The case of FortiGate is for firewall and VPN connection. We are partners and resellers of Fortinet and I'm a director. Our company is based in Malaysia.
Sales Director at Visualize Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Provides great firewall security and has good VPN features
Pros and Cons
- "Provides good firewall security and has great VPN features."
- "The solution lacks sufficient filtering."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
FortiGate has improved our operational efficiency.
What is most valuable?
The solution provides good firewall security and has great VPN features. The product is generally very simple to deploy and is quite flexible.
What needs improvement?
They need to improve features related to mobiles with more and more customers adopting that as their way to manage things. They need to look to the future with their features and meet filtering requirements which the solution cannot currently do.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
February 2025
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Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
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For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The product is not scalable.
How are customer service and support?
We are self-sufficient in terms of support.
How was the initial setup?
Initial deployments can be complex depending on the customer's requirements. Implementation can take up to a couple of days. There aren't usually too many issues. The solution requires some maintenance, mainly monitoring.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing costs are reasonable. You get value for your money.
What other advice do I have?
It's important to understand your customer's requirements. Once we work that out we then do a round of checks on the security vulnerabilities.
I rate this solution eight out of 10.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Manager Technical Support at Rubik Infotech Pvt. Ltd
Easy to set up and configure with good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "It's very easy to configure."
- "It would be ideal if they had some sort of GUI interface for troubleshooting and diagnostics."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily sell FortiGate to clients. We have customers such as pharmaceutical companies and hospitals that require the security on offer. It is a great firewall.
What is most valuable?
With many companies dealing with users now working from home, definitely a great feature is the SSL VPN. With that, a user can control everything from their own devices and get connected to the servers even if they are off-site.
The initial setup is easy. It's not overly difficult.
The solution offers very good security.
It's a good firewall. It's very easy to configure.
What needs improvement?
We require troubleshooting and those kinds of things. We have to worry about debugging. It would be ideal if they had some sort of GUI interface for troubleshooting and diagnostics. That would be much better. FortiGate has only CLI-based diagnostic capabilities. Sometimes it's become very difficult to do all this troubleshooting.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been handling security solutions lie FortiGate for ten to 15 years at this point. It's been a while.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There are some bugs you have to deal with. There's some troubleshooting that needs to be done.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution isn't scalable per se as it is hardware. However, you can always buy more hardware to expand it if you need to.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is good. You get very good support from this product overall. We're quite satisfied with their level of service.
How was the initial setup?
The implementation process is not complex. It's an easy solution. It's not complex setting everything up.
What other advice do I have?
We are resellers of security products.
New users should be aware that this solution offers very good security. The different level of security we have in Fortinet, in general, is good. They can use various security products to help protect their organizations.
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
February 2025
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Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.
838,737 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Sr. Corporate Marketing Executive at Amity Infosoft Pvt. Ltd.
Improved our organization through single pane of glass management
Pros and Cons
- "Anti-Spam web content filterinG."
What is our primary use case?
VPN Over 3 Location Across India and We Get SD-Wan + UTM from Fortinet and Final got Solution SDWAN as well as UTM for Every Location
How has it helped my organization?
- Single pane of glass management
- Easy GUI for monitors
- Logical Network Diagram from GUI
- Physical Network Diagram from GUI
What is most valuable?
FortiGate is really strong in the following:
- UTM
- IPS
- Antivirus
- App control
- AntiBotnet
- Anti-Spam
- Web content filtering
- IOC (indicator of Compromise)
- Web Application Firewall
- Vulnebarity Management
- FortiView
- L3 routing
What needs improvement?
Need to Improvement in Reporting
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using it for the last nine years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability is fine. I rebooted after 755 Days from the date of installation.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is Fine.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Partner support is very good.
Technical Support:
FortiGuard Service is also good with the push method update.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We were previously using SOPHOS.
How was the initial setup?
Easy by WebGUI and also mobile app.
What about the implementation team?
We have implemented in-house.
What was our ROI?
Excellent ROI, due to virus spambot intrusion free network.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's a little bit higher than Cyberoam but the security is More higher compared to the other vendor.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Sophos, Check Point, and SonicWall.
What other advice do I have?
Buy FortiGate for a hassle free network management and excellent ROI.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Infrastructure Engineer at Communication Progress
Scalable, Easy to implement, security fabric integration, wireless controller, low cost, stable
Pros and Cons
- "Web filtering and two-factor authentication are great features."
- "Vulnerability scanning could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case of this solution for our clients is for protecting internal networks with data center firewalls, internal segmentation and next generation firewalls.
We are a gold partner of Fortinet.
What is most valuable?
SD-WAN, Security fabric integration, two-factor authentication, ADVPN, Dynamic routing, single pane of glas managements are great features. FortiGate is very easy to use, and to configure.
What needs improvement?
