Barracuda CloudGen Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate vs Stormshield Network Security comparison

The compared Barracuda Networks and Fortinet solutions aren't in the same category. Barracuda Networks is ranked #25 in Firewalls , with an average rating of 8.1, and holds a 0.7% mindshare in the category. Fortinet is ranked #1 in Firewalls , with an average rating of 8.5, and holds a 18.3% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of Barracuda Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Read 45 Barracuda CloudGen Firewall reviews

3,122 Views
1,686 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiGate

Read 588 Fortinet FortiGate reviews

69,521 Views
53,531 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Stormshield Network Security

Read 18 Stormshield Network Security reviews

2,826 Views
1,328 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Fortinet FortiGate

Stormshield Network Security

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Barracuda CloudGen Firewall, Fortinet FortiGate, and Stormshield Network Security based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Netgate, Sophos and others in Firewalls.

To learn more, read our detailed Firewalls Report (Updated: March 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Firewalls

March 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Mindshare comparison

Firewalls Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Barracuda CloudGen Firewall	0.7%
Fortinet FortiGate	18.3%
OPNsense	10.3%
Other	70.7%

Firewalls

Firewalls Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiGate	18.3%
OPNsense	10.3%
Sophos Firewall	9.4%
Other	62.0%

Firewalls

Unified Threat Management (UTM) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Stormshield Network Security	4.0%
Fortinet FortiGate	30.5%
WatchGuard Firebox	9.2%
Other	56.3%

Unified Threat Management (UTM)

Featured Reviews

Jennifer Bernice

Dotnet Developer at Kohl's

Centralized firewall management has saved time and improved network security across locations

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall could be improved as it has a very high learning curve. It is definitely not a one and done firewall, as a one and done firewall requires a lot of dedicated time to get the machine running the way you want. To improve Barracuda CloudGen Firewall, there should be a lot of tutorials and videos online to help new users. Multiple ways to configure for the same service or feature takes time to determine your customized build. In addition to previous points, the interface can sometimes be clunky when trying to determine how it is organized or arranged.

Read full review

Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

A stable solution with an intuitive interface and quick customer service

I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate, WatchGuard, Sophos, and SonicWall. I'm not as comfortable with SonicWall because of their UI and limitations. I prefer Fortinet above all other options. When it comes to configuration, I am confident in my ability to handle various tasks, including creating policies such as firewall rules, web policies, and application policies. Additionally, I can configure VPNs and implement load balancing, among other tasks. Overall, I feel much more comfortable working with Fortinet. Fortinet has made significant improvements by integrating AI with firewalls for threat analysis and prevention. In the past 2-3 years, they have launched FortiSASE and SIEM, and they also provide SOC services. Both Palo Alto and Fortinet FortiGate are excellent. While Fortinet FortiGate comes at higher prices, the functionality and support justify the cost. They promptly resolve firmware issues and inform all support providers about configuration changes.

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Zsolt Jónás

System Administrator at NaxoNet

Advanced GUI and layered security have supported compliance and simplified intrusion prevention

I haven't had a task that I couldn't solve with Stormshield Network Security. The active-active high availability solution would be beneficial because currently, if you build a high availability solution with Stormshield Network Security, you have a main device and another one is a backup device. The HA can switch between them, but it would be good to have a master-master solution, not just a master-slave one. I could set a URL that I can call to update the DNS record. Currently, Stormshield Network Security devices support DynDNS, which is not a usual feature request from a server environment. I have my own solution instead of DynDNS because I don't prefer it, so I have my own service for that. However, the GUI does not support using a custom service instead of DynDNS. I had to solve it in the console on Stormshield Network Security device, but it would be much better if it was reachable on the GUI. I had to figure out a trick for the IPsec configuration. In the IPsec config, we have to provide the remote side's IP address, but it's always changing. This means that an office, for example a company that has an office but without a fixed IP address, cannot be used with IPsec VPN.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The solution is stable."

"The most valuable feature for us is the ability to offer firewall support to our clients."

"We use Barracuda NG Firewall as a border firewall. We trough it to control all in/out Internet traffic."

"Their GPS possibilities and the security that it has, especially the SD-WAN functionality, is very good."

"I like the identity fire walling, malware protection and application control features."

"In addition, during the eight years I have been using Barracuda, I have had hundreds of thousands of attacks on my network and all of the attacks have been addressed by Barracuda with a proper solution for all of them."

"The interface is very user-friendly and it is quite easy to use."

"It can now integrate with Barracuda's XDR."

More Barracuda CloudGen Firewall pros

"We can detect any attack of viruses or malware at the first point of contact."

"The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the APIs. They are the most widely known."

