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Fortinet FortiExtender vs HPE Wireless WAN comparison

Fortinet and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are both solutions in the Wireless WAN category. Fortinet is ranked #7 with an average rating of 9.5, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #6 with an average rating of 9.0. Fortinet holds a 2.6% mindshare in Wireless WAN, compared to Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users who would recommend it.
Fortinet FortiExtender
Read 10 Fortinet FortiExtender reviews
  • 464 Views
  • 464 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
HPE Wireless WAN
Read 21 HPE Wireless WAN reviews
  • 176 Views
  • 160 Comparison Views
85% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 4, 2025

HPE Wireless WAN and Fortinet FortiExtender are competing products in the enterprise network solutions category. Users tend to prefer HPE Wireless WAN for pricing and support, while Fortinet FortiExtender is favored for its robust features, which many consider worth the price.

Features: HPE Wireless WAN provides reliable connectivity, scalability, and integrated security. Fortinet FortiExtender offers advanced security features, adaptability to complex networks, and comprehensive security suites.

Room for Improvement: HPE Wireless WAN could enhance its security features and adaptability for complex networks. Fortinet FortiExtender may benefit from a simpler setup process, reduced initial costs, and more intuitive user interfaces.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HPE Wireless WAN is praised for seamless deployment and responsive customer service. Fortinet FortiExtender, while delivering effective deployment strategies, requires more complex setup but provides excellent customer training and extensive technical resources.

Pricing and ROI: HPE Wireless WAN offers competitive pricing with a satisfactory return on investment due to lower setup costs. Fortinet FortiExtender has a higher initial setup cost, justified by its extensive feature set and security benefits, perceived as a worthwhile investment.

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To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiExtender vs. HPE Wireless WAN Report (Updated: July 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiExtender vs. HPE Wireless WAN
July 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 FortiExtender
Ranking in Wireless WAN
7th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
HPE Wireless WAN
Ranking in Wireless WAN
6th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
21
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Wireless WAN category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiExtender is 2.6%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Wireless WAN is 1.4%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Wireless WAN
 

Featured Reviews

Özden-Aydın - PeerSpot reviewer
Ensures seamless network continuity with efficient remote management and cost savings
I manage and monitor Fortinet FortiExtender devices across multiple sites by using the FortiCloud feature, which allows me to easily manage and monitor everywhere. I haven't used Fortinet FortiExtender's AI-driven network features for this product. My advice for those who want to implement Fortinet FortiExtender is that if you use this device as a console server for out-of-band management, it has only one USB port; if you need more than one port, you can use an external USB hub for multiple console cables. I am maintaining Fortinet FortiExtender for my customers for one year, and I find that to be sufficient. I rate Fortinet FortiExtender a 10 out of 10.
Read full review
SunilNair2 - PeerSpot reviewer
Reliable wireless connectivity supports seamless hospital staff mobility
We use HPE Wireless WAN for hospital purposes. In our hospital, all the staff have laptops and move around, hence the need for wireless connectivity. We also provide guest access to patient rooms, including ICU rooms, where patients stay HPE Wireless WAN provides reliable connectivity. We use it…
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

"The product is easy to use and easy to integrate."
"We appreciate that this solution can be used as an active secondary link as well as a backup."
"The solution is extremely user-friendly."
"Management can be carried out from a central point."
"The overall stability deserves a perfect rating."
"The most valuable feature will be that it works."
"The integration is easy and it works as a normal internet connection."
"The initial setup was was just beautiful. It was straightforward."
More Fortinet FortiExtender pros
"The solution is easy to use."
"The most valuable features of HPE Wireless WAN are high quality and capability."
"HP Wireless offers competitive pricing compared to Cisco and Fortinet."
"We've found the scalability to be good."
"What's most valuable in HPE Wireless WAN is that it works fine for customers with existing HPE controllers."
"The performance is good."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is flexibility."
"The main benefit of this product is the lifetime warranty, up to 99 years. For example, if your switch card fails after 10 years, and the hardware fails, it will be replaced with the very same switch or the equivalent model available at the time."
More HPE Wireless WAN pros
 

