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reviewer2123850 - PeerSpot reviewer
CIO at a legal firm with 11-50 employees
Real User
Integrated tools enhance network control and security management
Pros and Cons
  • "It is complemented by other equipment, such as the Fortinet switch, and it is integrated with other tools that help to prevent cyberattacks, including a web filter, IPS, and application control."
  • "Overall, I would rate Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten."
  • "The user interface of the Fortinet FortiGate management console could be more intuitive and user-friendly, and the log analysis and reporting features could be enhanced to provide more flexibility and customizable insights."
  • "The user interface of the Fortinet FortiGate management console could be more intuitive and user-friendly, and the log analysis and reporting features could be enhanced to provide more flexibility and customizable insights."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Fortinet FortiGate to block or deny malware and to administrate the network to control the traffic inside and outside.

How has it helped my organization?

It has significantly contributed to the effective control and monitoring of the network infrastructure. We could see its benefits immediately after the implementation.

What is most valuable?

It is complemented by other equipment, such as the Fortinet switch, and it is integrated with other tools that help to prevent cyberattacks, including a web filter, IPS, and application control. 

What needs improvement?

The user interface of the Fortinet FortiGate management console could be more intuitive and user-friendly, and the log analysis and reporting features could be enhanced to provide more flexibility and customizable insights.

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
July 2025
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: July 2025.
862,514 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have had experience with Fortinet FortiGate for one year so far.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiGate is very stable. I would rate its stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. I would rate the scalability of Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.

We are a medium-sized organization.

How are customer service and support?

I would rate Fortinet's customer service as very good. They are good because they provide solutions to problems that we encounter and help us make new changes or meet requirements, and they have the ability to work with us to make the changes that we want.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

We previously used Sophos for web filtering. We now use Fortinet FortiGate for web filtering as well. We switched from Sophos to Fortinet FortiGate because we chose to adopt a Fortinet ecosystem to achieve better centralized control. We wanted to streamline security management while integrating firewalls, switches, endpoint protections, and wireless. 

We used Sophos only for web filtering control applications, but when we switched to Fortinet FortiGate, we achieved better integration with other devices in the security management.

How was the initial setup?

I was involved with the initial setup and deployment of Fortinet FortiGate. It was of medium complexity. It was easy because the tools we were integrating were well-documented, but somewhat difficult due to the learning curve and the need to adapt our legacy system to the new environment.

What about the implementation team?

It took four technical people to deploy Fortinet FortiGate. 

Only two people maintain it; for implementation, we used four people, but to maintain it, it is just two. 

It doesn't require a lot of maintenance. The job roles of those who maintain it include making changes, adjusting web filter configurations, and switching ports. The people who maintain it are network administrators.

What other advice do I have?

I would advise people considering using Fortinet FortiGate to carefully plan the network structure and train the team; Fortinet is powerful, but its full potential comes with understanding the platform. I would recommend starting small, documenting everything, and using its centralized tools to stay secure and efficient.

Overall, I would rate Fortinet FortiGate a ten 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.
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reviewer2667480 - PeerSpot reviewer
Cewa Solutions Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 20
A cost-effective solution with excellent security and easy policy configuration
Pros and Cons
  • "I find the ease of configuring specific policies to be the most valuable feature of the Fortinet FortiGate firewall."
  • "Fortinet FortiGate is good for helping you secure and protect mission-critical data."
  • "The solution could be improved by addressing limited local reporting. It requires obtaining the FortiAnalyzer for proper visibility because you can't do much from a reporting perspective with just the firewall alone."
  • "The solution could be improved by addressing limited local reporting. It requires obtaining the FortiAnalyzer for proper visibility because you can't do much from a reporting perspective with just the firewall alone."

How has it helped my organization?

I see several benefits of using Fortinet FortiGate. When it comes to deploying the solution, it is easy. It allows customers to quickly get up to speed with their day-to-day tasks, minimizing mundane requests. Additionally, the support regarding upgrades and hardware failures has been above par.

Fortinet FortiGate helps to remediate threats more quickly. 

