Table of Contents
The problem
Alternatives at a glance
Alternative 1: enhanced.io
Alternative 2: Huntress
Alternative 3: Blackpoint Cyber
Alternative 4: Todyl
Alternative 5: Arctic Wolf
Alternative 6: Sophos MDR
Alternative 7: ConnectWise SIEM
Darktrace Alternatives: Feature Comparison
What's the best Darktrace alternative?
FAQ
TL;DR
• WatchGuard has a long heritage in network security and its firewall platform is well-regarded in the MSP market. WatchGuard MDR builds a managed detection layer on top of that foundation and delivers strongest value for MSPs already running WatchGuard firewalls across client environments.
• MDR is a newer offering for WatchGuard. Endpoint detection and cloud security depth are still developing relative to specialist MDR providers who have been running dedicated SOC operations for longer.
• WatchGuard MDR is most valuable when clients are already on WatchGuard firewalls. For MSPs with mixed firewall stacks or clients on non-WatchGuard network infrastructure, the value case weakens quickly.
• There is no named security director per MSP partner. SOC findings reach the MSP team without a dedicated person assigned to help translate them into prioritised actions.
• enhanced.io is the strongest alternative. It works across mixed client stacks, covers endpoint, network, cloud, identity and IoT/OT through a dedicated 24/7 SOC and assigns a named Fractional Security Director to each MSP partner. Your SOC is not tied to your firewall vendor.
The problem
WatchGuard built its MSP reputation on network security. Its firewall platform has a strong track record in the channel and MSPs who run WatchGuard firewalls across their client base have generally found it a reliable network security foundation. The move into MDR reflects WatchGuard's ambition to extend that relationship further up the security stack, and for MSPs already deeply invested in WatchGuard, the integration convenience is real.
The limitations become clear when you look at what MDR requires beyond network detection. Endpoint detection and response is a different discipline from firewall management, and WatchGuard MDR is a newer player in that space. The depth of endpoint investigation, autonomous response and threat hunting that specialist MDR providers have developed over years is not something that a product extension built on a network security heritage can match in the short term.
The stack dependency is also worth naming. WatchGuard MDR delivers its strongest value for MSPs whose clients are running WatchGuard firewalls. For MSPs with mixed firewall stacks, clients on alternative network infrastructure or practices that have grown beyond a single-vendor network approach, the value of WatchGuard MDR is directly proportional to how much WatchGuard is already in the environment. Without it, the case for WatchGuard MDR over a standalone specialist provider becomes difficult to make.
MSPs reading this page are typically in one of two situations. The first is running WatchGuard firewalls and evaluating whether to extend that relationship into MDR or to run a separate specialist SOC provider. The second is looking for a standalone MDR that works across mixed client stacks without any firewall vendor dependency. enhanced.io is the strongest answer to both situations.
Alternatives at a glance
• enhanced.io (best overall alternative: standalone SOC-as-a-Service covering endpoint, network, cloud, identity and IoT/OT, with a named Fractional Security Director and no firewall vendor dependency)
• Huntress (best for MSPs who need active endpoint and identity MDR that works independently of any firewall vendor at a transparent per-unit price)
• Blackpoint Cyber (best for MSPs who need autonomous SOC response for endpoint and identity from a more established MDR operation)
• Todyl (best for MSPs who want to consolidate network and endpoint into one platform, independent of WatchGuard)
• Sophos MDR (best for MSPs already on Sophos endpoints who want network and endpoint MDR in one established service)
• Arctic Wolf (best for mid-market SOC operations with named security team and multi-surface coverage, if the direct sales model is acceptable)
• ConnectWise SIEM (best for MSPs deep in the ConnectWise stack who need basic network monitoring without adding a new vendor)
Alternative 1: enhanced.io
Best overall WatchGuard MDR alternative for MSPs: standalone SOC operations across five surfaces with no firewall vendor dependency and a named security director per partner
What it is
enhanced.io is a SOC-as-a-Service built exclusively for the MSP channel. It runs on an Open XDR platform and ingests independent telemetry from endpoint, network, cloud, identity and IoT/OT as separate data sources, correlating threats across all five surfaces in a single platform. Every MSP partner gets a named Fractional Security Director (FSD). The FSD works directly with the MSP to translate SOC findings into prioritised actions. The MSP acts. End clients never interact with the enhanced.io team.
