Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] vs Fortinet FortiGate comparison

Citrix and Fortinet are both solutions in the Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions category. Additionally, 90% of Citrix users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.
Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]
Read 22 Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] reviews
    90% willing to recommend
    Fortinet FortiGate
    Read 346 Fortinet FortiGate reviews
    • 7,454 Views
    • 5,759 Comparison Views
    90% willing to recommend
     

    Comparison Buyer's Guide

    Download the report
    Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 30, 2025

    Citrix SD-WAN and Fortinet FortiGate compete in the networking and cybersecurity domain. Citrix SD-WAN might have an advantage in connectivity and bandwidth optimization, whereas Fortinet FortiGate is more distinguished for its comprehensive security features.

    Features: Citrix SD-WAN offers connectivity between branches, dynamic bandwidth optimization, and load balancing. It includes CIFS optimization and HDX WAN Optimization. Fortinet FortiGate focuses on security with robust VPN, firewalling, and application control options. It features a security fabric and dynamic routing for enhanced protection.

    Room for Improvement: Citrix SD-WAN could improve its configuration intuitiveness, reporting capabilities, and pricing strategy. Its support for security features lags behind competitors. Fortinet FortiGate has vulnerabilities in reporting, support delays, and a complex interface, with a need for better logging and third-party integration.

    Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Citrix SD-WAN allows mixed deployments but may require expert help due to complexity. Technical support has been inconsistent, though experienced consultants ease transitions. Fortinet FortiGate offers straightforward on-premises deployment, with some cloud options and responsive support, making setup more user-friendly.

    Pricing and ROI: Citrix SD-WAN is seen as expensive but offers significant ROI through MPLS savings and flexible licensing. Fortinet FortiGate's pricing is competitive and affordable, providing excellent long-term value with robust features at reasonable costs.

    DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE REPORT
    To learn more, read our detailed Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions Report (Updated: May 2025).
    Buyer's Guide
    Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions
    May 2025
    Download the complete report
    Helped 853,868 peers since 2012

    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

    Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]
    Average Rating
    8.2
    Reviews Sentiment
    7.4
    Number of Reviews
    22
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
    Fortinet FortiGate
    Average Rating
    8.4
    Reviews Sentiment
    7.2
    Number of Reviews
    346
    Ranking in other categories
    Firewalls (2nd), Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions (1st), WAN Edge (1st)
     

    Featured Reviews

    Rohit Ghorpade - PeerSpot reviewer
    A scalable solution for MCN controller but lacks technical supports, upgrades
    There are a few things that can be improved, are domain-based routing and the slowness of virtual parts, and it may be due to the wrong configuration, which we have been unable to find out. Previously, we faced some issues with the slowness part. Apart from that, feature like end gateway level antivirus. We are currently using a NetFlow proxy to establish a virtual position for the NetFlow. Our current environment has many use cases, but we are not using them on the Citrix SD-WAN. When I navigate the NCL part, it involves configuration. I want to highlight this disadvantage. Sometimes, when we push the configuration, it tries to push it to all branch locations. This process takes a lot of time, nearly 30 minutes, to push a single change from the NCL. Overall, I don't think Citrix meets our use cases what we have. This is based on my feedback after using it for the past year and working on this Citrix SD-WAN. However, from my experience, it is the worst solution I have seen. There's no domain-based routing, which is horrible. That's why we are moving to other products. We have checked our use case requirements with Fortinet, Palo Alto, and they meet them. I will consider the PoC or another OEM. There are many things in the area you need to be prompt, like the automation part. If any link or device goes down, alerting notification, etc. We need to perform and highlight so many things to your management. This should be improved.
    Read full review
    Yaw Agyare - PeerSpot reviewer
    Ensures business continuity with reliable internet connectivity and robust security features
    The content filtering and URL filtering capabilities, along with packet content filtering, are very good. It helps us restrict internet traffic during working hours to legitimate work-related traffic. Workers are only able to access social media, YouTube, and similar sites after work hours. It helps in protecting the edge significantly because we are able to determine what must be accepted and what must not be accepted. We also have FortiAnalyzer, which is the log analyzer for Fortinet FortiGate. Being AI-driven, it helps us see what is happening and new emerging threats quickly. We are able to make the necessary interventions to protect the network. We are using QRadar as a SIEM, and Fortinet FortiGate integrates with it seamlessly. FortiAnalyzer picks all logs from Fortinet FortiGate, integrates with QRadar, and allows us to see everything. It also integrates beautifully with our EDR from WithSecure. It also helps reduce power consumption. Fortinet FortiGate is a greener listing in terms of power consumption.
    Read full review

