- High Availability clustering
- SNAT/DNAT
- Policies section view
- Virtual Domains
- Logging and Reporting
- IPS
IP Senior Engineer at a comms service provider with 501-1,000 employees
It offers stability, scalability and plenty of security features. Enjoy fast and effective troubleshooting as everything is organized in a very understandable way.
What is most valuable?
How has it helped my organization?
It has made our daily operations easier, as well as adding security, and stability to them. Adding or removing security policies is simplified through its web interface, or CLI. Additionally, troubleshooting is fast and effective, as everything is organized in a very understandable way.
What needs improvement?
Its web interface needs to be more stable, and more functional, through the variety of browsers. Additionally a nice add-on would be a “diagnostic sniffer” capability in the web interface.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used it for six years.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
May 2025

Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
853,960 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
With different browsers, the web interface crashes. On newer versions of Fortios the problem has been minimized.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Not at all, it is as stable as it should be.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I believe that it is a little complex adding new firewalls in an existing cluster.
How are customer service and support?
Customer Service:
8/10.
Technical Support:9/10.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We are using different firewall solutions, in parallel with the Fortigate ones.
How was the initial setup?
It was straightforward. Taking control of the device for first time is easy, and the cookbook manual is very helpful.
What about the implementation team?
A vendor team offered five day training but the implementation was in-house.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated other solutions, but I was not responsible for taking the final decision.
What other advice do I have?
Throughout the last six years we have been using Fortigate firewalls, and the experience we gained is only positive. These devices are easy to manage, operate and troubleshoot any issues that might rise. The use of virtual domains has added more security presence by only having one physical device, and it’s easy to create them. Also, by enabling other security features on the VDoms, the physical performance will not be affected.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IP Core & Security Supervisor at a comms service provider
Web filtering is good but I can't allow traffic from outside to inside using a NAT pool.
What is most valuable?
- IPS
- Web filtering
How has it helped my organization?
We are making use of the VDOM feature to segregate the traffic, and apply policy to control that traffic.
What needs improvement?
This product can't show the NAT status or NAT logs.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using ForitGate for over two years alongside FortiManager 300D.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
I have an issue with NAT only, in that I can't allow traffic from outside to inside using a NAT pool.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There was a bug related to device stability with HA configuration. We face many attacks on the network which causes the CPU usage to become high and, with the older device, we started losing the heartbeat and control messages, causing HA split-brain and lag flapping.This issue has been fixed in the new release.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No issues encountered.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
They're good.
Technical Support:They're very good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No previous solution used.
How was the initial setup?
It was complex to setup.
What about the implementation team?
We used a vendor, ALU to help implement it.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
May 2025

Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
853,960 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Security Infrastructure - Tech Specialist with 10,001+ employees
It has given me complete oversight of my network in a centralized fashion but certain features need improving.
What is most valuable?
- It's version of throughput is good
- It has a strong active cluster, as you can have between three and 32 units to a cluster
How has it helped my organization?
Finally there is a UTM Fortinet. It has given me complete oversight of my network in a centralized fashion, so I know what is going on at all times. It provides me with a solution that can automatically take control of situations when they arise, with the most intuitive interface. It stops you needing to be on the phone to tech support, or a local vendor, for days on end.
What needs improvement?
- Security
- LAN
- WAN
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used it for three years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
No issues encountered.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues encountered.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No issues encountered.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
8/10.
Technical Support:8/10.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No previous solution was used.
How was the initial setup?
It was easy to set up.
What other advice do I have?
The most important factor is that you choose a firewall or UTM solution that fits your organizations security requirements. Begin by determining what business problem you are trying to solve, what technical controls you need to implement (Firewall, IPS, NAC, VPN, endpoint, mobility, web filtering, malware detection, etc.). Then, determine what hardware features you need such as (HA clustering, link aggregation or 10Gb, port sensity), and what kind of throughput, and how many concurrent connections.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Dono at a tech consulting company
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.
Technical Consultant at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Very easy to manage and understand
What is most valuable?
SSL VPN, Site to Site VPN, UTM features and web override are nice features.
What needs improvement?
They need to improve a bit the SSL VPN to integrate with Sharepoint single sign on, with form base, Windows claim base and SALM base authentication.
For how long have I used the solution?
For the last 3 years
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Yes but that was resolved.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Yes, sometimes the CPU and memory get to 99% utilization but when this happens no users are working and no updates for windows are configured.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Yes, somewhat.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
The level of customer service is bad because support is very pathetic.
Technical Support:Support is very pathetic.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No
How was the initial setup?
Straightforward
What about the implementation team?
In house
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Support Analyst at a non-tech company with 501-1,000 employees
Cisco's license is more expensive than Fortinet - that was the tipping point for why we changed to Fortinet.
What is most valuable?
The two most valuable features are VPN and firewalling.
How has it helped my organization?
Fortigate 300c is a very robust product, unlike Cisco ASA Firewall, you have already the web gui interface inside the device. Although they the same concept. Fortigate 300c has one of the easiest gui configuration compared to ASA Firewall, where you can lose your way.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for 2 years. It has served as an SSL VPN server.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
So far, I haven't encountered any issues and that was the first time I implemented it. I just followed some concepts with Cisco ASA firewall and 2 hours later I finished configuring SSL VPN with 3 different capabilities.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
None so far.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
None so far, well it depends with license of the vpn. You need to purchase it and discuss it with the vendor.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before I was to implement ASA for SSL VPN, it was already working. My boss told me that we would be implementing Fortigate instead. He told me that Cisco's license is more expensive than Fortinet so I think that was the tipping point for why we changed to Fortinet.
How was the initial setup?
Yes it was, when you plug-in to the Fortigate Manager there is this wizard that will guide you to making it work basically, and that was it.Afterwards you can add your additional features as your company needs. The initial setup took me just 10 or 15 minutes.
What about the implementation team?
Through a vendor team. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate them 8. The representative from the vendor seems to know the basics of the product but when it comes to troubleshooting he seems to lack information. He had to come back the other day just to provide a solution for a specific issue.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We only evaluated two, Cisco and Fortinet.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Engineer at a tech vendor with 51-200 employees
I've been with Fortinet for 8 years now. Even when not considering anything else, I still consider other vendors
I'm obviously a fan of the FGTs - I'm aware of the solutions to the "problems" many newcomers experience. I'm comfortable.
But
maybe too comfortable. Though I've just introduced my new employer to
Fortinet, you must always be objective in your search for proper
hardware. Do your homework, cross the T's and dot your I's.
Even
when not considering anything other than a FGT, I still consider other
vendors - that doubt, nagging or gnawing at the back of my brain. And
even when I force myself to be unbiased, the FGT line always wins. I
WANT to move on; it's time - I've been with Fortinet for 8 years now.
But they somehow keep winning my loyalty. And it's not with unending
bugs. The Hardware is legit; it's tight. It's fast. It's pretty - LOOK!
They come in WHITE now! How Apple. The point is, FGTs are just doing it
and doing it and doing it well. I continue to get creative with design
and implementation, and they continue to flex and perform. Unique
configurations not possible with other Vendors I've worked with. They
have their shortcomings in areas; ALL vendors have their shortcomings -
aware or not. But which shortcomings mean nothing to you?
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Systems Engineer at a healthcare company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Fortinet has a strong reputation at the high end, but for midsize shops there are more affordable options
I pulled our organization off Fortinet a year ago for three reasons - the high cost, the constant bugs in code that either blocked access that should be allowed or general failures during system updates, and the killer - a poor design on their clustering which caused configuration corruption to pass from the primary to the secondary.
Oh, let's not forget the static ram exhaustion that began the cluster failure to begin with. I can understand the limitation of static ram, but the decision to solder that in place (making replacement impossible) meant that particular unit has roughly a 4 year lifespan.
I am well aware that Fortinet has a strong reputation at the high end, but for midsize shops there are more affordable options that seem to need less hand-holding.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
I agree with the drawbacks you presented in the review. I would like to ask you, can you give me some examples of other options that are more affordable for midsize shops? Thank you.

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Updated: May 2025
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