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Konstantinos Gianniris - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Operations Center Team Leader at PCCW
Real User
A feature-heavy solution that allows tweaks through the CLI
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution constantly adds features that are useful and user-friendly such as the ability to tweak firewalls through the CLI."
  • "The solution's graphic interface could be a bit more responsive and include notations when changes are made."

What is our primary use case?

Our company is a partner and we install the solution for our customers as a firewall for remote VPN use. 

We also use the solution to protect our own company that includes more than 1,000 users. 

What is most valuable?

The solution constantly adds features that are useful and user-friendly such as the ability to tweak firewalls through the CLI. 

What needs improvement?

The solution's graphic interface could be a bit more responsive and include notations when changes are made

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for seven years. 

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiOS
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiOS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
845,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. In seven years of use, I've only encountered two or three occasions where a bug affected the firewall's behavior. 

I rate stability an eight out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is very scalable and it is quite easy to add users. 

I rate scalability a ten out of ten. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support has issues with knowledge base at the first tier. It sometimes takes hours of explanation before support fully understands and can troubleshoot or escalate problems. 

Response time could also be improved. 

I rate support a six out of ten. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

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

Our company has always used the solution and is not interested in other products. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy, it only requires one engineer, and the main interface is self-explanatory. 

Users who are familiar with the solution can always dig further in the CLI to change the properties. 

What about the implementation team?

We deploy the solution for our company and our customers. 

One engineer spends about two days configuring, testing, and deploying. 

What other advice do I have?

The solution is easy to configure and has good performance. 

Anytime I have thought of a possible feature I'd like added to the solution, it seems the developers are on the same page and it is available within a few months. 

I rate the 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: Partner
PeerSpot user
Raghu Chandra Das - PeerSpot reviewer
Network & System Administrator at National Takaful Company
Real User
User-friendly, simple configuration, and knowledge support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are user-friendliness, ease of use, and threat prevention."
  • "We had assistance from one person from our local vendor for the implementation."

What is our primary use case?

I use Fortinet FortiOS for firewalls.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are user-friendliness, ease of use, and threat prevention.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiOS for approximately two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiOS is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 100 users using Fortinet FortiOS. All levels of employees are using the solution.

How are customer service and support?

The support from Fortinet FortiOS has been good. They had the knowledge and professionalism.

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

We were using Juniper before we choose Fortinet FortiOS.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Fortinet FortiOS was very easy. The configuration was simple to do. The whole implementation took approximately two weeks.

What about the implementation team?

We had assistance from one person from our local vendor for the implementation.

What other advice do I have?

Fortinet FortiOS is very effective and easy to use to configure. I would recommend it to others.

I rate Fortinet FortiOS a ten out of ten.

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.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiOS
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiOS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
845,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1297902 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sr. Architect at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Highly user-centric, performs well, but more GUI functionality needed
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are its simplicity, highly user-centric, and performs well. The line speed and for heavy traffic, is helpful for us."
  • "Fortinet FortiOS can improve by limiting the need for the CLI and GUI combination. The more functions they can have on the GUI and less on CLI would be helpful."

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are its simplicity, highly user-centric, and performs well. The line speed and for heavy traffic, is helpful for us.

What needs improvement?

Fortinet FortiOS can improve by limiting the need for the CLI and GUI combination. The more functions they can have on the GUI and less on CLI would be helpful.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used Fortinet FortiOS within the last 12 months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Fortinet FortiOS has been good, I have not had any issues at this point.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiOS scalability has been good. However, we only have a small setup. 

How are customer service and support?

The support offered by Fortinet FortiOS is good.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Fortinet FortiOS is straightforward.

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

The price of Fortinet FortiOS is less than $10,000 annually. The price of the support is reasonable compared to competitors.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiOS a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1956708 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Great SD-WAN, IPS, and application control
Pros and Cons
  • "It's very easy to use."
  • "They need to integrate more with the SD-WAN."

What is most valuable?

It's very easy to use.

The SD-WAN, IPS, application control and web features are all very valuable aspects of the solution.

