IT Manager at Hadef & Partners
Real User
Simple, intuitive interface, with good support
Pros and Cons
  • "What I like the most is the configuration and that it's simple, and straightforward to maintain."
  • "The pricing could be reduced or include the first year warranty."

What is our primary use case?

The primary use case of this solution is as a firewall and UTM machine.

What is most valuable?

What I like the most is the configuration and that it's simple, and straightforward to maintain.

The UTM configuration on-premises is straightforward and simple to use.

Support is good and the interface is simple and intuitive.

What needs improvement?

It's good, and I feel that there is nothing more that can be added.

The pricing could be reduced or include the first year warranty.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate for more than five years.

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Fortinet FortiGate
May 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a stable solution. I have not had any issues with it during the time that I have been using it.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is quite good. They have helped me with all of my requests.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

It took approximately one day to deploy.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

They are very competitive, but we like to have the factory warranty taken care of.

We had to pay a large amount for the first year contract and support.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.

I would rate Fortinet FortiGate an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Works at GOldair Handling
Real User
Has a friendly GUI and CLI to access its many features
Pros and Cons
  • "The features that we have found most valuable are the SSL VPN and the User Portal."
  • "This product could be improved with Active directory integration and better handling in IPsec and GRE Tunnels."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use this solution for our firewall, Application Control, QoS, IPSec, and SSL VPN.

How has it helped my organization?

This solution has a very friendly GUI and CLI as compared to other vendors.

What is most valuable?

The features that we have found most valuable are the SSL VPN and the user Portal.

What needs improvement?

This product could be improved with active directory integration and better handling in IPsec and GRE Tunnels. There are not enough recent online materials to assist in integration with Cisco for VPN, GRE, and IPSec.

For how long have I used the solution?

One to three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Our experience with this solution is that it is stable and reliable.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We found the user interface to be better than what is found in other products.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
770,458 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Solutions Architect at Universal Access and Systems Solutions
Reseller
Optimizes security on the network and protects the company from attacks from outside
Pros and Cons
  • "Fortinet FortiGate is a security device. It can optimize security on the networks of a company. It actually protects the company from attacks from outside. With FortiGate, you can categorize the users. You can create a group of users that can access all of the websites for their work. You can limit other users' access."
  • "Scalability is one of the disadvantages. When it comes to scalability, you have to actually change the box. If you want to upgrade it, you need to actually change the existing box and probably you take the system off to other sites."

What is our primary use case?

We use Fortinet FortiGate as the firewall for our networks and as a security device. Fortinet FortiGate is used in our organization for:

  • making policies
  • security profiles
  • identity management
  • blocking applications on websites
  • making objects
  • future groups
  • user management
  • network reports
  • data analytics
  • other stuff

FortiGate is not just a security solution, but also a network solution, because it can do SD-WAN which provides innovation to security.

How has it helped my organization?

Originally, I used Fortinet FortiGate for SD-WAN. There is actually a feature for the SD-WAN. I could find a port and use it for SD-WAN. Then I also used FortiGate for security rules.

We implement solutions categorizing the insurers by Fortinet, i.e. what are the network users that are allowed in this particular instance or for these particular policies.

We program every port you can set the policies on with Fortinet FortiGate. You can actually see the users that access the particular website and govern the rules for web traffic.

What is most valuable?

First and foremost, Fortinet FortiGate is a security device. It can optimize security on the networks of a company. It actually protects the company from attacks from outside. 

With Fortinet FortiGate, you can categorize the users. You can create a group of users that can access all of the websites for their work. You can limit other users' access. 

It can also do detailed reporting and analytics that comprise information from recorded events on the network by traffic location, device, IP address, etc.

What needs improvement?

Flexibility is questionable when it comes to the hardware parts. If Fortinet can make FortiGate modular so that you can actually upgrade it without changing the parts, I would prefer it. 

If Fortinet FortiGate could actually integrate with the hybrid cloud architecture without changing the storage parts, i.e. the hardware, it would be better.

For how long have I used the solution?

One to three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The Fortinet FortiGate solution is 81% stable. I would say it is very flexible. I would grade it an eight or nine.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is one of the disadvantages. When it comes to scalability, you have to actually change the box. If you want to upgrade it, you need to actually change the existing box and probably you take the system off to other sites.

With FortiGate, if you want to upgrade, it is physical and you have to buy a bigger box. You have to replace it with a bigger one. The boxes of Fortinet are not modular, so you have to replace the entire box. That's one of the bad sides of Fortinet. 

When it comes to security, it's not really possible if the other solution is actually plausible. 

How was the initial setup?

The deployment of Fortinet FortiGate is complex. It depends on how long you are going to maintain the network of the client. For us, it would only take a day or two.

What about the implementation team?

We are resellers of Fortinet products.

What other advice do I have?

The Fortinet FortiGate solution has to have a system-wide update for improvements. First and foremost, you need to have a patch. You have to continually improve FortiGate by having continuously updated patches applied. 

Then always check for the admin reports from Fortinet that the patch was applied. When it comes to the features of this device, I would rate Fortinet FortiGate an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user819147 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of IT at CGP
Real User
Next-Generation Advanced Firewall Protection
Pros and Cons
  • "Mainly the FortiGate reporting system is very good. It guides us through all the expectations of security. Fortinet provides us all that we need for security. Also, Fortinet FortiGate is a next-generation firewall. It is much more advanced than others."

    What is our primary use case?

