

Fortinet FortiGate-VM and SonicWall NSSP are two prominent network security solutions. Although SonicWall NSSP is recognized for its advanced features, Fortinet FortiGate-VM receives higher user ratings for pricing, support, and overall satisfaction.
Features: Fortinet FortiGate-VM is praised for its robust security controls, scalability, and ease of management. SonicWall NSSP users value its superior threat intelligence, real-time analytics capabilities, and advanced analytics.
Room for Improvement: User reviews suggest Fortinet FortiGate-VM could improve on complex configuration processes, stability during heavy traffic periods, and user documentation. For SonicWall NSSP, users point out the need for better documentation, more intuitive setup processes, and enhancements in user experience.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiGate-VM is highlighted for a straightforward deployment model and responsive customer support. SonicWall NSSP deployment can be more challenging, yet its customer service is consistently well-rated.
Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiGate-VM is often seen as providing better value for money, with competitive setup costs and a positive ROI. SonicWall NSSP users, however, feel that the higher cost is justified by its comprehensive security features. Users generally find FortiGate-VM more cost-effective, but SonicWall NSSP features justify its premium price for many.
I observed a fifty to sixty percent reduction in operational costs after migrating to FortiGate VM.
They have a platform that organizes their networks and access effectively.
We haven't used MPLS for over five years now, and it was extremely beneficial to see the changes from MPLS to SD-WAN using Fortinet FortiGate.
Their support is helpful and effective.
The end-user support is delayed at levels L2 and L3.
They support us almost instantly.
It is very effective because it prevents any indecent behaviors in the network or from outside the network.
I rate the technical support provided by SonicWall a perfect ten out of ten.
Fortinet FortiGate-VM adapts effectively; for example, you have a limited number of VPN connections on VM01, accommodating around 1,000 remote users, and if the customer needs another endpoint, we can deploy VM02 and manage that transition effectively.
Scalability is well-supported, with the notable ability to implement features easily.
It can start with a single core and scale up to a 32-core license for a robust deployment.
The scalability rating is nine out of 10.
SonicWall NSSP offers features such as stateful firewall, deep packet inspections, IPS, application intelligence, user-based policies, centralized visibility from the management console, advanced protection with RFDPI, high-speed scanning, RTDMI technology, Capture ATP, cloud sandboxing, and encrypted traffic inspection with DPI-SSL and TLS.
The stability of Fortinet FortiGate is excellent.
The product has been very stable, based on my ten to eleven years of experience.
In the past couple of years, they started releasing numerous new features, and things have become somewhat unstable.
In 30 years, only three to four boxes out of 1,000 to 2,000 boxes have had issues.
The stability rating is 10 out of 10.
I think deep packet inspection of SonicWall NSSP is essential, as I require all features, including deep packet inspection, which I can enable and suggest to clients.
You should not look just at a data sheet, but also look at real tests in the field and load tests from companies who are making them.
The API needs better integration to match accounts and objects more effectively.
Now, these features require separate products like FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, and a FortiCloud subscription for reporting.
This would help end-user customers understand the impact when those firmwares are pushed into the live environment.
The issues I have experienced are not hardware-related but firmware-related, as Gen 7 has new hardware, while the firmware contains some issues that could be resolved but may take considerable time.
The license for Fortinet FortiGate-VM costs 100K to 150K Philippine pesos per year for VM1 or VM2.
I don't have this experience with Fortinet FortiGate-VM because my colleagues in Germany are reaching better prices than me.
They could be slightly cheaper, however, Fortinet offers a good cost-benefit ratio.
When purchasing through local distributors such as ScanSource or Tech Data, they incur around 100% in taxes just for import procedures.
The more integrated we become, the less we spend on solving bugs and issues, allowing us to reduce time focusing on understanding and improving our network.
Fortinet is the only provider to have successfully set up a unified operating system on all its products in the network security ecosystem.
For what we need to do, which is setting up a VPN connection between both sides and using it for SSL VPN connections for remote users, it works effectively and we haven't encountered vulnerabilities.
SonicWall uses this information in real-time to enhance security functions such as firewall, DPI-SSL, ATP, and IPS to block threats at the network edge before they reach users.
Every time I have had a concern, they have resolved it in a single call.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Fortinet FortiGate-VM | 2.2% |
| SonicWall NSSP | 0.5% |
| Other | 97.3% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 74 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 34 |
| Large Enterprise | 39 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 7 |
| Large Enterprise | 3 |
Fortinet FortiGate-VM delivers robust security services and advanced network management suitable for cloud environments, providing solutions like firewall and SD-WAN, with seamless integration across Fortinet devices.
FortiGate-VM is designed for enterprise security, offering comprehensive features like intrusion prevention and application filtering. It's known for its scalability and flexibility, supporting cloud platforms such as Azure and AWS. It enhances threat response and network management efficiency, thanks to real-time threat response, intuitive integration with existing systems, and cost-effectiveness.
What are the key features of Fortinet FortiGate-VM?Fortinet FortiGate-VM is predominantly employed in industries requiring stringent data center security, enabling network segmentation and VPN services. It's particularly favored by organizations using virtual and cloud networks due to its Unified Threat Management capabilities, making it an efficient solution for protecting virtual environments from threats.
SonicWall NSSP provides web filtering, SSL certification, and a strong security posture, valued for its ease of management and stability. Medium to small businesses rely on it for comprehensive protection against digital threats, noting its favorable pricing.
SonicWall NSSP is recognized for its ability to deliver effective threat protection through features like sandboxing, DPI-SSL, advanced threat protection, and content filtering. Users commend its user-friendly interface that allows seamless configurations and efficient troubleshooting. Comprehensive security features such as load balancing, antivirus, and ransomware protection further enhance its appeal. Businesses appreciate its capabilities, but acknowledge areas needing improvement, such as phishing email protection, marketing strategies, and competitive pricing. The demand for more robust firmware, simpler interfaces and enhanced reporting functions becomes apparent as competitors like Fortinet, Palo Alto, and Check Point are often favored in comparison. Used primarily by medium to small businesses for intrusion detection, web filtering, and network monitoring, SonicWall NSSP effectively manages multiple security functionalities.
What are the key features of SonicWall NSSP?In industries like media, entertainment, banking, and finance, SonicWall NSSP is used to safeguard servers in data centers, ensuring robust defense against internal and external attacks. It functions as a Unified Protection Manager, incorporating web filtering, IDS, IPS, firewall functionality, load balancing, and antivirus solutions to protect against digital threats effectively.
We monitor all Firewalls 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.