Fortinet FortiOS Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiOS
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (80 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

80 reviews
98% willing to recommend

253 followers

What is Fortinet FortiOS?

Fortinet FortiOS is a comprehensive security operating system that powers Fortinet's network security solutions. It provides advanced threat protection, network visibility, and centralized management for organizations of all sizes. With its robust features and intuitive interface, FortiOS enables businesses to secure their networks, applications, and data from cyber threats.

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Fortinet FortiOS is the #23 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiOS an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Fortinet FortiOS is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Fortinet FortiOS vs Fortinet FortiGate. Fortinet FortiOS is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% 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.

Helped 849,686 peers since 2012

Featured Fortinet FortiOS reviews

Harshama Silva

Senior Manager at ITX360 (Pvt) Ltd

FortiOS is very user-friendly and easy to configure for L1, L2, and L3 personnel. Its web filtering, application control, and IPS features are very user-friendly, easy to manage, and deploy. The threat intelligence in FortiOS is very high, and the system is scalable without additional licensing costs. FortiOS allows us to expand the number of users and devices as our network needs grow.

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Brian Massey

Network Administrator at a educational organization with 501-1,000 employees

FortiOS is the operating system that runs on FortiGate firewalls, and I have managed wireless networks through it as well. It acts as the wireless controller for two sites where access points are deployed. It is user-friendly when it comes to turning on features, and it has been reliable and effective.

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Özden-Aydın

Technology Consultant at Netwiser

We generally use FortiOS for network security and parameter security in our organization The features that are very important for us include IPS, web blocker, and application blocker. These features enhance network security significantly. Additionally, the solution offers good threat…

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Fortinet FortiOS mindshare

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiOS in the Firewalls category stands at 1.1%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on Fortinet FortiOS reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	May 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs Netgate pfSense	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs Fortinet FortiGate	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs OPNsense	May 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	21.4%	90%	330 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	13.3%	93%	217 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiOS boasts valuable features like UTM, SD-WAN, and a user-friendly interface. The intrusion prevention system and antivirus rank highly. Its high-availability feature ensures security by creating more paths, reducing failure chances. Effective application control, web filtering, and low maintenance add to its appeal. Integration capabilities and robust threat detection are notable. Ease of configuration and updates without downtime enhance usability. Stability, security, and compatibility with third-party integrations, make it a preferred choice.

"Fortinet FortiOS is very easy to use, and when comparing it to other products, its easiness is remarkable."
"Fortinet delivers a good balance of price and performance."
"Overall, I rate FortiOS a nine out of ten."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiOS experiences issues like complex VPNs, compatibility problems with older models, GUI limitations, and a steep learning curve. It also faces challenges with pricing and update efficiency. Technical support and performance need enhancement, especially for cloud integration. More intuitive interfaces and reliable integrations are required, addressing browser and CLI inconsistencies. The license model could be more straightforward and economical, and documentation should be more comprehensive to ensure better usability and accessibility for customers.

"In some specific products, Fortinet FortiOS faces memory issues, which can lead to unexpected downtimes."
"Stability is a seven out of ten because during version migrations, and sometimes with new versions, Fortinet is not as good. Palo Alto is more stable than Fortinet, but this depends on the configuration."
"Compared to other market leaders like Palo Alto and Check Point, FortiOS has many bugs in its initial releases."

ROI

Fortinet FortiOS is considered a worthwhile investment due to its scalability and ease of use. Users appreciate its ability to deliver a good return, supported by effective features that enhance security without extensive training. Its cost-effectiveness is particularly noted in preventing high recovery expenses from potential security breaches. Fortinet FortiOS is praised for its reliability and competitive pricing compared to alternatives like Palo Alto and Check Point, appealing to organizations seeking compatibility and strong security measures.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiOS generally has a yearly licensing model, with pricing influenced by selected features and partner negotiations. While not the cheapest option, FortiOS is often considered affordable compared to other premium solutions like Cisco and Palo Alto. Negotiable and promotional rates can be available, although some deem it expensive for smaller businesses. Fortinet stands out for offering balanced pricing and features, making it more suitable for mid-range and higher SMBs than smaller enterprises.

