A well-known provider of small business firewalls that pack a punch, WatchGuard continues to deliver future-proof performance between the M-Series and T-Series models. More specifically, when you’re looking through the lens of WatchGuard M390 vs M395, it can be challenging to discern which is the better option.
Many might assume newer is always better, but that isn’t the thought process that should be behind your decision-making when it comes to a firewall device. It’s all about the specs and compatibility with your business operations on multiple fronts.
Putting these two firewalls side by side and reviewing their specs against your network demands is how you narrow down your search. In this firewall comparison, you’re getting a breakdown of WatchGuard M390 vs M395, focusing on the upgrades found in the newer M395.
Expanding the WatchGuard Technologies Firewall Lineup
As you might expect, WatchGuard expands its lineup with the M395, offering support for new businesses and those looking to make a hardware transition. While both WatchGuard Firebox models provide advanced cybersecurity and easy management, this isn’t to say the new release is a copy-and-paste.
With upgrades like higher user capacity and better throughput, your network has a future-proof option to look forward to. Once again, to better determine the differences between the two WatchGuard firewalls, sifting through the details is a must.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox M390?
Built for growing businesses looking for reliable network security, the M390 is still going strong, as seen on Firewalls.com, considering there’s no announcement of an end-of-life (EOL) date just yet. It’s rated for up to 200 users on a network and delivers a sizable 18 Gbps firewall throughput.
The list below offers a quick breakdown of some of the most important specs in this model:
- Firewall Throughput: Up to 18 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: Up to 5.2 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 3.3 Gbps
- Antivirus Throughput: 3.1 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 4,500,000
This is more than suitable for many companies looking to scale, but it’s bound to hit a ceiling at some point. Between eventual spec limitations and changes in the cybersecurity landscape, it won’t be as future-proof in the same vein as the M395.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox M395?
Targeted toward the same market, the M395 firewall device is one of the newest small business network security tools from WatchGuard. A bit more accommodating to growing and mid-size organizations, this firewall is rated for up to 250 users. The firewall throughput is a bit stronger at 20 Gbps as well.
Here’s a quick comparison to those same specifications mentioned in the previous section:
- Firewall Throughput: 20 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: Up to 8.1 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 4.5 Gbps
- Antivirus Throughput: 5.9 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 6,000,000
While this shouldn’t guide the whole of your decision-making, it clearly shows where WatchGuard decided to make some improvements. These specs are also a relevant comparison to other previous Firebox models that are under the M390 on the roster. It clearly comes with some network security strong suits of its own, but it doesn’t hurt to paint a bigger picture for a bit more clarity.
WatchGuard M390 vs M395 Firewall Comparison
Datasheets can come with pages upon pages of technical information. There’s no doubting the importance of this information, but it can feel like a hurdle for businesses trying to make a decision. The table below helps to streamline a lot of this by comparing a variety of leading specs between the WatchGuard M390 vs M395 debate.
| Specifications | WatchGuard M390 | WatchGuard M395 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 18 | 20 |
| VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 5.2 | 8.1 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 3.3 | 4.5 |
| Antivirus Throughput (Gbps) | 3.1 | 5.9 |
| UTM Throughput (Gbps) | 2.4 | 3 |
| Concurrent Connections | 4,500,000 | 6,000,000 |
| VLANs | 250 | Unrestricted |
| VPN Tunnels | 250 | 350 |
| Network Interfaces | 8 x 1 Gb | 12 x 2.5 Gbps RJ45 2 x 1 Gbps SFP 2 x 10 Gbps SFP+ |
| I/O Interfaces | 1 Serial 2 x USB | 1 Serial 2 x USB-A 3.2 |
The upgrades are hard to ignore here. Not to mention the fact that the M395 is so new it’s guaranteed to offer years of network security and scalable support.
Let’s Wrap Up
Choosing in this comparison of the WatchGuard M390 vs M395 will always depend on network and business growth plans. Sure, this requires a little hindsight with your situation, but what the M395 has to offer isn’t hard to see here.
While the M390 definitely still has a place in modern network security, it isn’t as scalable compared to the newer M395. To get a better idea of which model is right for your particular situation, our team members at Firewalls are always here to help. Set up a call or send us a message if you’d like to learn more about both of these firewall models and what they can do for your network security.
FAQ
What are the Main Differences in This WatchGuard M390 vs M395 Firewall Comparison?
On the surface, the M395 comes with a higher user capacity, as well as firewall, VPN, and IPS throughput. This also includes more concurrent connections, overall making it a better long-term solution for growing networks.
Is the M390 Still a Viable Firewall Option for Small Businesses
Yes, the M390 is still a great option for small businesses looking for reliable network security solutions. This is especially true considering the firewall device doesn’t have an EOL date yet.
How do the Security Licenses Differ Between the Two Models?
Luckily, both the M390 and M395 are compatible with WatchGuard’s Basic and Total Security Suite licenses.
Which Firewall Should I Choose if My Business is Planning to Grow Rapidly?
In this case, the M395 WatchGuard firewall would be the better option as its higher range in capability makes it much more future-proof compared to the M390.
Can the M395 Handle More VPN Connections Than the M390?
It sure does, as the M395 supports up to 350 VPN tunnels, whereas the M390 caps out at 250.