    Quotes from Members

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

    Pros

    "We are using it widely for the local record for SaaS-based applications. Another valuable feature is a local breakout."
    "The reliability of connectivity is most valuable."
    "The VPN and the load balancing are the most valuable features."
    "It allows us to use additional VPNs, offering more options compared to other VPN solutions."
    "The solution is brilliant, the way it calculates its paths and trails is great."
    "It lowered our Internet costs and gave me the flexibility to choose providers based on each location's connectivity."
    "They have a zero downtime failover mechanism, where, when there's a link failure or a link weakness, or bad link conditions, they provide the ability to fail back seamlessly."
    "Downtime for branch offices is now almost zero. We have 100% real-time visibility into all of our lines. MPLS links have been replaced with lower-cost links, saving a larger percentage of line costs. Overall, I see SD-WAN as a must. And the Citrix SD-WAN product has delivered on expectations and exceeded them. (With later firmware updates we now have good firewall capabilities in the product too)."
    More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] pros
    "One of the nice things about FortiGate is that it can be deployed on the cloud or on-premises. You can actually do both. That's the biggest reason why I stick with this solution as opposed to something like Cisco Meraki. Another nice thing is that I can log directly into a FortiGate or get to it through their FortiCloud access products. They're pretty reliable and consistent. One of the reasons why I started using the product was their single pane of management. I can deploy their line of firewalls in conjunction with their switching and access points, and I can manage the entire network from one interface. I don't have to log into one interface for the firewall, another one for the access points, and another one for the switches. These firewalls have access point controller functionality built right into the system, so I don't even have to purchase additional devices to manage them."
    "The reporting and monitoring are very good."
    "The most valuable features are the possibility of having one fabric for switching on security."
    "The most useful functionality of Fortinet FortiGate is the user interface, multiple engines, and their cloud with the latest integrations. Additionally, the Security Fabric tool is very good."
    "The pricing is great and very reasonable."
    "It's a firewall that secures our internal network. I have been using it since 2013, and I find that most of the features are advanced, and very user friendly."
    "The license management is very valuable. You can get a new license each year, or you can enroll every two to four years. You can get the logs, and you will get the information on the risk in your network and the entire organization. With this information, you can take action on your actives, computers, or devices. You can bring your own device as an SSE."
    "The scalability is easy with switches and access points that are basically plug-and-play for the most part."
    More Fortinet FortiGate pros
     

