The primary use case of this solution is as a firewall.
System Administrator at a financial services firm with 5,001-10,000 employees
Affordable, simple, effective, and has good support
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are that it is very simple to configure and to manage."
- "In the next release, maybe the documentation on how to use this solution could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
The way the rules are created and set up on our firewall is very quick, very simple, and does not take a lot of time. It allows us to spend more time in other areas.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are that it is very simple to configure and to manage.
What needs improvement?
For me, this solution has nothing to improve and it meets the needs that I have. I don't see any way to improve, at least from my point of view on regular use.
In the next release, maybe the documentation on how to use this solution could be improved.
What I have noticed is that when we have done some configurations directly from the command line, there is not a lot of information regarding splitting.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
June 2025

Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for six years.
We are using the latest version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiGate is very scalable.
How are customer service and support?
We are satisfied with technical support. We have not had any issues.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We used a reseller to help us with the implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing is very competitive. It's cheap for what it offers and for what it does.
It's very affordable.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.
Fortinet FortiGate is simple and effective.
I would rate Fortinet Fortigate a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

Security Solutions Architect at Verizon Communications
Good VPN and DDoS capabilities with a low total cost of ownership
Pros and Cons
- "Virtual Domains (VDOMs) are a feature that we found valuable."
- "To the best of my knowledge, Fortinet does not have a CASB solution and Fortinet does not have a Zero trust solution."
What is our primary use case?
We are currently using manual router failover that can be configured on the Fortinet security appliance’s second network interface to provide network edge redundancy if the primary managed router fails. If the edge router fails, traffic can be moved to the security appliance with a simple cable swap.
We are looking for a fully redundant solution with automatic failover between both Fortinet Security appliances. I am currently looking at battle card information between Fortinet and Zscaler. I have to do a competitive analysis.
How has it helped my organization?
The low cost of ownership was a benefit with all of the features we wanted.
Preconfigured images have been developed for quick deployment. However, if we need a custom policy or have to include an existing policy then that can be accommodated as well.
What is most valuable?
Virtual Domains (VDOMs) are a feature that we found valuable.
We found the Firewall, VPN, Application Control, IPS, Fortiguard Web filtering, anti-botnet, FortiGuard, Anti Spam Wireless LAN controller, WAN optimization, vulnerability assessment, and endpoint control all to be valuable.
Fortinet certifications include NSS Labs for NGFW, firewall, IPS, SSL, antivirus, and antispam.
Fortinet provides a consolidated security platform for the market place and certifications with NSS labs prove their security assurance.
What needs improvement?
To the best of my knowledge, Fortinet does not have a CASB solution and Fortinet does not have a Zero trust solution. Fortinet claims to do everything Zscaler is capable of and I'm looking for a comparison between the supported features.
Fortinet VPN and DDoS capabilities are great, yet we need to provide a solution that enables CASB and integration to the cloud.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using FortiGate for three years.
How was the initial setup?
Fortinet is very easy to service and set up.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Fortinet is the least expensive solution.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We are comparing the features of Zscaler vs. Fortinet. We are trying to determine what features Zscaler has over Fortinet and vice versa.
What other advice do I have?
Fortinet was initially scoped as 25 rules for small, 50 for medium, and 100 for large. We need to incorporate more rules but there would be additional professional services or staging services. We are looking to incorporate the cloud access with the Fortinet UTM solution.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Verizon is a reseller of both Zscaler and Fortinet.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
June 2025

Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.
IT General Manager at Manav Rachna International School
I am "headache free" now that I don't have to categorize all the websites and that security has been pre-categorized. The tech support needs improvement.
Pros and Cons
- "I am "headache free" that I don't have to categorize all the websites and that security has been pre categorized by the people, and that the services are getting updated. At least one part of my problem is over."
- "A couple of things I've seen that need improvement, especially in terms of a hard coding. The driver-level active moment really is out-of-the-box and we have to have contact the customer support and sometimes it is difficult to resolve."
What is our primary use case?
My primary use case for this solution is using it as a key net and as a firewall.
How has it helped my organization?
For Fortinet Fortigate,I have to have a Fortigate access point. In my opinion, it should have been a universal access, which supported the universal access point. At this point, our campus is large with some 10 thousand students and staff on board at any given time. Every time I have to use Fortigate, the access point portal has to be a universal type. It would be nice if I did not have to "marry" Fortigate for everything.
What is most valuable?
The only feature is that I don't have to be worried about categorization of the websites. I am able to put on the policies for the blog because this is an institution.There are several restrictions out there to get onto the websites. It creates a "headache free" environment for us.
What needs improvement?
A couple of things I've seen that need improvement, especially in terms of a hard coding. The driver-level active moment really is out-of-the-box and we have to have contact the customer support and sometimes it is difficult to resolve.
