Fortinet FortiOS Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiOS
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (79 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

79 reviews
98% willing to recommend

269 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 #19 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 17% of all views.

Helped 839,319 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 March 2025, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiOS in the Firewalls category stands at 1.0%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports based on Fortinet FortiOS reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs Netgate pfSense	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs Fortinet FortiGate	Mar 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs OPNsense	Mar 3, 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%	214 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiOS is valued for its Unified Threat Management features, including intrusion prevention, antivirus, and web filtering. It offers user-friendly navigation, high availability, and seamless SD-WAN integration. Its graphical interface allows intuitive troubleshooting and control over traffic. Fortinet FortiOS is recognized for its stability, scalability, effective support, and comprehensive threat prevention, making it appealing to users requiring extensive segmentation, flexible configuration, and robust internet gateway capabilities. It provides cost-efficient security functions without needing additional licensing.

"Fortinet delivers a good balance of price and performance."
"Overall, I rate FortiOS a nine out of ten."
"FortiOS is very user-friendly and easy to configure for L1, L2, and L3 personnel."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiOS requires improvements in VPN complexity, version compatibility, pricing, GUI usability, and technical support. Its reporting and monitoring could be more detailed, and enhancements in DDoS protection, cloud integration, and policy management are necessary. Users emphasize the need for better log retention, compatibility with various browsers, and a more intuitive CLI. Network performance and update optimization are also areas where Fortinet FortiOS can advance to meet user expectations better.

"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."
"Compared to other market leaders like Palo Alto and Check Point, FortiOS has many bugs in its initial releases."

ROI

Fortinet FortiOS demonstrates a strong return on investment, evident from its ease of use, scalability, and security effectiveness, which reduces the need for extensive system clean-ups post-threat. Its pricing is competitive compared to others like Palo Alto and Check Point. Users have found it to be a worthwhile investment, offering reliability and cost savings, especially when upgrading from older models. Although return figures vary, it has proven beneficial in multiple scenarios and environments.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiOS pricing varies depending on the selected features and modules, generally requiring annual or multi-year licensing. Although considered costly, especially for small businesses, it offers competitive rates compared to similar solutions like Palo Alto or Cisco. Licensing typically involves additional costs for features beyond the operating system. FortiOS is praised for its value in mid to large enterprises. Pricing can be influenced by partners and includes support, maintenance, and potential promotional discounts.

"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 primarily used for edge network security, including firewalls, SD-WAN, VPN, application control, and intrusion prevention. It supports data center protection, web filtering, and remote access for businesses, covering both on-premises and cloud deployments. Companies utilize it for site-to-site VPNs, network segmentation, and endpoint gateway protection. It integrates with third-party systems, enhancing cybersecurity and bandwidth management for diverse industries like banks and SMBs, offering robust firewall capabilities and intrusion detection systems.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiOS customer service and technical support are generally viewed positively, praised for responsiveness and willingness to assist. Many appreciate the regional support and rapid responses, though there are about delays with complex issues. Feedback highlights some variability in knowledge among support staff, with advanced documentation lacking. Users note improvements needed in response time and issue resolution at first-tier support. Customer service is often described as satisfactory, with good communication and professional conduct.

Deployment

Fortinet FortiOS's initial setup is generally straightforward with many finding it easy to deploy. Deployment time can vary from minutes to several days based on complexity and customer requirements. Some encounter learning curves, but resources such as manuals and online guides are helpful. Experience with other firewalls or understanding of network security can simplify the process. In cases of complex environments or specific customer needs, setup might pose more challenges.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiOS is highly scalable, supporting significant user growth across various organizational sizes and environments. API integrations enable seamless integration with other security solutions. The platform can manage thousands of users, with the ability to expand capacity as needed. High availability features ensure stability, and its flexible deployment adapts from basic setups to complex data centers. However, scaling may require hardware upgrades, and costs could increase with additional licensing or devices.

Stability

Users find Fortinet FortiOS very stable with few issues experienced over years of use. Configurations can impact stability, but performance remains strong with minimal bugs or glitches. Updates and patches are efficiently managed, providing quick resolutions. Fortinet FortiOS is consistently reliable even during updates; however, some report occasional instability with new versions. Users rate stability between seven and nine out of ten, acknowledging minor areas for improvement despite generally positive experiences. Fortinet FortiOS is highly dependable.

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

17%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Retailer

University

Insurance Company

Non Profit

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Engineering Company

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Recruiting/Hr Firm

Marketing Services Firm

Pharma/Biotech 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.