FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (48 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

48 reviews
95% willing to recommend

What is FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)?

The FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) from Fortinet is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed to cater to a wide array of organizational needs. It integrates seamlessly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, offering robust protection against various internal and external threats, including attacks, malware, and vulnerabilities. The NGFW is known for its advanced features such as SSL inspection, application control, visibility enhancements, and an effective intrusion prevention system (IPS). This IPS plays a critical role in identifying and blocking malicious traffic by monitoring and inspecting incoming data.

Get the FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), Fortinet FortiGate, Netgate pfSense and more!

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is the #4 ranked solution in top ZTNA solutions, #9 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, and #11 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) 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 20% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

March 2025

Get the report

Helped 842,388 peers since 2012

Featured FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews

MOHAN SUKUMAR

Head of computer systems at Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology(IIST)

The main area needing improvement is the user-friendliness of FortiGate's integration with other Fortinet tools like FortiAuthenticator and VPN services. Configuring these services is quite complex and not very user-friendly, requiring technical steps that are difficult for normal users to understand. Fortinet support's resolution of issues is slow, and the research on making the solution user-friendly needs to progress further.

Read full review

Anish Bheekoo

IT Lead at CMH

In terms of support, they are very responsive. If you reach out to them, they will contact you within 15 minutes. Managing FortiGate is easy and simple compared to other products. It's not too complex. Even if we miss renewing our licenses, FortiGate provides a grace period of 90 days, which is exceptional. Most products only offer 30 days. That's the best part, in my opinion. The support is excellent. I've had very positive experiences with FortiGate's support team. They are friendly and always available. Their support is available 24/7 via phone, email, or chat. They even offer remote access if we need help with configuration or auditing logs. Their support is reliable both locally and internationally.

Read full review

Fabricio Nonato

Solutions Engineer at Tripla

The common valuable feature for FortiGate is its UTM functionality, which includes various features under a license that is commonly implemented. FortiGate is widely used across fifty percent of the solutions in Brazil, making it a prevalent choice for many clients. It's beneficial because it allows the orchestration of networks with multiple vendors like Huawei, Cisco, and Juniper.

Read full review

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) mindshare

Product category:

As of March 2025, the mindshare of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) in the Firewalls category stands at 0.4%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports based on FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Netgate pfSense	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate	Mar 26, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs OPNsense	Mar 26, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.8%	90%	318 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	15.2%	94%	215 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's valuable features include user-friendly interface, seamless updates, strong technical support, SD-WAN capabilities, compatibility with various applications, comprehensive threat intelligence, excellent performance during penetration tests, and wide range of add-ons. Organizations also appreciate its robust VPN, SSL inspection, firewall policy management, high availability, and cost efficiency. FortiGate's ecosystem, including cloud services and integration with other tools, enhances overall security management. Its user interface and reporting capabilities are highly regarded.

"The most valuable features of the FortiGate firewall include SSL inspection, VPN functionality, and threat intelligence features for preventing threats."
"The most helpful features of FortiGate include its firewall policy, specifically the user-based policy, which I find to be quite beneficial in managing our network security effectively."
"The most valuable features of the FortiGate firewall include SSL inspection, VPN functionality, and threat intelligence features for preventing threats."

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall needs improvement in pricing models, licensing, technical support, and integration capabilities. It faces challenges with scale and stability, especially in large environments. Improved security features and reduced vulnerabilities are necessary. Enhancing the GUI and adding functionalities available in competitors' products would be beneficial. Memory issues, compatibility with Linux and Apple devices, and support for massive scaling are significant concerns. User-friendliness in integrations and configurations could see advancements.

"There should be more testing before releasing software since it can be a little buggy sometimes when new features come out after updates."
"The main area needing improvement is the user-friendliness of FortiGate's integration with other Fortinet tools like FortiAuthenticator and VPN services."
"There should be more testing before releasing software since it can be a little buggy sometimes when new features come out after updates."

ROI

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall provides significant security enhancements, resulting in positive ROI for many users. Some mention its high cost, suggesting ROI varies based on usage case, while others experience substantial value, highlighting FortiGuard's role in achieving substantial ROI. Users appreciate its ability to bolster security, control access, and manage bandwidth. Though considered expensive, FortiGate often outperforms competitors in cost, ensuring it remains a beneficial investment for organizations prioritizing security without experiencing complaints about effectiveness.

