as intrusion signatures, web filtering and sandboxing depend on an active licence. With Sophos, support also determines access to firmware updates. A firewall without a subscription keeps enforcing its rules but protects less and less over time. Ask the reseller for the renewal price at quote time.",{"q":294,"a":295},"How quickly should firewall updates be applied?","As fast as possible when the advisory affects the VPN or the management interface. A joint advisory from CISA and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security lists firewall and VPN gateway flaws from several manufacturers among the most exploited vulnerabilities. Plan a monthly maintenance window and an emergency procedure.",{"q":297,"a":298},"Is a firewall still useful if everything is in the cloud?","Yes, but its role changes. It protects the office network, guest Wi-Fi, printers and devices you can't protect any other way, and it filters browsing. Protecting cloud accounts relies mostly on multi-factor authentication and conditional access.","small business firewall",{},true,[303,317,331,345],{"name":304,"url":305,"tagline":306,"pricing":307,"bestFor":308,"pros":309,"cons":313},"Fortinet FortiGate","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fortinet.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-generation-firewall\u002Fentry-level","A wide entry-level range (FortiGate 30G to 90G), with FortiGuard security services sold in bundles.","On request \u002F through a reseller: hardware, a FortiGuard subscription (ATP, UTP or Enterprise) and FortiCare support; no public pricing on the official site (October 2026)","Multi-site or growing businesses that want a complete network ecosystem (firewall, access points, switches) run by an integrator.",[310,311,312],"SD-WAN built into FortiOS with no separate licence","Broad model range to grow into","The firewall also manages Fortinet access points and switches",[314,315,316],"IPS and web filtering depend on a subscription you must renew (web filtering requires the UTP or Enterprise bundle)","SSL VPN tunnel mode removed as of FortiOS 7.6.3: plan a move to IPsec","Full FortiGate Cloud management is paid and tied to FortiCare Premium",{"name":318,"url":319,"tagline":320,"pricing":321,"bestFor":322,"pros":323,"cons":327},"Sophos Firewall (XGS)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall","Second-generation XGS desktop appliances (XGS 88 to 138) for small offices and branches, managed in Sophos's cloud console.","On request \u002F through a partner: Base Licence included with the hardware, then the Xstream Protection bundle or individual modules; no public pricing (per the official site, October 2026)","Businesses that already protect their endpoints with Sophos or work with a Sophos partner MSP.",[324,325,326],"Unlimited remote access VPN included in the Base Licence","Cloud management at no extra charge with the protection bundles","Works with Sophos-protected endpoints (Synchronized Security)",[328,329,330],"IPS, web filtering and sandboxing require Xstream Protection or paid modules","Sold only through partners, with no public pricing","When buying individual modules, support must be added to receive firmware updates",{"name":332,"url":333,"tagline":334,"pricing":335,"bestFor":336,"pros":337,"cons":341},"WatchGuard Firebox","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.watchguard.com\u002Fwgrd-products\u002Fsecurity-services","Firebox tabletop appliances refreshed in 2025 (T115-W to T185), with four service tiers.","On request \u002F through a partner: hardware with Standard Support, Basic, Prime or Total Security Suite; no public pricing on the official site (October 2026)","Businesses that want clear service tiers, from basic to all-inclusive, often handed to their IT provider.",[338,339,340],"SD-WAN, VPN and centralized management from Standard Support up","Easy-to-read tiers, from Standard Support to Total Security Suite","Total Security Suite adds ThreatSync XDR and EDR Core",[342,343,344],"No IPS or web filtering in Standard Support","Prime Security Suite only available on models launched after 2025","No published pricing",{"name":346,"url":347,"tagline":348,"pricing":349,"bestFor":350,"pros":351,"cons":355},"Ubiquiti UniFi (Cloud Gateway)","https:\u002F\u002Fui.com\u002Fcloud-gateways","Network gateways with no mandatory licence, with built-in IPS, content filtering and VPN.","Public pricing: Cloud Gateway Ultra at CA$169 (CA$186 including the listed surcharge); optional CyberSecure at CA$139 per year per gateway (official Canadian store, October 2026, before tax)","Small offices on a tight budget with simple