Cisco IOS Security vs Fortinet FortiManager comparison

Cancel
You must select at least 2 products to compare!
Fortinet Logo
120,425 views|88,209 comparisons
90% willing to recommend
Cisco Logo
1,224 views|947 comparisons
91% willing to recommend
Fortinet Logo
1,432 views|1,012 comparisons
94% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco IOS Security and Fortinet FortiManager based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Netgate, Fortinet, OPNsense and others in Firewalls.
To learn more, read our detailed Firewalls Report (Updated: April 2024).
769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"I like Fortinet's cloud management. It allows me to manage all my devices in different branches for three cloud accounts. Even though I use on-prem devices, I can manage everything on the cloud.""The pricing is excellent. It's much less expensive than Cisco.""This solution has solid UTM features combined with a nice GUI.""It is simple to manage, and there are a lot of functionalities in the same box.""It's quite comfortable to handle the FortiGate firewall.""It's super reliable. I don't think I've ever had a reliability issue with it.""Fortinet FortiGate is easy to use.""The most valuable features of the solution are SD-WAN, filtering testing applications, web filtering, and the new VPN."

More Fortinet FortiGate Pros →

"What I have used the most and received the most benefit from is the IPsec technology.""The solution is easy to use.""The stability of this solution is excellent.""The most valuable feature of Cisco IOS Security is posturing.""Cisco is head-and-shoulders above all of the competition when it comes to technical support.""The product has valuable features for business intelligence.""Cisco IOS Security has many good features, but compared to other solutions, it has a more user-friendly interface with steps to apply and manage rules. Another good part of the solution is that it's more straightforward.""The product is easy to use."

More Cisco IOS Security Pros →

"Without FortiManager, you cannot manage a complex environment across several sites with multiple firewalls.""For the whole security fabric from Fortinet, with a simple click you can see if some workstations or services are affected by an attack. You can really easily quarantine it, check the solution, and fix it.""The product is a combination of management and monitoring from the same interface.""It's very easy to install, and it's easy to discover and communicate with your device.""Fortinet FortiManager allows you to manage multiple FortiGate devices from a single console, and this is a valuable product feature.""The central management feature is the most valuable to me.""The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiManager are the overall management it provides and its ease of use.""It is easy to manage a huge number of devices with FortiManager."

More Fortinet FortiManager Pros →

Cons
"There are some license issues. Not every feature must have a separate license. There must be some of kind synergy between the license so we don't have to pay for every individual license that we would like to have.""They need faster serviceability and more security features.""The solution could be more evenly structured.""The security of Fortinet FortiGate could improve.""Its filtering is sometimes too precise or strict. We sometimes have to bypass and authorize some of the sites, but they get blocked. We know that they are trusted sites, but they are blocked, and we don't know why.""It would be nice if backups could more easily migrate between different models.""The main aspect of FortiGate that could be improved is load balancing. Our management team does not want to buy another appliance for only load balancing.""Bandwidth usage in reporting could be improved for Fortinet FortiGate."

More Fortinet FortiGate Cons →

"The routers, don't have like long-term tendency features, or higher availability features available for the IOS. It could also use a better user interface.""There's a technology called SD-WAN that we would like to see. We are unable to handle multiple connections or to automatically load balance. I would like to have a feature that enables us to automatically prepare for load balancing.""There could be a bit more functions on offer that could make it easier to use.""The solution is complex and can be more user-friendly.""Cisco IOS Security could improve by having more compatibility with other Cisco solutions.""With respect to user-friendliness, it is a command-line interface and those with such experience will get along just fine, whereas others may struggle.""The solution is not user friendly and it is hard to manage the GUI interface.""In the next release of this solution, we would like to see support for the 100BT and 7000 models."

More Cisco IOS Security Cons →

"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.""This solution needs more experienced technical support staff. There's nothing special about it compared to other vendors.""We have experienced a series of minor bugs that necessitated contacted technical support on several occasions.""Pricing-wise, it could always be less, even though it is less expensive than Palo Alto.""Having FortiManager work with all of the Fortinet products would be a good improvement.""We have some visibility issues with the reporting.""FortiManager would be improved by putting everything into a single console, including Microsoft O365 integration.""The GUI could be updated. It's not as good as it could be and is something the solution should improve in an upcoming release."

