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 #10 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 42% 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)

February 2025

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Featured reviews

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.

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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.

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Jasmit Singh Juneja

CEO & Technology Specialist at Karman Infotech Private Limited

Bugs appear whenever a new firmware or operating system is uploaded into the device for certain modules. These bugs might cause certain services not to work, which has been the case in the past. There have been certain things that were resolved with the new firmware update. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall comes with a six version or a seven version. The 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 versions would have bugs, but the 6.4 version would be pretty stable and precise without any issues. Hence, I generally prefer to go ahead with the later version of a particular generation. For example, instead of going with the first version of the sixth generation, I would go in for a third or a fourth version. These things are there in most vendors, but I've noticed these, particularly in FortiGate Next Generation Firewall.

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FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) mindshare

Product category:

As of February 2025, the mindshare of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) in the Firewalls category stands at 0.3%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Netgate pfSense	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate	Feb 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs OPNsense	Feb 22, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.7%	90%	318 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	16.0%	94%	213 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's key features include a user-friendly interface, strong support, and seamless integration with other tools. SD-WAN, IPS, and application control are significant for users. Its rapid patch updates enhance security. Reporting and filtering capabilities are also emphasized, along with threat detection features and cost advantages. The robust ecosystem, availability, and flexible configuration make it preferable compared to alternatives. Its top-notch reputation is highlighted in various external tests.

"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 (NGFW) needs pricing and licensing adjustments. The improvement in technical support and compatibility with third-party integrations is essential. Customers highlight the need for enhanced security features, including vulnerability management and better IPS engine efficiency. The GUI and memory performance deserve improvement. FortiGate's SD-WAN capabilities and scalability for large environments are concerns, and users experience difficulties with password management. Hardware features and VPN functionality should be better optimized.

"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 is perceived as expensive, yet many report a positive return on investment, especially when paired with FortiGuard. Users highlight enhanced security, user access control, and improved operations management. Some users plan increased usage despite current low returns. The ROI varies by use case, but its effectiveness and security benefits are generally valued, indicating zero complaints from users regarding its performance. A robust perimeter setup contributes to high ROI perceptions.

Pricing

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) pricing varies significantly based on needs and regions, with users noting both high and reasonable costs. Licensing is typically annual, impacting overall expenses, with support adding additional fees. While considered expensive compared to smaller brands, FortiGate remains competitively priced against major competitors like Cisco or Palo Alto. Costs can increase with additional features like FortiAnalyzer, but the solution is often deemed reasonable for the value, particularly for small to medium enterprises.

"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

Organizations primarily use FortiGate Next Generation Firewall for border and internal security, network segmentation, and policy management. It is employed for securing various layers, including application to networking, and provides essential features like VPN, SD-WAN, IPS, antivirus, URL filtering, and more. FortiGate serves as a gateway firewall, ensures remote connectivity for distributed branches, acts as a defense against threats, integrates security tools, and facilitates secure branch-to-branch connections, monitoring, and traffic routing.

Service and Support

Support for FortiGate Next Generation Firewall receives mixed feedback. Many find it responsive and efficient, highlighting 24/7 availability and knowledgeable staff, while others note delays and scripted interactions. Some users report positive experiences and quick resolutions, particularly in complex scenarios. Regional differences affect satisfaction levels, with Indian support requiring improvement. Users appreciate the grace period for license renewals. Fortinet has strengthened its support over recent years, although some still desire faster responses.

Deployment

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup is frequently described as easy and straightforward. Management and deployment are user-friendly, usually taking one to several days depending on factors like customer requirements and expertise. While some complexities arise, such as integrating specific configurations and policies, resellers and professionals often rate the ease eight to ten out of ten. For first-time users, prior experience with firewall systems further simplifies the process. Initial deployment can involve one or more individuals.

Scalability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) showcases robust scalability, highly rated by users. It effectively supports diverse business sizes, accommodating varying user counts and configurations. Businesses can scale seamlessly across different models, which offer significant performance. Some users find scalability excellent, though others note potential limitations with specific requirements. The solution is frequently highlighted for its versatility in supporting small to large enterprises. Its flexible scaling options meet a wide range of organizational needs.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is generally considered stable, with many users rating its stability between seven and ten out of ten. Users note improvements in stability with newer FortiOS versions, such as Version 7. Some mention minor issues with firmware bugs, security features, and VPN functions. Users emphasize the importance of an experienced operational team to maximize stability, highlighting FortiGate's reliability with SD-WAN and high availability configurations.

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

13%

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Non Profit

University

Insurance Company

Government

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Construction Company

Security Firm

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

Hospitality Company

Performing Arts

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Transportation Company

Leisure / Travel Company

Logistics Company

Program Development Consultancy

Real Estate/Law Firm

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.