needs and someone to keep up with updates.",[352,353,354],"Public pricing and no mandatory subscription","IPS, content filtering and VPN included","Licence-free multi-site management with Site Manager",[356,357,358],"Enhanced signatures and advanced filtering only with paid CyberSecure","No sandboxing or file analysis mentioned on the official site","Activating CyberSecure requires Remote Access to be enabled","\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fsmall-business-firewall-comparison","---\ntitle: \"Small Business Firewall: FortiGate, Sophos, WatchGuard or UniFi\"\ndescription: \"FortiGate, Sophos XGS, WatchGuard Firebox or UniFi: licensing, IPS, web filtering, SD-WAN, VPN and cloud management compared for Canadian small businesses.\"\ndate: 2026-10-24\nverified: \"October 2026\"\ntranslationKey: pare-feu\nkeyword: \"small business firewall\"\noptions:\n  - name: \"Fortinet FortiGate\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fortinet.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-generation-firewall\u002Fentry-level\"\n    tagline: \"A wide entry-level range (FortiGate 30G to 90G), with FortiGuard security services sold in bundles.\"\n    pricing: \"On request \u002F through a reseller: hardware, a FortiGuard subscription (ATP, UTP or Enterprise) and FortiCare support; no public pricing on the official site (October 2026)\"\n    bestFor: \"Multi-site or growing businesses that want a complete network ecosystem (firewall, access points, switches) run by an integrator.\"\n    pros: [\"SD-WAN built into FortiOS with no separate licence\", \"Broad model range to grow into\", \"The firewall also manages Fortinet access points and switches\"]\n    cons: [\"IPS and web filtering depend on a subscription you must renew (web filtering requires the UTP or Enterprise bundle)\", \"SSL VPN tunnel mode removed as of FortiOS 7.6.3: plan a move to IPsec\", \"Full FortiGate Cloud management is paid and tied to FortiCare Premium\"]\n  - name: \"Sophos Firewall (XGS)\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\"\n    tagline: \"Second-generation XGS desktop appliances (XGS 88 to 138) for small offices and branches, managed in Sophos's cloud console.\"\n    pricing: \"On request \u002F through a partner: Base Licence included with the hardware, then the Xstream Protection bundle or individual modules; no public pricing (per the official site, October 2026)\"\n    bestFor: \"Businesses that already protect their endpoints with Sophos or work with a Sophos partner MSP.\"\n    pros: [\"Unlimited remote access VPN included in the Base Licence\", \"Cloud management at no extra charge with the protection bundles\", \"Works with Sophos-protected endpoints (Synchronized Security)\"]\n    cons: [\"IPS, web filtering and sandboxing require Xstream Protection or paid modules\", \"Sold only through partners, with no public pricing\", \"When buying individual modules, support must be added to receive firmware updates\"]\n  - name: \"WatchGuard Firebox\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.watchguard.com\u002Fwgrd-products\u002Fsecurity-services\"\n    tagline: \"Firebox tabletop appliances refreshed in 2025 (T115-W to T185), with four service tiers.\"\n    pricing: \"On request \u002F through a partner: hardware with Standard Support, Basic, Prime or Total Security Suite; no public pricing on the official site (October 2026)\"\n    bestFor: \"Businesses that want clear service tiers, from basic to all-inclusive, often handed to their IT provider.\"\n    pros: [\"SD-WAN, VPN and centralized management from Standard Support up\", \"Easy-to-read tiers, from Standard Support to Total Security Suite\", \"Total Security Suite adds ThreatSync XDR and EDR Core\"]\n    cons: [\"No IPS or web filtering in Standard Support\", \"Prime Security Suite only available on models launched after 2025\", \"No published pricing\"]\n  - name: \"Ubiquiti UniFi (Cloud Gateway)\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fui.com\u002Fcloud-gateways\"\n    tagline: \"Network gateways with no mandatory licence, with built-in IPS, content filtering and VPN.\"\n    pricing: \"Public pricing: Cloud Gateway Ultra at CA$169 (CA$186 including the listed surcharge); optional CyberSecure at CA$139 per year per gateway (official Canadian store, October 2026, before tax)\"\n    bestFor: \"Small offices on a tight budget with simple needs and someone to keep up with updates.