Barracuda CloudGen Firewall vs. GoGuardian Admin vs. Lightspeed Filter

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
Score 9.6 out of 10
N/A
Barracuda CloudGen Firewalls provides a wide range of security and connectivity features, including web filtering, NAC and SSL VPN and other features for remote access, as well as protection as edge devices and IoT security.N/A
GoGuardian Admin
Score 7.2 out of 10
N/A
GoGuardian Admin is a web content filtering solution from education software company GoGuardian in Los Angeles, provide web filtering on-campus and off-campus filtering.N/A
Lightspeed Filter
Score 9.4 out of 10
N/A
Lightspeed Filter (formerly Relay), from Lightspeed Systems in Austin, offers insights to help understand and maximize the use of 1:1 classroom devices, keep users safe and increase the educational return on technology investments. Lightspeed Systems aims to help users make decisions to enhance technology use, report up administrators, present to your board, reassure concerned parents, empower teachers, and direct students on appropriate use. According to the vendor, Lightspeed Filter powers…N/A
Pricing
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Free Trial
YesNoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsBarracuda offers prospective buyers a build and quote tool on their website.Priced per student device. Quote available upon request.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Considered Multiple Products
Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

No answer on this topic

GoGuardian Admin
Chose GoGuardian Admin
GoGuardian Admin has been leading the way in content filtering for both on and off site with an easy-to-use interface. At the time, it was one of the first to offer cloud-based off-site filtering for Chromebooks. They continue to grow and provide new features every year with …
Lightspeed Filter
Chose Lightspeed Filter
This was a much easier platform to deploy and manage. Simple dashboard navigation. Easy reporting tools. Cross-platform (windows, chrome, apple). The agent used to manage is reliable and simple to deploy. After using all other products over the years this has been the most …
Features
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Firewall
Comparison of Firewall features of Product A and Product B
Barracuda CloudGen Firewall
9.5
11 Ratings
10% above category average
GoGuardian Admin
-
Ratings
Lightspeed Filter
-
Ratings
Identification Technologies9.710 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Visualization Tools8.510 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Content Inspection9.49 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Policy-based Controls9.810 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Active Directory and LDAP9.611 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Firewall Management Console9.611 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Reporting and Logging9.411 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
VPN9.710 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
High Availability9.99 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Stateful Inspection9.88 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Proxy Server9.04 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Small Businesses
pfSense
pfSense
Score 8.6 out of 10