Cons

"They could improve the remote console server feature and make it more user-friendly for more users."
"Though Fortinet FortiExtender has some security features, the product could still be improved by adding features similar to those in FortiGuard, such as antivirus, intrusion, prevention, and detection, as well as web filtering features. The product is also not as user-friendly, so that's another area for improvement. In the FortiGate UTM solution of Fortinet, there's software-defined or SD-WAN, and in the next release of Fortinet FortiExtender, I'd like to see SD-WAN embedded in the product. Most of the communication in Fortinet FortiExtender is related to WAN and Edge, so having an SD-WAN function in the product would be useful for integrating and controlling WAN communication."
"The Fortinet FortiExtender should be more suitable for outdoor use. Currently, the vehicle model can be used outdoors, but there are no dedicated outdoor devices."
"The support could be faster and more responsive."
"We would like to see some improvement in the price for 5G models, as they are currently very expensive."
"I would like to see them make it smaller in the next release so that it has a smaller footprint for mobile clients."
"The engineering of the solution has some negative points, especially in terms of troubleshooting. It's difficult to troubleshoot when we have a problem. It's not like other products like Cisco or Palo Alto which make troubleshooting much easier."
"There is a huge downside because we need to remove and insert the SIM to get it working."
More Fortinet FortiExtender cons
"The solution works smoothly unless more than twenty users connect to a single access point, at which point it becomes overloaded."
"Scalability is an aspect of this product that should be improved."
"Mostly, I face problems with client connectivity and some devices, like Android."
"I would say that the integration with other vendors in areas such as management or the visibility of other vendors in the management tools could be improved."
"HPE should improve performance and stability."
"In the next release of the solution, there should be better integration with other platforms."
"HPE Wireless WAN could provide better access points and better pricing."
"The price of HPE Wireless WAN should be reduced."
More HPE Wireless WAN cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I've only used the open-source version of Fortinet FortiExtender, but I know that it has some features that require you to pay for a license."
"I'm not sure what the cost is. However, I anticipate that the purchase price will range between $2,500 and $5,000."
"The solution is not that expensive."
"I find the price to be reasonable."
"The price is perfect for me."
"Price wise, it is on the medium end of the scale. It could be lower."
"Customers pay for HPE Wireless WAN based on the contract. It's usually paid yearly. There's an additional cost, particularly for the hardware."
"The license cost of the product falls under the category of a moderately priced tool."
"The price of HPE Wireless WAN is high."
"There is a license for this solution and the license is normally paid annually but this depends on the contract."
"If you are concerned with your budget, then you can go for the cheaper model."
More HPE Wireless WAN pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Media Company
12%
Government
8%
Construction Company
5%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiExtender?
The price for Fortinet FortiExtender deserves the highest rating.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiExtender?
The Fortinet FortiExtender should be more suitable for outdoor use. Currently, the vehicle model can be used outdoors, but there are no dedicated outdoor devices. When a location has poor LTE conne...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Fortinet FortiExtender?
I am still using Fortinet FortiExtender. The solution utilizes LTE data to establish a connection, and if the main line goes down, it switches automatically to the LTE connection. Advanced Antenna ...
See all answers
What do you like most about HPE Wireless WAN?
The tool is easy to manage.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE Wireless WAN?
The price is compatible and not an issue for us.
See all answers
What needs improvement with HPE Wireless WAN?
Stability is an issue, as the access point becomes overloaded with more than twenty connections. Additionally, the current product uses two antennas. Increasing to four antennas could benefit us.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Cisco Wireless WAN vs Fortinet FortiExtender Logo
Cisco Wireless WAN vs Fortinet FortiExtender
Compared 50% of the time
Ubiquiti Wireless vs Fortinet FortiExtender Logo
Ubiquiti Wireless vs Fortinet FortiExtender
Compared 50% of the time
More Fortinet FortiExtender Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiExtender
August 2025
Fortinet FortiExtender reportDownload Fortinet FortiExtender product report
Buyer's Guide
Wireless WAN
July 2025
HPE Wireless WAN reportDownload HPE Wireless WAN product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
Wireless WAN, HP Wireless WAN
 

