WatchGuard FireCloud

WatchGuard FireCloud is a managed, cloud-based firewall-as-a-service designed to protect remote users from internet-based security threats. FireCloud Internet Access provides protected internet access, while Total Access also enables access to local company-network resources without a VPN. Total Access can use Virtual Gateways, Server Gateways, or Fireboxes for that private access. Content scanning can use Gateway AntiVirus and APT Blocker to address viruses, advanced persistent threats, spyware, malicious applications, spam email, and data leakage. FireCloud can also monitor and block botnets, SQL injections, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows. Application Control uses more than 1,800 signatures to identify and block more than 1,000 applications, including selected behaviors such as file transfer. Identity options include SAML providers such as AuthPoint, Microsoft Entra ID, and Okta, as well as WatchGuard Cloud Directory. Administrators can set centralized Zero Trust policies based on conditions including location, time, and user behavior. The annual FireCloud Internet Access plan for 1–50 licenses costs $97.75 a year per user license. A free 30-day Total Access trial can enroll up to 250 users.

FireCloud combines web threat controls with identity and policy management, while Total Access adds a route to local resources without a VPN. Compare the editions and per-user licensing against the access and protection your organization needs.

FireCloud is suited to organizations seeking managed internet protection for remote users, with an option for VPN-free access to local company resources. Its multi-tenant management capabilities are also listed for managed service providers.

Overview

WatchGuard FireCloud is a cloud-managed firewall service that protects remote users from internet threats. It is best suited to organizations that want centralized web security and may also need VPN-free access to internal resources. Its appeal is the combination of threat controls and access policy management, though per-user licensing makes edition and seat choices important.

Key features

FireCloud Internet Access combines a secure web gateway with firewall protection. Content scanning can use Gateway AntiVirus and APT Blocker to address viruses, advanced persistent threats, spyware, malicious applications, spam email, and data leakage; other controls can block botnets, SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows. This layered set of protections suits organizations securing remote users, but those seeking only a basic standalone firewall may not need its broader management scope.

Application Control draws on more than 1,800 signatures to identify and block over 1,000 applications, with controls for behaviors such as file transfer. Administrators can connect SAML identity providers including AuthPoint, Microsoft Entra ID, and Okta, or use WatchGuard Cloud Directory. WatchGuard Cloud Zero Trust adds centralized policies based on conditions such as location, time, and user behavior, which is useful when access rules need to vary by user or context.

Total Access adds private-resource access without a VPN. It can use Virtual Gateways, Server Gateways, or Fireboxes to reach local resources. That makes it the more relevant edition for organizations extending access beyond internet protection; teams that need only secure web access can choose Internet Access instead. The Management API can manage exceptions for blocked sites, botnets, files, geolocation, IPS, WebBlocker, and HTTPS decryption, giving administrators a way to handle policy exceptions programmatically.

WatchGuard Cloud offers streamlined policy configuration, automated reporting, and multi-tenant capabilities for managed service providers. FireCloud licensing is per user, with term licenses, monthly subscriptions, trial licenses, and service-provider NFR licenses. The 30-day Total Access trial can enroll up to 250 users, enough to assess the broader access model before committing.

Pricing

FireCloud Internet Access — 1 year, 1–50 licenses: $97.75 a year, billed per user license. It includes a cloud-delivered secure web gateway and firewall service. The one-year term and 1–50 license range suit smaller deployments that need internet protection, but do not include Total Access's private-resource access.

FireCloud Total Access: custom pricing. It includes internet access, private-resource access, and VPN-free zero-trust access, and is the edition to consider when users need both web protection and a route to local company resources. A free 30-day trial is available for up to 250 users. There is no free plan.

Per-user billing means costs scale with the number of licensed users; organizations should compare that count and the edition scope before choosing a term or subscription. WatchGuard recommends online support for non-critical issues and phone support for critical network failures at +1 (877) 232-3531.

Platforms

FireCloud supports Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted environments. The current connection-manager release lists WatchGuard Connection Manager for Windows and macOS, and FireCloud Connection Manager for iOS and Android. The service also supports protected networks and Firebox appliances, with Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11 support, plus a Chrome extension.

Central management, custom blocklists, safe-search controls, advanced activity reports, adaptive access policies, device-trust controls, passwordless authentication, intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, site-to-site VPN, branch connectivity, zero-touch provisioning, guest access, roaming optimization, and API access broaden its fit across managed environments. Supported authentication factors include push notifications, QR codes, OTP/TOTP, hardware tokens, FIDO2 passkeys, and biometrics; integration methods include SAML, OIDC, RADIUS, Microsoft Entra ID External MFA, ADFS, RD Web, Windows/macOS Logon, and IdP Portal. FireCloud does not support Wi-Fi 7.

Who it's for

FireCloud is a strong fit for organizations protecting distributed users that want centralized threat controls, identity integrations, and contextual access policies. Total Access is the more suitable choice when those users also need VPN-free access to local company resources. Organizations needing only web protection can avoid paying for that broader access scope; those requiring an ongoing free tier should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Internet Access combines secure web gateway and firewall functions with scanning and network threat controls, covering several common remote-user security needs.
• Pros: Total Access can connect remote users to local resources without a VPN, using Virtual Gateways, Server Gateways, or Fireboxes.
• Pros: More than 1,000 applications can be controlled, and identity integrations and context-based policies give administrators options for shaping access.
• Cons: Licensing is per user and there is no free plan, so organizations with many users should account for seat count in their cost decision.
• Cons: Total Access uses custom pricing, making it harder to compare its cost directly with the published Internet Access rate.
• Cons: Wi-Fi 7 is unsupported, which matters to organizations that require that capability.

Alternatives

Organizations focused on private access may compare Zscaler Private Access, a paid option whose Standard (Essentials Platform) tier is limited private access for 5% of users; its plan prices are custom. For physical, virtual, or cloud firewall deployments priced by request, Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall is another option.

Securepoint RC1000R G6 is a paid alternative with a stated capacity of up to 1,000 users. Readers considering a free or freemium route can compare CrowdSec, Arista NG Firewall, OPNsense, pfSense, and IPFire; these alternatives differ in their plan and platform details.

Explore related software in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software, Firewall Management Software, Network Firewall Software, Business Antivirus Software, Wireless Network Management Software, and Secure Access Service Edge Software.

Verdict

Choose WatchGuard FireCloud if your organization needs managed internet protection for remote users and may benefit from Total Access's VPN-free route to local resources. Its strongest case is the pairing of layered web threat controls with identity and contextual policy management. Look elsewhere if you need a free ongoing plan, Wi-Fi 7 support, or a more directly comparable published price for private access.