One valuable feature of FortiGate SWG that has significantly enhanced my network security is IPS.
Network Security Engineer at Ensure Support Services Limited
Strong network security that's enhanced with an easy setup
Pros and Cons
- "I rate this solution a nine out of ten."
- "I would rate the technical support of Fortinet a six or seven out of ten. It is not very helpful. I would like to see improvements in their support."
What is most valuable?
What needs improvement?
I would rate the technical support of Fortinet a six or seven out of ten. It is not very helpful. I would like to see improvements in their support.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used the solution for six to eight months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Fortinet SWG is a stable solution, and I would rate it eight, indicating it is good.
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
884,371 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I think the scalability of FortiGate SWG is okay. It meets the growing demands of my network and goes hand in hand with security.
How are customer service and support?
I find the technical support of Fortinet to be not very helpful.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
How was the initial setup?
I handled the installation myself, and it can be installed by one person.
What was our ROI?
It is too early to discuss any financial benefits or cost savings from using FortiGate SWG.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
On a scale from one to ten, I would rate the pricing for FortiGate AWG as nine, which is perfect.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I am working with Fortinet and another vendor simultaneously.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution a nine out of ten.
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.
Presales Engineer at Sencinet
Initial setup is very easy, but real-time connection with the cloud could be improved
Pros and Cons
- "The solution’s initial setup is very easy."
- "The solution's real-time connection with the cloud could be improved."
What is most valuable?
The solution’s initial setup is very easy.
What needs improvement?
The solution's real-time connection with the cloud could be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiGate IPS for four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiGate IPS is a very stable product.
I rate the solution’s stability ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiGate IPS is a very scalable solution.
I rate the solution’s scalability an eight or nine out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have previously used Cisco.
How was the initial setup?
The solution’s initial setup is very easy. The solution was deployed by a network engineer or security engineer.
On a scale from one to ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy, I rate the solution’s initial setup a nine out of ten.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Fortinet FortiGate IPS is cheaper than other solutions like Cisco or Check Point.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend the solution to other users.
Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
884,371 professionals have used our research since 2012.
CTO at NS (IL) Systems Ltd.
Easily integrates with existing infrastructure and has a helpful technical support team
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is easy."
- "The platform's compatibility with Wi-Fi equipment needs improvement."
What is most valuable?
The product's basic firewall feature is one of the best in the market for network security.
What needs improvement?
The platform's compatibility with Wi-Fi equipment needs improvement. Sometimes, the Wi-Fi units don't work, or one of the networks stops working, and we have to reboot the FortiGate client's endpoint.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate for more than ten years now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a reliable solution. I rate the stability a ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Small-scale companies sometimes use the whole UTM solution, which includes antivirus and URL protection. However, enterprise clients usually use additional solutions for those kinds of things.
I rate the scalability a ten.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support team is responsive and helpful.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy. Depending on the project, the deployment process can take several days.
What was our ROI?
The platform generates a good return on investment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The product pricing is reasonable.
What other advice do I have?
It is easy to integrate FortiGate into existing infrastructure. As a firewall, it's one of the best products available today. For other features, we sometimes prefer other vendors, but for firewalls, especially for SMBs, it is a great product.
I rate it a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Principal Consultant at Sapienze Tech FZE
Impressive in fending off various threats
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable aspects of FortiGate NGFW are its top-notch reputation in peer reviews, user-friendly interface, and excellent support."
- "I see room to explore its integration with Secure Service Automation for a more comprehensive security view."
What is our primary use case?
We use FortiGate NGFW to secure our network gateways. These devices, functioning as UTM solutions, were impressive in fending off various threats. FortiGate excelled with its anti-spam, antivirus, and firewall features at the network level. Beyond security, it is seamlessly integrated with networking tools like Zendesk.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable aspects of FortiGate NGFW are its top-notch reputation in peer reviews, user-friendly interface, and excellent support. It stood out during external penetration tests, proving its effectiveness compared to our previous firewall. The seamless integration with other tools and thorough testing set FortiGate apart. Replacing our old firewall with Fortinet was a game-changer, especially as it helped us improve our performance in subsequent penetration tests.
What needs improvement?
FortiGate has been solid for us, but I see room to explore its integration with Secure Service Automation for a more comprehensive security view. The initial migration had some challenges, but they were manageable. Now, my focus is on automating responses to alerts, especially during nighttime attacks. I want to investigate how FortiGate can connect with other solutions, like SIEM, to enhance our security measures while offline.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using FortiGate NGFW for a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is quite stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
FortiGate is scalable, and we currently use it for approximately 300 internal users, with additional offshore teams connecting via VPN. The total user count, including the offshore teams from different countries and continents, is around 400 to 500 people.
How are customer service and support?
