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Fortinet FortiGate vs SonicWall TZ comparison

Fortinet and SonicWall are both solutions in the Firewalls category. Fortinet is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.4, while SonicWall is ranked #18 with an average rating of 9.3. Fortinet holds a 20.7% mindshare in Firewalls, compared to SonicWall’s 2.8% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 88% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.
Fortinet FortiGate
Read 574 Fortinet FortiGate reviews
  • 76,928 Views
  • 61,542 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
SonicWall TZ
Read 84 SonicWall TZ reviews
  • 7,168 Views
  • 7,025 Comparison Views
88% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 16, 2025

Fortinet FortiGate and SonicWall TZ are competing products in the network security domain. Fortinet FortiGate appears to have the upper hand in advanced security features and scalability, while SonicWall TZ offers a user-friendly setup and robust support services.

Features: Fortinet FortiGate is renowned for robust security features including superior threat detection, extensive VPN support, and high throughput. Its application control and integrated threat protection offer comprehensive security for enterprises. SonicWall TZ excels in ease of use with its intuitive configuration, efficient content filtering, and reliable intrusion prevention system. It is optimal for smaller businesses that prioritize ease of management along with security.

Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiGate could enhance its deployment process to be more user-friendly and reduce the need for specialized expertise. Improving the scalability of customer support services may also add value to its diverse enterprise client base. SonicWall TZ can enhance its scalability features to cater to larger enterprises and integrate more comprehensive advanced security protocols. It could also benefit from expanding its integration capabilities with third-party services.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall TZ is praised for its straightforward deployment and available customer support, making integration into existing systems swift. Fortinet FortiGate offers a more intricate deployment process that might require time and expertise, benefiting larger organizations with comprehensive network management needs. For simpler implementation alongside robust customer service, SonicWall TZ is preferable.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiGate generally involves a higher initial setup cost but offers substantial long-term ROI through scalable solutions and reduced security incidents. SonicWall TZ provides a budget-friendly setup ideal for smaller budgets, yielding solid ROI through its reliability and support without the higher upfront financial commitment. Fortinet FortiGate provides greater long-term benefits, whereas SonicWall TZ is a cost-effective solution for those seeking a less costly immediate investment.

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To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiGate vs. SonicWall TZ Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate vs. SonicWall TZ
September 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
5.7
Fortinet FortiGate offers cost-effective security with quick deployment, improving efficiency, reducing downtime, and providing a strong return on investment.
Sentiment score
5.8
SonicWall TZ is favored by small businesses for its cost-effectiveness, security, and fast ROI within eight months.
Clients are now comfortable and not wasting productive hours on IT support.
The automation part is giving us a cost benefit and speed; we can react faster.
It's a very useful tool to mitigate and protect your enterprise.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
That is a reason to buy a firewall, and it is challenging to put a monetary value on security.
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
MURALI NIDAMANURI - PeerSpot reviewerBart Homblé - PeerSpot reviewerBernard Samontanes - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2618802 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.4
Fortinet FortiGate support is mostly praised for responsiveness and knowledge, though inconsistencies exist in complex cases or regions.
Sentiment score
3.9
SonicWall TZ receives mixed reviews on customer service, with technical support praised but improved response times requested.
They offer very accurate solutions.
The quick resolution of issues with Fortinet FortiGate is due to the support of the company and the fact that the equipment is easy to work with.
I would rate the technical support for Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
Customer service is excellent.
For support, I would rate SonicWall TZ five out of 10.
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
Taimoor Khan - PeerSpot reviewer
AM
AK
reviewer2618802 - PeerSpot reviewerSubhadip Pakrashi - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.0
Fortinet FortiGate offers scalability and easy integration for diverse environments, catering to businesses from small to large enterprises.
Sentiment score
7.1
SonicWall TZ suits small to mid-sized businesses but planning and model choice are key for extensive scalability.
They scale up really well from smaller models like the FortiGate 40 and 50 to bigger sites with the FortiGate 100 for more throughput - up to enterprise datacenters.
The variation comes in terms of the interfaces and throughputs, but from a security perspective, you get the same benefit, irrespective of whether you have an entry-level unit or an enterprise.
We determine sizing based on multiple factors: number of users, available links, traffic types, server count, services in use, and whether services will be published.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
IM
reviewer2667480 - PeerSpot reviewer
FS
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.5
Fortinet FortiGate is highly stable and reliable, excelling in continuous operation with effective network management, despite occasional update issues.
Sentiment score
6.3
SonicWall TZ is praised for reliability and security, though occasional minor issues and update disruptions may occur.
We're experiencing 99.999% availability consistently.
I would rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.
Currently, we are experiencing a general outage of one of the main internet service providers of the Dominican Republic, and we have not been impacted in our operations because with SD-WAN, we have another internet service provider and we are working with the second WAN connection without any disruption.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
In terms of stability, SonicWall doesn't have performance issues.
SonicWall TZ rates 10 out of 10 for stability.
SonicWall TZ is definitely stable and offers a good value for money.
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
RB
AK
Juan Frias - PeerSpot reviewerRias Majeed - PeerSpot reviewerSubhadip Pakrashi - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2618802 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Room For Improvement

Users express concern over Fortinet FortiGate's interface stability, functionality, performance issues, and call for improved support and features.
SonicWall TZ needs interface, reporting, and support improvements, while high pricing and complex licensing affect user satisfaction.
Investing in a solution that can accommodate such growth would be more cost-effective than repeatedly purchasing new hardware.
While Fortinet claims to offer a comprehensive network solution, it falls short in addressing computer application issues, particularly server security.
When considering Sophos XG, which we also use, the logging and reporting functionality is notably more efficient.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
Integration with other vendors, especially with VPNs, can be challenging and requires more effort when configuring.
SonicWall TZ could benefit from newer technology.
The VPN license should be improved by providing more free SSL VPN licenses.
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
Jose Gisbert - PeerSpot reviewerMOHAN SUKUMAR - PeerSpot reviewerTaha Turkestani - PeerSpot reviewerRias Majeed - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2618802 - PeerSpot reviewer
NP
 

