NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering vs Symantec Web Security Service Comparison

Last updated:

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

The Barracuda Web Security Gateway offers organizations a robust, all-in-one solution for protecting against web-borne threats while enabling safe access to online tools and applications. It combines advanced spyware, ma…

Symantec Web Security Service

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Symantec Web Security Service (WSS) is a robust cloud-delivered Secure Web Gateway (SWG) solution designed to provide comprehensive web and cloud security for enterprises. Built on the proven capabilities of Symantec Pro…

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering vs Symantec Web Security Service — at a glance

FeatureBarracuda Web Security and FilteringSymantec Web Security Service
Rating
Reviews
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategorySecure Web GatewaysSecure Web Gateways
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online, 24/7 (Live rep)Business Hours, Online
CertificationsHIPAA, GDPRHIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyUSGlobal

Key differences between Barracuda Web Security and Filtering and Symantec Web Security Service

  • Free trial: Barracuda Web Security and Filtering offers a free trial; Symantec Web Security Service does not.
  • Deployment: Barracuda Web Security and Filtering supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Symantec Web Security Service supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering vs Symantec Web Security Service — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Secure Web Gateways tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this Barracuda Web Security and Filtering vs Symantec Web Security Service comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Secure Web Gateways tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering

Comprehensive web security with granular controls for medium-sized businesses.

Choose if
  • You need robust protection against malware, spyware, and phishing threats.
  • Your organization requires detailed policy enforcement including social media and bandwidth controls.
  • You want flexible deployment options with hardware or virtual appliances and unlimited remote user licenses.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business with limited IT budget and resources.
  • Your team lacks skilled IT staff to manage complex setup and ongoing configuration.

Symantec Web Security Service

Best for enterprises needing robust, cloud-delivered web and cloud security.

Choose if
  • You require consistent security policy enforcement across cloud and on-premises environments.
  • Your organization has a remote or distributed workforce needing secure web access.
  • You operate in compliance-driven industries needing strong data leak and threat protection.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business with limited IT budget and resources.
  • Your internet connectivity is unreliable, limiting cloud service effectiveness.

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering: Comprehensive web security with granular controls for medium-sized businesses. Symantec Web Security Service: Best for enterprises needing robust, cloud-delivered web and cloud security.

Description

The Barracuda Web Security Gateway offers organizations a robust, all-in-one solution for protecting against web-borne threats while enabling safe access to online tools and applications. ... Read More about Barracuda Web Security and Filtering

Symantec Web Security Service (WSS) is a robust cloud-delivered Secure Web Gateway (SWG) solution designed to provide comprehensive web and cloud security for enterprises. Built on the ... Read More about Symantec Web Security Service

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Best Company Size

200-5,000 employeesMedium Business
51-500 employees500+ employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering

  • Barracuda Web Security and Filtering helps you confidently protect your organization by blocking malicious websites, preventing malware infections, and reducing cybersecurity risks.
  • With granular control over web browsing policies, administrators can easily customize access permissions to maintain compliance and boost employee productivity.
  • I appreciate its intuitive dashboard and real-time reporting, giving clear visibility into web usage patterns—perfect for busy managers who need quick insights and proactive security responses.
Best fit

Best fit

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering

  • 200 - 5,000 employees
  • Education, Healthcare, Financial Services, Government, Consulting, Technology, SaaS
  • IT Managers, Network Administrators, Cybersecurity Specialists, IT Directors, System Administrators
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Barracuda Web Security and Filtering

  • Organizations might seek alternatives if Barracuda's cost structure becomes prohibitive, prompting them to explore more budget-friendly or flexible pricing options.
  • Users requiring advanced integration capabilities with existing IT infrastructure may prefer platforms offering smoother compatibility and streamlined deployment processes.
  • Businesses experiencing evolving cybersecurity threats might consider alternatives providing enhanced real-time threat intelligence, deeper analytics, or stronger AI-driven threat detection capabilities.

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

SpotSaaS advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Barracuda Web Security and Filtering and Symantec Web Security Service Compare on Features?

Total Features

19 Features

16 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Barracuda Web Security and Filtering and Symantec Web Security Service on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Barracuda Web Security and Filtering pricing
      Symantec Web Security Service pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Medium Business

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🌐 Global

      Barracuda Web Security and Filtering User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate the strong security features and granular controls but note setup complexity and cost as challenges.

      What buyers like

      • Comprehensive malware and phishing protection
      • Granular policy enforcement
      • Visibility through reporting and logging

      Common complaints

      • Complex setup and management
      • Cost and licensing complexity

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyers appreciate the robust, enterprise-grade security and consistent policy enforcement but note the high setup complexity and cost.

      What buyers like

      • Robust security
      • Consistent policy enforcement
      • Cloud delivery and remote access support

      Common complaints

      • Complex setup
      • High cost

      Pros and Cons

      • Robust protection against malware, spyware, and phishing

      • Granular policy enforcement including social media and bandwidth controls

      • Inspection of SSL-encrypted traffic for comprehensive security

      • Potentially high cost and licensing complexity for small businesses

      • Advanced features require skilled IT staff for setup and management

      • Enterprise-grade web and cloud security with cloud delivery

      • Consistent policy enforcement across cloud and on-premises environments

      • Strong protection against cyber threats, data leaks, and compliance breaches

      • Requires consistent internet access for full functionality

      • Advanced features and costs may be prohibitive for smaller organizations

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Barracuda Web Security and Filtering - Features

      5 Screenshots

      Symantec Web Security Service

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Barracuda Web Security and Filtering and Symantec Web Security Service in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Barracuda Web Security and Filtering or Symantec Web Security Service?
      Barracuda Web Security and Filtering and Symantec Web Security Service are closely matched with equal user ratings of -1.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Secure Web Gateways needs.
      Do Barracuda Web Security and Filtering and Symantec Web Security Service offer a free trial?
      Barracuda Web Security and Filtering offers a free trial. Symantec Web Security Service does not.
      What is the starting price of Barracuda Web Security and Filtering vs Symantec Web Security Service?
      Barracuda Web Security and Filtering starts at Contact for pricing. Symantec Web Security Service starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Barracuda Web Security and Filtering?
      Top alternatives to Barracuda Web Security and Filtering include Zecurion Secure Web Gateway, Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateways, WebTitan Web Filter, Lightspeed Filter, DOPE.SECURITY.
      What are the top alternatives to Symantec Web Security Service?
      Top alternatives to Symantec Web Security Service include Check Point URL Filtering, Lightspeed Filter, Zecurion Secure Web Gateway, WebTitan Web Filter, Zscaler Internet Access.

      Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

      254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.