It’s never a bad idea to compare firewall options between different security providers. Moreover, here are several reasons why I want to focus on Sophos XGS 138 vs WatchGuard Firebox M290.
It’s important to consider the range in firewall solutions, as you’ll need to align the capabilities to your real-world network operations. This article delivers a next generation firewall comparison of these two models so you can understand where your network stands between the two.
Key Takeaways:
- Compare security platforms, management tools, automation, and ecosystems alongside hardware specs
- XGS 138 offers more performance in higher firewall, VPN, and IPS throughput
- M290 targets small businesses and is designed for networks ranging from 51 to 100 users
- Each firewall integrates multiple security and network protection capabilities
- Traffic demands, connection capacity, scalability, and security requirements should be your guiding factors in decision-making
Architecture Matters in Any Firewall Comparison
On paper, the Sophos XGS 138 and WatchGuard Firebox M290 look similar. Comparable throughput, similar port counts, overlapping price points. But specs only tell part of the story. The real differences show up in the architecture: how each firewall is actually built.
I’d say across all next generation firewall solutions on the market, the biggest differences are generally found in the security and physical features. For a quick reference point, you can find an overview of architectural differences between the XGS 138 and Firebox M-Series 290.
| Category | Sophos XGS 138 | WatchGuard Firebox M290 |
|---|---|---|
| Security Architecture | Xstream with DPI, TLS inspection, AI/ML, IPS, and sandboxing | Unified security with URL filtering, IPS, app control, and ransomware protection |
| Cloud Management | Sophos Central provides centralized management, reporting, and deployment | WatchGuard Cloud delivers configuration, deployment, visibility, and reporting |
| Security Ecosystem | Integrates with Sophos Endpoint, XDR, MDR, ZTNA, switches, and wireless | Integrates with WatchGuard authentication, endpoint, and Wi-Fi solutions |
| Automation | Automates threat response, isolation, updates, and SD-WAN orchestration | Automates deployment, threat blocking, updates, and malware detection |
| Network Expansion | Supports SD-WAN, VPN, and accelerated traffic processing | Modular bays support additional copper, SFP, SFP+, and multi-speed ports |
Both are clearly highly supportive beyond their specs alone. However, this doesn’t mean the numbers aren’t just as important when it comes to firewall reviews. It’s a recipe of sizing up both the information above and the spec numbers to understand what these firewalls are capable of.
What is the Sophos XGS 138 Firewall?
Created for the needs of growing, distributed networks, the XGS 138 from Sophos is a go-to for high-performance networking. When reviewing the specifications, you’ll find a combination of high throughput and flexible connectivity that growing networks need.
Here’s a brief look at the numbers:
- Firewall Throughput: 19.1 Gbps
- IPsec VPN Throughput: 6.6 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 5.85 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 6,550,000
What I love about this particular model is that it delivers very strong capabilities for the likes of smaller, yet distributed networks. Its range is not only sufficient for a wide variety of growing organizations, but the scalability is definitely there too.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox M290 Firewall?
For those leaning more toward the small business category, you’ll find the WatchGuard Firebox M290 in this group. Then again, it still supports anywhere from 51 to 100 users, which is quite sizable even for a smaller company.
Check out a few of the comparable specs in the list below:
- Firewall Throughput: 5.8 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 2.4 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 1.3 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 3,500,000
This firewall also includes features like stateful packet inspection, TLS decryption, proxy firewalling, and app proxies. In addition to that, your network benefits from protection against DoS attacks, fragmented packets, malformed packets, and even blended threats.
Sophos XGS 138 vs WatchGuard M290 Firewall Comparison
Make no mistake, both the XGS 138 and Firebox M290 deliver business-grade network security. At the same time, it’s still important to compare multiple specs and security features for a more complete view of their performance and strong suits. The table below puts some of the most important details side by side for an easy takeaway when you need it.
| Specification | Sophos XGS 138 | WatchGuard Firebox M290 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput | 19.1 Gbps | 5.8 Gbps |
| VPN Throughput | 6.6 Gbps IPsec | 2.4 Gbps |
| IPS Throughput | 5.85 Gbps | 1.3 Gbps |
| Concurrent Connections | 6,550,000 | 3,500,000 |
| New Connections per Second | 105,000 | 34,000 |
| Threat Protection / UTM | 4.75 Gbps | 1.18 Gbps UTM |
| TLS/HTTPS Inspection | 1.7 Gbps | 696 Mbps |
| VPN Tunnels | 2,500 IPsec / 1,500 SSL | 75 branch office / 75 mobile |
| Interfaces | 4 x GE copper 2 x 2.5 GE PoE copper 2 x SFP+ 10GE fiber 1 x COM RJ45 1 x Micro-USB 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0 | 8 × 1 Gb copper (multiple expansion options available) 1 x serial I/O interface 2 x USB 3.0 |
By this point, you have a pretty clear view of what’s included between these two next generation firewall vendors. Clearly, they have many other options available, but this comparison shows what kind of range you can find out there.
The Bottom Line
If you’re feeling a bit fractured in your decision-making here, let me simplify it for you. Regardless of what model you’re looking at, the right choice comes down to your real-world network demands. Network size, traffic demands, and scalable security needs are your guiding lights here.
This firewall comparison focused on Sophos XGS 138 vs WatchGuard Firebox M290, showcasing how both are great options for different use cases. At the end of the day, if you need a little push in the right direction through expert support, that’s what our team at Firewalls.com is here for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Firewall Has Higher Throughput, the XGS 138 or WatchGuard M290?
The Sophos XGS 138 has higher firewall throughput at 19.1 Gbps, compared with 5.8 Gbps for the WatchGuard M290.
What Type of Business is the WatchGuard Firebox M290 Designed For?
The WatchGuard Firebox M290 is designed for small business environments, considering it’s rated for 51 to 100 users.
How Does VPN Throughput Compare Between the Two Firewalls?
You’ll find the XGS 138 offers up to 6.6 Gbps of IPsec VPN throughput, compared to the 2.4 Gbps of the M290.
Where do the XGS 138 and Firebox M290 Differ in Architecture?
The XGS 138 uses Sophos Xstream architecture and Sophos Central, while the M290 uses WatchGuard’s Unified Security Platform and WatchGuard Cloud.
When Should a Business Choose the Sophos XGS 138 Over the WatchGuard M290?
You’ll find the XGS 138 may be a better fit when a company needs higher throughput, greater connection capacity, and additional headroom in overall performance.