Fortinet FortiGate helps to reduce the mean time to respond when it is properly integrated with proper tools. For example, with email and other automation capabilities, it has reduced to under an hour for me. 

Fortinet FortiGate helps to consolidate tools and applications by offering web control, email protection, routing, firewalling, and extending to switching and wireless on the same management platform.

Fortinet FortiGate is good for helping you secure and protect mission-critical data. It is also good for protecting your edge.

When it comes to security, Fortinet is excellent in terms of how updates are done when there is an incident globally or there's a new variant of any IOCs. It is quite up-to-date.

What is most valuable?

I find application control, logging and reporting, and ease of use valuable. I find the ease of configuring specific policies to be the most valuable feature of the Fortinet FortiGate firewall.

What needs improvement?

The solution could be improved by addressing limited local reporting. It requires obtaining the FortiAnalyzer for proper visibility because you can't do much from a reporting perspective with just the firewall alone.

In terms of convergence, it is a good solution, but it can be better. FortiGate has the capability to support their switching and wireless platforms. They are quite excellent on their wireless side, but I found a couple of gaps in terms of how FortiGate integrates with their own switching platform. There are some gaps there.

For how long have I used the solution?

My experience of working with Fortinet FortiGate is approximately 10 years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It caters to all with different units, such as from five users to a model that supports telcos or huge enterprises. Depending on the size of your organization, you end up getting the correct fit of the model, and they have the same capabilities. The variation comes in terms of the interfaces and throughputs, but from a security perspective, you get the same benefit, irrespective of whether you have an entry-level unit or an enterprise.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is quite effective. I would rate technical support from Fortinet a nine out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

I've had a chance to do a couple of deployments on the cloud. I've done deployments on private and public clouds. I've deployed it on-prem as an edge firewall or as a data center firewall. 

In terms of maintenance, like all firewalls, there is an aspect of upgrading based on new features and getting the latest updates from the signatures and IPS uploads that come along with it. That happens effectively in an automated way. Software upgrades are catered to during the support window.

What was our ROI?

The FortiGate firewall has helped to reduce the total cost of ownership.

It provides value for money and is quite competitive compared to other vendors, allowing you to achieve the proper ROI from investments.

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

The pricing or licensing of Fortinet FortiGate is quite effective as it offers different bundles that aggregate most required features, while also allowing clients the option to select specific components alone.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

The typical use case for Fortinet FortiGate as a firewall is because of the commercial aspects. It is competitive from a pricing perspective. There is ease of use compared to other vendors and effective vendor support for any issues.

What other advice do I have?

Anyone considering purchasing FortiGate's data center firewall should go for it because data centers require stability and proper performance, which the platform provides. I would recommend getting the latest unit for a longer shelf life as clients often buy nearly end-of-sale products, limiting their usability.

Overall, I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Implementer
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Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
July 2025
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: July 2025.
862,514 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Viraj Fernandopulle - PeerSpot reviewer
General Manager Group IT at DART GLOBAL LOGISTICS PTE. LTD.
Real User
Top 10
Includes built-in APIs, is easy to deploy, and provides good insight into our network
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of FortiGate is FortiView which provides proactive monitoring."
  • "Due to its higher cost, Fortinet FortiGate can lead to increased operational expenses."

What is our primary use case?

For IPS, IDS, traffic management, SDWAN, high availability, we leverage Fortinet FortiGate as a virtual appliance to secure our data center, internal office infrastructure, and site-to-site VPNS Site to client VPNS for our internal lab controls, rather than using physical Fortinet FortiGate hardware.

We implemented Fortinet FortiGate as part of our compliance requirements to address the high volume of intrusion attempts we were experiencing. This solution provides us with a insight on Intrusion to block these attacks and gain insights into who is trying to access our network. Essentially, we aim to understand the nature of incoming and outgoing network traffic.

How has it helped my organization?

FortiGate offers visibility into the types, brands, versions, and users of connected devices. This visibility is crucial for our industrial devices, as their reliable operation is essential to our business.