Why it stands out against WatchGuard
• WatchGuard MDR delivers strongest value on WatchGuard network infrastructure. enhanced.io works across any client stack with 400+ integrations. A client running non-WatchGuard firewalls, or a portfolio spanning multiple network vendors, is covered just as fully as one running WatchGuard everywhere.
• WatchGuard MDR's endpoint and cloud detection depth is still developing. enhanced.io covers endpoint, network, cloud, identity and IoT/OT as independent telemetry sources through a dedicated 24/7 SOC with human analysts whose sole purpose is SOC operations.
• WatchGuard MDR is built as a product extension on a network security platform. enhanced.io is a purpose-built SOC-as-a-Service. That is not a difference in how the products are marketed. It is a difference in what the organisation is designed to do and how deep the operational capability runs.
• enhanced.io assigns a named Fractional Security Director to each MSP partner who translates SOC findings into a prioritised action plan and works with the MSP team over time. WatchGuard MDR has no equivalent named security resource per partner.
• enhanced.io is channel-only. No direct sales to end clients, ever.
Strengths
• Endpoint, network, cloud, identity and IoT/OT covered in one platform
• Independent telemetry from each surface with cross-surface threat correlation
• 400+ integrations with the tools MSPs already use
• Named Fractional Security Director per MSP partner
• Channel-only model. No risk of the vendor competing with your clients.
Who it suits
MSPs running WatchGuard firewalls who want a specialist SOC provider rather than a firewall vendor extension. Also suits MSPs with mixed firewall stacks who need standalone MDR that delivers consistent SOC operations regardless of what network vendor their clients run. Strong fit for MSPs with clients who have IoT/OT devices in scope or whose cloud and identity surfaces currently sit outside their detection coverage.
Price: Contact for MSP pricing Per-user and per-endpoint options. Structured for channel economics. Pricing verified from public sources, early 2026. Verify directly with enhanced.io.
Alternative 2: Huntress
Best for MSPs who need active endpoint and identity MDR that works independently of any firewall vendor at a transparent per-unit price
Huntress is an MDR platform built for the SMB-focused MSP. It covers endpoint detection and ITDR across Microsoft 365 and Active Directory with a SOC that investigates and confirms threats before alerting MSPs. For MSPs running WatchGuard firewalls who need to add active endpoint and identity MDR without tying it to the WatchGuard product relationship, Huntress provides that coverage at a transparent per-unit price with no firewall vendor dependency. It works alongside WatchGuard network security rather than replacing it. The limitation compared to enhanced.io is surface breadth: Huntress covers endpoint and identity only. For clients who need cloud or IoT/OT covered, enhanced.io covers all five surfaces with a dedicated SOC and named security director.
Strengths
• Works independently of any firewall or network vendor
• Active endpoint MDR that complements WatchGuard network security
• Endpoint detection and ITDR for Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
• Confirmed threat alerts. SOC investigates before escalating.
• Transparent per-unit pricing with no minimum commitment
Weaknesses
• Network, cloud and IoT/OT are not covered as independent detection surfaces
• Open XDR is built outward from the endpoint, not a multi-surface ingest architecture
• No named dedicated security resource per MSP partner
Best for
MSPs running WatchGuard for network who want to add active endpoint and identity MDR from a provider that is independent of their firewall vendor, and whose clients do not yet need cloud or IoT/OT detection.
Price: $$ ~$8.99/endpoint/month. ~$4.80/identity/month for ITDR. Transparent per-unit. Verify directly with Huntress.
Visit huntress.com
Alternative 3: Blackpoint Cyber
Best for MSPs who need autonomous SOC response for endpoint and identity from a more established MDR operation
Blackpoint Cyber provides active MDR with a 24/7 SOC that has more established endpoint detection operations than WatchGuard MDR. Its SNAP-Defense platform acts autonomously on confirmed threats and operates independently of any firewall vendor. For MSPs who need proven autonomous SOC response rather than a newer MDR layer built on top of a network security platform, Blackpoint provides that for endpoint and identity. It works alongside WatchGuard network security rather than replacing it. Where it falls short of enhanced.io is surface coverage and the named security resource: Blackpoint covers endpoint and identity only.
Strengths
• More established endpoint MDR operations than WatchGuard MDR
• Works independently of any firewall or network vendor
• 24/7 SOC with autonomous threat response
• Patented live network map for lateral movement detection
• Channel-only commercial model with month-to-month option at entry level
Weaknesses
• Endpoint and identity focused. Cloud and IoT/OT are not covered as independent detection sources.