More Fortinet FortiManager Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Fortinet has one or two license types, and the VPN numbers are only limited by the hardware chassis make."
  • "These boxes are not that expensive compared to what they can do, their functionality, and the reporting you receive. Fortinet licensing is straightforward and less confusing compared to Cisco."
  • "Go for long term pricing negotiated at the time of purchase."
  • "Work through partners for the best pricing."
  • "The value is the capability of having multiple services with one unique license, not having the limitation per user licensing schema, like other vendors."
  • "Easy to understand licensing requirements."
  • "​We saved a bundle by not needing all the past appliances from an NGFW.​"
  • "The cost is too high... They have to focus on more features with less cost for the customer. If you see the market, where it's going, there are a lot of players offering more features for less cost."
  • More Fortinet FortiGate Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The pricing is very expensive. Normally I do a yearly contract; I don't know the exact pricing, but it's around $75,000 USD per year. That's the standard licensing."
  • "The licensing is on a subscription basis, and it is fairly costly. I would prefer a one-time payment."
  • "The licenses for this solution are expensive."
  • "It is an expensive solution."
  • "The pricing is okay. It is competitive. It costs more when you need get more features."
  • "Price is certainly something that the IOS technology has fallen behind the competition on."
  • "It is necessary to pay for a license in order to use the solution. It is on a yearly basis and the price is high."
  • "Palo Alto networks are more expensive than this solution and this is why you will see more products like this one in Mexico."
  • More Cisco IOS Security Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Fortinet FortiManager is not expensive at all if you compare it with other vendors like Check Point and Cisco. Fortinet products are the least expensive on the market in the category of firewalls."
  • "The licensing costs depend on how many devices you want to use."
  • "In comparison with other products, the price of FortiManager is reasonable."
  • "Fortinet is a high-end product and the cost is high. They should consider reducing the price, especially for existing customers."
  • "The license model they use depends on the size and is not limited to the users."
  • "This is an affordable solution, and its licensing model is based on the number of devices."
  • "For us, it is a little bit expensive."
  • "For the licensing fee, we paid around 10,000 to 15,000 euros."
  • More Fortinet FortiManager Pricing and Cost Advice →

    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Firewalls solutions are best for your needs.
    769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer: When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage at… more »
    Top Answer:From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know… more »
    Top Answer:As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite… more »
    Top Answer:Cisco IOS Security is a mature product with extensive capabilities, serving as the base for the defense layer. It offers… more »
    Top Answer:The challenge often comes down to pricing for SMB customers or those below enterprise level. It's tough for them to… more »
    Top Answer:In the security portfolio from Cisco, the issue is marketing. Cisco is still seen primarily as an enterprise network… more »
    Top Answer:The user interface, along with user-friendly planning features, makes it straightforward to configure desired settings.
    Top Answer:While I find the pricing somewhat higher compared to other options, it remains acceptable for now. I anticipate a… more »
    Top Answer:Issues arise when customers experience unstable electricity or poor grounding conditions. In such cases, their CPE or… more »
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    FortiGate 60b, FortiGate 60c, FortiGate 80c, FortiGate 50b, FortiGate 200b, FortiGate 110c, FortiGate
    IOS Security
    Learn More
    Overview

    Fortinet FortiGate enhances network security, prevents unauthorized access, and offers robust firewall protection. Valued features include advanced threat protection, reliable performance, and a user-friendly interface. It improves efficiency, streamlines processes, and boosts collaboration, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making and growth.

    Cisco IOS Software delivers a sophisticated set of security capabilities for a comprehensive, layered security approach throughout your network infrastructure. Cisco IOS security technologies help to defend critical business processes against attack and disruption, protect privacy, and support policy and regulatory compliance controls.

    Networks are constantly evolving due to threats, organizational growth, or new regulatory/business requirements. Traditional management products focus on mitigating company-wide threats through firewall policies, firmware updates, and keeping content security current. FortiManager offers the features to contain threats as well as providing flexibility to evolve along with your ever-changing network.

    Sample Customers
    1. Amazon Web Services 2. Microsoft 3. IBM 4. Cisco 5. Dell 6. HP 7. Oracle 8. Verizon 9. AT&T 10. T-Mobile 11. Sprint 12. Vodafone 13. Orange 14. BT Group 15. Telstra 16. Deutsche Telekom 17. Comcast 18. Time Warner Cable 19. CenturyLink 20. NTT Communications 21. Tata Communications 22. SoftBank 23. China Mobile 24. Singtel 25. Telus 26. Rogers Communications 27. Bell Canada 28. Telkom Indonesia 29. Telkom South Africa 30. Telmex 31. Telia Company 32. Telkom Kenya
    Arup Group, Brunel University London, City of Biel, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, K&L Gates , New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Offshore Northern Seas, Transplace
    Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Computer Software Company9%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization20%
    Computer Software Company15%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider17%
    Computer Software Company17%
    Financial Services Firm14%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company23%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Government7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company31%
    Comms Service Provider25%
    Manufacturing Company16%
    Transportation Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company20%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business48%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise32%
    Large Enterprise41%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business34%
    Midsize Enterprise28%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business21%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise57%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business47%
    Midsize Enterprise26%
    Large Enterprise28%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise54%
    Buyer's Guide
    Firewalls
    April 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Netgate, Fortinet, OPNsense and others in Firewalls. Updated: April 2024.
    769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Cisco IOS Security is ranked 22nd in Firewalls with 47 reviews while Fortinet FortiManager is ranked 3rd in Network Management Applications with 61 reviews. Cisco IOS Security is rated 8.0, while Fortinet FortiManager is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Cisco IOS Security writes "User-friendly and excels in documentation, making it easier to resolve issues". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Fortinet FortiManager writes "Easy to set up with good integration capabilities but we've had troubles when moving devices". Cisco IOS Security is most compared with Cisco Secure Firewall, Meraki MX, Fortinet FortiOS, Netgate pfSense and OPNsense, whereas Fortinet FortiManager is most compared with Fortinet FortiGate Cloud, Fortinet FortiOS, Cisco DNA Center, Zabbix and AlgoSec.

    We monitor all Firewalls reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.