    Our primary use of Fortinet FortiGate is for a firewall. I use it as the firewall system and protection from spam. I mainly use Fortinet FortiGate for protection and security.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Mainly the FortiGate reporting system is very good. It guides us through all the expectations of security. Fortinet provides us all that we need for security. Also, Fortinet FortiGate is a next-generation firewall. It is much more advanced than others.

    What is most valuable?

    I like all of FortiGate's features. 

    What needs improvement?

    The FortiGate reporting system needs to be more detailed about files. Palo Alto Networks is more detailed in the reporting system than Fortinet.

    Currently, as for our security, we don't need more. The main reporting in Palo Alto Networks is much more developed than Fortinet, especially in the part of the file exchange.

    As a security lead, I think Fortinet FortiGate is much more reliable than Palo Alto Networks.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    Three to five years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The Fortinet FortiGate solution is very stable for our installations.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The scalability of Fortinet FortiGate is sufficient. What we bought was sufficient for what we need. I don't know if we're going to need to upgrade it or not, it depends on if we need to increase or lessen it. 

    Since we built Fortinet FortiGate we didn't need to do anything more for it. Over 200 users are currently using this solution and only one staff is required for maintaining it.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    The Fortinet technical support is very good.

    How was the initial setup?

    Setup and installation of Fortinet FortiGate were very straightforward. The deployment stage took five days. We used an integrator company and they were very good.

    What about the implementation team?

    We implemented Fortinet through a third-party integrator company.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    With Fortinet licensing, you have to buy a license for every product: for the stamp, for the email, for the firewall, for everything. This is all the same for all vendors. You have to buy a license for each service. 

    In terms of pricing, they are reasonable compared to Palo Alto Networks. FortiGate is much cheaper than Palo Alto Networks with more efficiency in operations.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We talked to several vendors like Cisco and Palo Alto Networks. There was another system and they gave us a test drive for a week running it on their premises to see how reliable it is.

    We tested Cisco, a next-generation firewall, two years ago. We also tested the Palo Alto Networks equipment.

    What other advice do I have?

    We may increase our usage of Fortinet next year. 

    I would recommend to anyone to buy Fortinet FortiGate. I would rate the product ten out of ten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    IT Manager at Soporte Antivirus Ltda
    Real User
    Enables us to check our sites and emails for threats
    Pros and Cons
    • "We can use our devices to check all of the perimeters. It secures email websites."
    • "They need to improve their technical support."

    What is our primary use case?

    Our primary use case is for checking sites, threat prevention, ransomware, and email check.  

    How has it helped my organization?

    We can use our devices to check all of the perimeters. It secures email websites. 

    What needs improvement?

    They need to improve their technical support. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    One to three years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The stability is good. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It's scalable. We have 22 users. 

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We were previously using Sophos XG. 

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup was easy. The implementation took around two hours. 

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate it an eight out of ten. 

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner.
    PeerSpot user
    System Administrator at Udenar
    Real User
    A complete solution, but it is very expensive compared with other solutions

    What is our primary use case?

    We use FortiGate for edge protection by avoiding attacks to the servers of the institution, also, by protecting the LAN network.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Having FortiGate allowed for easy management of the network, protection from threats by having a very intuitive administration console.

    What is most valuable?

    The most important feature for me apart from the administrator is the UTM module because it protects the equipment of the entity in a very efficient way.

    What needs improvement?

    FortiGate is a complete solution, but it is very expensive compared with other solutions. Then actually, we are analyzing other solutions.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    More than five years.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    Dono at a tech consulting company
    Consultant
    The projects' initial costs were high but right now we can do most things, and the only costs now are the annual license fees.

    What is most valuable?

    • Active Directory integration
    • QOS
    • Balance/Fail-over
    • Web filtering and protection with AV engine
    • WiFi network for visitors isolated from our corporate WiFi network using only one unit

    How has it helped my organization?

    After the implementation we stopped internet disruptions and abuse by users.

    What needs improvement?

    Everything needs to be improved, but they have improvements with each new version.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We've been using Fortinet products since 2009. Alongside FortiGate. we also use FortiAnalyzer 10C and FortiWiFi 40C & 50B.

    What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

    Yes, a misunderstanding of the environment and misconfiguration of the unit. After reviewing it all, everything has been working fine for years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It works as defined and expected.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    We have the ability to expand our units and there have been no issues so far.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Customer Service:

    It's the best I have experienced.

    Technical Support:

    It's the best I have experienced.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    Previously, we used Linux distributions, and we changed due to its limitations and our company expansion.

    How was the initial setup?

    It's straightforward. You just need to understand the concept, and how to apply it.

    What about the implementation team?

    We used an external company and they had a good amount of knowledge.

    What was our ROI?

    We have never stopped to calculate it, but we cannot describe how good we feel since we no longer face issues with the internet.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The projects' initial costs were high but right now we can do most things, and the only costs now are the annual license fees.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We also looked at BlueCoat.

    What other advice do I have?

    Feel free to ask me questions about Fortinet.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Arf Wu - PeerSpot reviewer
    Manager at Readytech
    Reseller
    Straightforward setup, scalable, and good support
    Pros and Cons
    • "Fortinet FortiGate is a scalable solution."
    • "The stability of Fortinet FortiGate could improve."

    What needs improvement?

    In an upcoming release, Fortinet FortiGate should add an SD-WAN feature.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for approximately five years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The stability of Fortinet FortiGate could improve.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Fortinet FortiGate is a scalable solution.

    How are customer service and support?

    I am satisfied with the technical support from Fortinet FortiGate.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is straightforward.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The price of Fortinet FortiGate is reasonable.

    What other advice do I have?

    I am satisfied with the solution.

    I rate Fortinet FortiGate an eight out of ten.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: May 2024
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.