Fortinet FortiGate-VM Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiGate-VM
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (120 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

120 reviews
98% willing to recommend

579 followers

What is Fortinet FortiGate-VM?

FortiGate Virtual Appliances allow you to mitigate blind spots by implementing critical security controls within your virtual infrastructure. They also allow you to rapidly provision security infrastructure whenever and wherever it is needed. FortiGate virtual appliances feature all of the security and networking services common to traditional hardware-based FortiGate appliances. With the addition of virtual appliances from Fortinet, you can deploy a mix of hardware and virtual appliances, operating together and managed from a common centralized management platform.

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Fortinet FortiGate-VM is the #9 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiGate-VM an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 120 most recent Fortinet FortiGate-VM reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.5. Fortinet FortiGate-VM is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs Fortinet FortiGate. Fortinet FortiGate-VM is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 49% 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

Fortinet FortiGate-VM

January 2025

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Featured reviews

Pietro Di Blasi

Pre-Sales Analyst at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees

The main use is for clients who are migrating to the cloud. We started this journey during the pandemic, and the main case is with clients who are moving to either a private or a public cloud The solution allows us to organize our networks and access within one vendor, using an integrated…

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RajeshKumar20

Senior Engineer at Team Computers

In SonicWall, there is no need to buy two boxes for HA. SonicWall will work fine if you buy one box with the fully licensed set and get another box without a license. When it comes to Palo Alto Networks or Fortinet FortiGate-VM, people have to buy the same type of boxes with the same features to ensure that they get HA. The need to buy the same type of boxes with the same features to ensure that you get HA is one of the shortcomings of Fortinet FortiGate-VM when compared to SonicWall, where improvements are needed. The product has a good reputation in the SMB industry market. The tool does not have a good name in the market, consisting of enterprise-class businesses, making it an area where the product lacks and needs to improve. The price of the license needs to be improved.

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SHUBHAM BHINGARDE

Project Engineer at CDAC

The tool improved the security in our company's virtualized environment, as it was helpful in creating an additional layer of security for the organization and for the use of the internet. The tool was the most important product to be implemented in the organization. To be able for our organization to build our services, we need to operate inside a certain network while ensuring that the outside traffic gets blocked by using the firewall services from the tool, as it helps to create a secure network inside our company. Without the tool in our organization, our network would have been compromised. The aforementioned area consists of details related to how the tool helps with the workload protection aspect. I recommend the solution to others who plan to use it since it helps in areas where it helps block a particular website with the help of the firewall functionalities that it possesses. The tool also helps block outside traffic, and it is mandatory to implement a firewall as an organization grows for the smooth operations of business. I rate the tool a ten out of ten.

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Fortinet FortiGate-VM mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiGate-VM in the Firewalls category stands at 1.9%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs Netgate pfSense	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs Fortinet FortiGate	Jan 14, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs OPNsense	Jan 14, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.3%	90%	317 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	17.6%	94%	206 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiGate-VM offers robust security features such as IPS, UTM, and web filtering. Users appreciate its ease of use, intuitive web interface, and seamless deployment. It integrates well with other Fortinet products and provides excellent support. It excels in VPN capabilities, scalability, and flexibility for small to large-scale operations. The firewall's performance, coupled with bundled licenses, makes it cost-effective. The SD-WAN, traffic shaping, and real-time sandboxing enhance network control and protection.

"I observed a fifty to sixty percent reduction in operational costs after migrating to FortiGate VM."
"Scalability is an excellent selling point for FortiGate VM."
"I would recommend Fortinet FortiGate-VM as a very good solution."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiGate-VM requires enhancements in user interface and integration capabilities. Reporting and logging features need advancement, and technical support could be more effective. The pricing model should be more competitive. Stability and scalability also warrant improvement. Customers desire better customization options and simplified management. Integration with cloud platforms and enhanced automation are also sought after. Monitoring and advanced analytics require refinement, and pricing transparency is necessary.

"Interoperability could be improved. The API needs better integration to match accounts and objects more effectively."
"The partner support is quite low, and the end-user support is delayed at levels L2 and L3. L1 support is quick."
"Pricing is complex."

ROI

Many users report satisfactory returns with Fortinet FortiGate-VM, noting improved network stability and security. Investment recovery is possible when correctly sized and used long-term. Reliable features, quick deployment, and cost-effectiveness enhance value. Operational costs reduced notably, with positive impacts on network organization and access. High ratings emphasize its ability to maintain safety. Despite some initial expectations of more advanced functionality, users appreciate its scalability, free support options, and comprehensive security features.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiGate-VM is competitively priced compared to Palo Alto and Check Point but more costly than Sophos or open-source alternatives. Users note that while the initial costs can be substantial, the solution provides a good cost-benefit ratio. Many highlighted the importance of licensing, which is flexible with options for one, three, or five-year terms. Additional fees may apply for advanced features, but standard licensing generally includes necessary support and updates.

"The tool is neither expensive nor cheap, so it is okay."
"The price falls somewhere in the middle; it's neither cheap nor expensive."
"We don't have to pay for the licenses. But we might purchase licenses in the future."

Popular Use Cases

Fortinet FortiGate-VM is primarily used for firewalling, VPN services, and SD-WAN, providing robust network security across various environments. It secures both on-premise and cloud infrastructures, managing inbound and outbound internet traffic, network segmentation, and remote connectivity. Commonly implemented by system integrators and service providers, it benefits small to medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, and clients migrating to the cloud, offering Unified Threat Management (UTM) features and intrusion prevention.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiGate-VM support is generally good, with many users highlighting its responsiveness and knowledge. Some rate it as high as nine or ten, while others find certain interactions slower or inefficient. Local support from vendors is often appreciated, though there are mixed feelings about the necessity for escalation and troubleshooting processes. Feedback highlights strengths in customer service and quick response for urgent issues, but improvement in response times and initial help could enhance user satisfaction.

Deployment

Many users found Fortinet FortiGate-VM's initial setup straightforward and user-friendly, with basic networking knowledge required. Customizing configurations can become complex, particularly when involving VPN connections or specific customer requirements. Deployment times vary, with some installations completed in a few hours, while others take weeks, depending on the environment and complexity. Support from Fortinet and documentation aids the process, making it manageable even for those less experienced.

Scalability

Opinions about Fortinet FortiGate-VM's scalability vary, with many finding it robust and capable of handling growth, sometimes even highly rated. However, others mention limitations, especially dependent on company size or budget. Some note challenges with specific modules or configurations. Generally, most appreciate its ability to expand, praising its flexibility and virtual appliance capabilities. Clients from various business scales find it suitable, though some suggest improvements in certain areas.

Stability

Many users report that Fortinet FortiGate-VM is stable and reliable, with no major issues over time, particularly after updates. However, some have experienced bugs and glitches, primarily related to new versions or incorrect configurations. While performance is generally consistent, it can be affected by resource allocation. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness and easy licensing compared to competitors like Cisco. Many rate its stability highly, although some note occasional issues with memory utilization and configuration.

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

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