Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) vs Hillstone A-Series comparison

Check Point Software Technologies and Hillstone Networks are both solutions in the Firewalls category. Check Point Software Technologies is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.6, while Hillstone Networks is ranked #46. Check Point Software Technologies holds a 2.7% mindshare in Firewalls, compared to Hillstone Networks’s 0.2% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Check Point Software Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Hillstone Networks users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 17, 2025

Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) and Hillstone A-Series are competitive in the network security solutions category. Hillstone A-Series is recommended for advanced functionality with robust features, whereas Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) is noted for favorable pricing and support.

Features: Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) offers strong perimeter security, intrusion prevention, and integrated threat management. Hillstone A-Series provides advanced threat detection, traffic analysis, and granular policy control, leading with sophisticated analytics and flexibility for complex security needs.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) is known for streamlined deployment and efficient customer service support. Hillstone A-Series requires a complex deployment process with thorough configuration, supported by responsive assistance. Check Point's ease of deployment contrasts Hillstone's detailed configuration options, which may benefit those needing tailor-made solutions.

Pricing and ROI: Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) offers competitive initial costs and good ROI with a cost-effective feature set. Hillstone A-Series, although higher in initial expenditure, justifies its value through extensive functionality and long-term benefits. Hillstone is a worthwhile investment for comprehensive, adaptable security, while Check Point appeals to budget-conscious solutions with solid returns.

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Firewalls

November 2025

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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:

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiGate

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2025, in the Firewalls category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate is 19.9%, up from 19.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) is 2.7%, down from 2.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Hillstone A-Series is 0.2%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Fortinet FortiGate	19.9%
Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)	2.7%
Hillstone A-Series	0.2%
Other	77.2%

Firewalls

Featured Reviews

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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Devraj Kc

Network Security Engineer at Max international

Has improved threat prevention and enabled seamless plug-and-play expansion with active-active gateways

Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) provides numerous features such as threat emulations, anti-bots, and the most outstanding feature is ElasticXL. Since R82, the ElasticXL feature in Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) has seen significant improvement, allowing use of more than two gateways in an active-active state. If you need to upgrade any device, you can add the same device with plug-and-play capability. Using Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW), we rarely get any threats in its Gaia OS, and compared to its competitors, we need to upgrade them. In the past five years, it has had the least CVE and is one of the most stable products I've ever seen. Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) can handle growth or changes in my organization's needs. With its ElasticXL feature, I do not need to buy two different firewalls. I can purchase another single firewall with its plug-and-play feature, which matches the growing potential of our organizations.

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Albert-Wang

Technical Consultant at SiS Technologies

Good performance, responsive support, and an easy setup

We use the product for small and medium-sized businesses. Their scalability is good. They have a lot of choices based on their performance. Even on one unit, they have multiple ports to support customers so that they can connect to different devices. I'd rate the scalability nine out of ten.

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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 firewalls are valuable for threat prevention."

"The solution is very stable."

"The interface is user-friendly, so it's easy to add policies and block traffic."

"One of the best features of Fortinet FortiGate is that it's a very powerful equipment that gives many security features in a single box with good performance, and the user interface is friendly to use and configure."

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

"Overall security features and performance routing is good."

"Provides good VPN capabilities."

"You can create multiple Virtual Domains (VDOMs), which are treated as separate firewall instances."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"Remote access with a secure workspace provides a clear separation between the client and corporate network."

"It filters unwanted traffic."

"I have to say that it was Application Control and web filtering are excellent."

"Fortinet is easier to set up due to its understandable interface and ability to connect to the CLI directly from the web interface without needing an external SSH client."

"The most valuable feature of the firewall is the packet inspection. That is an amazing feature from Check Point."

"The interface allows us to quickly adapt to new security requirements and maintain compliance with organizational policies."

"The most valuable feature is the Stateful Inspection, which was developed by Check Point."

"Check Point offers excellent security."

More Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) pros

"The antivirus is very good."

Cons

"There's room for improvement in the interface, especially following their upgrade to version nineteen."

"The product's data guard feature should support a USB port when the internet connection is unavailable."

"One area for improvement is the licensing policy. If support licenses are not renewed, the product's functionality ceases, which can be disruptive."

"In the next release, maybe the documentation on how to use this solution could be improved."

"The product needs to drastically improve its reporting capability."

"Some of the web policy reports could be improved."

"The price could be improved."

