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reviewer1255635 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of the Satellite Infrastructure and Operation System Department at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Feb 6, 2022
Supports many architectures, has a lot of features, and is useful for multi-tenant environments
Pros and Cons
  • "The multi-tenancy feature is most valuable. It integrates very well with FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer."
  • "Their software support needs improvement. I would prefer to have better support for bug fixes. Sometimes, we open a ticket, and it is very difficult to get a solution. Specifically, we are not at all happy with their support for load balancing."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for a multi-tenant virtualized environment for public cloud services. We provide cloud services for the public sector.

We have two clusters with the latest version, and we also have two clusters that I would like to replace with the latest version. We have support from the vendor, and we're going to buy two new clusters.

How has it helped my organization?

We have all the solutions from Fortinet, and it integrates very well with all of them. I'm very satisfied with its integration with FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer.

What is most valuable?

The multi-tenancy feature is most valuable. It integrates very well with FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer.

They are flexible in terms of installation. They support many architectures. They can operate with most major public cloud providers. It is a trend now to use hybrid solutions.

It has a lot of features, and it is reliable.

What needs improvement?

Their software support needs improvement. I would prefer to have better support for bug fixes. Sometimes, we open a ticket, and it is very difficult to get a solution. Specifically, we are not at all happy with their support for load balancing. 

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
879,927 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution since 2015.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We're happy with its performance. I would rate it a 10 out of 10 in terms of performance.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We are happy with its scalability. Its users are administrators. Our administrator team has about six people. The environment is set up as a multi-tenant, so each tenant has its own administrator for configuration.

It has been used every day since 2015. It is a core appliance for us.

How are customer service and support?

Their support needs to be improved. We're not at all happy with their support. It sometimes becomes very difficult to get a solution. We are not satisfied with their support for load balancing. The support we have for Cisco firewalls is much better. I would rate them a seven out of 10.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We also have a Cisco solution in operation.

How was the initial setup?

Its initial setup is normal. It is not too complex.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment takes place with the help of an integrator. We have an integrator to help us deploy and install all the solutions. They analyze all the features that we need to use, and then we discuss and finalize the solution before starting with the installation.

We have five to six people in the network team.

What was our ROI?

We have seen an ROI with this solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The licensing scheme of Fortinet is better than Cisco. It is more logical.

What other advice do I have?

Before buying, I would advise thinking about the exact features that you need to avoid expenses. You must understand very well what you need for your daily operations and then decide on the features to buy.

Overall, we're very happy with their firewalls, but when we have issues or bugs, there are some difficulties in finding the resolution. In terms of features, we haven't found any problems. It has many features, but when we use a feature and it has some bugs, I expect better support.

I would rate it a nine out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Ahmad Aloqlah - PeerSpot reviewer
General Manager at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Jan 25, 2022
Powerful firewall with a user friendly interface and content filtering
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the interface, which is very user friendly. We are utilizing most of the features, like content filtering. The firewall is powerful."
  • "The renewal price and the availability could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is mainly for firewalls. We tried FortiClient as well and FortiToken, but we mainly use it for the firewall.

The solution is deployed on-prem. We are using the latest version.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the interface, which is very user friendly. We are utilizing most of the features, like content filtering. The firewall is powerful.

What needs improvement?

The renewal price and the availability could be improved. We faced a lot of delivery issues because of the pandemic situation. We are a customer, but sometimes we have sister companies, so we deliver or order a few extra boxes. In these cases we are facing some delays, like three or four months. There are a massive delays in deliveries and they're saying that it's from the vendor itself. I don't know how long this will last or if it's just temporary.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using this solution for six to seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. The only issue is the renewal price, which is always higher compared to the purchase price.

We have two people for maintenance from network and security.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have up to 100 users, and we are pretty satisfied. It's stable. We have never had to scale up because of the newest model. We go with C, E, then F, but at the same level, we never had to upgrade the hardware itself to a higher or a bigger model.

How are customer service and support?

We raised a few tickets and issues, and they replied to us. It was pretty good. We have never faced any problems with getting our issues resolved.

How was the initial setup?

It was straightforward. We didn't face any issues.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented through a reseller and it took couple of days. There were some modifications and configurations that took more time, but the core configuration took a couple of days.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The renewal price is always higher compared to the purchase price.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Fortinet is one of our top products, our main products. They have 75% market share, so we cannot ignore the fact that they are in the market, but I need an alternate solution. I don't want to depend on only one vendor, so I think Sophos will be a good option for us.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution 8 out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
879,927 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Jorge Martínez - PeerSpot reviewer
Presales Engineer at a comms service provider with 501-1,000 employees
Reseller
Top 5
Sep 9, 2024
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
PeerSpot user
Noam Segal - PeerSpot reviewer
CTO at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Top 10
Jun 12, 2024
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.
PeerSpot user
Einstein Rozario - PeerSpot reviewer
Principal Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Consultant
Dec 3, 2023
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
PeerSpot user
GHAZANFAR ALI - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Security Sales Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
MSP
Nov 17, 2023
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
PeerSpot user
Nickolay Tolstopyatov - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of IT Department at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
Real User
Nov 15, 2023
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
PeerSpot user
Ejaz Ahmad - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of IT at a mining and metals company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Nov 5, 2023
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
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.