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Osama Salem - PeerSpot reviewer
Cybersecurity services engineer at Sahara Net
Reseller
Is stable and easy to implement, but the user interface needs improvement
Pros and Cons
  • "Centralized configuration is the most helpful feature. I like the ability to create templates and push them to all the devices at the same time. I also like that I can see the the logs with one device to provide zero touch on all other products."
  • "I would like to be able to manage other products such as Endpoint and FortiAnalyzer through FortiManager. That is, the integration with other solutions needs to be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use FortiManager for centralized management of all Fortinet products. I have done SD-LAN configuration for multiple branches through FortiManager. It was easier for me to do it through this solution and push it to all the the branches.

What is most valuable?

Centralized configuration is the most helpful feature. I like the ability to create templates and push them to all the devices at the same time. I also like that I can see the the logs with one device to provide zero touch on all other products.

What needs improvement?

I would like to be able to manage other products such as Endpoint and FortiAnalyzer through FortiManager. That is, the integration with other solutions needs to be improved.

It would be helpful if we can manage all Fortinet products with a simpler GUI. FortiManager's GUI is complicated in comparison to that of FortiGate.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been working with Fortinet FortiManager for a year and a half.

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiManager
June 2025
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiManager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate FortiManager's stability at nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

On a scale from one to ten with one being the worst and ten being the best, FortiManager's scalability would be eight. It is a good solution for medium and enterprise companies.

How are customer service and support?

FortiManager's technical support is great, and I'd give them a ten out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

FortiManager's initial setup is a simple process.

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

On a scale from one to ten with one being the highest price and ten being the lowest price, I would rate FortiManager's price at three.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We compared FortiManager with Palo Alto Panorama. The user interface for Panorama is more user-friendly than that of FortiManager. Using certain commands and troubleshooting are also easier with Panorama.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would give FortiManager a rating of seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
PeerSpot user
Borey Soen - PeerSpot reviewer
Networks & Securities solutions Supervisor at a manufacturing company with 51-200 employees
Real User
It has a good dashboard and allows you to manage multiple devices from a single console
Pros and Cons
  • "Fortinet FortiManager allows you to manage multiple FortiGate devices from a single console, and this is a valuable product feature."
  • "Areas for improvement in Fortinet FortiManager are scalability and stability."

What is our primary use case?

I use Fortinet FortiManager for managing my FortiGate devices.

What is most valuable?

What I like best about Fortinet FortiManager is that you can use it with FortiGate. You can manage FortiGate devices through it. I also like that Fortinet FortiManager allows you to manage multiple FortiGate devices from a single console.

The Fortinet FortiManager dashboard is good, which is another pro of the product.

What needs improvement?

Areas for improvement in Fortinet FortiManager are scalability and stability.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been working with Fortinet FortiManager for three years. I'm still using the product.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiManager could be more stable, so it's a seven out of ten for me.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I'd give five out of ten for Fortinet FortiManager, scalability-wise. It's in the middle.

How are customer service and support?

I have experience contacting the technical support for Fortinet FortiManager. I'm giving the team an eight out of ten because I found it challenging to get support. Fortinet FortiManager technical support can be difficult to contact.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

Fortinet FortiManager has a simple setup.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented Fortinet FortiManager because it's just a process of downloading the product.

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

Fortinet FortiManager is a low-priced product.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I evaluated Cisco and Palo Alto Networks, but I found Fortinet FortiManager better and easier to manage.

What other advice do I have?

I'm using Fortinet products, Fortinet FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer.

My company has between three to four Fortinet FortiManager users.

Fortinet FortiManager is a product I recommend to others.

I'm rating the product as nine out of ten because it still has room for improvement stability-wise. Its technical support also needs improvement.

My company is a Fortinet partner.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiManager
June 2025
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiManager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
859,129 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Ahmed Dandousha - PeerSpot reviewer
Presales Engineer at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Lacking performance, and more integrated needed but beneficial device management
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiManager are the overall management it provides and its ease of use."
  • "The solution has to be enhanced to manage new switches."

What is our primary use case?

The solution can be deployed on the cloud or on-premise and it is used for managing network solutions.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiManager are the overall management it provides and its ease of use.

What needs improvement?