I think some improvements could be made in vulnerability scanning. I'd also like to see additional features in the authentication. They support RADIUS, LDAP but the solution doesn't have API integration with other solutions. They have API in FortiAuthenticator, but not in the firewall and not all customers want to buy another solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been providing this solution to clients for seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a very stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution is scalable. They have now built hyperscale firewalls and it's very easy. Also VMs, for example, is very easy to scale, you just need to adjust the licensing.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is very, very good. They respond quickly and provide the solution to the problem.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have previously used Check Point and Cisco ASA. In terms of cost and security features, Fortinet has the advantage and it's also easy to implement. Cisco and Check Point are a little bit more difficult in that aspect.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is simple, as with all Fortinet technologies. Deployment time depends on the situation. For small customers it takes about one to two hours. For larger companies with different kinds of firewalls in their infrastructure, it may take a day or two, it depends on the complexity of the network, the infrastructure and the size of the business. The solution is suitable for any size company. Maintenance depends on the contract with our customers, but Fortinet includes support with every license. If a customer wants support from us, we provide it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Fortinet offers four types of licensing - Advanced Threat Protection, Unified Threat Protection and Enterprise Protection and 360 degree Protection. Licensing costs are dependent on the VM or Hardware model, not per features. For example if vm or Hardware model supports 200 IPsec tunnels you can setup 200 IPsec tunnels, it doesn't matter what kind of license you have.
What other advice do I have?
I would definitely recommend this solution.
I would rate this solution a 10 out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
IT Director at Guangdong Technion Institute of Technology
Includes an antivirus, IPS, and even SD-WAN
Pros and Cons
- "The notable features that I have found most valuable are that it includes the antivirus, and also IPS, and even SD-WAN."
- "FortiGate support could do some improvements on their IPv6 configuration. Right now it's still in the very early stage for utilizing in an enterprise level network environment."
What is our primary use case?
This Fortinet product is a firewall system, acting as our perimeter firewall. Generally speaking we use this system as a security product to defend from any attacks and to protect our internal network. We are very happy with the security features afforded by this product.
What is most valuable?
The notable features that I have found most valuable are that it includes the antivirus, IPS, and even SD-WAN.
What needs improvement?
In terms of what could be improved, the FortiGate support could do some improvements on their IPv6 configuration. Right now it's still in the very early stage for utilizing in an enterprise level network environment
In terms of the FortiGate IPS, we haven't gotten additional tools because they are not free, and we have to purchase them to maximize this IPS feature. As long as they can perform some basic functions to meet our business needs, that is okay. I'm okay with this feature right now, so far.
In the next release of FortiGate the price could be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiGate since May of 2018.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This product is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiGate is a very scalable product.
It is managed by the IT department, so only they use it.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their support is quite good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is quite simple.
Not including the preparation, setup took about three days to just unpack them, connect it to the power, power it on, and do some initial configuration. That's just the three days, but we took about two weeks for the preparation and planning.
What about the implementation team?
We had an external partner to help us and to work together with us to do the initial setup.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale of one to ten I would give Fortinet FortiGate an eight.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Product Manager at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Flexible and easy to use, with good support, but they should introduce security at the packet level
Pros and Cons
- "FortiGate is flexible and easy to use."
- "Fortinet currently has many products bundled with FortiGate including the basic firewall and load balancer, and I think that that they need to have separate product portfolios for each of these specialized services."
What is our primary use case?
We use this product as a perimeter firewall and also in the role of a firewall as a service for our cloud.
What is most valuable?
FortiGate is flexible and easy to use.
What needs improvement?
Fortinet currently has many products bundled with FortiGate including the basic firewall and load balancer, and I think that that they need to have separate product portfolios for each of these specialized services. When it comes to large deployments, I don't think it's a good plan to have all of these services in a single box.
I think that they should introduce in-line security at the packet level, where they can do filtering and other firewall functions. It should not comes down to the infrastructure level but rather, offer services at the ISP level.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using FortiGate for the past four to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This product is scalable and as a service provider, we extend our usage to external customers. There are many users on the platform.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have premium support from Fortinet and it is quite good.
What about the implementation team?
We used their Professional Services for the initial installation.
We have a large in-house team for maintenance, although I am not sure how many are dedicated to this particular product.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of FortiGate is average and I would say that based on the top five products available on the market, it is in the affordable range.
What other advice do I have?
This is a product that I can recommend to others.
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Owner at a tech services company
I am able to save hours of planning and implementation time because the documentation is so helpful
Pros and Cons
- "Their reliability and their policy of pre-shipping replacements when a unit has failed."
What is most valuable?
- The prompt and knowledgeable support behind them.
- Their reliability and their policy of pre-shipping replacements when a unit has failed.
- The simplicity and clarity of their user interface and documentation.
- Their 'cookbooks' that walk you through the most common installation scenarios.
How has it helped my organization?