\"\n    pros: [\"Public pricing and no mandatory subscription\", \"IPS, content filtering and VPN included\", \"Licence-free multi-site management with Site Manager\"]\n    cons: [\"Enhanced signatures and advanced filtering only with paid CyberSecure\", \"No sandboxing or file analysis mentioned on the official site\", \"Activating CyberSecure requires Remote Access to be enabled\"]\ncriteria:\n  - label: \"Licensing model\"\n    values: [\"Hardware + FortiGuard subscription (ATP, UTP or Enterprise)\", \"Base Licence included + Xstream Protection or modules\", \"Hardware + Standard Support or a suite (Basic, Prime, Total)\", \"Hardware only; CyberSecure optional\"]\n  - label: \"Intrusion prevention (IPS)\"\n    values: [\"With subscription (from the ATP bundle)\", \"Network Protection module (in Xstream)\", \"From Basic Security Suite\", \"Included; enhanced signatures with CyberSecure\"]\n  - label: \"Web filtering\"\n    values: [\"UTP or Enterprise bundles (not in ATP)\", \"Web Protection module (in Xstream)\", \"WebBlocker, from Basic Security Suite\", \"Included (100+ categories); advanced with CyberSecure\"]\n  - label: \"Sandboxing (unknown files)\"\n    values: [\"FortiSandbox SaaS, from the ATP bundle\", \"Zero-Day Protection (in Xstream)\", \"APT Blocker (Prime or Total Security Suite)\", \"Not specified\"]\n  - label: \"SD-WAN\"\n    values: [\"Built into FortiOS, no separate licence\", \"Built in; orchestration via Central Orchestration (Xstream)\", \"Included in every tier\", \"Site Magic, licence-free\"]\n  - label: \"Remote access VPN\"\n    values: [\"IPsec; SSL VPN tunnel mode removed as of FortiOS 7.6.3\", \"Unlimited, included in the Base Licence\", \"Included from Standard Support\", \"WireGuard and OpenVPN, included\"]\n  - label: \"Centralized cloud management\"\n    values: [\"FortiGate Cloud: free basic tier (7-day logs); paid Standard tier\", \"Sophos Central \u002F Fusion, no extra charge with bundles\", \"WatchGuard Cloud, from Standard Support\", \"Site Manager, licence-free\"]\n  - label: \"Pricing published on official site\"\n    values: [\"No\", \"No (quote through a partner)\", \"No\", \"Yes (online store)\"]\n  - label: \"Ecosystem managed in the same console\"\n    values: [\"FortiAP access points, FortiSwitch, FortiExtender\", \"Sophos endpoints (Synchronized Security), NDR Essentials\", \"ThreatSync XDR and EDR Core (Total Security Suite)\", \"UniFi Wi-Fi access points and switches\"]\nverdict:\n  - profile: \"12-person accounting firm in the West Island, one office, everything in Microsoft 365, tight budget\"\n    pick: \"Ubiquiti UniFi (Cloud Gateway)\"\n    why: \"The cost is known upfront and baseline IPS is included. Add CyberSecure for richer signatures and make one named person responsible for firmware updates.\"\n  - profile: \"60-employee manufacturer with three plants in Quebec and eastern Ontario\"\n    pick: \"Fortinet FortiGate\"\n    why: \"Built-in SD-WAN links the sites with no separate licence, and the range lets you size each site. Budget for the UTP bundle if you want web filtering.\"\n  - profile: \"25-workstation clinic in Ottawa, already protected by Sophos Endpoint through its IT provider\"\n    pick: \"Sophos Firewall (XGS)\"\n    why: \"The firewall shares signals with Sophos endpoints and is managed in the same console. The Xstream Protection bundle groups IPS, web filtering and sandboxing.\"\nfaq:\n  - q: \"Isn't the router from my internet provider good enough?\"\n    a: \"It blocks unsolicited inbound connections, but it generally offers no intrusion prevention, no web filtering, no properly managed remote access VPN and no usable logs after an incident. For a business with an office network, remote staff or personal information to protect, a managed business firewall remains the norm.\"\n  - q: \"What happens if we don't renew the security subscription?\"\n    a: \"With Fortinet, Sophos and WatchGuard, subscription-based protections such as intrusion signatures, web filtering and sandboxing depend on an active licence. With Sophos, support also determines access to firmware updates. A firewall without a subscription keeps enforcing its rules but protects less and less over time. Ask the reseller for the renewal price at quote time.\"\n  - q: \"How quickly should firewall updates be applied?\"\n    a: \"As fast as possible when the advisory affects the VPN or the management interface. A joint advisory from CISA and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security lists firewall and VPN gateway flaws from several manufacturers among the most exploited vulnerabilities. Plan a monthly maintenance window and an emergency procedure.\"\n  - q: \"Is a firewall still useful if everything is in the cloud?