    Cons

    "I am happy with this product. If anything, its price can be reduced. It is a bit expensive."
    "The price is the only thing that could be improved. Citrix is not a cheap solution."
    "Overall, network security and next-generation firewall features are areas that they can improve on."
    "The reports need to be improved. We need to have them customized but they don't have that right now. I would like for them to have better system predictions. We don't have that right now. My system may be working fine right now but after making some changes, that can change."
    "Enhancements are needed to improve the stability."
    "The solution's licensing model could be improved."
    "I would like to see more customization to adjust for the WAN lock-out due to our unexpected power outages."
    "The only improvement for Citrix SD-WAN would be to lower its cost."
    More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] cons
    "Fortinet technical support is lacking, as OEM support is slightly better."
    "In some cases, its initial setup could be hard for customers."
    "Some features of Fortinet FortiGate are actually fee enabled that are inconvenient for deploying in production. Other issues relate to isolation with Cisco products and your server."
    "It should be more stable. There should be full integration within Fortinet products themselves as well as with other third-party products. Especially when you're not dealing with SIEM and the correlation of the security box, we want Fortinet to be able to share that information with as many other products as it can."
    "The performance and speed are aspects of the solution that could always be improved upon."
    "Fortinet FortiGate is not very easy to use. The navigation could be improved to make it easier to use."
    "I would like to see improvements with the antivirus and IPS as they are not working properly all the time."
    "Application management can be improved."
    More Fortinet FortiGate cons
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "Citrix SD-WAN is quite an affordable product."
    "The license was a one-time purchase. It's expensive."
    "I believe that Citrix SD-WAN is a good investment, but I do not have the information to be more specific."
    "As NetScaler is now, I find it quite pricey."
    "It is a bit expensive. A cheaper product would be good, but everybody likes things to be cheaper. We bought the devices up front, and then we pay for the annual support."
    "It would be helpful to have a demo license available for customers who want to prove the concept and conduct a proof of concept (POC) before committing to the solution. This is particularly important for customers in Egypt who often require a demonstration of the solution's features and compatibility with their needs before making any investment or incurring costs. Providing a demo license would allow customers to assess whether the solution would meet their needs or not."
    "The price is relatively expensive."
    "I'm not quite sure of the price ranges. Roughly, the hidden devices can scale up to $20K for one appliance. However, the branch CPs are USD $1,000 to $2,500."
    More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] pricing and cost advice
    "It's an expensive solution."
    "The price is fair compared to the other competitors."
    "For the performance that we get, the price is reasonable. There are cheaper options, but they may not deliver the same kind of performance that we want. For the performance they provide, the price is acceptable."
    "Fortinet FortiGate gives you most of the features in one license."
    "Currently, we are paying about $1,500 a month for three sites."
    "A year or two years back, its price was competitive and reasonable. That was one of the reasons that people easily switched to Fortinet. Over the last two years, the prices have increased drastically. However, the prices of others have also increased. An advantage is there from the price point but not as much as it was previously."
    "The price is high compared to some of the other solutions."
    "By default, they give SD-WAN along with the firewall. They don't have separate licensing for the SD-WAN functionality. However, they have security licenses that are sold separately on a subscription basis. Customers can consume these security features to protect their users from internet traffic."
    More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice
    report
    See which vendors are best for you
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions solutions are best for your needs.
    See recommendations
    853,868 professionals have used our research since 2012.
     

    Comparison Review

    it_user216600 - PeerSpot reviewer
    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
    Computer Software Company
    27%
    Real Estate/Law Firm
    10%
    Financial Services Firm
    6%
    Educational Organization
    5%
    Educational Organization
    18%
    Computer Software Company
    14%
    Comms Service Provider
    7%
    Manufacturing Company
    6%
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
     

    Questions from the Community

    What do you like most about Citrix SD-WAN?
    It lowered our Internet costs and gave me the flexibility to choose providers based on each location's connectivity.
    See all answers
    What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix SD-WAN?
    It is on the expensive side. I would give it an eight out of ten in terms of costliness. In my region, the approximate cost for the Citrix SD-WAN license is around $150 per user per year. However, ...
    See all answers
    What needs improvement with Citrix SD-WAN?
    The solution's licensing model could be improved. Citrix SD-WAN is a good product from a technical point of view. However, when you compare its licensing with the prices of competitors, you will se...
    See all answers
    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 at large. In my opinion, Fortinet would be the best option and l use Fortinet too...
    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 the firewalls change every 5 to 7 years as stated but you really do need to upg...
    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 good. The most valuable features for me are their web and email filtering. I wou...
    See all answers
     

    Comparisons

    Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN Platform vs Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] Logo
    Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN Platform vs Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]
    Compared 44% of the time
    More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] Competitors
    Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
    Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate
    Compared 21% of the time
    Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
    Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate
    Compared 12% of the time
    Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
    Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate
    Compared 11% of the time
    WatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
    WatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGate
    Compared 5% of the time
    SonicWall TZ vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
    SonicWall TZ vs Fortinet FortiGate
    Compared 5% of the time
    More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors
     

    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]
    May 2025
    Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] reportDownload Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Fortinet FortiGate
    May 2025
    Fortinet FortiGate reportDownload Fortinet FortiGate product report
     

    Also Known As

    Citrix CloudBridge, WOC, NetScaler SD-WAN
    FortiGate 60b, FortiGate 60c, FortiGate 80c, FortiGate 50b, FortiGate 200b, FortiGate 110c, FortiGate, Fortinet Firewall
     

    Overview

    Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] enhances network stability, redundancy, and reliability, supporting connectivity between branches, optimizing internet access, and enabling secure, redundant networks, both on-premises and cloud-based.

