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Cisco IOS Security vs Fortinet FortiGate IPS comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
8.1
Cisco IOS Security offers high ROI through improved efficiency, reduced risks, cost savings, and a beneficial subscription model.
Sentiment score
7.2
Fortinet FortiGate IPS improves network control, reduces costs and downtime, and offers cost-effective, easy implementation with swift ROI.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.0
Cisco IOS Security offers expert support but faces criticism for slow responses and communication challenges, remaining a strong choice.
Sentiment score
7.3
Fortinet FortiGate IPS offers responsive technical support, though users note some delays and compare it to other vendors.
Fortinet support is very responsive.
The technical support from Fortinet is rather good.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.5
Cisco IOS Security is praised for scalability and efficiency but may require additional hardware and specific Cisco equipment.
Sentiment score
7.1
Fortinet FortiGate IPS is praised for scalability, adaptability, and efficiency but may need hardware updates for large growth.
I can easily integrate it with FortiFabric and manage multiple firewalls and other Fortinet solutions from a single dashboard.
The scalability of Fortinet FortiGate IPS is good, and I would rate it nine out of ten.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.7
Cisco IOS Security is praised for stability and reliability, with few integration issues reported when not using Cisco equipment.
Sentiment score
8.3
Fortinet FortiGate IPS is highly stable and reliable, with consistent updates enhancing performance and reducing past instability.
I find Cisco IOS Security to be a very stable product.
There are no issues with stability, and it integrates seamlessly with the main product, which is a firewall.
Stability is generally good, but if you include FortiOS underlying in the FortiGate, there are often some patches to do and some loopholes.
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco IOS Security needs more intuitive management, better performance, advanced features, and improved integration, usability, and support.
Fortinet FortiGate IPS needs improvements in reporting, pricing, scalability, and AI, affecting usability and user adoption.
More advanced AI capabilities would be beneficial in future updates.
Scalability issues.
The pricing of Fortinet FortiGate IPS could always be improved.
 

Setup Cost

Cisco IOS Security is pricey, subscription-based, aimed at medium-to-large enterprises, with recent SMB options, often seen as expensive.
Fortinet FortiGate IPS pricing is competitive, varying from $1,000 to $7,000 depending on the model and licensing term.
There are no extra expenses involved after purchasing the solution.
I rate the pricing with an eight out of ten.
 

Valuable Features

Cisco IOS Security enhances network security with robust features, user-friendly interface, and strong performance, preferred over competitors.
Fortinet FortiGate IPS offers intuitive management, robust security features, scalability, and strong user support with frequent updates.
This solution, called Network Access Controller, handles authentication, authorization, and accounting for devices accessing the network.
The most valuable feature is the deep inspection for traffic, which is capable of identifying zero-day attacks.
The firewalls are valuable for threat prevention.
It provides real-time updates, offering a good vision on any changes.
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco IOS Security
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
8th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
Firewalls (20th)
Fortinet FortiGate IPS
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
3rd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
64
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category, the mindshare of Cisco IOS Security is 1.0%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate IPS is 7.2%, up from 6.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
 

Featured Reviews

Binoob John - PeerSpot reviewer
Rrobust network security and device authentication with advanced access control features
This solution should be implemented for most enterprise-level customers. It ensures that users accessing the corporate network or wireless network with their own devices are authenticated and authorized. As a network administrator, I can track who is accessing the network, what devices they are…
Taha Turkestani - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced threat prevention with very good support and valuable behavior reports
We use FortiGate as a firewall. We have a FortiGate 201 model It's good that we didn't get hacked or attacked, indicating strong threat prevention. The reporting on employee behavior and the prevention of new viruses are essential features. Additionally, we have found it convenient for…
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) solutions are best for your needs.
859,129 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
26%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
Computer Software Company
15%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco IOS Security?
Cisco IOS Security is a mature product with extensive capabilities, serving as the base for the defense layer. It offers good network visibility, which helps in rapid response through the Rapid Thr...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco IOS Security?
Pricing can be reduced. I rate the current price for the product a four out of ten.
What needs improvement with Cisco IOS Security?
While I do not have specific recommendations for improvement, pricing can be reduced.
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiGate IPS?
The most significant aspect of IPS is self-explanatory as it primarily focuses on intrusion prevention, which is crucial for Fortinet's internal outbreak prevention efforts and ensuring compliance ...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiGate IPS?
I rate the pricing with an eight out of ten. They could always improve the pricing.
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiGate IPS?
The pricing of Fortinet FortiGate IPS ( /products/fortinet-fortigate-ips-reviews ) could always be improved.
 

Also Known As

IOS Security
FortiGate IPS
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Arup Group, Brunel University London, City of Biel, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, K&L Gates , New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Offshore Northern Seas, Transplace
Riverside Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Dell SecureWorks, Credit Bank Zagreb
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco IOS Security vs. Fortinet FortiGate IPS and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
859,129 professionals have used our research since 2012.