Fortinet Security Fabric empowers us to comply with regulations, governance, and compliance requirements across regions like the US and Europe, ensuring smooth operations for our global business.

FortiGate's built-in APIs enable us to integrate with the vendors of our choice.

Fortinet's FortiGate is easy to deploy in our environment thanks to its well-written and easy-to-follow documentation.

FortiGate is a highly benchmarked product that improves efficiency and adds value to our organization.

Although we don't see a benefit overnight, we gradually see the benefits of FortiGate over the years. It has provided a lot of insight into our organization's activities.

FortiGate significantly helped reduce the risk of cyberattacks that could disrupt our production. This has protected us against financial losses.

Fortinet has its management suite so it helps to centralize the management of network and security operations in our company. This helps us easily manage the issues and solutions that are required.

Fortinet FortiGate provides us with actionable data to inform our decisions about the most appropriate course of action. It delivers insights into resource consumption and compromised hosts, helping us identify the source of unauthorized login attempts. This comprehensive view allows us to understand what's entering our network.

Fortinet Security Fabric improved security across our industrial control systems.

Fortinet FortiGate helped reduce our mean time to remediate.

Fortinet FortiGate helped to mature our approach to cybersecurity for protecting our industrial equipment. The level of detail we can see regarding incoming traffic and ongoing activities is quite high. This detailed visibility extends to host configuration and other such aspects, providing us with valuable insights. As a result, Fortinet can provide a clear understanding of how to manage our network and quickly mitigate any issues that may arise.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of FortiGate is FortiView which provides proactive monitoring. 

What needs improvement?

Ideally, I'd like to see most CLI configuration options exposed in the GUI to avoid manual command typing. However, there should be a more user-friendly approach than simply replicating everything in the GUI. Alternatively, some users might prefer scheduling tasks through commands for automation.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for over 12 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate ten out of ten. As long as we configure FortiGate properly.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support has improved over the years.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

We previously used an open-source firewall, but we were looking for a solution that was more proactive, easier to manage, and continuously improved. FortiGate was a major competitor at the time and has since become one of the market leaders.

How was the initial setup?

Initially, there was a learning curve during the deployment. We did have the help of local vendors.

If our policies are already in place, we can have the solution up and running in less than a day using a script. However, if we need to determine our policies while implementing the solution, it can take over a month to complete.

What was our ROI?

Fortinet FortiGate mitigates an excessive amount of manpower requirements because it is easy to manage and this helps contribute to a return on investment.

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

The price varies yearly and there could be additional costs to help manage the infrastructure. 

In certain markets, if an organization subscribes to their internet service they get a Fortinet firewall included in the cost.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated some of the leading brands. At the time we found FortiGate easier to administrate and handle. The interface was intuitive and the solution was affordable.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Fortinet FortiGate nine out of ten.

Fortinet FortiGate is one of the most user-friendly security appliances I've encountered. It has a gentle learning curve, and even beginners can configure it effectively. However, for a successful deployment, it's crucial to have a well-defined network layout, documented initial requirements, and a clear configuration strategy. While physical documentation isn't mandatory, a well-organized approach is essential. This includes using clear and consistent naming conventions for commands and rules, along with detailed descriptions within the configuration itself. This makes it easy for anyone to understand the overall logic and navigate the configuration from start to finish. It's important to note that my approach to policy management might involve unique syntax. This includes how I structure policy sets and identify which ones consume the most resources. Understanding how policies interact with other aspects, like implementation and rule execution, is also crucial. Ultimately, a well-defined naming standard is the foundation for a clear and maintainable configuration.

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.
PeerSpot user
MOHAN SUKUMAR - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of computer systems at Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology(IIST)
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Helped reduced our cybersecurity risks, is user-friendly, and stable
Pros and Cons
  • "In terms of security, we have not experienced any security flaws or loopholes, and it has proven to be quite stable."
  • "I would prefer to have more detailed logs within the FortiGate products themselves rather than relying on a separate tool."

What is our primary use case?