Pricing

Enterprise users find FortiGate Next Generation Firewall pricing high but reasonable compared to competitors like Cisco and Palo Alto. Costs vary based on licensing terms, such as one to five years and support levels. Initial purchase and maintenance may be costly, with additional fees for advanced features like FortiAnalyzer. Prices are competitive in markets like India, though some find it better suited for corporate budgets. Licensing options provide flexibility for various business needs.

"I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten"
"We pay $500 per year for the license."
"Although the solution's pricing is high, compared with other products, it may be cheap."

Popular Use Cases

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall is primarily employed for network security, border firewalls, and VPNs. It ensures security across various layers, including antivirus and intrusion prevention systems. Users apply it for perimeter security, internal LAN segregation, VPN for remote connections, and SD-WAN for connecting branches. It integrates with tools like FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer, offering features like web filtering, application filtering, and load balancing. Organizations value FortiGate for its reliability and comprehensive security features.

Service and Support

FortiGate NGFW's customer service is generally considered good, with responsive support and quick initial contact. However, some users report slow resolution times and a desire for more direct access to knowledgeable technical staff. Support varies geographically, with India noted for slower service. The technical support's availability 24/7 and flexibility are praised, while some find improvement needed in interaction and response speed. Satisfaction remains high despite occasional delays and the need for specialized expertise.

Deployment

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup is frequently praised for its ease, taking between a few hours to a week, depending on customer requirements and configurations. Many users rate it high for simplicity and user-friendliness. Deployments often involve one or two people and can scale rapidly. However, some report that technical expertise enhances the process, especially regarding complex environments and specific customer needs, with scores typically between eight to ten for ease.

Scalability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall is considered quite scalable, supporting small to large enterprises. User numbers can vary significantly depending on the needs and configurations. Several customers rate the scalability highly, with a few noting potential limitations in specific situations. The integration with multiple models and features like Virtual Domains and SD-WAN enhances its adaptability, making it suitable for diverse business environments. However, scalability may be limited by model-specific constraints and costs.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall is praised for its stability, with many rating it between seven to ten out of ten. Users report improvements in stability with newer FortiOS versions, particularly after version 5.6. Some note minor issues with specific features and recommend proper operational management to maintain stability. Many find it reliable for handling network needs, though smaller companies may experience some instability. Several emphasize the firewall's high availability and reliability with SD-WAN integration.

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

Download our FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) 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

20%

Comms Service Provider

12%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Non Profit

Government

University

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Media Company

Retailer

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Legal Firm

Security Firm

Outsourcing Company

Hospitality Company

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

Performing Arts

Compare FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) with alternative products

Learn more about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

FortiGate NGFW can be deployed in diverse environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid setups. The firewall is equipped with next-generation antivirus capabilities, IPS, web filtering, sandboxing, and intelligent security automation features like threat intelligence integration and automated incident response. Its reporting and analytics tools are comprehensive, aiding in enhancing an organization's security posture.

A notable aspect of the FortiGate NGFW is its diverse and highly rated features, including a powerful VPN, a user-friendly Firewall Management Console, policy-based controls, and advanced reporting and logging capabilities. The system also supports Identification Technologies, Visualization Tools, Content Inspection, and seamless integration with Active Directory and LDAP directories. Its High Availability and the flexibility to deploy in various configurations, such as on-premises or as a Virtual Machine, make it a versatile choice for different business needs.

The FortiGate NGFW also excels in providing secure connectivity. It supports various VPN protocols, offers SD-WAN for intelligent traffic routing, and integrates SASE for unified security and networking solutions. These features contribute to improved security, reduced operational costs, and increased agility for organizations.

When it comes to user experiences and satisfaction, FortiGate NGFW has garnered positive feedback, with an average rating of about 4.26 out of 5 on PeerSpot Reviews. Users from diverse roles, including core network teams, technical officers, and cybersecurity engineers, and from various sectors such as tech services, education, and finance, have found the solution effective. This indicates its versatility and suitability across different company sizes and types.

However, there are areas for improvement. Enhancing the details in Logging Services and making 10 Gigabit Interfaces available for lower models are some suggested enhancements. Simplifying the installation of FortiAP services is also noted as a potential area for improvement.