I am a one-man show, so there is not much that can be done to improve the way that I function. However, these products provide best-in-class security at reasonable prices.
One of the most helpful features is their VPN, the client could not be any simpler to set up and use.
What needs improvement?
I can't think of too much which they can improve upon. I just have not come across any situation where they have fallen short of expectations.
For how long have I used the solution?
I am a consultant who supports these units for my clients who use them. I have had over 10 years of experience with Fortinet products.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The products are extremely stable. I have only had one instance where a unit did not function as expected, and Fortinet replaced the unit, despite the fact that it was still operational.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is the one area where there is room for some improvement. Currently, customers need to purchase more powerful units as their network traffic and requirements grow. Fortinet will occasionally offer trade-in credits in such situations, but this is not always the case. Their product line allows customers to scale from SoHo through enterprise-level requirements, which is what I like about them so much.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their tech support is outstanding.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have sold and supported other solutions in the past. Fortinet is not always the least-cost solution available, but from a value standpoint, I find them hard to beat.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup complexity will vary with the complexity of the installation. It is relatively straightforward and simple to set up basic configurations. More complex requirements entail reading through a lot of documentation in order to complete the firewall configuration because of the myriad of features and options that are available in their O/S. The 'cookbooks' are a big help in these instances.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing and licensing have to be taken in context with value. Fortinet is usually not the least expensive alternative when considering an upfront investment, but if you take into account the support costs over several years, they are often as cost-effective as the 'cheaper' solutions.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
In this particular instance, Fortinet was evaluated against an equivalent solution sourced from D-Link. I also evaluated a solution from Xirrus (now Riverbed) which promised better signal strength. However, when I ran the various WiFi planning tools from each supplier, the coverage differences did not merit the more expensive Xirrus solution.
What other advice do I have?
Anyone evaluating this product should consult the documentation available and plan out their solution before making a decision. From personal experience, I find that I am able to save hours of planning and implementation time because Fortinet's documentation is so helpful.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Security Coordinator at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
The VPN capabilities provide a reliable connection to our corporate network over low cost internet services.
Pros and Cons
- "LinkGreat firewall capabilities"
- "Stability and technical support are the two major issues I have found with Fortinet."
How has it helped my organization?
These devices allowed my organization to connect a network of gas stations and convenience stores nationwide. The VPN capabilities provide a reliable connection to our corporate network over very low cost internet services (basically, any Internet service locally available can be used for this connections).
We also leverage the NGFW, UTM and WLAN controller features to provide security for corporate network traffic, and secure, content-filtered guest internet access for customers in the convenience stores. All this at a relative low cost.
What is most valuable?
What needs improvement?
Stability and technical support are the two major issues I have found with Fortinet.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We’ve had cases of unexplained bugs that go away with a simple device reboot. Software updates usually help with these issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have personally found that Fortinet advertising can be misleading. The devices will usually fail way before reaching the capacity advertised in the data sheets, especially when you activate several of the features the device can handle. This is not a dealbreaker for me, especially because of the cost. But I would advise care when dimensioning the devices you’ll need.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Customer service in Fortinet is OK. Lately they've been making efforts in this area. They actually call you when licenses are about to expire which is a nice touch on their part.
Technical Support:
I would say technical support is 6/10. I’ve found tech support to vary, sometimes being decent, sometimes painfully inefficient. Much room for improvement here IMHO.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We still use Cisco for some cases. However, where we need the advanced security and UTM features, Cisco’s prices can be very restrictive. Fortinet is a much more cost-effective choice for those cases.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup was very straightforward. Interface is very friendly and easy to comprehend.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before choosing this product, we also evaluated Cisco.
What other advice do I have?
Be careful with dimensioning. Don’t expect the device to handle ALL the features. Usually firewall, Web Filter and the WLAN controller work well. But if you need IPS, app control and AV, I would advise over-dimensioning the device a bit (taking Fortinet data sheets as the reference).
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: February 2025
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I have used Fortigates for 6 years. Like you, similar experiences augmented by an additional support subscription due to my early learning curves. What I did not realize was the speed compromises with all the security apps acivie - if I have a Verizon FiOS true Gig subscription, my speed was tapered down to 100 Mbps or less. That is a 90% reduction. With 6 users multiplied by cell phones accessing the same WiFi, you can imagine the data speeds we were actually working with.
So, I picked WatchGuard, the T70 specifically. The data speeds with everything turned on remains near the subscription (1 Gig) and I have the same types of protections as the Fortigate. It is too early to report the reliability and other specs since this has changed only in the last week, but the specs tell me a lot that helped me to understand what I missed on my first go-around with Fortigate. Don't get me wrong, I had zero issues over the last 6 years to Fortigate's credit. However, that speed compromise doesn't work for me. Perhaps I missed something, but my support knows the product and there were no adjustments available, other than turning certain feature off. I couldn't afford that security risk, not these days.