\"\n    a: \"Yes, but its role changes. It protects the office network, guest Wi-Fi, printers and devices you can't protect any other way, and it filters browsing. Protecting cloud accounts relies mostly on multi-factor authentication and conditional access.\"\nsources:\n  - title: \"Fortinet: entry-level FortiGate firewalls and FortiGuard bundles\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fortinet.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-generation-firewall\u002Fentry-level\"\n  - title: \"Fortinet: FortiGuard security subscriptions\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fortinet.com\u002Fsupport\u002Fsupport-services\u002Ffortiguard-security-subscriptions\"\n  - title: \"Fortinet Docs: FortiGate Cloud subscription tiers (administration guide 26.1)\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.fortinet.com\u002Fdocument\u002Ffortigate-cloud\u002F26.1.0\u002Fadministration-guide\u002F568218\"\n  - title: \"Fortinet Docs: Secure SD-WAN configurable without a separate licence\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.fortinet.com\u002Fdocument\u002Ffortigate\u002F7.0.0\u002Fsd-wan-architecture-for-enterprise\u002F86084\"\n  - title: \"Fortinet Community: SSL VPN changes starting with FortiOS 7.6.3\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fcommunity.fortinet.com\u002Ffortigate-3\u002Ftechnical-tip-changes-on-ssl-vpn-modes-starting-from-v7-6-3-204117\"\n  - title: \"Sophos: Sophos Firewall\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\"\n  - title: \"Sophos: Sophos Firewall licensing and how to buy\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\u002Fhow-to-buy\"\n  - title: \"Sophos: cloud management for Sophos Firewall\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\u002Fecosystem-central\"\n  - title: \"Sophos: second-generation XGS desktop models\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\u002Fxgs-smb-branch-office-firewalls\"\n  - title: \"WatchGuard: Firebox security services\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.watchguard.com\u002Fwgrd-products\u002Fsecurity-services\"\n  - title: \"WatchGuard: next-generation Firebox tabletop series (August 5, 2025)\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.watchguard.com\u002Fde\u002Fwgrd-news\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fnext-gen-firebox-tabletop-series-watchguard\"\n  - title: \"Ubiquiti: UniFi Cloud Gateways\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fui.com\u002Fcloud-gateways\"\n  - title: \"Ubiquiti Canadian store: Cloud Gateway Ultra and CyberSecure\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fca.store.ui.com\u002Fca\u002Fen\u002Fcategory\u002Fcloud-gateways-compact\u002Fproducts\u002Fucg-ultra\"\n  - title: \"Ubiquiti: understanding UniFi cloud architecture and Site Manager\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fhelp.ui.com\u002Fhc\u002Fen-us\u002Farticles\u002F30319146145175-Understanding-UniFi-Cloud-Architecture\"\n  - title: \"CISA and partners (including the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security): 2023 top routinely exploited vulnerabilities (AA24-317A)\"\n    url: \"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cisa.gov\u002Fnews-events\u002Fcybersecurity-advisories\u002Faa24-317a\"\n---\n\nThe firewall is often the first security device a small business buys, and the last one anyone looks at afterwards. It sits on a shelf next to the modem until the licence renewal notice shows up, or a vulnerability bulletin lands for that exact model.\n\nChoosing between Fortinet, Sophos, WatchGuard and Ubiquiti isn't just a hardware comparison. You're picking a licensing model you'll pay for over five years or more, a console your IT provider has to know well, and an update cadence you'll need to keep up with.\n\n::callout{type=\"info\" title=\"Our method\"}\n- We compared entry-level models aimed at small offices and branches, using manufacturers' official pages and technical documentation reviewed in October 2026.\n- Criteria: licensing model, intrusion prevention, web filtering, sandboxing, SD-WAN, remote access VPN, centralized management, published pricing and ecosystem.\n- When a manufacturer doesn't publish something, we write \"Not specified\" rather than guess. Bundles change often, so confirm with your reseller.\n- This comparison is not sponsored.\n::\n\n## The real cost: the box or the subscription?\n\nThree of the four vendors sell hardware paired with subscriptions, and those subscriptions unlock the protections that matter most.\n\n- **Fortinet** groups its FortiGuard services into three bundles. ATP includes IPS, antivirus, FortiSandbox SaaS and application control. URL and DNS filtering require the UTP bundle; the Enterprise bundle includes everything.