• No named dedicated security resource per MSP partner
• Limited third-party tool correlation outside its own stack
Best for
MSPs who need a more established autonomous SOC operation for endpoint and identity than WatchGuard MDR provides, independent of their firewall vendor.
Price: $$ ~$8-10/endpoint/month. Volume discounts at 50+ endpoints. Verify directly with Blackpoint Cyber.
Visit blackpointcyber.com
Alternative 4: Todyl
Best for MSPs who want to consolidate network and endpoint into one platform, independent of WatchGuard
Todyl combines SASE networking with endpoint security and SIEM in one MSP-native platform. For MSPs who want to consolidate their network and endpoint coverage into one subscription that is not tied to WatchGuard, Todyl provides both surfaces in a single platform at a predictable per-user price. It can function as a network security replacement for WatchGuard firewalls alongside endpoint MDR, rather than sitting alongside them. The gap compared to enhanced.io is SOC depth, IoT/OT coverage and the absence of a named security director. Todyl's MXDR capability is a developing managed SOC layer rather than a dedicated standalone SOC operation.
Strengths
• Network and endpoint coverage in one platform, fully independent of WatchGuard
• SASE networking can replace WatchGuard firewall dependency for some clients
• Built for MSP multi-tenant management
• Three-tier predictable packaging: Essentials, Advanced, Complete
Weaknesses
• Managed SOC depth is newer and less established than dedicated SOC providers
• No IoT/OT coverage
• No named dedicated security director per MSP partner
Best for
MSPs who want to consolidate network and endpoint security into one vendor that is independent of WatchGuard, and whose clients do not yet require dedicated SOC operations or IoT/OT detection.
Price: $$ ~$8-12/user/month depending on tier. Verify directly with Todyl.
Visit todyl.com
Alternative 5: Sophos MDR
Best for MSPs already on Sophos endpoints who want network and endpoint MDR in one established service
Sophos MDR covers endpoint, network and email with active managed detection and response and more established SOC operations than WatchGuard MDR. For MSPs whose clients run Sophos endpoints alongside WatchGuard firewalls and who want to move their MDR to a provider with deeper endpoint and network SOC depth, Sophos MDR is worth evaluating. It operates independently of the WatchGuard product relationship. The limitations compared to enhanced.io are IoT/OT coverage, the absence of a named security director per partner, the $2,000/month minimum on MSP Elevate and channel conflict risk in certain markets.
Strengths
• More established SOC operations than WatchGuard MDR
• Coverage spans endpoint, network and email
• Works independently of WatchGuard firewall infrastructure
• MSP Flex billing model gives flexible per-client pricing
Weaknesses
• Best value if already on Sophos. Weaker as a standalone MDR choice.
• No named security director per MSP partner
• MSP Elevate requires $2,000/month minimum
• Sells direct in some markets. Channel conflict risk in certain regions.
Best for
MSPs whose clients run Sophos endpoints and who want more established MDR operations than WatchGuard MDR provides, without replacing existing endpoint tooling.
Price: $$-$$$ Custom via MSP Flex. MSP Elevate min $2,000/month. Verify directly with Sophos.
Visit sophos.com
Alternative 6: Arctic Wolf
Best for mid-market SOC operations with named security team and multi-surface coverage, if the direct sales model is acceptable
Arctic Wolf covers endpoint, network, cloud and identity with a named Concierge Security Team per account and active SOC operations that are meaningfully deeper than WatchGuard MDR. It operates independently of any firewall vendor. For MSPs who need the multi-surface coverage and named security resource that WatchGuard MDR does not offer, and whose clients sit at mid-market scale, Arctic Wolf is worth evaluating at a higher price point. The channel conflict caveat applies: Arctic Wolf sells direct to end clients alongside its MSP partner program. enhanced.io provides the same named security resource, broader surface coverage including IoT/OT and a fully channel-only model without that risk.
Strengths
• Active SOC operations meaningfully deeper than WatchGuard MDR
• Coverage spans endpoint, network, cloud and identity
• Named Concierge Security Team per account
• Works independently of any firewall vendor
Weaknesses
• Sells direct to end clients alongside its MSP channel. This is a structural channel conflict risk.
• Pricing and packaging primarily designed for direct enterprise buyers
• Not natively built around MSP multi-tenant operations
• No IoT/OT coverage
Best for
MSPs who need multi-surface SOC depth and a named security resource independent of their firewall vendor, and who have carefully evaluated the channel conflict implications of a vendor that also sells direct.