My only solution would be please don't make it as a closed source. Don't make it as
a closed source. Give some kind of a power to the user so that they can consider it
according to their determine that it should have some flexibility on concurrent
connections not be restricted. I agree that to some concurrent connections the CPU and
the box may be a lower model and it need some higher scale level with this. But, there
should be a provision. There should be a provision to go to at least to 60-70% onto the
threshold to go beyond the designed capacity of something. Like we call it as a design
capacity, and since 70% addition to the 100% of it.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
If I compare with the open source, it has really frustrated me for a couple of things. Whenever my students or faculty goals increase, then in Fortinet, I need to change the model for going with the higher model, or better model more better first tier it can deal with it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It should have been scalable. But, it is not quite so. There are limitations, I need to change the box or I have 1500 D. That means I can make 1000 connections, but some kind of vestibules are going on and the advances are going on. Then, I find it very difficult to give a connectivity simultaneously and upon current connections. As a result, I have to deprive my faculties, my staff, or my students of certain functions.
How is customer service and technical support?
Tech support is not very efficient in India.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We have considered the Linux Suite and HP BSM.
What other advice do I have?
As I said, that at least one part I am "headache free" that I don't have to categorize all the websites and that security has been pre categorized by the people, and that the services are getting updated. At least one part of my problem is over.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Cybersecurity & IT Operations Professional (VirtualCxO) at BrainWave Consulting Company, LLC
The IPsec tunnels are very easily created, and quite interoperable with devices from other vendors
Pros and Cons
- "The CLI is robust and powerful, enabling rapid, consistent changes via SSH."
- "The IPsec tunnels are very easily created, and quite interoperable with devices from other vendors."
- "WAN load-balancing could be a lot better at detecting when a link is poor or inconsistent, and not just flat out dead."
- "Some configuration elements cannot be easily altered once created."
What is our primary use case?
I have deployed several of the following models for customers: 200D, 60E, 60D. This review focuses on the FortiGate 200D.
How has it helped my organization?
The first implementation I performed of a FortiGate 200D was to replace a Juniper SSG-140 in a main corporate office. This implementation provided improved network administration and network performance.
We also received more timely security updates, and it became easier to connect all of the other offices together (via an IPsec VPN mesh).
As additional FortiOS releases have come out, we have obtained more flexibility in device identification and WAN load-balancing, among other things.
What is most valuable?
- The CLI is robust and powerful, enabling rapid, consistent changes via SSH.
The device identification is very flexible, facilitating the creation of rules to regulate all sorts of devices that might spring up on a network, especially via WiFi. - The IPsec tunnels are very easily created, and quite interoperable with devices from other vendors.
- WAN load-balancing has improved, but needs some refinement.
You can set up a different DDNS config for each WAN link.
It is great to be able largely use the same OS features across the family of devices.
What needs improvement?
WAN load-balancing could be a lot better at detecting when a link is poor or inconsistent, and not just flat out dead. There are lots of options for routing traffic over a specific path when you have WAN load-balancing enabled, but they are not as clear and consistent as they could be, and most can only be set at the CLI.
Some configuration elements cannot be easily altered once created. For instance, there is no way to rename an interface (say, for a VPN tunnel), unless you create an entirely new one and perform a little gymnastics to switch from one to the other. Or, you export the config, rename the elements in question, then re-import the entire config.
Creating a meshed VPN connection (Office A with two WAN links connecting to Office B with two WAN links) requires a massive bundle of four IPsec interfaces, with two policies. It would be nice to have a cleaner, simpler config for that functionality, something not very uncommon today.
I have found that if you have a console cable in the device when you reboot it for a disk check, it will boot to the device firmware. This will not happen for a regular reboot.
If you have more than a very basic environment, you quickly have to escalate past the first level of support. The initial level is so-so. The next level up has been stellar for me, and quick to figure out issues and resolve them.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I've only experienced stability issues a few times. One was with the v5.4.0 and .1 releases. Also, there was an issue during the v5.2.x series where there was an SSD issue that was fixed with later firmware. Overall, the devices have been very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No. Scalability is good, and performance increases are great as you move to higher products.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer support is okay. They are fairly responsive for level three and higher (one and two) issues, but if your issue is a little complex, you will want to ask them to escalate to a second level tech. They don't always read all the info you provide in the first pass, but overall, they are helpful.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously favored NetScreen/Juniper SSG solutions, but Juniper stopped supporting the SSG line, and FortiGate provides more value and performance for the dollar.
I've also tested the Sophos solutions, but found them not compelling enough to switch from the FortiGate devices.
How was the initial setup?
The devices are very easy to setup, even if you need to configure VPNs. You could have an HA config up and running within 60-90 minutes, with the latest firmware installed, and a couple of policies and tunnels.
If you do not regularly work with enterprise-class firewalls, you might need to add an hour to the above scenario, but the provided wizards make it pretty easy to address the basic functions.
What about the implementation team?