We contacted Fortinet's technical support during a firmware upgrade issue. They guided the upgrade process, and their support was capable and helpful. I would rate them as a ten out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
In comparing FortiGate with other solutions like Cyberoam, I have found Fortinet to excel in various aspects. For instance, its intrusion detection capabilities stand out, providing instant alerts compared to some firewalls that take up to 24 hours. While I can't quantify percentages, Fortinet's performance, especially in areas like responsiveness, has been notably better in my experience.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up FortiGate NGFW was straightforward, with some considerations during the migration process. Migrating from an old firewall required meticulous rule review and manual configuration. Ensuring adherence to best practices and testing in a beta environment were crucial steps. We also coordinated with our ISP to clear the ARP cache for a smooth transition. Despite a minor misconfiguration leading to an issue, we swiftly addressed it over a weekend with minimal impact. Regular backups and failover tests added an extra layer of assurance. A team of three people deployed it. The deployment and migration from the old firewall to FortiGate took approximately one month. To ensure a smooth transition for our 24/7 operations, we invested extra time for thorough testing and rule validation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing and licensing costs for FortiGate are quite reasonable, especially for an SMB like ours. While solutions like Check Point and Palo Alto are excellent, Fortinet's affordability played a significant role in our decision-making process.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
FortiGate for SMBs impressively covers most features, and in my experience with Cisco, Symantec, SonicWall, and others, FortiGate stands out. It has exceeded my expectations. While I haven't explored Check Point due to budget constraints, FortiGate's pricing makes it a top choice. Palo Alto and Check Point are excellent but would likely have been my preference if pricing aligned. Overall, FortiGate has been a standout performer in terms of features and value.
What other advice do I have?
For those starting with FortiGate NGFW, my advice is to thoroughly explore its features. I recently recommended it to a healthcare entity due to its effectiveness and user-friendly interface. The fact that they already had Fortinet in another enterprise speaks volumes about its reliability and performance. Overall, I would rate it as an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Implementer
Senior Security Sales Engineer at BT - British Telecom
A cost-effective cloud solution for Secure Web Gateway with firewall
Pros and Cons
- "Customers keep on improving their licenses. The solution remains scalable and flexible. On-premises deployments may have some limitations. However, cloud deployments offer a high degree of flexibility."
- "Fortinet FortiGate SWG should be localised to specific regions to comply with local data privacy regulations because of the data privacy rules in the countries. In the Middle East, data organisation and KFA requirements are stringent."
What is our primary use case?
Fortinet’s SaaS offering is the best fit for anybody looking for a cloud-delivered secure web gateway to replace their on-premises solution. It combines with given capabilities, making it a good proposition for customers.
What is most valuable?
Customers are looking for a Secure Web Gateway solution focusing on securing web browsing. There are additional features like a virtual or cloud firewall. The majority of customers are seeking WAF filtering solutions.
What needs improvement?
Integrating with the SD-WAN functionality on Fortinet devices makes a compelling story for customers to choose a Fortinet-based solution, which the Fortinet Security Fabric further reinforces.
Fortinet FortiGate SWG should be localised to specific regions to comply with local data privacy regulations because of the data privacy rules in the countries. In the Middle East, data organisation and KFA requirements are stringent.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG as a global reseller.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the solution’s stability a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Customers keep on improving their licenses. The solution remains scalable and flexible. On-premises deployments may have some limitations. However, cloud deployments offer a high degree of flexibility.
Our customers fall into enterprise and medium business.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is very supportive.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not complex, especially for someone familiar with configuring firewalls.
The deployment is very easy. The hard thing is to configure the policy to decide traffic to allow or block. On top of data privacy, you need to stop data from filtering. It’s not difficult from a deployment perspective but it requires some consideration.
Fortinet provides users with configuration options to implement the security policies they require. The effectiveness of these configurations depends on the expertise of the individual configuring the device.
I rate the initial setup a nine-point five out of ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy.
What was our ROI?
Customers who opted for the Fortinet FortiGate SWG's cloud-based version have seen a return on investment. However, using it for more than a year is typically recommended to realise the solution's benefits fully.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution has a combination of different flavours, which make it an attractive option for customers. The solution includes an SD-WAN, DLP, and a secure web gateway, all integrated into a single platform. It provides economies of scale.
FortiGate SWG is a cost-effective solution well-suited for organisations of all sizes.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend it to all my customers looking for SD-WAN and a secure web gateway for their SD-WAN deployment.
Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
Head of IT Department at Tengri Partners Investment Banking
A comprehensive and user-friendly solution for securing networks against web-based threats
Pros and Cons
- "I am content with its user interface and functionalities."
- "It is essential to leverage its capabilities more professionally to achieve an even higher level of security."
What is our primary use case?
We use it to secure our environment, ensuring no vulnerabilities or potential risks in our network configuration. Our goal is to enhance cybersecurity measures, safeguard our network, and ensure the integrity of our systems against potential threats and intrusions.
What is most valuable?
I am content with its user interface and functionalities.
What needs improvement?
