There’s more than one reason why a Firebox WatchGuard M570 vs M590 comparison would be helpful. Although the M570 met its end of sale in 2023, the firewall will continue getting support through July 2028. Whether you’ve outgrown the firewall or simply want to stay one step ahead of end-of-life (EOL) dates, it’s important to scope out your options.
Among the many WatchGuard firewall options, the M590 is one of the best upgrades you could make from the M570. For businesses searching for their first piece of Firebox hardware, comparing the specs in these two models is how you narrow down which is best for you.
Shifting generations in firewall hardware is normal when it comes to network security, but you don’t want to just choose the first model you come across. Regarding Firebox WatchGuard M570 vs M590, this article covers some of the most important specs to support your decision-making.
Navigating Generations of WatchGuard Products
With years of industry experience on the market, WatchGuard products have spanned from perimeter-focused solutions to advanced next-generation security. If you’re looking to align your network security to combat today’s cyber threats, WatchGuard is a great way to go.
Considering the many products from the security provider, it can pose a hurdle for businesses trying to make the right choice. You’ll always have numerous firewall options to choose from. Making the right choice is essential not only for business security but also for a streamlined transition into newer generations.
Maybe you’re looking to upgrade from the M70 before that EOL date comes around, or setting up your network security for the first time. Comparing the Firebox WatchGuard M570 vs M590 is a great way to avoid unnecessary trial and error.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox M570?
Just because newer firewall models exist doesn’t mean legacy options aren’t still entirely viable. Especially when it comes to IT network security services, newer isn’t always the best option. Your main focus should be on the needs of your network security architecture over the next three to five years. The best way to figure this out is to consider the specs limitations with each model.
For the WatchGuard firewall M570, here’s a gist of what you’re getting:
- Firewall Throughput: 26.6 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 5.8 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 8 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 8,300,000
- New Connections per Second: 115,000
This is pretty sizable as is, but in the same vein, the M570’s lifespan comes to a close in under three years’ time. While that might be more than enough for existing users, it wouldn’t hurt to consider a newer model if this is your first Firebox from WatchGuard.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox M590?
A great option for small businesses on track for growth, the M590 is capable of supporting a range of 301 to 500 users. Keep in mind that although this is a newer model, that doesn’t automatically mean higher spec limits across the board.
Here’s how the M590 WatchGuard firewall compares on the surface:
- Firewall Throughput: 20 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 2.2 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 4.6 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 6,000,000
- New Connections per Second: 132,000
It should be noted that, although the M590 is a newer generation, it’s still aimed toward the growing small business crowd. In contrast, the M570 is more of a mid-range model, hence the larger spec limits in comparison. Remember, bigger isn’t always better, and with any comparison, it helps to simplify the data to truly get a clear scope of what you’re looking at.
Comparing the Firebox WatchGuard M570 vs M590
If you take a peek into any datasheet, you’ll be met with pages of technical information. Even if you know what you’re looking at, this can make it harder to make a clear comparison. The table below simplifies core specs between these two firewall models so you don’t have to.
| Specifications | Firebox M570 | Firebox M590 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 26.6 | 20 |
| VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 5.8 | 2.2 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 8 | 4.6 |
| HTTPS Throughput (Gbps) | 3.4 | 1.9 |
| Antivirus Throughput (Gbps) | 5.4 | 5 |
| Concurrent Connections | 8,300,000 | 6,000,000 |
| New Connections per Second | 115,000 | 132,000 |
| VLANs | 500 | 750 |
| Interfaces | 8 (optional modules available) | 8 x 1Gb 2 x SFP+ 2 x USB |
It comes down to the network demands you’re dealing with. One is built for larger organizations, while the other supports the needs of many smaller businesses. You can’t solely base your decision on the specs alone, as your choice should be aligned with the full scope of your network security demands.
Final Thoughts
In this Firebox WatchGuard M570 vs M590 comparison, you’ve learned that they focus on different use cases and generations. Sure, some specs are stronger than others, but that would be the case if you compared any model from this network security solutions company.
The point is that the M570 is created with mid-range businesses in mind, and the M590 is better suited toward smaller, growing operations. For those struggling to land on a decision, get in touch with our team for a little more expert guidance on which of these Firebox models you should go with.
