Fortinet FortiGate vs Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Fortinet and Broadcom are both solutions in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category. Fortinet is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.5, while Broadcom is ranked #47. Fortinet holds a 6.0% mindshare in WSG, compared to Broadcom’s 0.3% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 29, 2026

Fortinet FortiGate and Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway are competitive cybersecurity products. Symantec often has the upper hand due to its comprehensive threat protection capabilities.

Features: Fortinet FortiGate provides high-performance security features including firewall capabilities, intrusion prevention, and VPN support, appealing to enterprises seeking integrated security solutions. Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway offers robust cloud-based protection and advanced threat intelligence, excelling in web traffic monitoring and policy enforcement. Symantec's focus on cloud integration delivers a broader protection scope.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiGate is noted for straightforward deployment and strong customer support, often leading to quicker business start-up. Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway provides ample support but may involve a more complex setup due to its feature-rich nature. Fortinet's user-friendliness favors rapid deployment scenarios.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiGate typically presents a lower setup cost and provides a solid return on investment through hardware-centric solutions. Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway, potentially higher in initial cost, often justifies its price with extensive cloud-based security features, offering long-term business impact. Symantec's ROI may be better for businesses prioritizing advanced feature integration.

To learn more, read our detailed Secure Web Gateways (SWG) Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

September 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

iboss

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category, the mindshare of iboss is 3.2%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate is 6.0%, down from 6.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway is 0.3%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Web Gateways (SWG) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiGate	6.0%
iboss	3.2%
Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway	0.3%
Other	90.5%

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

Featured Reviews

Ashok Ananthula

Senior Consultant Proxy Engineering at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Cloud gateway has strengthened remote web security and now needs better Mac and ISP support

The problem our organization had is that iboss failed for the Mac devices. It is not able to give a successful agent for the Mac agents. That is where in 2025, we had to migrate to the Palo Alto-based platform. If your use case is for just Windows laptops,you can consider this platform as an option One issue is the data center resiliency part. In India especially, they are not tied up with the Tier 1 ISPs like Tata or Airtel; they were having Tier 2 ISPs and encountered many issues reaching few major sites that my organization depends on, and they were having problems that they could not fix quickly. They also lack a mechanism to route that traffic within their data center; rather, they ask customers to make a pac file change to route it to Singapore explicitly. It would be better if they route from their backend , i mean even if I send it to India DC, they should be able to route it internally to make that work; however, they fail to do that and ask the customer to route it in the pac file. Another suggestion is that in China, they do not have the proper setup; they used to have numerous problems with slowness and lack of premium circuits in China as well. That leads to multiple sites working slowly with latency-related issues. So the main issue is the ISP-related problems that need to be solved.

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reviewer2859012

Network engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Unified security platform has simplified daily network protection and accelerated troubleshooting

Fortinet FortiGate is generally easy to manage, but there are a few areas where it could be improved. The interface can become complex when managing a large number of firewall policies, and better policy search organization and reporting would be helpful. Firmware upgrades can also require careful planning and testing, especially in production environments. Troubleshooting some advanced issues may require deeper CLI knowledge or assistance from Fortinet support, and more advanced automation and AI-assisted troubleshooting within the management interface would be beneficial, such as clear recommendations for policy optimization, configuration issues, and security events. These improvements could make day-to-day administration even more efficient. More AI-driven capabilities for day-to-day administration would be valuable, especially for troubleshooting, policy optimization, and identifying potential configuration issues. More intelligent recommendations based on traffic patterns and security events could help administrators respond faster. More advanced reporting and dashboards that can be easily customized for different teams and management requirements would also be helpful, while better automation for routine tasks, firmware planning, and configuration validation would further reduce manual effort.

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reviewer1597452

Senior Systems Engineer at a logistics company with 11-50 employees

A solid proxy appliance that works very quickly and is easy to set up

It is a normal proxy, but it is very fast. The appliance operating system is not a normal Linux Unix-based operating system. It has a special fileless operating system. Its best function is that it is very fast and has a caching function. It can be used as a forward and reverse proxy as well. The reverse proxy function is very good, and the solution can be integrated with DLP, content analyzer systems, and malware analyzer stems. Now, it has a brand new web-based graphical user interface, which is very good. Earlier, it had a Java-based GUI, which was not the best. Broadcom introduced a new web gateway, a new cloud-based web gateway called WSS.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The iboss solution gives me the ability to scan the traffic through all the ports, through all the 131,000 PCP and UDP ports, and with this ability, we have the granularity also for consults over social media and applications on mobile, and this is an advantage that the customers are looking for right now."