"Its pricing can be better."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"I primarily work on the network side, so my expertise lies in configuring and working with firewalls. I have experience in firewall policies and know how to configure them within CheckPoint, including blocking URLs and specific website categories. However, I acknowledge that there's room for improvement, particularly in areas related to application-level control within the firewall. While I can't pinpoint a specific area for improvement, I am trying open to enhancing my skills and knowledge in various aspects of firewall management."

"The biggest improvement they could make is having one software to install on all three levels of their products, so that the SMBs, the normal models, and the chassis would all run the same software. Now, while there is central management, everything that has to be configured on the gateway itself works differently on the three kinds of devices."

"The level and availability of training should be improved."

"The distributor support capability is quite lacking as the problem/incident is rarely solved on the distributor level and instead escalated to the principal."

"Identity Awareness has been a massive source of problems for our deployment and the ability to debug it has been lacking."

"Check Point would benefit from having a single console for both basic and policy configurations."

"Currently, some prices are very expensive."

"The management of memory in the hardware needs to improve. They have had a lot of issues with memory leakage."

More Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) cons

"It would be helpful if they could integrate more with third-party security systems."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is a subscription-based model to use Fortinet FortiGate. We pay annually for the solution along with the support. If you want to have all the updates, and security patches you will need to renew your support."

"It could be more competitive and cost-effective."

"It is affordable. Palo Alto is much more expensive than Fortinet."

"It is more expensive than Sophos. Fortinet is overall more expensive than Sophos. The small range of Fortinet, such as 60F and 80F, is more expensive than the small range of Sophos. Sophos is cheaper. In addition, if you jump from 80F Series to 100F Series, the price doubles."

"The solution's price is average."

"Fortinet has more device options that are affordable for small businesses than Palo Alto, and its enterprise-level models are also cheaper. Palo Alto also has a separate license for VPN connections and SD-WAN, but FortiGate offers these features standard."

"The price of the license and warranty can be better because it is very expensive."

"I would rate pricing to be about four or five out of ten, it is reasonable."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"We have to consider things, cost-wise, when we are expanding into other locations. We don't have the budget to use it in other platforms... Check Point is really costly."

"The pricing of Check Point is fair when compared to others."

"Compared to Sophos and others, Check Point pricing is good for the current market."

"Check Point NGFW is much cheaper than other platforms, including Palo Alto. Its scalability, especially with the Maestro solution, is a big advantage. If you're looking for good security at a reasonable price with a good return on investment, I believe Check Point NGFW is the way to go."

"Use the basic sizing tool to do the correct sizing so you don't waste too much money, because it's not a very cheap solution when compared to other vendors."

"The pricing falls in the middle, meaning it's neither cheap nor expensive."

"They sell it in one box. In that one box, they sell Antivirus and Threat Prevention. They have everything, so we are not required to purchase additional IPS hardware for it."

"It is quite an expensive product, although security is a top priority."

More Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	350
Midsize Enterprise	130
Large Enterprise	187

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	148
Midsize Enterprise	94
Large Enterprise	199

No data available

Questions from the Community

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...

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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...

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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 ...

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How does Check Point NGFW compare with Fortinet Fortigate?

I have experience on both from Disti and channel experience. Please find below my comments (nothing new as such). -Ch...

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Which would you recommend - Azure Firewall or Check Point NGFW?

Azure Firewall is easy to use and provides excellent support. Valuable features include integration into the overall ...

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What do you like most about Check Point NGFW?

Check Point NGFW provides essential security, featuring no-obligation access for secure connections, strong intrusion...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Hillstone A-Series?

The solution is cheaper than other Western brands. The pricing is reasonable. There are costs for the hardware as wel...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Hillstone A-Series?

It would be helpful if they could integrate more with third-party security systems. Often, a client will have deploye...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Hillstone A-Series?

We use these devices in the office or in the public cloud environment to protect networks.

See all answers

Comparisons

Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 18% of the time

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 11% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 8% of the time

OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 4% of the time

Palo Alto Networks WildFire vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 2% of the time

More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)

Compared 11% of the time

Sophos XG vs Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)

Compared 7% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)

Compared 7% of the time

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)

Compared 7% of the time

OPNsense vs Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)

Compared 6% of the time

More Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) Competitors

Hillstone E-Series vs Hillstone A-Series

Compared 51% of the time

More Hillstone A-Series Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

November 2025

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Buyer's Guide

Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)

November 2025

Download Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) product report

Buyer's Guide

Firewalls

November 2025

Download Hillstone A-Series product report

Also Known As

No data available

Check Point NG Firewall, Check Point Next Generation Firewall

No data available

Overview

Fortinet FortiGate excels in providing integrated VPN, firewalling, and Unified Threat Management (UTM) with centralized management and high availability. It supports remote access and comprehensive threat protection, making it a preferred choice for securing networks.