We use Fortinet FortiGate to safeguard our online users, who are primarily students, around the clock.

Over the past seven years, we've utilized Fortinet FortiGate to address a wide range of security challenges. Initially, we implemented a firewall to secure our network perimeter. Subsequently, we sought to protect internal network segments. Next, we implemented application-level security measures. And most recently, we've implemented selective service controls to manage access to applications like Google services, WhatsApp, and video conferencing platforms. These measures have addressed evolving security needs over time. Currently, we're focused on enhancing authentication and remote access security. To achieve this, we're implementing security tokens to verify user identities and ensure authorized access.

How has it helped my organization?

Fortinet FortiGate enables us to comply with regulatory governance and compliance requirements.

FortiGate is one of the security solutions we have implemented to enhance and protect our network infrastructure, including devices, across the campus for all users. Specifically, FortiGate has shielded us from Internet security threats, application threats, and unwanted websites or access to unauthorized web services. For instance, access to classified websites is restricted based on user permissions. This has resulted in a cleaner network environment, not just from a security standpoint but also in terms of overall network performance. Secondly, FortiGate has significantly alleviated the burden on network administrators and server managers. The product has proven to be highly reliable.

It has effectively reduced our risk of cyberattacks. We have experienced a very small number of incidents, primarily due to configuration loopholes. However, FortiGate has been successful in preventing intrusions from the Internet. It has effectively thwarted hacking attempts, making it a valuable tool for our computer and network security.

We operate in an educational setting and do not rely solely on online connectivity. Therefore, an internet outage would only impact academic activities. While some internet services are utilized within our campus primarily for business purposes, they are not entirely internet-dependent. Consequently, the impact of equipment failure is minimal. In the event of equipment malfunction, we have established contingency plans and alternative facilitating services in place. Additionally, our devices are designed for high availability, with two devices functioning as a backup in case one fails. We have not experienced any device failures to date.

It has streamlined the management of our network and security operations. While the machine itself doesn't provide an out-of-the-box solution, its effectiveness hinges on the expertise and security knowledge of its users. Therefore, engineering and security proficiency are paramount to maximizing the benefits of FortiGate.

FortiGate offers a lot of reporting logs and reports. By continuously monitoring these resources, we can gather sufficient information to take immediate action and implement necessary changes. However, the effectiveness of this approach hinges on having dedicated personnel to review and respond to the provided insights. The device itself cannot act autonomously without human intervention and analysis.

FortiGate has helped us reduce our mean time to remediation by 60 percent. Its user-friendly interface facilitates rapid issue resolution.

What is most valuable?

Fortinet FortiGate is an extremely user-friendly product. In terms of security, we have not experienced any security flaws or loopholes, and it has proven to be quite stable. Additionally, we have not experienced any downtime, which is of utmost importance.

What needs improvement?

The log analyzer, for instance, is a product being developed as a common solution for multiple FortiGate devices. Consequently, the log analyzer's functionalities are not fully integrated into the individual FortiGate products. I would prefer to have more detailed logs within the FortiGate products themselves rather than relying on a separate tool.

While Fortinet claims to offer a comprehensive network solution, it falls short in addressing computer application issues, particularly server security. Fortinet's capabilities are primarily focused on network security.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for over seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiGate is a fixed configuration that depends on the number of nodes and devices.

How are customer service and support?

The support from Fortinet and its vendors is good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The initial deployment can be completed in a few days. Two to three people are involved in the deployment.

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

In the Asian economy in which we operate, FortiGate is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Fortinet FortiGate eight out of ten.

I'm not involved in the operation of industrial devices. We do, however, have devices that are part of laboratories, and they may be flagged during searches because we belong to the education sector. In any case, FortiGate provides protection, and I wouldn't know the extent of visibility there because it's primarily concerned with providing security for those devices. If they are connected to the network, alright.

We have around 1,500 users and over 3,000 devices that utilize FortiGate.