"We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times."

"iboss is among the few products providing inline filtering where no application is needed on the device. It operates on the network side and is not device-based. This feature was one of the main reasons why we stayed with them for so long."

"Its initial setup was straightforward."

"As I mentioned, the return on investment is significant, as it saved our office locations' bandwidth because when you are working remotely at home, your internet traffic routes directly to iboss and will not go to your office building, saving bandwidth bottlenecks and ensuring that issues with our building internet circuits will not impact your internet connectivity because you are directly going to the iboss data center."

"I would rate the technical support of iboss a solid 10 without a shadow of a doubt."

"The main advantage of iboss is its cloud-based security centralized policy management, which helps organizations protect users working from different locations, secure access to cloud applications, and reduce security risks."

"The iboss system is highly reliable. The false positive rates are small compared to some other systems we've experienced through other partner agencies who use competing solutions."

More iboss pros

"FortiGate Secure SD-WAN includes best-of-breed next-generation firewall (NGFW) security, SD-WAN, advanced routing, and WAN optimization capabilities, delivering a security-driven networking WAN edge transformation in a unified offering."

"It has the same functionalities throughout the range of products."

"FortiGate Next Generation Firewall can be described as the most complete solution."

"Some of the valuable features are the firewall, IPS, web filter, and gateway capabilities. Additionally, it is easy to use and flexible."

"Consolidated our network environment at all locations, but mainly at our datacenter."

"With the application and web filters, we were able to block social network websites and any other websites that could lead staff being less productive."

"I like Fortinet's cloud management, as it allows me to manage all my devices in different branches for three cloud accounts, and even though I use on-prem devices, I can manage everything on the cloud."

"This solution has helped our organization by having strong functions and a reliable firewall."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"It is a normal proxy, but it is very fast."

Cons

"The dashboards for local use could be better."

"The reporting feature needs improvement."

"The area I would like to see improvement in is the ability with in the reporter to navigate directly to the content the user is traversing. It is kind of there, but it's not perfect. Quite frequently, I receive links that lead me to pages with error messages."

"I have heard they are doing DDoS filtering, but I am not certain if they are implementing it correctly."

"Our biggest problem with their service was it did not recognize the device and filtering did not always work correctly."

"Sometimes, obviously, there are bugs."

"The problem our organization had is that iboss failed for the Mac devices; it is not able to give a successful agent for the Mac agents, and that is where in 2025 we had to migrate to the Palo Alto-based platform."

"The solution could be stronger on the integration side and offer more cloud applications like G Suite or Oracle."

More iboss cons

"IP tracing works only so-so."

"More SD-WAN features can be integrated into the FortiGate Next Generation Firewall"

"The performance can be improved."

"The customization could be improved. Cisco, for example, is much better at this. They need to work to be at least as good as they are."

"In their datasheet, they put the throughput as huge, but once you enable all the features of the box, the performance is impacted dramatically."

"The issue lies with features available in GUI versus CLI during configuration. When using GUI, I want to accomplish everything there, but sometimes it requires using CLI to ensure proper configuration."

"It would be a benefit if Fortinet would release a one-stop solution that is better integrated with other products and has an automated emergency response system."

"The pricing of the solution is expensive, so it could be cheaper."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"The pricing could be improved."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The overall pricing for iboss is very competitive and transparent."

"It is not expensive, and it is also not cheap. iboss is priced right in the sweet spot for the number of features it offers."

"It is expensive compared to one of its competitors."

"We had the cost of purchasing a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs. However, the following year, the cost of just licensing was similar to what was paid the previous year for a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs."

"We have not priced the solution recently, but they were competitive with other vendors in the past."

"It is probably in line with other solutions, but I do not deal with the financial side."

"I give the pricing a nine out of ten."

"The price is fair compared to the other competitors."

"In my opinion, the pricing of the product is reasonable."

"Easy to understand licensing requirements."

"Pricing and licensing is a little bit complicated in FortiGate. They are always on the higher side. This is one issue that we always raise with the company that they should reduce the price according to Indian market requirements. There are no costs in addition to the standard licensing fees."

