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Fortinet FortiGate-VM Reviews

Vendor: Fortinet
4.2 out of 5
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What is Fortinet FortiGate-VM?

FortiGate Virtual Appliances allow you to mitigate blind spots by implementing critical security controls within your virtual infrastructure. They also allow you to rapidly provision security infrastructure whenever and wherever it is needed. FortiGate virtual appliances feature all of the security and networking services common to traditional hardware-based FortiGate appliances. With the addition of virtual appliances from Fortinet, you can deploy a mix of hardware and virtual appliances, operating together and managed from a common centralized management platform.

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Fortinet FortiGate-VM is the #9 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiGate-VM an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Fortinet FortiGate-VM is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs Fortinet FortiGate. Fortinet FortiGate-VM is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 43% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate-VM
September 2025
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Fortinet FortiGate-VM mindshare

As of September 2025, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate-VM in the Firewalls category stands at 1.9%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Firewalls Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Fortinet FortiGate-VM1.9%
Fortinet FortiGate20.7%
Netgate pfSense11.1%
Other66.30000000000001%
Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on Fortinet FortiGate-VM reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryFirewallsSep 18, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersSep 18, 2025Download
ComparisonFortinet FortiGate-VM vs Fortinet FortiGateSep 18, 2025Download
ComparisonFortinet FortiGate-VM vs Netgate pfSenseSep 18, 2025Download
ComparisonFortinet FortiGate-VM vs OPNsenseSep 18, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Fortinet FortiGate4.220.7%92%574 interviewsAdd to research
Netgate pfSense4.311.1%93%217 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiGate-VM is praised for strong security, intuitive interface, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Users appreciate features like SD-WAN, VPN, IPS, web filtering, and automation. It's easy to deploy and manage, integrates seamlessly with other Fortinet products, and offers good support. It provides robust threat protection and flexibility for diverse business needs. The comprehensive threat database, effective firewall, and traffic inspection support multiple services within the same VM, making it suitable for varied environments.
  • "What I appreciate the most about Fortinet FortiGate-VM is that it is not much different than hardware appliances."
  • "What I appreciate the most about Fortinet FortiGate-VM is that it is not much different than hardware appliances."
  • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the web filters, as we are using them mostly; our content is condition-based, so we are accessing the websites by using the web filters."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiGate-VM needs enhancements in user interface responsiveness, detailed traffic reporting, and technical support efficiency. The pricing requires better competitiveness and integration capabilities should improve, especially with SIEM tools. Enhancements in reporting functionalities, flexibility in customization, and scalability are necessary. Features like SD-WAN, cloud management, and improved security measures could be included. High reliance on command-line interface instead of a graphical interface is problematic. Licensing and pricing transparency and better interoperability are also required improvements.
  • "In terms of room for improvement, logging could be improved. Sometimes the logs are more difficult to read and to identify root cause analysis."
  • "In terms of room for improvement, logging could be improved."
  • "There is an issue with Fortinet support, as we are using the premium support but have not received good results, since they take a long time to resolve queries after we submit them."

ROI

Fortinet FortiGate-VM shows varying return on investment perceptions among users. Stability and security improvements are frequently noted, enhancing network protection and reducing operational costs. Users see potential returns contingent on accurate sizing and long-term use. Some appreciate the cost-effectiveness and competitive pricing, while others feel it falls short in simplifying tasks. The value is recognized from enhanced traffic visibility and security, with ratings often high. Many consider it worthwhile due to investment recovery and feature renewability.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiGate-VM pricing is competitive, often cheaper than main competitors like Palo Alto and Check Point, but expensive compared to open-source solutions or, in some regions, alternatives like Sophos. Pricing varies based on license duration and features, with options for one, three, and five-year licenses. Enterprise buyers find value in bundled support and updates, though some users express concerns over the complexity and cost when scaling. Despite being mid-priced, some suggest exploring discounts or special offers to reduce costs.
  • "For large enterprises, price is not a problem because they need that solution. However, in the Philippine market, many of our clients are still small to medium businesses, so the price can be challenging. The license for Fortinet FortiGate-VM costs 100K to 150K Philippine pesos per year for VM1 or VM2."
  • "I find it quite reasonable."
  • "The tool is neither expensive nor cheap, so it is okay."

Popular Use Cases

Fortinet FortiGate-VM is primarily used for firewall functions, offering comprehensive security for internal and external networks. It secures cloud environments, enables VPN connections, and provides intrusion prevention. Organizations utilize it for network segmentation, site-to-site connections, and SD-WAN capabilities. It supports both on-premises and cloud deployments. Companies apply Fortinet FortiGate-VM to protect data centers, manage internet traffic, and enhance security for distributed sites. It is favored for its flexibility, performance, and ease of deployment.