"We are satisfied with this solution."

"There is really nothing to complain about with this product; it's a very good product to use, and it has just started to get the top ratings for firewalls."

"We find the solution to be quite stable; it's very reliable, we don't have to worry about bugs or glitches on the system, and it doesn't crash or freeze."

"FortiOS is quite good in my experience with Fortinet FortiGate, and it works very effectively and is stable for companies. The customers have given feedback that FortiOS has been very stable for a long time."

"The impact of SD-WAN on the network performance has been significant."

"FortiGate improved our security. It's one of the best hardware firewalls."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"This solution is quick and easy to configure."

"The tool's most valuable feature is its dashboard, which helps you manage different aspects of a single page. The intrusion detection system helps our organization by automatically detecting and responding to potential threats. It operates similarly to Darktrace, which detects and responds automatically based on the security rules you apply. Initially, you configure everything to block, and then you can whitelist specific items as needed."

"Filters and URL filtering helped us to optimize our bandwidth."

"The StormShield solution has enabled us to fully implement best practices from Microsoft in the cloud : the hub and spoke architecture."

"The multi-layered security approach of Stormshield Network Security is a good one and has helped with compliance."

"Stormshield is pretty robust, compared to other products like Fortinet, as you get more security with Stormshield and spend less money."

"The most valuable features of this solution are the URL filtering database, which is great and contains all internet categories, the highly scalable interface that I can turn into what I want including hybrid, bridge, or router mode, the security with no back doors that is more secure than other solutions, and the hardware performance that is also better than others."

"I like how you can configure the rules. There is the task for the rules and a task for the network configuration. It also provides SMD filtering, and it can be integrated with the active directory for the users, their mission, and the VPN configuration. We are here in Sudan, and Stormshield didn't work in Sudan for more than a decade. Stormshield is a very strong firewall and very easy to configure and maintain. I am just working with the firewall solution, and we don't have any other solutions like endpoint solutions or something like that."

More Stormshield Network Security pros

Cons

"The price is a bit higher than other vendors."

"The interface should be more user-friendly and it should be easier to configure."

"A rule for email announcements, when configured hits occur, would be a great improvement for a more efficient experience."

"The interface of Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is not as user-friendly as others."

"The biggest downside is that it is quite an expensive product."

"I would like to see a more user-friendly dashboard and an easier interface."

"The solution could be improved with visibility into the traffic about what's happening at a given time."

"Barracuda CloudGen Firewall should work a little bit more with the logs so that, in our company, we can generate a little bit more reports and get a bit more statistics, which would be fine for us."

More Barracuda CloudGen Firewall cons

"Part of the setup was straightforward and other parts were complex. They need to work on feature placements and menus."

"The representative from the vendor seems to know the basics of the product but when it comes to troubleshooting he seems to lack information."

"Fortinet already improved FortiGate, but in the current market, many brands of security devices have improved together. Fortinet still needs to catch up with market standards. Fortinet is lacking in features in comparison to competitors."

"The setup is pretty complex and not easy to implement."

"Fortinet FortiGate should improve the VPN tokens."

"They sometimes hide some features and if you want to enable them, you have to go in the CLI, enable the feature and configure it through the CLI."

"What could be improved in Fortinet FortiGate SWG is its pricing because it's a bit higher."

"Its technical support could be better."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"The technical support for this solution in Poland is not good."

"The main area of this product that has room for improvement is pricing. Stormshield Network Security is quite expensive."

"Support is always an issue because they're constantly busy."

"The pricing is increasing, and I would say it is a bit expensive."

"The filtering configuration could be better. We have some difficulties with the filtering configuration and the filter extension."

"This is not a next-generation firewall."

"A more user-friendly interface would be helpful."

"I don’t recommend this product at all."

More Stormshield Network Security cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution's price is reasonable."

"It is a product with a very transparent model of licensing. In the sense of hidden expenses, they do not exist with this model. "

"My advice is to try and evaluate it (Barracuda offers a trial period of one month)."

"We pay around 150 to 200 Euros per year and there are no additional costs."

"It's not the most expensive, but it's certainly not cheap."

"Pricing is good. Licensing is pretty much automatic if using Control Center."

"It would be nice if the pricing and licensing offered for less."

"The 600 series is about USD $10,000 a year and the 80 is USD $400 a year."

More Barracuda CloudGen Firewall pricing and cost advice

"It has a competitive price."

"Fortinet FortiGate's price can be reduced."

"The price of Fortinet FortiGate is the lowest in the market."

"The solution is cheap."

"In my opinion, the pricing of the product is reasonable."

"The licensing costs are very low."