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.
PeerSpot user
Ángel García Favieres - PeerSpot reviewer
CyberSecurity Specialist at Aiuken Cybersecurity
Real User
Top 10
Networking capabilities and community resources facilitate problem-solving
Pros and Cons
  • "The best features of Fortinet FortiGate include everything about networking, such as routing and VPNs."

    What is our primary use case?

    Mostly firewalls.

    What is most valuable?

    The best features of Fortinet FortiGate include everything about networking, such as routing and VPNs. Fortinet FortiGate is specifically user-friendly with an easy guide. It is easy to follow and learn about and work with. It has resources available all over the internet with an extensive database. It is very popular, so every community discusses Fortinet FortiGate. Every problem has been solved at some point.

    What needs improvement?

    Without a license, it becomes difficult to implement static DNS. The FortiDDNS.com functionality is particularly challenging to access without a license.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate for approximately a year and a half.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Fortinet FortiGate is quite stable. The main problem occurs when customers do not update their Fortinet FortiGate properly and regularly. Most issues stem from firewalls not being updated. I have not encountered any problems with Fortinet FortiGate devices.

    How are customer service and support?

    I have not opened many cases due to lack of need. When we do open cases, we receive fast and friendly replies. The support has been good, though I have not experienced significant issues to fully evaluate this aspect.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

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

    I have worked with other firewalls including Palo Alto, specifically their Prisma Access SASE solution. I have also briefly worked with Cisco systems.

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

    I am not in that field, but it is quite expensive, especially for personal or home use.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We recommend it primarily because we have more knowledge in the Fortinet FortiGate field. Customers ultimately choose what they prefer. We work better with Fortinet FortiGate due to our extensive experience with it.

    What other advice do I have?

    I have not used FortiGuard extensively as it is not in my field. The only SASE solution I have used is Prisma Access from Palo Alto, not the Fortinet FortiGate SASE. The interface is very user-friendly and easy to use, though knowledge of networking aspects, VPNs, and protocols is necessary. Fortinet FortiGate offers great compatibility with other Fortinet FortiGate functions such as IDS, antivirus, and sandbox features.

    All problems we have encountered have had straightforward solutions. Throughout my year and a half working with Fortinet FortiGate, I have not found myself needing additional features.

    I rate this solution 8 out of 10.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Other
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
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    Syed Ali Waqas - PeerSpot reviewer
    Head IT at Burraq Cyber Security Solutions
    Real User
    Top 5
    Provides centralized management, enhanced visibility, and reduces cybersecurity risks
    Pros and Cons
    • "The most valuable features are SD-WAN, application control, IPS control, and FortiSandbox."
    • "The graphical user interface of Fortinet's FortiGate product does not function well with text-based interfaces."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use Fortinet FortiGate as our security and routing solution.

    We implemented Fortinet FortiGate to enhance our security posture by blocking and restricting access to certain websites and securing our VPN traffic. 

    How has it helped my organization?

    Fortinet FortiGate offers enhanced visibility and segmentation for our industrial devices, a crucial process when some machines utilize systems demanding high-level security.

    We have implemented Fortinet Security Fabric on our VM infrastructure, and it has provided great service in helping us meet regulations, governance, and compliance requirements. This is important to us because Fortinet Security Fabric connects to our sandbox, allowing us to scan shares across all clusters and enabling FortiGate to resolve any online issues.

    Fortinet FortiGate has enhanced our organization's security by enabling secure VPN access and restricting access to social media sites, thus ensuring that employees can focus on their work. We saw the benefits of FortiGate within weeks of the deployment.

    FortiGate helps reduce the risk of cyberattacks that could disrupt our production by isolating the affected traffic and creating a log for us.

    It also helps to centralize the management of our network and security operations.

    The centralized management allows us to access all of our firewalls and policies using a single interface.

    Fortinet provides actionable data to help us make informed decisions about the actions to take. For example, if one of our firewalls goes down, the solution helps us rectify the issue by providing details on the problem and how to address it.

    By consolidating the numerous individually connected batches, FortiGate helped us reduce operational expenses associated with the extra costs they incurred.