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Palo Alto Networks Virtualized Next-Generation Firewalls - VM Series
Score 9.1 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Likelihood to Recommend
9.9
(15 ratings)
7.0
(8 ratings)
9.0
(5 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
5.5
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
1.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
6.0
(4 ratings)
9.7
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Barracuda CloudGen FirewallGoGuardian AdminLightspeed Filter
Likelihood to Recommend
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
I would say a small business with a basic firewall and security needs would be a perfect fit for the Barracuda CloudGen firewall. I know that they soon end up leaving the NG models and are moving forward with the F series firewall. I think the F series is a much more difficult to manage device and doesn’t offer simplistic configuration or use and lacks cloud control so I don’t understand the move on Barracuda’s part to nix a great easy to manage the firewall. I do think that the NG line is maybe too simple for bigger businesses and would lack some main features that they would require.
Read full review
GoGuardian
GoGuardian is excellent for any district with a 1:1 Chromebook program. Our program would not be nearly as successful without it. GoGuardian does work with other devices (Windows, iPads) but I believe some features do not work as well in those setups. We haven't tried using it for anything other than Chromebooks and I am not aware of anyone using it for iPad/Windows or Macs.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
Lightspeed web filtering using the Chromebook Relay agent is amazing and does a great job for a cloud filtering solution. The reports that are available are great and can be customized and retains data for 90 days. Reports are easily shared with staff and/or parents for transparency and disciplinary reasons. The agent for Lightspeed (Relay) does not work well with OSX and works okay in Windows, but doesn't allow you to access local IP addresses in the web browser. There needs to be a way to bypass filtering for local network access. This can make it unusable in some cases.
Read full review
Pros
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
  • The management software is excellent. It make it much easier to manage the firewalls than some of the other vendors.
  • Watching real-time traffic is easy to do when trying to troubleshoot a users issues getting to a particular service.
  • Support from Barracuda has been excellent. We rate their phone and online remote support as being the best in the business.
  • We like the QoS and Traffic shaping of the NG Firewalls. They help is manage our limited bandwidth, so that business critical resources are available over lesser critical resources.
  • Integration with Active Directory makes it easy to identify users activities in logs.
Read full review
GoGuardian
  • The reporting Dashboard page gives you a great picture of what your users are doing on the internet.
  • The Theft recovery piece works very well and helps recover devices that are missing in action.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
  • Reduces bandwidth consumption.
  • Improves network performance.
  • It is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
  • It can be implemented in both wired and wireless networks.
  • It can be installed in minutes and you can configure its settings with a few clicks.
  • Learning environments work.
Read full review
Cons
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
  • Very complex and steep learning curve to get up to speed.
  • Multiple ways to configure for the same service or feature. Takes time to determine "your" customized build.
  • Interface can sometimes be clunky when trying to determine how it's organized or arranged. Again, steep learning curve.
Read full review
GoGuardian
  • With the new Minnesota state laws regarding student data privacy - it made it somewhat challenging for us to continue utilizing GoGuardian Admin. However, they provided some updates to their software to address these issues.
  • GoGuardian Admin recently put out an option to checkbox COPPA/CIPA compliance verifications for web filtering. It seems that this still needs some work, as several educational websites we utilize are coming up as "uncategorized" - and then are being falsely flagged and declining access.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
  • It sometimes takes longer than expected for new filtering rules to apply.
  • Sometimes a site is blocked due to sub-sites or links, but it does not easily identify the source of the block if it is buried in the site.
  • They have several reports included, but it would be nice to create custom reports.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
GoGuardian
Does what we need it to do and more in a very cost-effective manner. Relatively easy to use and great customer support. They are quick and clear and will walk you through things in real time.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
No answers on this topic
Usability
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
Easy enough to use and configure using the management UI. Reporting from the web filter is a little clunky, and not very user friendly. To be perfectly honest, once it's set up and running, there isn't a lot to do from the day-to-day side of things, which is not a bad thing.
Read full review
GoGuardian
No answers on this topic
Lightspeed Systems
It is unreliable and does not function as it is supposed to do so. As previously mentioned, there is a glitch when creating a block list.
Read full review
Support Rating
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
I could go on and on about how good Barracuda's support really is. I have yet to have a problem they didn't help me fix and I always learn something when talking with them. The story that best describes my overall experience with Barracuda's support is this: When I first put in the xSeries they had a problem with a policy route. There was a bug in the code and in the one situation I was it, it just would not work. I went up the levels of support and they couldn't fix it. Well, next thing I know I am on the phone with 2 of the guys that programmed the thing and they work out the solution in no time and get me going. That is support. That is what I have come to expect from Barracuda. If the tech on the phone doesn't know the answer, they do not stop until they find it. Grant it, I also have to admit I do not call support with every problem, I try to work it out on my own first as that is how I learn best, so when I do call support it is going to be complicated.
Read full review
GoGuardian
GoGuardian support is the best in the business. Within seconds of the business day I can chat with a human being about any issue.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
Our Cisco firewall was always difficult to make any changes against. It had no user-friendly GUI interface. We were calling technical support most of the time whenever we needed to make any changes. The Barracuda CloudGen Firewall has a GUI interface which we are looking forward to getting better acquainted with as we move off of our old Cisco. Of course, Barracuda's technical support is always there and is top notch!
Read full review
GoGuardian
GoGuardian Admin has been leading the way in content filtering for both on and off site with an easy-to-use interface. At the time, it was one of the first to offer cloud-based off-site filtering for Chromebooks. They continue to grow and provide new features every year with great tutorials and updates.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
We were already a [Lightspeed] customer so the transition was seamless to Relay. Their support and team at [Lightspeed] are top-notch. We have been with Lightspeed for over 20 years and have evaluated on occasions other options and [ended] up back with [Lightspeed] each time. Their price point, ease of use, great team of engineers, and overall customer focus keep them on top in my eyes.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Barracuda Networks, Inc.
  • We saved multiple thousands of dollars the first year out with the firewall in maintenance fees. We paid for the firewall and 3 years of service and still saved money.
  • The ease of management allows me to do my job more efficiently. I save a lot of time when doing my day to day job because I can get to my firewall virtually anywhere.
  • I feel a lot safer and my business more secure knowing that I have configured things the way they need to be and it was simple and not overly complicated.
Read full review
GoGuardian
  • GG Admin has made it easy to justify the use of Chromebooks in our district.
  • GG Admin has alerted us to times where students might be in a dangerous/unwanted situation.
  • GG Admin has helped us locate quite a few lost or stolen devices over the years.
Read full review
Lightspeed Systems
  • Very costly per year
  • Does a great job with 1:1 filtering on Chromebooks
  • Safety Check checks student for possible self harm and alerts staff
Read full review
ScreenShots

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall Screenshots

Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of

Lightspeed Filter Screenshots

Screenshot of Relay dashboardScreenshot of Relay apps reportScreenshot of Relay blocked contentScreenshot of Sample Relay parent reportScreenshot of Screenshot of Classroom, free with Relay for a limited timeScreenshot of Screenshot of Classroom, free with Relay for a limited time