Fortinet FortiGate vs Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy comparison

Fortinet and Google are both solutions in the ZTNA category. Fortinet is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.4, while Google is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.5. Fortinet holds a 8.6% mindshare in Z, compared to Google’s 2.1% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 93% of Google users who would recommend it.

Fortinet FortiGate

Read 574 Fortinet FortiGate reviews

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769 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Google Cloud Platform Cloud...

Read 45 Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy reviews

755 Views
393 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiGate

Google Cloud Platform Cloud...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 16, 2025

Fortinet FortiGate and Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy compete in the network security domain. Fortinet FortiGate has an advantage in pricing and support, while Google Cloud Platform's Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy stands out with its advanced features, making it a compelling choice despite a potentially higher cost.

Features: Fortinet FortiGate offers advanced firewall capabilities, VPN, and unified threat management (UTM) features. It also includes web content filtering, application control, and intrusion prevention system (IPS). In contrast, Google Cloud Platform's Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy provides fine-grained access control, seamless Google cloud integrations, and robust scalability.

Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiGate could improve in areas like flexible compatibility with other cloud services, simplifying its user interface further, and streamlining high-level network management tools. Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy could enhance its learning curve for those unfamiliar with cloud environments, reduce potential integration complexities, and further develop its non-native service compatibility.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiGate's deployment involves moderate setup for hardware and software solutions but benefits from comprehensive support and guidance. Google Cloud Platform's Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy, being cloud-native, allows faster deployment and configuration, although it may demand some cloud expertise. Fortinet is recognized for strong customer service, whereas Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy excels in rapid deployment for cloud integration.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiGate entails initial hardware costs, yet promises high ROI with extensive security coverage over time. It may seem expensive upfront, but its comprehensive security offerings justify the investment. Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy features a lower entry cost as a cloud service, offering flexible and scalable pricing models that appeal to users looking for cost-effective rapid scaling and deployment.

To learn more, read our detailed ZTNA Report (Updated: August 2025).

Buyer's Guide

ZTNA

August 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

Ranking in ZTNA

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

574

Ranking in other categories

Secure Web Gateways (SWG) (2nd), Firewalls (1st), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) (1st), Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions (1st), WAN Edge (1st), Unified Threat Management (UTM) (1st)

Google Cloud Platform Cloud...

Ranking in ZTNA

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the ZTNA category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate is 8.6%, up from 2.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy is 2.1%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

ZTNA Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Fortinet FortiGate	8.6%
Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy	2.1%
Other	89.3%

ZTNA

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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Nobuaki Kitamura

managing director of IT Department at Nara OA System Inc

Google Cloud Platform works better with Google Workspace, stable product but a bit complicated, especially the networking

We used Google Workspace, so all my employees have Google Workspace accounts. I initially wanted to use Google Cloud Platform for subscription compatibility. Google Cloud Platform works better with Google Workspace, but unfortunately, it's a bit complicated, especially the networking. Oracle Cloud's virtual network system is much easier and more flexible. Also, Oracle was cheaper. That's the main reason we chose Oracle Cloud.

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

"Fortinet FortiGate has very good support."

"It's a good product that significantly enhances security and protects organizational data."

"The product offers very good security."

"The combined license for the network, the next-generation firewall, and the integration with SD-WAN for all branches are what I consider to be the best features. It's effective for multi-branch customers."

"The solution can scale well."

"The main benefits that Fortinet FortiGate brings to customers include that if you're going for a single fabric with core switches, access switches, and APs, compared to legacy Cisco or Aruba, the Fortinet FortiGate does not require a controller for the access points."

"Fortinet FortiGate is stable. It's used across all the countries, this is the way most multinationals run their system."

"There is a tool called FSSO, which is a single sign-on user ID agent that works perfectly."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"There is a lot of flexibility and a lot of control if you use this efficiently."

"There is a certain accessibility feature that I can set using a cloud identity, which is really valuable to us."

"Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy provides more control of our assets because normally when you're using Google Cloud, you have to use your Google email. IAP can control the assets that only come from the dedicated company or IP address."