"Regarding the cost, the initial purchase is relatively cheap because it comes bundled. However, the subscription renewals can be quite expensive. The renewal costs are high, even though the initial purchase might include discounts."
"Pricing for the tool can vary. Sometimes, aggressive pricing is offered at the start, but later, as subscriptions and expansions are needed, the costs can increase, and customers may have to pay whatever is required."
"The solution is cost effective. I would rate the pricing a five out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

Fortinet FortiOS is utilized primarily for network and edge security, serving as a firewall for various deployment models like on-premises and cloud. Users implement it for site-to-site VPNs, SD-WAN, application control, and web filtering. It offers features like intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, and bandwidth management, supporting security distribution across diverse environments, from small businesses to data centers. It is integral for protecting infrastructure, managing gateways, and ensuring secure connectivity and network segmentation.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiOS customer service and support are frequently noted as responsive, helpful, and fast, excelling in basic issues but lacking in advanced documentation. While some users praise the quick problem resolution and proactive assistance, others highlight delays and knowledge gaps in first-tier technical support. Regional and email support are appreciated, though some users express frustration with bureaucracy and lengthy verification processes. Many find the support satisfactory, with room for improvement in complex situations.

Deployment

Fortinet FortiOS's initial setup is generally straightforward. Most users find it easy, with deployment taking from a few minutes to a few days based on complexity. The setup process benefits greatly from proper planning and understanding of security configurations. While novices may face challenges, guidance through manuals, online resources, and even the GUI aids in easing the process. Users highlight varying experiences with setup complexity influenced by specific requirements and network environments.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiOS is praised for its scalability, supporting a wide range of users and environments efficiently. It allows easy expansion, handles various organizational sizes, and integrates well with other security solutions. While some users note hardware limits requiring upgrades, many appreciate its expandability and high-availability features. FortiOS efficiently supports both small businesses and large enterprises, though management capabilities may vary depending on the hardware model and network requirements.

Stability

Fortinet FortiOS exhibits high stability with minimal issues. Users report consistent reliability and performance, noting few bugs or glitches. Patches are efficiently released to address any vulnerabilities. Configuration issues occasionally affect stability, but these are often due to user application errors. Fortinet FortiOS excels in maintaining stable operations, even during updates, despite some reports of bugs in specific versions. Users appreciate the rapid resolution of issues and commend Fortinet FortiOS for its consistent reliability and performance.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Fortinet FortiOS Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Construction Company

University

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Real Estate/Law Firm

Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Performing Arts

Engineering Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Marketing Services Firm

Recruiting/Hr Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Wellness & Fitness Company

Compare Fortinet FortiOS with alternative products

Learn more about Fortinet FortiOS

One of the key features of FortiOS is its advanced threat protection capabilities. It incorporates multiple security technologies, including firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention system (IPS), and web filtering, to detect and block a wide range of threats. This ensures that organizations are protected against malware, ransomware, and other malicious activities. FortiOS also offers extensive network visibility, allowing organizations to monitor and analyze network traffic in real-time. This visibility enables businesses to identify potential security risks, detect anomalies, and take proactive measures to mitigate threats.

Additionally, FortiOS provides detailed reports and analytics, helping organizations gain insights into their network security posture. Centralized management is another crucial aspect of FortiOS. It allows businesses to manage and configure their security policies, devices, and users from a single console. This simplifies the management process and ensures consistent security across the entire network infrastructure.

Moreover, FortiOS supports integration with other Fortinet products, enabling seamless security orchestration and automation. FortiOS is designed to be scalable and flexible, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes. It offers a range of deployment options, including physical appliances, virtual machines, and cloud-based solutions. This flexibility allows businesses to choose the deployment model that best fits their requirements and easily scale their security infrastructure as their needs evolve.