Fortinet FortiGate offers a robust security platform with features such as strong intrusion prevention, application control, and web filtering. Its integration with Active Directory and SD-WAN functionality provides scalable solutions for large networks. Users appreciate its ease of use through centralized management interfaces, ensuring robust security with flexible configurations. However, FortiGate could enhance its graphical interface and technical support responsiveness, address firmware bugs and costly licensing, improve logging, integrate better with third-party tools, and strengthen scalability and memory for log storage. Complexity in configuration and the need for intuitive features are noted challenges, and there's a demand for advanced security, zero-trust capabilities, and AI integration.

What are the key features of Fortinet FortiGate?

VPN: Secure remote access and connectivity.
Firewalling: Protects networks from unauthorized access and attacks.
UTM: Offers a comprehensive approach to threat management.
SD-WAN: Optimizes traffic routing for efficient network performance.
Web Filtering: Controls and monitors web access and ensures Internet security.

What benefits or ROI should be considered?

Centralized Management: Simplifies administration and monitoring.
High Availability: Ensures consistent security and network availability.
Scalability: Adapts to the needs of growing networks.
Comprehensive Threat Protection: Provides robust security measures.
Ease of Use: Minimizes the complexity of security management.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries like education, finance, and government. Companies use it for firewall protection, VPN, and SD-WAN capabilities, ensuring secure perimeter and data center security. It facilitates remote access management and traffic routing optimization, offering reliable security and connectivity solutions.

Fortinet

Check Point Quantum Force NGFW provides centralized management with scalable security for network perimeters. As a reliable firewall, it ensures advanced threat prevention and offers seamless integration, making it suitable for various network environments.

Offering comprehensive security, Check Point Quantum Force NGFW helps control ingress and egress traffic, secures data center firewalls, and integrates seamlessly with cloud and on-premises setups. Users appreciate its application control, deep packet inspection, and identity awareness features for enhanced protection against cyber threats. Despite pricing issues and interface complexity, its IPsec VPN and robust logging provide valuable insights into network activities.

What are the key features of Check Point Quantum Force NGFW?

Centralized Management: Simplifies administrative tasks across different environments.
Advanced Threat Prevention: Shields against evolving cyber threats with real-time protection.
Deep Packet Inspection: Analyzes traffic to prevent intrusions without impacting performance.
Application Control: Manages access to applications, enhancing security policies.
IPsec VPN: Secures remote connections with encrypted tunnels.

What benefits should users consider for Check Point Quantum Force NGFW?

Scalability: Adapts to the changing needs of organizations of different sizes.
Integration Capabilities: Works alongside existing systems for a comprehensive defense strategy.
Logging and Reporting: Offers detailed insights into network activity and threats.
User-Friendly Interface: Streamlines management with intuitive controls despite initial complexity.

Check Point Quantum Force NGFW is deployed across industries for securing network boundaries, supporting critical data center operations, and enabling secure VPN connections. In finance, it helps meet stringent compliance standards, while in healthcare, it's crucial for protecting sensitive patient data through robust security protocols.

Check Point Software Technologies

The Hillstone A-Series effectively enhances network security and protects against cyber threats. It is praised for its ability to prevent unauthorized access, detect and block malicious activities, and ensure the overall integrity of network infrastructure. Its stand-out features include advanced threat detection and seamless integration with existing networks.

Hillstone Networks

Sample Customers

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

Control Southern, Optimal Media

1. Google 2. Microsoft 3. Amazon 4. IBM 5. Cisco 6. Oracle 7. Intel 8. HP 9. Dell 10. Apple 11. Facebook 12. Twitter 13. LinkedIn 14. Netflix 15. Adobe 16. Salesforce 17. VMware 18. Samsung 19. Sony 20. Toshiba 21. Panasonic 22. LG 23. Nokia 24. Ericsson 25. Siemens 26. Philips 27. General Electric 28. Honeywell 29. BMW 30. Mercedes-Benz 31. Audi 32. Volkswagen

Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Netgate, OPNsense and others in Firewalls. Updated: November 2025.

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