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Fortinet FortiGate vs Stormshield Network Security comparison

Fortinet and Stormshield are both solutions in the Unified Threat Management (UTM) category. Fortinet is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.5, while Stormshield is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.0. Fortinet holds a 30.5% mindshare in UTMU, compared to Stormshield’s 4.0% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Stormshield users who would recommend it.
Fortinet FortiGate
Read 587 Fortinet FortiGate reviews
  • 69,521 Views
  • 13,209 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
Stormshield Network Security
Read 18 Stormshield Network Security reviews
  • 2,826 Views
  • 1,328 Comparison Views
85% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 28, 2025

Fortinet FortiGate and Stormshield Network Security compete in the network security sector, where Fortinet FortiGate has an advantage in pricing and support, whereas Stormshield offers better features that justify a higher cost.

Features: Fortinet FortiGate includes advanced threat protection, scalability, and an intuitive management system. Stormshield Network Security is noted for robust cybersecurity with enhanced network segmentation, real-time threat analysis, and comprehensive features suited for complex security needs.

Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiGate can improve in reporting detail, interface customization, and in building more comprehensive integration features. Stormshield could benefit from a more user-friendly dashboard, expanded endpoint security capabilities, and greater scalability options.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet is appreciated for its efficient deployment process and responsive customer support, making setup straightforward. Stormshield offers flexible deployment options and is lauded for excellent support, making it a strong competitor in this area.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiGate is cost-effective with good ROI, ideal for budget-conscious businesses, while Stormshield requires a higher initial investment but provides significant ROI due to its advanced features, appealing to those needing comprehensive security solutions.

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To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiGate vs. Stormshield Network Security Report (Updated: March 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate vs. Stormshield Network Security
March 2026
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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 Unified Threat Management (UTM)
1st
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
587
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), ZTNA (1st)
Stormshield Network Security
Ranking in Unified Threat Management (UTM)
12th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
18
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Unified Threat Management (UTM) category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate is 30.5%, down from 37.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Stormshield Network Security is 4.0%, up from 3.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Unified Threat Management (UTM) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiGate30.5%
Stormshield Network Security4.0%
Other65.5%
Unified Threat Management (UTM)
 

Featured Reviews

Vasu Gala - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Read full review
Zsolt Jónás - PeerSpot reviewer
Zsolt Jónás
System Administrator at NaxoNet
Advanced GUI and layered security have supported compliance and simplified intrusion prevention
I haven't had a task that I couldn't solve with Stormshield Network Security. The active-active high availability solution would be beneficial because currently, if you build a high availability solution with Stormshield Network Security, you have a main device and another one is a backup device. The HA can switch between them, but it would be good to have a master-master solution, not just a master-slave one. I could set a URL that I can call to update the DNS record. Currently, Stormshield Network Security devices support DynDNS, which is not a usual feature request from a server environment. I have my own solution instead of DynDNS because I don't prefer it, so I have my own service for that. However, the GUI does not support using a custom service instead of DynDNS. I had to solve it in the console on Stormshield Network Security device, but it would be much better if it was reachable on the GUI. I had to figure out a trick for the IPsec configuration. In the IPsec config, we have to provide the remote side's IP address, but it's always changing. This means that an office, for example a company that has an office but without a fixed IP address, cannot be used with IPsec VPN.
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 most valuable features of the solution are SD-WAN, filtering testing applications, web filtering, and the new VPN."
"The product's most valuable features are SD-WAN and the integration of WiFi and switches."
"The most valuable feature is the FortiManager for centralized management."
"The SD-WAN feature of Fortinet FortiGate has been most impactful in maintaining our network's integrity."
"It is simpler to configure. It is not like Cisco Firepower, where you go crazy trying to follow the Cisco documentation to figure out how to configure one little thing. Unlike Cisco Firepower, where you can't do everything through the web interface and you have got to do some command line stuff, Fortinet FortiGate SWG is simpler. There are four different things in Cisco to get in, which is not the case with Fortinet FortiGate SWG. It is one of my favorite solutions to work with. I would much rather work with it than Cisco Firepower, for example. Even though I've got 20 years of Cisco experience with different firewalls, I would much prefer this solution."
"Fortinet FortiGate has a very stable Linux-based operating system that is easy to use."
"The initial setup of Fortinet FortiGate was straightforward."
"It offers web filtering capabilities at a more affordable price compared to other solutions like PSMs or NETGEAR."
More Fortinet FortiGate pros
"This solution is quick and easy to configure."
"I like how you can configure the rules. There is the task for the rules and a task for the network configuration. It also provides SMD filtering, and it can be integrated with the active directory for the users, their mission, and the VPN configuration. We are here in Sudan, and Stormshield didn't work in Sudan for more than a decade. Stormshield is a very strong firewall and very easy to configure and maintain. I am just working with the firewall solution, and we don't have any other solutions like endpoint solutions or something like that."
"The solution has improved my organization because I can see what traffic is happening and I can use it to block and prevent attacks."
"The scalability of the solution is good."
"Filters and URL filtering helped us to optimize our bandwidth."
"I like that it works fine. Stormshield is a very good solution."
"Fortinet, Dell SonicWall and Check Point because these products offer a wide range of features that are not available with Netasq."
"The tool's most valuable feature is its dashboard, which helps you manage different aspects of a single page. The intrusion detection system helps our organization by automatically detecting and responding to potential threats. It operates similarly to Darktrace, which detects and responds automatically based on the security rules you apply. Initially, you configure everything to block, and then you can whitelist specific items as needed."
More Stormshield Network Security pros
 