Price: $$$ Custom quote. AWS Marketplace MDR Basic from $44,000/year (direct, up to 100 users). MSP pricing via partner program. Verify directly with Arctic Wolf
Visit arcticwolf.com
Alternative 7: ConnectWise SIEM
Best for MSPs deep in the ConnectWise stack who need basic network monitoring without adding a new vendor
ConnectWise SIEM provides network and endpoint monitoring integrated with ConnectWise PSA and RMM. For MSPs on ConnectWise who use WatchGuard for network firewalling and want to add basic monitoring without introducing a new vendor relationship, it provides a monitoring layer within a familiar ecosystem. It is worth being direct: ConnectWise SIEM monitors and alerts but does not actively respond to threats, and its endpoint detection depth is materially below WatchGuard MDR and well below enhanced.io. For MSPs whose clients need active SOC operations, it is not a step forward from WatchGuard MDR.
Strengths
• Integrated with ConnectWise PSA and RMM stack
• Works alongside WatchGuard network security without conflict
• Community threat intelligence sharing between ConnectWise MSPs
• Co-managed SOC option available
Weaknesses
• SIEM only. Not a full MDR or SOC-as-a-Service.
• Endpoint detection depth is below WatchGuard MDR
• No autonomous threat response
• Pricing has increased substantially and is reviewed as expensive for what it delivers
Best for
MSPs on ConnectWise who use WatchGuard for network firewalling and need basic monitoring capability alongside it, and whose clients do not require active endpoint MDR or SOC response.
Price: $$$ Custom quote. Per-user pricing model. Has increased substantially in recent years. Verify directly with ConnectWise.
Visit connectwise.com
WatchGuard Alternatives:
Feature Comparison
| enhanced.io | Huntress | Blackpoint | Todyl | Sophos MDR | Arctic Wolf | ConnectWise SIEM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endpoint detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Identity / ITDR | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Network monitoring | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud security | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| IoT / OT coverage | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Cross-surface correlation | Yes | No | No | No | No | Partial | No |
| Named security director | Yes (FSD) | No | No | No | No | Yes (CST) | No |
| Channel-only, no direct sales | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | No | Yes |
| 24/7 SOC | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Co-managed |
| Multi-tenant MSP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Indicative price | Contact | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$-$$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
What's the best WatchGuard alternative?
enhanced.io is the strongest WatchGuard MDR alternative for MSPs. It delivers dedicated SOC operations across endpoint, network, cloud, identity and IoT/OT that are not tied to any firewall vendor. For MSPs running WatchGuard who want a specialist SOC rather than a firewall vendor extension, or for MSPs with mixed firewall stacks who need consistent SOC coverage across all client environments, enhanced.io removes the stack dependency entirely. Every MSP partner gets a named Fractional Security Director who works with the team to translate SOC findings into prioritised actions.
For MSPs who want to keep WatchGuard for network and simply need to add active endpoint and identity MDR alongside it, Huntress and Blackpoint Cyber are the strongest secondary options. Both work independently of any firewall vendor, provide active SOC response rather than monitoring and are priced accessibly for SMB-heavy portfolios. Neither requires removing WatchGuard from the stack.
For MSPs evaluating WatchGuard MDR, the core decision is whether to extend a firewall vendor relationship into SOC operations or to run a specialist SOC provider alongside network security. A firewall vendor with a newer MDR layer is a different thing from a provider whose entire business model is built around running a dedicated SOC. enhanced.io is that specialist provider.
Book an advisory call with enhanced.io to see how a channel-first security operation works.
FAQ:
Why do MSPs look for WatchGuard MDR alternatives?
MSPs look for WatchGuard MDR alternatives for three reasons. The first is stack dependency: WatchGuard MDR delivers strongest value on WatchGuard firewall deployments and is weaker for MSPs with mixed firewall stacks. The second is endpoint and cloud detection depth: WatchGuard MDR is a newer offering and its endpoint and cloud capabilities are still developing relative to specialist MDR providers. The third is the absence of a named security resource per MSP partner.
What does WatchGuard MDR not cover for MSPs?
Which WatchGuard MDR alternative covers endpoint and cloud as well as network for MSPs?
What is the best WatchGuard MDR alternative for MSPs with mixed firewall stacks?
How does enhanced.io compare to WatchGuard MDR for endpoint and cloud detection?
Does enhanced.io compete with MSPs by selling direct to their clients?