    Fortinet FortiGate has helped us mature our approach to cybersecurity for protecting our industrial equipment. Their knowledge and daily webinars on email security and virus prevention have empowered us to stop attacks and maximize our efficiency.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable features are SD-WAN, application control, IPS control, and FortiSandbox. These features help reduce our downtime, manage the ISPs, and deploy SLAs for all the website traffic.

    What needs improvement?

    The graphical user interface of Fortinet's FortiGate product does not function well with text-based interfaces. This functionality should be improved.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for seven years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I would rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate a ten out of ten.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    While Fortinet FortiGate firewalls are scalable, upgrading to a new version or adding hardware requires purchasing a new license to migrate the old backup to the new firewall. 

    How are customer service and support?

    While the technical support team is knowledgeable, their response time to support tickets is concerning. It typically takes them 48-72 hours to respond, which significantly disrupts my work.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Neutral

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

    While we previously used the open-source PSS firewall, it lacked the layered security architecture offered by Fortinet FortiGate.

    We migrated to Fortinet FortiGate for its superior control, in-depth scanning, and ability to minimize cybersecurity risks, features not offered by other firewall solutions.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial deployment is easy. The solution can be installed by following the on-screen prompts, and the policies can be implemented through the interface dashboard.

    Deploying the system takes one full business day. We begin by gathering user requirements from each department, as they have varying policies. The policies are implemented department-first, followed by branches. Finally, VPNs are generated for remote users. Two people are required for the deployment.

    What about the implementation team?

    The implementation was completed in-house.

    What was our ROI?

    Since implementing Fortinet FortiGate, we have observed an increase in user productivity, which translates to a positive return on investment.

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

    While Fortinet FortiGate has a higher price point compared to Sophos XG, its user-friendly interface justifies the cost. Additionally, its fixed pricing structure eliminates concerns about surprise fees.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    After evaluating Sophos XG and finding its interface overly complex for our needs, we opted for the user-friendly interface of Fortinet FortiGate.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would rate Fortinet FortiGate an eight out of ten.

    We have one person that deals with maintaining Fortinet FortiGate.

    We have 1,100 users in multiple cities and departments using FortiGate.

    The Fortinet FortiGate 60F is a good choice for organizations to begin evaluating firewalls.

    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.
    PeerSpot user
    reviewer2078835 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Network Analyst at a manufacturing company with 11-50 employees
    Real User
    Top 5
    Offers granular application control and cost efficiency
    Pros and Cons
    • "The impact of SD-WAN on the network performance has been significant."

      What is our primary use case?

      It is a next-generation firewall used to create policies to allow and deny any traffic. I have used Fortinet FortiGate in the finance sector previously, and we are now using it in the manufacturing side.

      What is most valuable?

      In my opinion, some of the best features of Fortinet FortiGate include its ability to block specific applications. For example, if I want to block someone from using Facebook videos, I can disable or use its application control features to block access. Facebook has many components such as video features, chat features, and VoIP calling features, and I can block any of these features to be more granular.

      SD-WAN is an excellent feature where you can route the traffic to other WAN links without manual interruption. Technically, you cannot put two default routes on any firewall, but SD-WAN is a feature we can use to divert our traffic from one ISP to another. The impact of SD-WAN on the network performance has been significant. Previously, when we didn't have Fortinet FortiGate, we had Cisco routers where we used manual routing, and if one of the primary links was down, we had to do manual routing. With Fortinet FortiGate, it's much easier as we don't have to do anything; it's already configured, and if something happens, our configuration automatically changes the link and diverts the traffic when one of the links is down.

      What needs improvement?

      Fortinet FortiGate can be improved by being more stable because when we look for logs or open a case, we always find a bug and then we have to upgrade it. However, since it's a cost-effective solution, we are satisfied.

      For how long have I used the solution?

      I have more than 10 years of experience with Fortinet FortiGate.

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      Fortinet FortiGate is stable, but it has some bugs, so you have to upgrade it. I would not say it has all the capabilities, but it's good for a manufacturing site.