The solution has to be enhanced to manage new switches.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiManager for approximately two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is highly stable and has good performance.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is best suited for SMPs but not enterprises. If the company has many switches and access points and traffics with customization Fortinet FortiManager is not the correct solution.

The scalability of the solution is good. For example, you can use virtual machines and upgrade the license to scale.

How are customer service and support?

I have not used vendor support.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Fortinet FortiManager can be simple. However, if the company has third-party systems from different vendors it can be complicated.

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

The price of Fortinet FortiManager is inexpensive.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Aruba is a better solution because it has more power.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiManager a five out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Yuvaraj P - PeerSpot reviewer
Network & Security Engineer at Viroka Technology Private Limited
Real User
Top 5
Affordable solution that makes it easier to push policy
Pros and Cons
  • "FortiManager's best feature is the integration of administrator users."
  • "FortiManager could be more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

I primarily use FortiManager to manage FortiGate in a single console.

How has it helped my organization?

FortiManager has made it easier to push policy and has saved us money by providing free training.

What is most valuable?

FortiManager's best feature is the integration of administrator users.

What needs improvement?

FortiManager could be more user-friendly.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using FortiManager for over three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I haven't seen any performance or stability issues with FortiManager.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The on-prem version of FortiManager is not very scalable.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was complicated.

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

FortiManager isn't expensive, but its cost is dependent on which services are required. It has no extra or hidden fees.

What other advice do I have?

I would give FortiManager a rating of nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
Real User
Easy firmware upgrades but some stability issues
Pros and Cons
  • "FortiManager's most valuable features are web-based or web-rule-based policies, SD-WAN, and the ease of upgrading to new firmware."
  • "FortiManager would be improved by putting everything into a single console, including Microsoft O365 integration."

What is our primary use case?

I primarily use FortiManager to manage central policies and maintain a single pane of glass.

What is most valuable?

FortiManager's most valuable features are web-based or web-rule-based policies, SD-WAN, and the ease of upgrading to new firmware.

What needs improvement?

FortiManager would be improved by putting everything into a single console, including Microsoft O365 integration. Its stability could also be better.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using FortiManager for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

FortiManager is pretty stable, but there are some bugs - for example, with some of the OCVPNs not getting managed properly.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

FortiManager is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Fortinet's technical support is helpful.

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

I previously worked with Check Point and ASA but switched to FortiManager as it's more cost-effective.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is pretty easy and took around one day for fifteen devices.

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

FortiManager is reasonably priced - I pay around US$40,0000 per year, which covers fifty locations.

What other advice do I have?

FortiManager is the best suite for SMBs, and I would rate it as six out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

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

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
ElisoBrito - PeerSpot reviewer
Analista de Suporte at NCT Informática
Real User
Good features, excellent reports, and helpful central management capabilities
Pros and Cons
  • "The reports feature is excellent."
  • "If you have more than one FortiMail device, you can't manage it then with FortiManager on FortiGate."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for managing FortiGate devices.

What is most valuable?

We like the central management capabilities.

The reports feature is excellent.

What needs improvement?

If you have more than one FortiMail device, you can't manage it then with FortiManager on FortiGate.

It needs more integration with more Fortinet devices. 

For how we use the solution, we do not need any new features. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for close to ten years. It's been a long time. 

What other advice do I have?

I'm a consultant and I work with Fortinet solutions. 

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. It's been good overall. We've been pleased with its capabilities. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1247817 - PeerSpot reviewer
Presales Technical Specialist at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Simplified central management system with good stability and scalability
Pros and Cons
  • "Central management system for Fortinet devices that's simple, scalable, and stable, with a straightforward setup."
  • "This solution needs more experienced technical support staff. There's nothing special about it compared to other vendors."

What is our primary use case?

We used Fortinet FortiManager for managing multiple firewalls, because they had six or seven branches, so they need a single point of management. The Fortinet FortiAnalyzer was used for getting the logs out of all of these books, to store them in one place.

What is most valuable?

What I found most valuable about Fortinet FortiManager is its simplicity. I didn't see anything special about it compared to other vendors, and I'm working with multiple vendors, but when talking about this solution, it's always the simplicity that's valuable.

What needs improvement?

There's nothing special about it compared to other vendors, except for its simplicity.