In-house deployment all the time.
What was our ROI?
In almost every case, I've experienced (or had customers experience) an ROI within 12 months, based on better performance for the same price or increased functionality for the same (or less) price.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing and setup costs are generally pretty clear with Fortinet. If you go with centralized management or their Log Analyzer tool, these carry some additional pricing that you need to look at.
Check out the price matrix, and go with a value-added reseller that understands how to help you size out the equipment. Remember to always look at the performance with the assumption that you will have many of the unified threat management (UTM) features on, not off.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes, I tested and evaluated solutions from pfSense, Sophos, and Palo Alto.
What other advice do I have?
I highly recommend, and often try to deploy Fortinet solutions for my office network and for my customers. They run for a long time, they are supported for many OS updates, and they are pretty solid.
Don't upgrade the OS right away when it is released, if a major new version has come out. v5.0 was problematic early, but v5.2 was great. v5.4 was a problem child, but v5.6 had only a minor issue. v6.0 was surprisingly smooth and had only a minor issue. I could have avoided most of these problems if I waited an additional month or so before updating, but I updated because I need to advise customers on what they should be doing.
I've had to interact with support a lot, and overall they've been good (with the caveat mentioned earlier).
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
ICT/Presales Manager at Balton Uganda
A reliable and practical solution that assists us in our day-to-day operations
Pros and Cons
- "Fortinet FortiGate's reliability is valuable."
- "I would like some automated custom reporting."
What is our primary use case?
We use Fortinet FortiGate for basic network security and people accessing through VPN.
How has it helped my organization?
Fortinet FortiGate is a reliable and practical solution that assists us in our day-to-day operations.
What is most valuable?
Fortinet FortiGate's reliability is valuable.
What needs improvement?
I would like some automated custom reporting.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiGate is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability has met our requirements. We have around 40 users.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used DrayTek before switching to Fortinet FortiGate which has more features.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation was completed in-house.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated Palo Alto Networks, but the cost of the solution and support were higher than Fortinet FortiGate.
What other advice do I have?
I give Fortinet FortiGate an eight out of ten.
The maintenance requires one person.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
IT Infrastructure Lead at iConnect IT Business Solutions DMCC
Offers good protection and security
Pros and Cons
- "Overall security features and performance routing is good."
- "Lacks sufficient security options."
What is our primary use case?
Fortinet protects us from web attacks. We also use it to connect our remote users. I'm the IT infrastructure lead.
What is most valuable?
I think the overall security features and the performance routing is good.
What needs improvement?
The security features are good but I'd like to see additional security options.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's a stable solution, yes.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is simple and took us about half an hour. We have 50 users in the company. We have one person who deals with all our maintenance and deployment issues.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have a three-year license.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend this solution and rate it eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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.
Technical Lead at Yssy
Has good inspection and web security features and is useful for SD-WAN purposes
Pros and Cons
- "The inspection and web security features are most valuable."
- "There can be more security in hybrid implementations. When a customer has a hybrid environment where some parts are in the cloud, we need a consistent security solution for such scenarios."
What is our primary use case?
My company is a system integrator in Brazil, and we are also a partner. We mainly use it for SD-WAN purposes. It is being used in the public sector and the commercial sector.
In terms of deployment, some customers deploy it on-premises, and some customers deploy it on the cloud.
What is most valuable?
The inspection and web security features are most valuable.
What needs improvement?
In Brazil, the main problem that we have is related to the protection from various attacks and ransomware in the public sector and the commercial sector. The main focus in Brazil is to deploy a solution to counter-attack ransomware and other attacks.
There can be more security in hybrid implementations. When a customer has a hybrid environment where some parts are in the cloud, we need a consistent security solution for such scenarios.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate it a 10 out of 10.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner.

Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: June 2025
Popular Comparisons
Netgate pfSense
OPNsense
Sophos XG
Cisco Secure Firewall
Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls
Check Point NGFW
Azure Firewall
WatchGuard Firebox
SonicWall TZ
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
Cato SASE Cloud Platform
Juniper SRX Series Firewall
Sophos XGS
Fortinet FortiGate-VM
SonicWall NSa
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Quick Links
Learn More: Questions:
- Comparison of Barracuda F800, SonicWall 5600 and Fortinet
- Sophos XG 210 vs Fortigate FG 100E
- Looking Into Implementing a Web Security Solution.
- Cyberoam or Fortinet?
- Fortinet, Palo Alto or Check Point?
- Which would you recommend to your boss, Fortinet FortiGate or Sophos UTM?
- What Is The Biggest Difference Between Cisco ASA And Fortinet FortiGate?
- Cisco Firepower vs. FortiGate
- We're trying to choose between Fortinet or Checkpoint UTM firewalls. Can you help?
- What Is The Biggest Difference Between Fortinet FortiGate and Meraki MX Firewalls?