    Corporations utilize Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] to improve network performance, minimize downtime, and ensure high availability. Combining communication methods and supporting interbranch internet routing, it assists businesses in transitioning from MPLS, centralizing monitoring, and optimizing bandwidth use. Its functionality includes secure connections, cost reductions, and effective management of internet access. The support for multiple communication methods, application reliability, and ease of implementation make it a valuable tool for modern network management.

    What key features does Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] offer?
    • Security: Enhanced protection to safeguard network data
    • IPv6 layering over IPv4: Ensures compatibility and future-proofing
    • Active-Active bandwidth use: Maximizes bandwidth utilization
    • Zero downtime failover: Maintains continuous operation during failures
    • Zero-touch deployment: Simplifies the installation process
    • Application reliability: Ensures high performance for critical applications
    • Cost-effectiveness: Reduces overall networking expenses
    • Central deployment: Facilitates easy configuration updates and management
    What benefits should users look for in Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] reviews?
    • Enhanced performance: Improved application and connectivity speed
    • Increased reliability: Minimized network downtime and interruptions
    • Centralized monitoring: Streamlined network oversight and control
    • Scalable security: Adaptable protection for evolving network needs
    • Cost savings: Lower operational costs compared to traditional MPLS
    • Flexibility: Ability to handle multiple network functions effectively

    Industries implement Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] to replace costly MPLS setups with more flexible VPN and NetScaler options, benefiting sectors like finance, healthcare, and retail that require robust, secure, and scalable network solutions. Organizations achieve better device management and efficient connectivity across multiple branches, enhancing their operational effectiveness.

    Citrix

    Fortinet FortiGate offers comprehensive network security and firewall protection across multiple locations. It effectively manages data traffic and secures environments with features like VPN, intrusion prevention, and UTM controls.

    Organizations rely on Fortinet FortiGate for its robust integration with advanced security policies, ensuring significant protection for enterprises, cloud environments, and educational sectors. It facilitates network segmentation, application-level security, and authentication management, securing communication within and between locations such as branches and data centers. Its efficient SD-WAN and UTM features enable streamlined data management and enhanced threat protection capabilities. Users appreciate its centralized management, facilitating seamless operations across diverse environments.

    What are the key features of Fortinet FortiGate?

    • VPN Capabilities: Ensure secure remote access for users and seamless site-to-site connections.
    • Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Detect and prevent security threats and vulnerabilities.
    • Advanced Firewall: Offers robust firewalling with application control and web filtering.
    • SD-WAN: Optimizes application performance and enhances bandwidth management.
    • SSL VPN: Provides reliable and secure access for remote workers.

    What benefits should users expect from Fortinet FortiGate?

    • High-performance Security: Delivers effective threat mitigation with high availability.
    • Centralized Management: Simplifies network operations with cloud-based management tools.
    • Detailed Analytics: Provides comprehensive insights into network activity and security threats.
    • Load Balancing: Ensures optimal resource distribution and traffic management.

    Fortinet FortiGate is crucial in sectors like education, offering robust networks for secure data flow between campuses and facilitating remote learning. In enterprise environments, it allows efficient management of application traffic and security across multiple branches, while in the cloud, it seamlessly integrates with diverse platforms to enhance security infrastructure.

    Fortinet
     

    Sample Customers

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Cornerstone Home Lending Inc., Dallara, ecVision, Essar, Eurofred, Groupe Promutuel, HMSHost Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd, Royal Caribbean International
    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
    Buyer's Guide
    Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions
    May 2025
    Download Free Report
    Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Cisco, Check Point Software Technologies and others in Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions. Updated: May 2025.
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    853,868 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    See our list of best Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions vendors and best WAN Edge vendors.

    We monitor all Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.