Fortinet FortiOS Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiOS
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (78 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

78 reviews
98% willing to recommend

267 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.

Get the Fortinet FortiOS Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiOS, Fortinet FortiGate, Netgate pfSense and more!

Fortinet FortiOS is the #27 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 838,640 peers since 2012

Featured 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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RaynoPowell

Senior System Analyst at EOH

We don't really find a lot of issues on it. If I really have to complain about something, and there's not much, is the free VPN solution is a bit limited. Then again, it is a free solution. That's essentially it. Nothing else on the FortiGate or on the Fortinet OS side is really an issue. That's one of the main reasons why we use them: everything works and works well. For what we use, there isn't really any missing feature. In fact, we actually want to get rid of some of the features that they have due to the fact that, for the security model that we need to implement, having more features actually opens up potential risk. We actually would like to have a device that is more focused specifically on OT environments the operational technologies. We would prefer a device that's stripped down, that doesn't have all the other fluff in the more enterprise system. We actually want a feature where we can remove features that are there that we don't use. That is actually a thing that we find. We use it now in an operational technology environment. We use normal IT equipment. However, it's not a normal IT network. It differs significantly from a normal corporate IT environment. In a normal corporate IT environment, you like the fluff, and the additional features, and you can click, click, click, and you're done. However, all of those features you add to a device open up risk for us. And that is something we do differently in the OT environment in operational technology. We prefer to not have the fluff. We prefer to have only what is needed for the device to do what it needs to do. For example, imagine an additional feature for some sort of additional VPN technology has been added. However, it's not really needed for the OT environment, and it's not configured on the device, yet there's some sort of security threat in there. Now, all of a sudden, somebody can hack your system, and he's in there, and he's switching the lights on and off the entire city. And you don't know about it due to the fact that the additional fluff that we added to the system, we weren't aware of that issue was on there. You can enable and disable certain modules in it. However, with disabling, nobody can really tell us if that module is disabled. Is it really disabled? Is it actually unloaded? Is it uninstalling Word from your laptop, or is it just not running Word?

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Fortinet FortiOS mindshare

As of February 2025, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiOS in the Firewalls category stands at 0.9%, down from 0.9% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs Netgate pfSense	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs Fortinet FortiGate	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiOS vs OPNsense	Feb 21, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	20.7%	90%	318 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	16.0%	94%	213 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiOS features valued for their Unified Threat Management, ease of use, intuitive interface, extensive security options like intrusion prevention, antivirus, and web filtering. Users appreciate its high scalability, reliability, and seamless integration with other systems. FortiOS offers quick setup with minimal downtime, effective threat detection, and management capabilities. Additional highlights include SD-WAN, cost-effective VPN features, robust traffic management, and real-time updates that enhance user experience and security efficiency.

"Overall, I rate FortiOS a nine out of ten."
"FortiOS is very user-friendly and easy to configure for L1, L2, and L3 personnel."
"Overall, I would rate FortiOS at least a nine out of ten."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiOS users express challenges with its complexity in VPNs, compatibility with older devices, and navigating the interface. The pricing is considered high, and the support response time is slow. Users seek improved reporting, enhanced cloud capabilities, and more intuitive troubleshooting. They mention issues with firmware updates, CLI functionality, and integration complexities. Improved technical support and more frequent, smaller updates would address user demands.

"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."
"There should be more documentation on how to use the CLI or how to perform CLI versions of tasks that can be done through the GUI."

ROI

Fortinet FortiOS shows effective returns due to its scalability and ease of use, reducing the need for extensive training. Many find it worthwhile in the current security threat environment, being more cost-efficient than dealing with potential threats post-infection. Its competitive pricing and reliability contribute to its favorable returns, with users noting better performance compared to older models. Some find it close to breaking even, but generally, its pricing is considered reasonable against competitors like Palo Alto.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiOS pricing is considered high, particularly for small businesses, with annual licensing being a significant recurring cost. Mid-sized to large enterprises find value in its features despite the expense. Pricing varies based on modules and bundled options, and the cost of maintenance can be substantial. While competitive with other solutions like Cisco and Palo Alto, reducing costs would be beneficial. Customers appreciate flexible licensing plans, with the highest value seen for larger operations.

"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 used for network edge security, perimeter and firewall protection, VPN management, SD-WAN capabilities, application control, and secure internet commitment. It integrates with AWS and Microsoft Azure for enhanced functionality. It is deployed both on-premises and in the cloud, enabling robust security for banks, SMBs, and large enterprises. FortiOS offers features like IPS, IDS, SSL inspection, and wireless management, while ensuring protection for virtual infrastructure and data centers.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiOS support receives mixed feedback. Some praise their responsiveness and helpfulness, while others criticize inconsistencies, especially in advanced issue resolution and documentation. Customers appreciate regional and local language support. Some find turnaround times slow, especially during holidays. Users note variability in engineer expertise and long waiting times. Usually, simpler queries receive quick attention. While the support system is generally seen as good, users mention a need for improvement in first-tier knowledge and response efficiency.

Deployment

Fortinet FortiOS initial setup is generally straightforward, especially for those familiar with security concepts. Deployment time varies based on complexity and prior experience, ranging from minutes to a few days. While new users may face challenges, resources like manuals and online help ease the process. Some mention SD-WAN and pre-implementation planning require more attention. The setup is user-friendly, benefiting from a good GUI, yet advanced configurations might need multiple screens or a deeper understanding.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiOS is widely praised for its scalability, with many users highlighting easy expansion and integration capabilities. Organizations across various sectors, from small to large, rely on its flexibility to handle numerous users efficiently. While some mention hardware limitations requiring upgrades for significant scaling, most find it adaptable for growing needs. Multiple reports confirm its capability to manage thousands of users effectively, making it a preferred choice for extending network resources.

Stability

Users consistently report that Fortinet FortiOS is highly stable, demonstrating reliability and few issues over extended periods. Occasional bugs may arise, but updates and efficient support quickly address them. Comparatively, Fortinet FortiOS offers better stability than some competitors, with user feedback indicating high satisfaction in stability. While some advanced features may present challenges, Fortinet FortiOS remains a dependable choice, with regular improvements enhancing stability across diverse use cases.

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.

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Top industries

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Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

University

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Insurance Company

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Real Estate/Law Firm

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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.