"I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten"

"The licensing costs are very low."

"I would rate the pricing a five out of ten"

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

Information not available

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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

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Construction Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	14
Midsize Enterprise	8
Large Enterprise	14

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	373
Midsize Enterprise	139
Large Enterprise	195

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with iboss?

I think iboss could be improved by emphasizing the modular function even more during sales presentations and demonstr...

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What is your primary use case for iboss?

iboss is primarily used for content filtering within school districts and public K-12 school districts, and it can al...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for iboss?

The pricing and licensing for iboss were reasonable for the security features. The setup costs were manageable, thoug...

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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 a...

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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...

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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 ...

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

iboss

October 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

October 2026

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

September 2026

Download Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway product report

Also Known As

iBoss Cloud Platform

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

No data available

Overview

iboss is the Zero Trust SASE platform that gives organizations complete visibility and governance over their AI, data, and applications through one unified platform, one console, one policy engine, and one data lake.

Your endpoints may already stop malware. Your data and application activity can still be invisible. iboss decrypts and understands every connection, then turns that signal into answers security leaders can act on.

The platform leads with three capabilities in this order: AI Security and Visibility, Data Security and Visibility, and App Visibility and Control. Zero Trust Network Access, VPN replacement, and SD-WAN sit underneath as the access fabric that carries those three. Trusted by global enterprises and government agencies.

What are the most important features of Iboss?

- AI Security and Visibility: conversation capture, shadow-AI discovery, AI DLP, and agent governance across Claude, Co-Work, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok, and emerging services.

- Data Security and Visibility: full SSL/TLS decryption, deep content inspection, MIP label compliance, and one-click compliance reporting.

- App Visibility and Control: signatureless CASB, dual risk scoring, in-app controls, and SSPM for major SaaS.

- Containerized Zero Trust SASE: dedicated containers, isolated SSL keys, one console, one policy engine, one data lake.

- Access fabric: ZTNA, VPN replacement, and SD-WAN under the same platform.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

- Complete visibility over AI, data, and applications from one platform instead of separate point tools.

- Encrypted traffic is inspected by default so data decisions use content and context together.

- Shadow SaaS and new web tools appear as they are used, with enforceable controls in one console.

- Native data sovereignty through dedicated containers, in-region inspection, and per-customer SSL key custody.

- Scale proven in published materials: 10M+ users, 100+ countries, 150B+ transactions, 2.5B+ threats blocked.

Economic buyers are CISOs, CIOs, and VPs of Security. Champions include security architects, network and infrastructure leaders, SecOps, and GRC. Primary segments: enterprise and business, financial services, government (including FedRAMP Gov Cloud), healthcare, manufacturing, legal and professional services, retail and hospitality, and MSP/MSSP partners. Education, including K-12, is one vertical among these.

iboss

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

Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway provides robust cloud-based security solutions for organizations aiming to protect their networks from web threats. It integrates easily with existing infrastructures while delivering comprehensive coverage and control over web traffic.

Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway focuses on delivering efficient network security tailored to organization requirements. It offers cloud security tools ensuring real-time threat protection and comprehensive policy-based traffic management. Designed for seamless integration, it enables administrators to safeguard networks without compromising performance. Although it delivers strong solutions, users have noted potential for improved reporting capabilities.

What are the standout features of Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway?

Threat Protection: Provides real-time threat detection and protection against web-based threats.
Policy Management: Offers advanced policy-based management tools to regulate web access.
Cloud Integration: Seamless integration with cloud services, ensuring dynamic scalability for users.
Performance Monitoring: Continuous monitoring capabilities to ensure high network performance.

What benefits or ROI should users consider?

Increased Security: Minimizes risks associated with web threats while enhancing data protection.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlines security processes, reducing administrative burden and costs.
Scalability: Easily scales with growing infrastructure demands, ensuring long-term efficiency.
Detailed Reporting: Provides insightful data for informed decision-making on security strategies.

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and education, implementing Symantec Edge Secure Web Gateway helps in safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining regulatory compliance. These sectors benefit from its real-time threat protection and robust policy management, ensuring secure and efficient network operations.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

Trusted by global enterprises and government agencies.

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

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Buyer's Guide

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

September 2026

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