\n- **Sophos** ships a Base Licence with the hardware: networking, unlimited remote access VPN, site-to-site VPN and reporting. The Xstream Protection bundle adds Network Protection (IPS), Web Protection, Zero-Day Protection, Central Orchestration and DNS Protection, which is only sold in the bundle.\n- **WatchGuard** offers four tiers. Standard Support covers the firewall, VPN and SD-WAN; Basic Security Suite adds IPS, gateway antivirus and WebBlocker filtering; Prime adds APT Blocker and DNSWatch; Total adds ThreatSync XDR and EDR Core.\n- **Ubiquiti** requires no licence for baseline IPS and content filtering. The optional CyberSecure subscription adds richer signatures (Proofpoint) and filtering (Cloudflare).\n\nThe practical advice: compare total cost over five years, renewals included. A quote should never show only the first-year price. Our guide to a [small business cybersecurity budget](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fsmall-business-cybersecurity-budget) helps put that line item in context.\n\n## Management and logs: who's watching?\n\nA firewall nobody checks protects less than you think. All four vendors offer a cloud console, on different terms.\n\nFortiGate Cloud has a free basic tier limited to seven days of logs and one default report; the Standard subscription adds management, analytics and a year of logs, and requires a FortiCare Premium contract. Sophos includes cloud management at no extra charge with its protection bundles. WatchGuard includes centralized management in WatchGuard Cloud from Standard Support up. Ubiquiti describes Site Manager as a licence-free dashboard for every UniFi site.\n\nThose logs are often the first source investigators use to piece together a [ransomware attack](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fransomware-small-business-attack-anatomy). Check how long they're kept and who gets the alerts.\n\n## Remote access VPN: the most exposed feature\n\nVPN gateways and management interfaces exposed to the internet are prime targets. The joint advisory from CISA and its partners, including the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, on the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023 lists flaws in products from several firewall and VPN manufacturers. None of them is immune; what matters is how fast you patch.\n\nOne recent change deserves attention from Fortinet customers: as of FortiOS 7.6.3, SSL VPN tunnel mode has been removed, and models with 2 GB of RAM or less no longer support SSL VPN at all. Fortinet recommends migrating to IPsec VPN before upgrading. If your staff connect through SSL VPN, plan that migration with your IT provider.\n\nWhatever the brand, require multi-factor authentication on the VPN, turn off management access from the internet, and follow a [patch management policy](\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fpatch-management-policy-small-business) that covers emergencies.\n\n## How to choose\n\nAsk these questions in order:\n\n1. **Who will run it?** If your IT provider already knows one brand well, that outweighs any single feature. A misconfigured firewall is no better than an ordinary router.\n2. **How many sites?** Beyond one office, SD-WAN and centralized management start to matter. All four offer them, at different licence levels.\n3. **What do you already have?** Sophos endpoints, UniFi Wi-Fi or Fortinet access points: integration makes management easier.\n4. **Which protections do you need?** If web filtering and sandboxing are essential, confirm they're actually in the bundle you're quoted.\n5. **What's the five-year budget?** Hardware, subscriptions, support and admin hours.\n\nIn short: UniFi suits small offices with simple needs, FortiGate suits multi-site networks that want a full ecosystem, Sophos suits companies already using that vendor, and WatchGuard suits businesses that want a clear all-in-one tier.\n\nAlready have a firewall? Our [cybersecurity audit](\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Fcybersecurity-audit) reviews its configuration, including overly permissive rules, exposed management ports, outdated firmware and VPN access without multi-factor authentication.