Setup Cost

Fortinet FortiGate offers high initial costs but competitive pricing, valued features, and flexible licensing compared to competitors.
SonicWall TZ's flexible pricing and upgrade promotions offer competitive, cost-effective solutions for small to medium enterprises despite setup costs.
Last year, I renewed the support for three years, which can sometimes be expensive but depends on the security benefits and how it helps us.
It offers cost savings as it is generally cheaper than the competition.
It is about 20% cheaper.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
More licenses are required to purchase the perpetual license for SSL VPN and Global VPN.
When comparing similar products across vendors, there may be a small difference in cost.
I would also position its pricing as a three, where one is the lowest price and ten is the highest.
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
AK
NP
MithatBulut - PeerSpot reviewer
NP
Rias Majeed - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2618802 - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiGate offers robust, affordable security with user-friendly interface, centralized management, and efficient SD-WAN capabilities.
SonicWall TZ offers user-friendly configuration, robust security, VPN integration, remote access, and affordability, ideal for businesses.
In terms of security, we have not experienced any security flaws or loopholes, and it has proven to be quite stable.
FortiGate has helped reduce the risk of cyberattacks that might disrupt our client's production.
These features help reduce our downtime, manage the ISPs, and deploy SLAs for all the website traffic.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiGate report
For SMB segments, SonicWall performs well.
It was beneficial during COVID for remote work through its VPN functionality.
The advanced gateway security features such as web filter, application control filter, IPS, ideas, gateway antivirus, anti-spyware, and botnet filter are valuable.
For more quotes and insights, download the SonicWall TZ report
MOHAN SUKUMAR - PeerSpot reviewerTaimoor Khan - PeerSpot reviewerSyed Ali Waqas - PeerSpot reviewerRias Majeed - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2618802 - PeerSpot reviewer
NP
 

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiGate
Ranking in Firewalls
1st
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
574
Ranking in other categories
Secure Web Gateways (SWG) (2nd), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) (1st), Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions (1st), WAN Edge (1st), ZTNA (2nd), Unified Threat Management (UTM) (1st)
SonicWall TZ
Ranking in Firewalls
18th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
84
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Firewalls category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate is 20.7%, up from 18.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall TZ is 2.8%, up from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Firewalls Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Fortinet FortiGate20.7%
SonicWall TZ2.8%
Other76.5%
Firewalls
 

Featured Reviews

Vasu Gala - PeerSpot reviewer
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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Subhadip Pakrashi - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides reliable performance with strong features and simplicity
SonicWall TZ is user-friendly, admin-friendly, and a beautiful product. I have been selling SonicWall since 2007 without any issues. SonicWall has been working on it excellently. They are up to date, and their research team is good, making the box feature-rich. Based out of India, I have had some issues with their faulty channel policy. It's a very good product, an awesome product for those who want to use SonicWall TZ. You can bet on it, but check out the channel policies in India. They should check out the channels in the channel business. It's just a precaution, nothing more than that. Overall rating: 9 out of 10.
Read full review
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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
15%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Computer Software Company
16%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Construction Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business350
Midsize Enterprise129
Large Enterprise187
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business61
Midsize Enterprise16
Large Enterprise14
 

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...
See all answers
Would you choose Fortinet Fortigate or Sonicwall TZ?
I’ll say it depends on your needs. Fortinet FortiGate and SonicWall TZ are both next-gen firewalls (NGFW) with similar basic features. However, Fortinet offers more performance, scalability, and in...
See all answers
What do you like most about SonicWall TZ?
The most valuable feature of SonicWall TZ is the double authentication, where it asks for one password and again asks for a four-digit code, which changes every 30 seconds.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SonicWall TZ?
The price is normal. It is a nominal cost for an SMB TZ used for SMB businesses. However, more licenses are required to purchase the perpetual license for SSL VPN and Global VPN. Only one SSL VPN a...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
Sophos XG vs Fortinet FortiGate
Compared 17% of the time
Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
Cisco Secure Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate
Compared 11% of the time
Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate
Compared 9% of the time
Cisco Meraki MX vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
Cisco Meraki MX vs Fortinet FortiGate
Compared 4% of the time
Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Fortinet FortiGate
Compared 3% of the time
More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors
Sophos XG vs SonicWall TZ Logo
Sophos XG vs SonicWall TZ
Compared 17% of the time
Netgate pfSense vs SonicWall TZ Logo
Netgate pfSense vs SonicWall TZ
Compared 9% of the time
WatchGuard Firebox vs SonicWall TZ Logo
WatchGuard Firebox vs SonicWall TZ
Compared 7% of the time
Cisco Meraki MX vs SonicWall TZ Logo
Cisco Meraki MX vs SonicWall TZ
Compared 7% of the time
SonicWall NSa vs SonicWall TZ Logo
SonicWall NSa vs SonicWall TZ
Compared 5% of the time
More SonicWall TZ Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
September 2025
Fortinet FortiGate reportDownload Fortinet FortiGate product report
Buyer's Guide
SonicWall TZ
August 2025
SonicWall TZ reportDownload SonicWall TZ product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
Dell SonicWALL TZ
 

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
The secure, sophisticated SonicWALL TZ is widely deployed at small businesses, retail, government, remote sites and branch offices. It combines high-performance intrusion prevention, malware blocking, content/URL filtering and application control.
SonicWall
 

Sample Customers

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
AeroM_xico Delta TechOps, Unimat
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate vs. SonicWall TZ
September 2025
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