There is a potential for enhanced protection. It is essential to leverage its capabilities more professionally to achieve an even higher level of security. I believe that if the cost were lower, it would be highly beneficial. While the gateway serves as a primary solution for the entire network, attention should also be given to endpoint devices.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using it for approximately five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is incredibly reliable. I would rate it eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It provides excellent scalability abilities and I would rate it eight out of ten. There are around fifty individuals actively using it.
How are customer service and support?
They provide exceptional support. I would rate it eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
When comparing Fortinet to Cisco, Fortinet stands out as a more user-friendly and practical solution. It seems especially well-suited for smaller network environments, making it the preferred choice for our small work network. The switch was prompted by the wealth of features Fortinet offers, coupled with its ease of management and deployment. The diverse interfaces and comprehensive reporting, including statistics and other relevant information, further contribute to its appeal.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
The deployment duration is variable and relies on the development level and installation complexity. Initially, it may take only a few hours. However, to enhance security and stability, the process might extend to a few days or even a week. For a simple network, a single individual should be sufficient to manage it effectively.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
While slightly more affordable than competitors, it remains relatively expensive due to its inclusive subscription. It operates on a subscription basis. You pay solely for this subscription, without any additional custom costs for support or other services. The subscription encompasses support, updates, and all associated features.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.
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
Head of IT at ArcelorMittal
Robust and secure product with a valuable SD-WAN feature
Pros and Cons
- "It has a valuable SD-WAN feature and provides good performance."
- "They should make the product user-friendly and enhance the security features."
What is most valuable?
Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a robust and secure product compared to Sophos. It has a valuable SD-WAN feature and provides good performance. Along with that, it has efficient bandwidth and policy management features as well.
What needs improvement?
They could provide bandwidth concentrators and traffic filtering features. They should make the product user-friendly and enhance the security features.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for ten years. At present, we use the latest version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the product's stability an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the product's scalability an eight out of ten. It is suitable for small to large enterprises.
How was the initial setup?
I rate the product's initial setup process a seven out of ten. It takes a few hours or a few days to complete.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I rate the product's pricing a seven out of ten. Its one-year license cost is competitive with three and five-year licenses offered by other products.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend the product to others and rate it a nine out of ten.
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. Implementer
Manager Operations Technology at EJCLME Inc.
A reliable tool for connectivity with strong WiFi ports and SD-WAN
What is our primary use case?
I’ve worked with network and security information since 1999. My use cases for FortiGate are in the telecom environment. In my experience, we have used Fortinet to connect sites. I’m working with an SMB in São Paulo, and we work with small equipment. I have a project to define a model from the end products, and to do that I’m working with a local network to deploy our services. After defining this product, I wire the product through my team so they can make configurations. Sometimes, I work directly with configuration, with third level support.
What is most valuable?
FortiGate’s connectivity and the SD-WAN is perfect. Likewise, the WiFi ports from Fortinet are very strong.
What needs improvement?
FortiGate's connectivity for small businesses is not as strong as it can be. If Fortinet includes more information and marketing to small businesses, their presence will be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have 15 years of experience with Fortinet.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable and doesn’t have any problems.
How are customer service and support?
They are very good and they are quick at solving problems. I have had no problems with them.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
What about the implementation team?
I work with a distributor in Brazil, and their people have a lot of experience with the technology and they are good to work with.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost depends on the equipment required. The cost is okay.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Compared with Sophos, for example, Fortinet is similar but simpler to access and the licenses are easier and start using the solution. Sophos’ technology is very similar, but Fortinet has a stronger name and better technology for our technicians.
What other advice do I have?
In Brazil, there is no doubt that Fortinet is the leader when it comes to security solutions. Fortinet works better in a scenario with more of one presented from the same customer. There are many options from other brands for the same customer. When users need one solution to stay securely connected to many sites, Fortinet works well. 40% of all purchases are Fortinet, while another 30% are Sophos and another 30% are Cisco.
I rate FortiGate NGFW a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2026
Product Categories
Firewalls Secure Web Gateways (SWG) Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions WAN Edge ZTNA Unified Threat Management (UTM)Popular Comparisons
Netgate pfSense
OPNsense
Sophos Firewall
Cisco Secure Firewall
Darktrace
Cisco Umbrella
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks
Cloudflare One
Zscaler Internet Access
Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls
WatchGuard Firebox
Cato SASE Cloud Platform
Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW)
Cisco Meraki MX
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Quick Links
Learn More: Questions:
- Comparison of Barracuda F800, SonicWall 5600 and Fortinet
- Sophos XG 210 vs Fortigate FG 100E
- Looking Into Implementing a Web Security Solution.
- Cyberoam or Fortinet?
- Fortinet, Palo Alto or Check Point?
- Which would you recommend to your boss, Fortinet FortiGate or Sophos UTM?
- What Is The Biggest Difference Between Cisco ASA And Fortinet FortiGate?
- Cisco Firepower vs. FortiGate
- We're trying to choose between Fortinet or Checkpoint UTM firewalls. Can you help?
- What Is The Biggest Difference Between Fortinet FortiGate and Meraki MX Firewalls?





