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      Fortinet FortiGate is pretty scalable.

      How are customer service and support?

      I would rate Fortinet FortiGate's support at a seven out of ten because whenever I open a case with their support, I have to explain everything and clarify the background. They take some time—at least a day—to see what's happening with the firewall. The agents aren't much experienced in providing solutions, but it's better than Palo Alto's support, which is the worst.

      How would you rate customer service and support?

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

      Previously, we had Palo Alto firewalls which were expensive—the contracts were particularly expensive. Fortinet FortiGate is not that expensive and is more affordable when comparing pricing. Nowadays, firms usually look for cheaper models and solutions, so Fortinet FortiGates are good, but for financial sectors, Palo Alto is better.

      The main differences between Palo Alto and Fortinet FortiGate are that Palo Alto has more features and functionality compared to Fortinet FortiGate. Palo Alto can be slow, but Fortinet FortiGate is fast. With Palo Alto, we have to commit and it takes five minutes for the configuration to push, which isn't the case with Fortinet FortiGate.

      How was the initial setup?

      The initial setup of Fortinet FortiGate is straightforward. The upgrade process is also straightforward.

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

      It's cost-effective.

      What other advice do I have?

      I would rate Fortinet FortiGate a nine out of ten. If you are looking for a cost effective solution and want to avoid the risk, go with the Fortinet FortiGate.

      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.
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      PeerSpot user
      GOUTHAM KRISHNA P S - PeerSpot reviewer
      Senior Information Security Analyst at channelnext
      Reseller
      Top 5Leaderboard
      Provides advanced threat protection and helps ensure compliance
      Pros and Cons
        • "I would rate Fortinet support a six out of ten. The immediate response is not that good, particularly when raising a critical or P1 ticket; they lag in the immediate response."

        What is our primary use case?

        My customer's main use cases for Fortinet FortiGate are mainly for threat blocking, compliance requirements, firewall functionality, and basic security.

        How has it helped my organization?

        It's focused on defending against advanced threats and providing better throughput. Additionally, it can accommodate both enterprise companies and independent users. Bandwidth is one of the issues, but there are many benefits. Overall, it's a solid solution that is scalable in terms of throughput.

        What is most valuable?

        The best features of this tool include threat protection, email filtering, and web filtering. FortiAnalyzer's integration with the firewall and FortiSASE is beneficial. The integration helps detect the most advanced threats, such as APTs. 

        Fortinet FortiGate stable solution has made systems more compliant in the cyber industry for several customers.

        What needs improvement?

        They can improve the backend functionality of Fortinet FortiGate, particularly how the policies work in a real-time environment. Improving this aspect can ensure that policies work effectively.

        For how long have I used the solution?

        I have been working with this solution for around one year.

        What do I think about the stability of the solution?

        The stability can be rated as eight out of ten.

        What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

        Fortinet FortiGate has very good scalability in terms of bandwidth, throughput, and everything else. It's scalable without any problems.

        How are customer service and support?

        I would rate Fortinet support a six out of ten. The immediate response is not that good, particularly when raising a critical or P1 ticket; they lag in the immediate response. They can improve on that front, especially in their support service.

        How would you rate customer service and support?

        How was the initial setup?

        The initial setup of Fortinet FortiGate is straightforward.

        What was our ROI?

        My customers have seen ROI with Fortinet FortiGate. The investment they made has provided returns.

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

        I'm not sure about the exact license cost, but generally, it's a reasonable price. If the hardware or the machine is advanced, it will be expensive. However, for medium-sized machines or hardware, it maintains a reasonable price.

        What other advice do I have?

        I recommend that those who want to use Fortinet FortiGate need to plan ahead. If they are upgrading or expanding their user base in their company, they should purchase a one-level higher version. It would provide good throughput and withstand the number of users in their company.

        Fortinet FortiGate can be a bit expensive, but the price is reasonable. I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

        Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Implementer
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        Buyer's Guide
        Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
        Updated: July 2025
        Buyer's Guide
        Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.