Both offering a range of advanced security features; this WatchGuard firewalls comparison focuses on what’s unique about the M495 vs M595. To ease you into the differences, the M495 supports 250 to 500 users, and the M595 supports 500 to 1,200 users.
This alone gives you a pretty good idea of their target markets, with the M495 being aimed at younger, growing networks. With the M595, this business firewall is better suited for larger organizations and expanding networks. Overall, this firewall comparison will make sure you know which route to take when it comes to these models in the M-Series lineup.
Key Takeaways:
- Both models support active-active and active-passive high availability to help maintain network continuity
- The M495 delivers 37 Gbps firewall throughput and 6 million concurrent connections
- The M595 offers 43 Gbps firewall throughput and 15 million concurrent connections
- Both firewalls support advanced threat protection, SD-WAN, VPN connectivity, and centralized management
- The M595 includes four 10 Gbps SFP+ ports, compared with two on the M495
Table of Contents
WatchGuard Firewalls Comparison of Architecture and Security Features
Before we break into all of the differences, I find it equally important to highlight the similarities as well. For example, both firewalls utilize stateful packet inspection, TLS decryption, as well as proxy-based filtering.
Moreover, networking features like SD-WAN, dynamic routing, link aggregation, and high availability configurations are a few more shared attributes. Overall, you’re working with a reliable ecosystem of high performance firewalls, giving companies the flexibility they need at any stage in their growth.
What is the Firewall WatchGuard M495 Model?
Taking a closer look at the WatchGuard M495, this model is designed with advanced network security and traffic management at the helm. I can say with confidence that the security architecture of this model is more than suitable for scaling organizations.
Here are a few spec points to help paint the picture a bit more:
- Firewall Throughput: 37 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 10 Gbps
- UTM Throughput: 6.3 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 7.4 Gbps
- Max Concurrent Connections: 6 million
If you know anything about firewall hardware, then you can see how hefty the M495 really is. While it comes with some strong specs at the helm, that doesn’t mean you need to be a massive enterprise to benefit. However, this is why firewall reviews are important, so you don’t accidentally pull the trigger on something that isn’t aligned with your operation.
What is the WatchGuard M595 Business Firewall?
For those leaning more toward the WatchGuard M595 model, I want you to know that it’s aimed at the needs of high-capacity networking. The same can be said about advanced threat protection as a whole.
Check out the specs below for a quick comparison of a few leading specs:
- Firewall Throughput: 43 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 11.5 Gbps
- UTM Throughput: 7.2 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 9.4 Gbps
- Max Concurrent Connections: 15 million
As you might expect, going up the M-Series lineup comes with a few increases across several spec categories. If you’re operating with a demanding network or simply feel like you’re on your way to that reality, the M595 has you covered.
You can also customize things a bit depending on the licensing options you work with. Between WatchGuard’s Basic Security and Total Security License, you can add features like intrusion prevention, antivirus, web filtering, and much more.
WatchGuard Firewalls Comparison Between M495 vs M595
At the core of this, WatchGuard Firebox M-Series firewalls share advanced security features, VPN connectivity, and centralized management. However, the deciding factors will be in the differences, which go beyond the surface examples listed above. Give the table below a quick look for an easy comparison between the M495 and M595 firewalls.
| Specification | WatchGuard M495 | WatchGuard M595 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput | 37 Gbps | 43 Gbps |
| VPN Throughput | 10 Gbps | 11.5 Gbps |
| UTM Throughput | 6.3 Gbps | 7.2 Gbps |
| HTTPS Throughput | 3.5 Gbps | 4.8 Gbps |
| Antivirus Throughput | 6.3 Gbps | 7.6 Gbps |
| IPS Throughput | 7.4 Gbps | 9.4 Gbps |
| Max Concurrent Connections | 6 million | 15 million |
| Interfaces | 12 x 2.5 Gbps RJ45 2 x 10 Gbps RJ45 2 x 1 Gbps SFP 2 x 10 Gbps SFP+ | 12 × 2.5 Gbps RJ45 2 × 10 Gbps RJ45 2 × 1 Gbps SFP 4 × 10 Gbps SFP+ |
I can’t deny that the M595 outperforms the M495 across several categories here. Then again, as I always like to say, bigger isn’t always better.
What’s most important is that you focus on a high performance firewall that’s closely aligned with your real-world network demands. The best way to do that is to have a core understanding of your network and business goals. From there, you can size that up against the specifics in security features and capabilities.
The Bottom Line
Both of these firewalls come with the promise of advanced security and flexible networking and monitoring. This WatchGuard firewalls comparison aims to point you in the right direction between the M495 vs M595. If you take anything with you, I want you to remember that the M495 is great for networks dealing with up to 500 users.
On the M595 side, this model goes a little higher, supporting up to 1,200 users. Nevertheless, our team at Firewalls.com is on standby for those of you who could use a little more insight. From hardware, management, strategy, and more, we’re here to offer the support your network needs for the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Primary Difference Between the WatchGuard M495 and M595?
The M495 supports between 250 and 500 users, and the M595 comes with support for anywhere between 500 and 1,200 users. Moreover, you’ll find core differences across the varying throughput specs and interface details in each model.
Which WatchGuard Firewall Offers Better Throughput?
It’s the M595 model that comes with a higher throughput capacity, such as 43 Gbps firewall throughput compared to the M495’s 37 Gbps.
How Many Concurrent Connections do the M495 and M595 Support?
The M495 supports up to 6 million concurrent connections, while the M595 supports up to 15 million.
Do the WatchGuard M495 and M595 Share the Same Security Features?
I would say yes, but it’s a bit more nuanced than that. They are both capable of the same security features, but the specifics between the two come down to what licensing you decide to work with.
Should I Choose the WatchGuard M495 or M595 for My Business Network?
I’ll keep it simple; choose the M495 for networks supporting up to 500 users or the M595 if you need flexibility up to 1,200 users. This is an easy starting point before you start getting into the fine print in the datasheets.