"It is totally awesome in terms of scalability. Its scalability was the main reason for moving to Google Cloud. It also comes with a lot of features. We are satisfied with the features it has."

"The tool is really good, especially for ease of implementation and having many options. We can build complex data pipelines and AI models, like web-based AI assistants or chatbots."

"UI representation is the aspect I like the most about GCP, even more than Azure or AWS."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is easy to use."

"Scalability-wise, it is a great product."

More Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy pros

Cons

"The issue with Fortinet FortiGate is the many security CVEs around; I have read there are probably multiple critical CVEs above 9.0 in Fortinet FortiGate products."

"For the migration, everyone has a firewall in use and I am selling Fortinet. Typically, I am replacing another firewall. Previously, there was a tool available to convert configurations from one firewall, such as Palo Alto, to Fortinet, but this tool is no longer free. If it could be made free again, it would be very beneficial."

"Improvements could be made when companies expand and need better equipment and more licenses."

"It would be nice if backups could more easily migrate between different models."

"Fortinet FortiGate can be integrated with different platforms. They have integrations in place, but I can't say they're 100%."

"FortGate's IPS reporting could be made better by giving more details regarding the source and destination of network traffic when it comes to the overview section. This would allow me to more easily follow the flow of traffic based on IP addresses, without having to integrate the IPS with other products that perform more sophisticated traffic analysis."

"Technical support for this solution can be improved."

"The updates Fortinet provides are sometimes unstable."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"The stability regarding voice commands in the solution has certain shortcomings that need improvement."

"The product is expensive. Its price needs improvement."

"We encounter issues while setting up emails for the solution."

"Despite using GCP for all the resources, potential clusters on GCP caused difficulties."

"The UI of the solution is an area with certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

"The cost of licenses could be better."

"The storage capacity of the product is an area that can be improved if it is made possible to increase it whenever you want."

"The setup could be more user-friendly."

More Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Fortinet FortiGate IPS' licensing is quite simple to understand."

"The pricing is perfect."

"No comment."

"They need to be competitive with other solutions."

"FortiGate Next Generation Firewall is an expensive solution with a yearly subscription."

"Its pricing is competitive with other solutions."

"It is cheaper and more competitive compared to other options. For example, when comparing Palo Alto products to others, Palo Alto tends to be more expensive. If you compare Cisco's platform, including Cisco Meraki, with Fortinet products, you'll notice that Cisco's offerings are generally higher priced than Fortinet's firewall solutions."

"The price is fine."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"There is a need to make yearly payments toward the solution's licensing."

"The customer purchases an annually sponsored license."

"My organization makes yearly payments towards the licensing charges attached to the tool."

"Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy is quite an expensive solution."

"Its price is good. For each server, we are saving $300 a month. We have at least thousands of servers. It is a huge cost reduction for us."

"I think the price of Google Cloud Platform is reasonable. However, Microsoft is the most cost-effective solution for us because of Azure's integration. And we already have licenses for Windows Server and the databases, so the price is attractive."

"We need to make yearly payments towards the licensing costs. It is an expensive and premium solution."

"I think that the cost is metered based on the data, but I don't have the details."

More Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user216600

Senior Technical Consultant with 51-200 employees

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…

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

15%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Computer Software Company

11%

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	350
Midsize Enterprise	129
Large Enterprise	187

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	16
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	19

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 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...

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What do you like most about Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy?

I can access the information whenever I want. It's integration is easy. The tool's GUI is easy to use with an IT background. The value benefits of using it include the ability to avoid storing data...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy?

There are different pricing plans depending on data volumes and services, but it's comparable to other providers. The value and benefits depend on what we're developing and the specific use case.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy?

Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy should improve stability.

See all answers

Comparisons

Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 17% of the time

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 11% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 9% of the time

Cisco Meraki MX vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 4% of the time

WatchGuard Firebox vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 4% of the time

More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors

Cloudflare One vs Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy

Compared 58% of the time

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform vs Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy

Compared 42% of the time

More Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

September 2025

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy

September 2025

Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy report

Download Google Cloud Platform Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy product report

Also Known As

No data available

GCP Cloud IAP, Google Cloud Platform Cloud IAP, Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy

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

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