This solution needs more experienced technical support staff.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've worked with Fortinet FortiManager for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability for this solution is good. I didn't see any issues with our customer.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I wasn't able to try Fortinet FortiManager on enterprise customers, or large-scale customers, but for small and medium-sized businesses, it was more than okay. It's scalable.

How are customer service and support?

How good the technical support will be depends on the product where we need them. For the firewalls, all of them are good. For Fortinet FortiManager, I didn't see a lot of experienced people in there, but I didn't need them for complicated issues. It's the technical support team for firewalls who was very good.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup for this solution was straightforward. As for its deployment, the design and planning took around three months, e.g. we talked about the design, project plan, scope of work, etc. Implementation just took one week.

What was our ROI?

For the ROI, for a five-year project, Fortinet FortiManager would be the best option to use.

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

This is an affordable solution, and it's based on the number of devices. I did read that the licensing model has changed recently, but I'm not using the new licensing model.

What other advice do I have?

There was a solution we used last 2021. We implemented Fortinet, and it was the major project we were dealing with at the time. We used everything from Fortinet, e.g. analytics management, logs, etc. It was only Fortinet we implemented, and not any other solution.

We implemented Fortinet FortiManager for orchestration and management, then for the loads, we implemented Fortinet FortiAnalyzer. For firewalls, we have 4800F and 60F. We've implemented them in multiple sites, so those were the main components.

During the implementation, I jumped between versions and did some upgrades, because with Fortinet, there are new versions that only work for short periods, so I had to upgrade the version multiple times during the implementation.

The deployment for Fortinet FortiManager was via a virtual machine, and it was on private cloud. We used the customer infrastructure to implement and install Fortinet FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer, so that particular cloud was owned by the customer, so there's no cloud provider for that.

We have 500 users of this solution. It was a medium-sized project.

I didn't see anything missing on Fortinet FortiManager. I like it the way it is. I'm happy with it, so I can't think of anything they should add in terms of features.

I would give Fortinet FortiManager the highest score because even a junior can implement it. It does not require too much knowledge or scale to implement a project, so I'm rating it a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud

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
PeerSpot user
Group Head of IT at a maritime company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Good Protection with multiple features in one box, but there are visibility issues and the price could be reduced
Pros and Cons
  • "It has multiple features in one box, which helps to avoid needing a lot of equipment. This is something that makes them unique."
  • "We have some visibility issues with the reporting."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution as our core Firewall.

How has it helped my organization?

As our core firewall, it provides us with good protection.

What is most valuable?

The functionality is good. It has good features and it works well for us.

It has multiple features in one box, which helps to avoid needing a lot of equipment. This is something that makes them unique.

What needs improvement?

We have some visibility issues with the reporting. As the reporting is not properly available, we have to use many tools to get a meaningful outcome of the reports.

There should be training available for the clients. Cisco, for example, provides training hours or credits at the time of purchase. People should get some kind of coaching on how to use this solution and various features rather than depending upon the support partners.

The reports are available separately, but they should be a part of the standard product.

For how long have I used the solution?

With this company, I have been working with Fortinet FortiManager for a year and a half.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It has good stability. It's reliable as far as the production environment is concerned. It is working well.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

For us, it is fine as it is, because we don't have a large environment, and don't need such requirements.

It does provide the scalability for larger organizations with more sites. They may need to upgrade or maybe attach more devices.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have good access to the portal, and the information can be pulled from there. The department is also helpful.

Our experience with technical support has been good.

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

Previously, we used another solution. We did a complete overhaul of our network architecture, which was the main reason we brought Fortinet FortiManager into our environment.

How was the initial setup?

With some help, the initial setup was fine.

What about the implementation team?

We had engaged the partner to implement this solution for us.

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

Fortinet is a high-end product and the cost is high. They should consider reducing the price, especially for existing customers.

If you want to add something or if you want to resubscribe, there should be some advantage given to the existing customers. 

In my opinion, in general, the prices are high.

What other advice do I have?

Currently, it is fulfilling our requirements. We don't have any immediate plans to change, and we don't have any expansion possibility as such, because there is no expansion in our environment.

It is everyone's own choice what they want in their environment and what they want to prioritize.

Because I have some reservations, I would rate Fortinet FortiManager a seven 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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiManager Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: June 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiManager Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.