Cons

"Fortinet FortiGate can be integrated with different platforms. They have integrations in place, but I can't say they're 100%."
"I would suggest that Fortinet add sandboxing to their solution."
"I don't like that anything more than very basic reporting is not included."
"The solution should allow more user-friendly integrations or deployment"
"In our case, the deployment options of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) are not scalable, but in terms of connectivity to other companies, that's exactly what we needed, and that's exactly what it does perfectly, what is needed."
"The reporting needs to be improved."
"Its filtering is sometimes too precise or strict. We sometimes have to bypass and authorize some of the sites, but they get blocked. We know that they are trusted sites, but they are blocked, and we don't know why."
"Tunnel flapping was one of the major things I had seen wherein your internet link remains but your VPN tunnel is down. However, since I got a fix from the TAC team, I have not noticed it, but the customer complained a few times that they couldn't access the internet because of this problem."
More Fortinet FortiGate cons
"The biggest issue was their support department was not able to help us, then everything stops. This is a no-go area for me."
"The main area of this product that has room for improvement is pricing. Stormshield Network Security is quite expensive."
"This solution has a big problem with web filtering and it needs to be improved."
"The product must improve its pricing."
"I don’t recommend this product at all."
"The filtering configuration could be better. We have some difficulties with the filtering configuration and the filter extension. It's not that easy. It's not that straightforward. In the next release, I would like to see a reporting system. Stormshield doesn't have any tutorials on how to do the configuration and things like that. They just have documentation on the website. If you want to configure, for example, Cisco or Fortinet, you can find tutorials on YouTube. They show you how to configure the features, and so on. In Stormshield, there is nothing on social media or the internet on how to configure different things. The lack of documentation or the lack of material makes it difficult for others to adopt this solution."
"Not all the fields are activated yet and we were informed that it will take at least one month."
"Stormshield Network Security is quite expensive."
More Stormshield Network Security cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We find the most valuable aspect of this solution is the price. It is affordable, and cheaper than other firewalls."
"Pricing for Fortinet FortiGate SWG is more suitable for enterprise or large-sized organizations because they are the ones who can afford it versus small and medium-sized organizations."
"The product is not very expensive."
"While slightly more affordable than competitors, it remains relatively expensive due to its inclusive subscription."
"It's expensive, but compared to the competition it's okay."
"It is not the cheapest one, but its price is very competitive."
"In my opinion, the pricing of the product is reasonable."
"The price is okay."
More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice
"The SN200 series costs between $500 USD and $600 USD per year, whereas the SN700 series costs approximately $1,000 annually."
"We chose Stormshield for its price, as the Azure firewall was too expensive."
"For mid-sized companies, they sell their appliances for good prices."
"The price of this solution and the price of support are ok."
"I think the price is good."
"The pricing could be better."
"We bought a three-year license, and we renew it whenever it expires. The price could be better. It's always very expensive."
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Comparison Review

it_user216600 - PeerSpot reviewer
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…
Read full review
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
11%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Comms Service Provider
17%
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business360
Midsize Enterprise135
Large Enterprise190
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise2
 

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
What advice do you have for others considering Stormshield Network Security?
The tool is like a firewall and works well. I don't have any issue with it. I rate it an eight out of ten.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 13% of the time
Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
Netgate pfSense 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 4% of the time
OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate Logo
OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate
Compared 3% of the time
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Netgate pfSense vs Stormshield Network Security Logo
Netgate pfSense vs Stormshield Network Security
Compared 10% of the time
Sophos Firewall vs Stormshield Network Security Logo
Sophos Firewall vs Stormshield Network Security
Compared 7% of the time
WatchGuard Firebox vs Stormshield Network Security Logo
WatchGuard Firebox vs Stormshield Network Security
Compared 7% of the time
OPNsense vs Stormshield Network Security Logo
OPNsense vs Stormshield Network Security
Compared 6% of the time
Sophos UTM vs Stormshield Network Security Logo
Sophos UTM vs Stormshield Network Security
Compared 5% of the time
More Stormshield Network Security Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
March 2026
Fortinet FortiGate reportDownload Fortinet FortiGate product report
Buyer's Guide
Stormshield Network Security
February 2026
Stormshield Network Security reportDownload Stormshield Network Security product report
 

Also Known As

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall
NETASQ Firewalls
 

Overview

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?
  • VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
  • Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
  • Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
  • Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
  • Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
  • SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.
What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?
  • Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
  • Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
  • Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet
NETASQ's integrated intrusion prevention engine uses protocol conformity analysis, application filtering and antivirus analysis to inspect authorized traffic flows and strengthen application security. NETASQ enables you to establish and configure user-based security policies, giving you greater control over which network resources each user is authorized to access.
Stormshield
 

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
ACESUR group, Ministry of Education Oman, Anios Laboratories, Zain, DLM Location
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate vs. Stormshield Network Security
March 2026
Free Report: Fortinet FortiGate vs. Stormshield Network Security
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