FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (53 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

53 reviews
95% willing to recommend

What is FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)?

The FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) from Fortinet is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed to cater to a wide array of organizational needs. It integrates seamlessly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, offering robust protection against various internal and external threats, including attacks, malware, and vulnerabilities. The NGFW is known for its advanced features such as SSL inspection, application control, visibility enhancements, and an effective intrusion prevention system (IPS). This IPS plays a critical role in identifying and blocking malicious traffic by monitoring and inspecting incoming data.

Get the FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), Fortinet FortiGate, Netgate pfSense and more!

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is the #3 ranked solution in top ZTNA solutions, #8 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, and #10 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 41% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

June 2025

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Featured FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews

Juan Solano

IT Director at Atlantic Quantum Innovations

One of the most valuable features of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) ( /products/fortigate-next-generation-firewall-ngfw-reviews ) is the ease of usability it offers. It is quite easy for me to learn to use. Additionally, FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) has improved our efficiency in setting up security and provided us with more visibility over some issues and incidents we previously faced.

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Sutjipto Budiman

Director at Widya Presisi Solusi

The installation of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is actually moderate; it depends on the needs, so it's not so easy but it's not so difficult. The installation requires a couple of days, and actually, it takes about one day because some parameters need to be set, especially if there are a lot of users.

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MOHAN SUKUMAR

Head of computer systems at Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology(IIST)

The most helpful features of FortiGate include its firewall policy, specifically the user-based policy, which I find to be quite beneficial in managing our network security effectively. FortiGate has also provided reliable protection against many attacks, although it lacks the ability to detect specific attacks like SQL injection, which usually requires a web application firewall.

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FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) mindshare

Product category:

As of June 2025, the mindshare of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) in the Firewalls category stands at 0.4%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Netgate pfSense	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs OPNsense	Jun 15, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	21.4%	90%	357 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	12.7%	93%	217 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is valued for its user-friendly interface, seamless integration, and strong technical support. Its SD-WAN capabilities improve remote access, while the UTM functionality enhances security with features like SSL inspection and threat intelligence. Users appreciate its reliable updates and quick vulnerability patching. The firewall excels in usability, logging, and reporting, offering a comprehensive suite of protection tools and integration with other Fortinet devices, facilitating efficient threat management.

"I would rate FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) as a solution a 10 out of 10."
"The multi-threat protection feature helps us secure our organization."
"In a scenario where FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) notably enhanced my customer's network performance, we discussed many points."

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall needs improvements in pricing, technical support response times, and integration, especially with other Fortinet tools. The graphical user interface is outdated and lacks user-friendliness. Licensing costs are high, and there are issues with stability and vulnerabilities. Enhancements in SD-WAN features and flexibility in configuring VPNs could be beneficial. Memory issues and limited features available only through CLI need attention. FortiGate lacks in areas like traffic handling, threat intelligence, and advanced AI capabilities.

"In our case, the deployment options of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) are not scalable, but in terms of connectivity to other companies, that's exactly what we needed, and that's exactly what it does perfectly, what is needed."
"We understand that FortiGate cannot be standalone without others, such as FortiManager, so for small businesses, if FortiGate can provide something similar to FortiManager, it will be better."
"In FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), my concern regarding improvements is the licensing model."

ROI

Investment in FortiGate Next Generation Firewall varies in success based on use cases and perceived value due to expense factors. Some see a high return, especially with FortiGuard support offering a robust security perimeter. Users frequently note improved security, enhanced efficiency, and easier management of network operations. Despite reports of high costs, it often delivers increased cost savings by being cheaper than competitors. Others are unsure of returns, yet appreciate the connectivity and ease of use.

Pricing

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) generally offers competitive pricing. While some users find the licensing costs high, many consider it affordable compared to competitors like Palo Alto and Cisco. Pricing varies with license duration and additional features, such as FortiAnalyzer, which can increase costs. Companies appreciate its value, especially for larger organizations, though smaller businesses may find it expensive. The solution's annual licensing and support fees can significantly impact the overall expenditure.

"I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten"
"We pay $500 per year for the license."
"Although the solution's pricing is high, compared with other products, it may be cheap."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) for border security, internal LAN segmentation, policy management, VPN access, and securing environments across all levels. They implement it for SD-WAN, secure remote connectivity, threat protection, web filtering, and as a perimeter firewall. It supports network analytics and connects branches through IPsec VPN, acting as a central security hub for firewalls, antivirus, and intrusion prevention.

Service and Support

FortiGate NGFW customer service and support shows mixed reception. Many find support responsive and helpful, often addressing issues effectively and providing guidance quickly. However, some users report delays, with response times varying by region. The availability of 24/7 assistance is appreciated, though the resolution speed can be slow. Users note the technical support's structured process, requiring detailed information for effective help. Experiences vary, with ratings generally between seven and eight out of ten.

Deployment

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup is largely considered easy and straightforward. Deployment time varies based on user expertise and network complexity, ranging from a few hours to several days. Many users rate the ease of setup highly, often citing user-friendly configurations. Challenges arise when dealing with complex network requirements or inadequate expertise. Some note the need for support staff or certified professionals to facilitate efficient implementation.

Scalability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is a scalable option suitable for small, medium, and enterprise businesses. Many users have found it flexible in accommodating different requirements, although some enterprise-level users may find limitations, especially when needing advanced features. Users commonly rate its scalability between seven and ten out of ten. Different models cater to various needs, and VDOM feature enhances scalability, making it a popular choice among different businesses.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is generally stable. Most users rate it between 7 to 10 out of 10 for stability. Many have not encountered major issues, especially in newer versions. Some raised concerns about certain module bugs and the need for competent operational teams to maintain stability. Issues related to Internet outages, firmware updates, and specific functionalities such as VPN were noted. SD-WAN is praised for reliability in certain use cases.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Media Company

Non Profit

Educational Organization

University

Legal Firm

Government

Retailer

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Construction Company

Security Firm

Hospitality Company

Consumer Goods Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Performing Arts

Real Estate/Law Firm

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

Compare FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) with alternative products

Learn more about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

FortiGate NGFW can be deployed in diverse environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid setups. The firewall is equipped with next-generation antivirus capabilities, IPS, web filtering, sandboxing, and intelligent security automation features like threat intelligence integration and automated incident response. Its reporting and analytics tools are comprehensive, aiding in enhancing an organization's security posture.

A notable aspect of the FortiGate NGFW is its diverse and highly rated features, including a powerful VPN, a user-friendly Firewall Management Console, policy-based controls, and advanced reporting and logging capabilities. The system also supports Identification Technologies, Visualization Tools, Content Inspection, and seamless integration with Active Directory and LDAP directories. Its High Availability and the flexibility to deploy in various configurations, such as on-premises or as a Virtual Machine, make it a versatile choice for different business needs.

The FortiGate NGFW also excels in providing secure connectivity. It supports various VPN protocols, offers SD-WAN for intelligent traffic routing, and integrates SASE for unified security and networking solutions. These features contribute to improved security, reduced operational costs, and increased agility for organizations.

When it comes to user experiences and satisfaction, FortiGate NGFW has garnered positive feedback, with an average rating of about 4.26 out of 5 on PeerSpot Reviews. Users from diverse roles, including core network teams, technical officers, and cybersecurity engineers, and from various sectors such as tech services, education, and finance, have found the solution effective. This indicates its versatility and suitability across different company sizes and types.

However, there are areas for improvement. Enhancing the details in Logging Services and making 10 Gigabit Interfaces available for lower models are some suggested enhancements. Simplifying the installation of FortiAP services is also noted as a potential area for improvement.