\n\n::cta{variant=\"devis\"}\n::\n",{"title":47,"description":284},[363,365,368,371,374,377,379,382,385,388,390,393,395,398,401],{"title":364,"url":305},"Fortinet: entry-level FortiGate firewalls and FortiGuard bundles",{"title":366,"url":367},"Fortinet: FortiGuard security subscriptions","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fortinet.com\u002Fsupport\u002Fsupport-services\u002Ffortiguard-security-subscriptions",{"title":369,"url":370},"Fortinet Docs: FortiGate Cloud subscription tiers (administration guide 26.1)","https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.fortinet.com\u002Fdocument\u002Ffortigate-cloud\u002F26.1.0\u002Fadministration-guide\u002F568218",{"title":372,"url":373},"Fortinet Docs: Secure SD-WAN configurable without a separate licence","https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.fortinet.com\u002Fdocument\u002Ffortigate\u002F7.0.0\u002Fsd-wan-architecture-for-enterprise\u002F86084",{"title":375,"url":376},"Fortinet Community: SSL VPN changes starting with FortiOS 7.6.3","https:\u002F\u002Fcommunity.fortinet.com\u002Ffortigate-3\u002Ftechnical-tip-changes-on-ssl-vpn-modes-starting-from-v7-6-3-204117",{"title":378,"url":319},"Sophos: Sophos Firewall",{"title":380,"url":381},"Sophos: Sophos Firewall licensing and how to buy","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\u002Fhow-to-buy",{"title":383,"url":384},"Sophos: cloud management for Sophos Firewall","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\u002Fecosystem-central",{"title":386,"url":387},"Sophos: second-generation XGS desktop models","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sophos.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts\u002Fnext-gen-firewall\u002Fxgs-smb-branch-office-firewalls",{"title":389,"url":333},"WatchGuard: Firebox security services",{"title":391,"url":392},"WatchGuard: next-generation Firebox tabletop series (August 5, 2025)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.watchguard.com\u002Fde\u002Fwgrd-news\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fnext-gen-firebox-tabletop-series-watchguard",{"title":394,"url":347},"Ubiquiti: UniFi Cloud Gateways",{"title":396,"url":397},"Ubiquiti Canadian store: Cloud Gateway Ultra and CyberSecure","https:\u002F\u002Fca.store.ui.com\u002Fca\u002Fen\u002Fcategory\u002Fcloud-gateways-compact\u002Fproducts\u002Fucg-ultra",{"title":399,"url":400},"Ubiquiti: understanding UniFi cloud architecture and Site Manager","https:\u002F\u002Fhelp.ui.com\u002Fhc\u002Fen-us\u002Farticles\u002F30319146145175-Understanding-UniFi-Cloud-Architecture",{"title":402,"url":403},"CISA and partners (including the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security): 2023 top routinely exploited vulnerabilities (AA24-317A)","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cisa.gov\u002Fnews-events\u002Fcybersecurity-advisories\u002Faa24-317a","en\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fsmall-business-firewall-comparison","pare-feu",null,[408,411,414],{"profile":409,"pick":346,"why":410},"12-person accounting firm in the West Island, one office, everything in Microsoft 365, tight budget","The cost is known upfront and baseline IPS is included. Add CyberSecure for richer signatures and make one named person responsible for firmware updates.",{"profile":412,"pick":304,"why":413},"60-employee manufacturer with three plants in Quebec and eastern Ontario","Built-in SD-WAN links the sites with no separate licence, and the range lets you size each site. Budget for the UTP bundle if you want web filtering.",{"profile":415,"pick":318,"why":416},"25-workstation clinic in Ottawa, already protected by Sophos Endpoint through its IT provider","The firewall shares signals with Sophos endpoints and is managed in the same console. The Xstream Protection bundle groups IPS, web filtering and sandboxing.","October 2026","MtGJNJh77yxMg_8xJJm0pmqHm4KLjoiIBGP-46U9kxM",{"path":420},"\u002Fcomparatifs\u002Fpare-feu-pme-comparatif",[422,426,430],{"path":423,"title":424,"description":425},"\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fantivirus-vs-edr-vs-mdr","Antivirus vs EDR vs MDR: Which Endpoint Protection Do You Need?","Antivirus, EDR or MDR? Detection, response, 24\u002F7 monitoring, in-house skills and cost model compared for small businesses with 10, 50 or 150 employees.",{"path":427,"title":428,"description":429},"\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fbackup-nas-vs-cloud-vs-hybrid","Backups: Local NAS vs Cloud vs Immutable Storage vs Hybrid","On-site NAS, cloud backup, immutable storage or a hybrid 3-2-1-1-0 setup: ransomware resilience, restore speed, cost model and Canadian data residency compared.",{"path":431,"title":432,"description":433},"\u002Fen\u002Fcomparisons\u002Fbusiness-password-managers","1Password vs Bitwarden vs Keeper vs Dashlane for Business","1Password, Bitwarden, Keeper or Dashlane? Canadian data hosting, SSO, SCIM, pricing and compliance compared side by side for Canadian small businesses.",1792972906312]