Service and Support

Technical support for Fortinet FortiGate-VM receives mixed feedback. Many find it responsive and helpful, with a fast response time and knowledgeable staff, although some experience delays, unhelpful replies, or slow issue resolution. Local support and distributors are often praised, but some users prefer Fortinet's system to be more like Cisco's. Positive experiences frequently highlight efficient communication and problem-solving, while criticisms focus on slow response times or less competent staff members.

Deployment

Users found that Fortinet FortiGate-VM's initial setup is generally user-friendly and straightforward, though some complexity may arise, especially during migration from other solutions. Basic networking knowledge or experience with similar setups can aid the process. While installations can range from a few hours to several weeks depending on requirements and configurations, additional assistance or documentation can facilitate the deployment. Adjustments and maintenance vary based on specific needs and environments.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiGate-VM demonstrates strong scalability for various user needs. Many users find it handles increased loads effectively, though some experience constraints due to incorrect sizing or budget limitations. It's considered flexible for small to large companies, but certain virtual environments can pose challenges. Users appreciate its capacity to expand with enterprise needs, and it is often rated highly for scalability, particularly when virtual resources allow for enhanced flexibility in deployment.

Stability

Fortinet FortiGate-VM shows a mix of stability experiences. Many users express satisfaction, noting it as reliable with minimal issues. However, some mention problems with stability, especially during updates or incorrect configurations. Versions with new releases tend to introduce bugs, affecting consistent performance. Users rate Fortinet FortiGate-VM's stability mostly between six to ten out of ten, indicating varying levels of satisfaction. Scalability and ease of configuration are highlighted as positive aspects.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Fortinet FortiGate-VM Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business60
Midsize Enterprise28
Large Enterprise29
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business322
Midsize Enterprise198
Large Enterprise399
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Government
6%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Media Company
6%
Construction Company
4%
Retailer
4%
Educational Organization
4%
Insurance Company
4%
University
3%
Performing Arts
3%
Healthcare Company
3%
Non Profit
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
3%
Hospitality Company
3%
Real Estate/Law Firm
2%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Transportation Company
2%
Wholesaler/Distributor
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
International Affairs Institute
1%
Engineering Company
1%

Compare Fortinet FortiGate-VM with alternative products

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Learn more about Fortinet FortiGate-VM

Fortinet FortiGate-VM was previously known as FortiGate Virtual Appliance, FortiGate-VM.

Fortinet FortiGate-VM customers

Security7 Networks, COOPENAE

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Product Categories

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Fortinet FortiGate-VM Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Chief Technology Officer at a consultancy with 11-50 employees4.5As a reseller of Fortinet FortiGate, we find it invaluable for protecting banking companies and edge cloud data centers. Its SD-WAN and networking features are excellent, although support and limited WAF capabilities need improvement. Our ROI has been highly favorable, especially with SD-WAN.
System Engineer at Trends and Technologies, Inc4.5We used Fortinet FortiGate-VM to protect cloud assets, appreciating its Security Fabric and real-time threat response. While setup is straightforward, financial hurdles with licensing and renewals limit full potential in the growing Philippine market.
Chief Technology Officer at GM Modular4.0We use Fortinet FortiGate as a perimeter firewall for its simplicity and effective interface for alerts and monitoring. Although it efficiently blocks threats, we seek more AI-driven proactive alerts. We chose it over Check Point, Palo Alto, and Blue Coat.
Senior Escalation Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees3.0I've used Fortinet FortiGate-VM primarily in Azure for several years; it's reliable and similar to hardware appliances, though log readability needs improvement. Its granular security policies outshine SonicWall, but it’s pricier and underused across Fortinet's ecosystem.
Chief Executive Officer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees4.0I use FortiGate VM primarily for securing cloud and in-house databases. Its valuable features include cost-saving on hardware and flexible licensing. While some integrated features now require separate products, Sophos offers an alternative solution.
Senior Network Consultant at Visionet Systems Inc.4.0I use FortiGate VM primarily as a firewall to boost network security, benefiting from its easy deployment and management. While there are VPN and API integration issues, it has reduced our operational costs by fifty to sixty percent.
Pre-Sales Analyst at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees4.5In using Fortinet FortiGate-VM, we focused on cloud migration for our clients during the pandemic. Its integrated platform improved network reliability and reduced troubleshooting time compared to alternatives like SonicWall, providing operational benefits and better network organization.
IT Security Analyst at a energy/utilities company with 51-200 employees4.5We use Fortinet FortiGate for its flexibility and centralized management across various sites. It integrates well with FortiAnalyzer, but the documentation needs improvement. After five years with Palo Alto, Fortinet offers a cost-effective alternative for our network needs.