"I would say that all things considered, the pricing is pretty good."

"The license is yearly. We pay for the top end. It's called 360."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"I think the price is good."

"The price of this solution and the price of support are ok."

"We bought a three-year license, and we renew it whenever it expires. The price could be better. It's always very expensive."

"The pricing could be better."

"The SN200 series costs between $500 USD and $600 USD per year, whereas the SN700 series costs approximately $1,000 annually."

"We chose Stormshield for its price, as the Azure firewall was too expensive."

"For mid-sized companies, they sell their appliances for good prices."

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Comparison Review

it_user216600

Senior Technical Consultant with 51-200 employees

Jan 3, 2016

Sophos UTM vs. Fortinet FortiGate

I have used both Sophos and Fortinet products in production and I have found the Sophos UTM appliances (hardware and virtual) to be a better fit most of the time -- with a few caveats which I will touch on below. In both instances, the transition from TMG will be mostly straightforward. The main…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Marketing Services Firm

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

16%

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	32
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	9

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	364
Midsize Enterprise	135
Large Enterprise	190

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	10
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Barracuda CloudGen Firewall?

My experience with pricing is that while the licensing cost can be reduced and is somewhat costly, the price is good ...

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What needs improvement with Barracuda CloudGen Firewall?

There is room for improvement in terms of response time and first-level support quality. Barracuda CloudGen Firewall ...

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What is your primary use case for Barracuda CloudGen Firewall?

My main use case for Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is that we purchased it to replace our current Cisco firewall tool. ...

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Which is the better NGFW: Fortinet Fortigate or Cisco Firepower?

When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage a...

See all answers

What is the biggest difference between Sophos XG and FortiGate?

From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know...

See all answers

What are the biggest technical differences between Sophos UTM and Fortinet FortiGate?

As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite ...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Stormshield Network Security?

The tool is like a firewall and works well. I don't have any issue with it. I rate it an eight out of ten.

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Compared 5% of the time

Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Compared 4% of the time

Sophos Firewall vs Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Compared 3% of the time

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Compared 3% of the time

Cisco Meraki MX vs Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Compared 3% of the time

More Barracuda CloudGen Firewall Competitors

Sophos Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 19% of the time

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 13% of the time

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 4% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 4% of the time

Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors

Netgate pfSense vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 9% of the time

Sophos Firewall vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 7% of the time

Sophos UTM vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 6% of the time

OPNsense vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 6% of the time

WatchGuard Firebox vs Stormshield Network Security

Compared 6% of the time

More Stormshield Network Security Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

March 2026

Download Barracuda CloudGen Firewall product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

March 2026

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

Stormshield Network Security

March 2026

Download Stormshield Network Security product report

Also Known As

Barracuda NextGen Firewall, Barracuda CloudGen Firewalls

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

NETASQ Firewalls

Overview

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is a comprehensive network security solution that provides advanced protection for organizations of all sizes. It offers next-generation firewall capabilities, including application control, intrusion prevention, and web filtering.

With its integrated VPN functionality, it ensures secure remote access for employees. CloudGen Firewall also includes advanced threat intelligence, leveraging real-time updates to detect and block emerging threats. Its centralized management console simplifies administration and provides visibility into network traffic.

CloudGen Firewall can easily adapt to changing business needs based on its scalable architecture.

Barracuda Networks

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?

VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet

NETASQ's integrated intrusion prevention engine uses protocol conformity analysis, application filtering and antivirus analysis to inspect authorized traffic flows and strengthen application security. NETASQ enables you to establish and configure user-based security policies, giving you greater control over which network resources each user is authorized to access.

Stormshield

Sample Customers

ARZ, Bauer, CBCX Technologies, Diamant-groep, Eissmann Group Automotive, European Youth Olympics, Exalo Drilling, FineLine Technologies, Geocell, Grimaldi, Infront Sports & Media, Odlo, Schenker Deutschland AG, Tilak, Verbandsgeneinde Zell, Conservas El Cidacos S.A., Institute for Emergency Medicine and Medicine Management, Erwin Muller GmbH, Info-Tech: NGF is Champion, Schoellerbank, IZB Informatik-Zentrum, RHI AG, Berglandmilch, Antenne Bayern, Sanochemia

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell, HP, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, BT Group, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink, NTT Communications, Tata Communications, SoftBank, China Mobile, Singtel, Telus, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telkom Indonesia, Telkom South Africa, Telmex, Telia Company, Telkom Kenya

ACESUR group, Ministry of Education Oman, Anios Laboratories, Zain, DLM Location

Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Netgate, Sophos and others in Firewalls. Updated: March 2026.

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