Overview

Fortinet FortiExtender is a cost-effective hardware WAN device that is robust, easily scales, and delivers 5G, LTE, and Ethernet options. FortiExtender is designed using Fortinet’s trademark security-focused networking. The solution enables organizations to have enhanced secure network connectivity with cellular and wired broadband network options.

FortiExtender can be used for secure point of sale (POS) systems to transport fleet communications. The device delivers dependable broadband access to the internet and increases the usefulness of the Fortinet Security Fabric integration to enhance seamless business processes that rely heavily on remote device connectivity to get the job done.

FortiExtender delivers super-fast 5G and LTE wireless to connect and quickly scale any WAN edge. Users get 5G/LTE cellular, out-of-band management (OBM), high availability (HA), and dynamic risk security in one comprehensive, reliable solution.

Fortinet FortiExtender Benefits

  • Failover protection: Users get secure network failover protection with dual SIM, dual modem, and out of band management (OBM) functionalities.

  • Cloud-based processes: Organizations with a global reach can easily manage processes in the cloud from anywhere. Users can use FortiGate, FortiManager, or FortiExtender Cloud Dashboard to view and easily manage security controls, network changes, and policy and protocol automation.

  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN for simplified deployment, security, and management.

  • Improves TCO: FortiExtender is a very cost-effective option when integrated with FortiGate Network Security Platform. FortiExtender implements processes that save money and improve connectivity, functionality, and profitability.

Fortinet FortiExtender Features

  • Plug-and-play: Out of the box and ready to go, once FortiExtenders are connected to the FortiGate, they are available on the FortiOS management platform. Additionally, FortiOS provides complete visibility, monitoring data usage to ensure limits are not exceeded, resulting in significant cost savings.

  • Flexible connectivity options: 

    • LTE/5G : The FortiExtender devices provide dual SIM and dual modem options for four different ISPs. Dual SIM allows for active/passive cellular link for fast failover. Dual modem options provide two active/passive links for super-fast failover and disaster recovery. ISPs can be set for data usage limits and seamlessly switch to other ISPs to balance connectivity and reduce costs.

    • WAN connectivity: Using an Ethernet WAN port, users can connect cable, DSL, or another modem. Load balancing and failover options available.

    • Hybrid WAN-LAN connectivity: Four LAN ethernet ports enable users to have numerous connections to the LTE connection. Works well for high availability (HA) pairs of FortiGates to connect to FortiExtender. FortiGates then will run in failover or load balancing mode and receive WAN connectivity from the FortiExtender device.

Reviews from Real Users

“Fortinet FortiExtender helps facilitate Fortinet connectivity. When it comes to cell phone towers, you never know what you'll get with global configurations. We use this solution to mitigate switching cell phone towers. The scalability is limitless based on your cell and your internet or your cloud connectivity.  It's similar to any other VPN in terms of how simple it is to set up in a global or extended environment with a large number of clients.” - Clement J., Chief Executive Officer at Clemtech LLC

Fortinet

HPE Wireless WAN, a Software-Defined WAN dynamically selects the best path for each app based on policies and real-time network measurements. Flexibly and securely connect users to apps with higher visibility into vital traffic. WAN Portfolio include the following: HPE OfficeConnect OC20 802.11ac Series Access Points, HPE FlexNetwork MSR2000 Router Series, HPE FlexNetwork HSR6800 Router Series and HPE FlexNetwork VSR1000 Virtual Services Router Series.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise
 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Bell Canada
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiExtender vs. HPE Wireless WAN
July 2025
Free Report: Fortinet FortiExtender vs. HPE Wireless WAN
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