What needs improvement?

We haven't had any issues with the solution. It's been pretty good in general. 

We would like to see the ability to maybe monitor applications that use the SD-WAN. They need to integrate more with the SD-WAN.

We would like to see lower pricing. The price is high.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for a long time. It's been maybe ten years. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have about 100 users on the solution. 

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

I've also worked with Check Point. 

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

We have three years' worth of licensing before we have to renew anything. We renewed it about two years ago. The pricing could be a bit better.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a customer and an end-user.

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. It has worked well for us overall, and we are happy with its capabilities. 

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.
PeerSpot user
Security Architect - SME at Rrivate Entrepreneur
Real User
Easy to use, beneficial graphical user interface, and feature rich
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Fortinet FortiOS network segregation, UTM, and antivirus, freight management protection, such as DDoS. Additionally, the CLI and the GUI are easy to use. The architecture makes sense, and the command in the CLI are organized well. They have quite a lot of features are easy to use, and are user-friendly. Any novice can use Fortinet FortiOS without an issue."
  • "There is some room for improvement in the support."

What is our primary use case?

I am using Fortinet FortiOS for firewall security.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Fortinet FortiOS network segregation, UTM, and antivirus, freight management protection, such as DDoS. Additionally, the command-line interface(CLI) and the graphical user interface(GUI) are easy to use. The architecture makes sense, and the commands in the CLI are organized well. They have quite a lot of features are easy to use, and are user-friendly. Any novice can use Fortinet FortiOS without an issue.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiOS for approximately eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Fortinet FortiOS initial setup is simple and it is user-friendly. To do the whole process of transferring the firewall configurations and updates took approximately one day. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 2,000 users that use what hardware Fortinet FortiOS manages. All types of verticles are passing through the solution.

How are customer service and support?

I rate the support from Fortinet FortiOS a four out of five.

There is some room for improvement in the support.

How was the initial setup?

Fortinet FortiOS initial setup is simple and it is user-friendly. To do the whole process of transferring the firewall configurations and updates took approximately one day.

What was our ROI?

We have seen a return on investment because a lot of the features are effective. We do not need to train our engineers to use the solution, it is very easy to use.

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

The price of Fortinet FortiOS is comparable to other similar solutions on the market. We are on an annual license to use the solution.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiOS an eight out of ten.

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.
PeerSpot user
Joao Gama Mendes - PeerSpot reviewer
Responsible for Cyber Security at IMT IP
Real User
Useful blocking lists, reliable, and simple setup
Pros and Cons
  • "The most important features of Fortinet FortiOS are the ability to block and make white and black lists. Additionally, the filtering of user access to websites is useful."
  • "Fortinet FortiOS is stable. However, last month we had an issue with a released patch. We had to receive another update to fix the firewall issue consuming all of the resources. The patches should be tested more before going into circulation."

What is most valuable?

The most important features of Fortinet FortiOS are the ability to block and make white and black lists. Additionally, the filtering of user access to websites is useful. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiOS for approximately five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiOS is stable. However, last month we had an issue with a released patch. We had to receive another update to fix the firewall issue consuming all of the resources. The patches should be tested more before going into circulation.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 800 users using the solution.

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

We were previously using other firewalls, such as Palo Alto. They are similar solutions.

How was the initial setup?

Fortinet FortiOS's initial setup is simple.

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

We had a three-year license to use Fortinet FortiOS and we are going to renew it this year.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiOS a nine out of ten.

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.
PeerSpot user
reviewer930837 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Manager (Engineering Department) at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Performs better than competing solutions
Pros and Cons
  • "Performance-wise, I think FortiOS is much better than its Juniper counterpart. Based on our actual experience and performance metrics, FortiOS-based products are much better than Juniper."
  • "They're using a lot of application-specific IC, so that may be causing some performance issues. And whenever a Fortinet adds new features, it can affect performance."

What is our primary use case?

We use FortiOS for the internet router and firewall for our customers' offices. In some of the smaller offices, there is only one FortiGate, but the hub site may have a pair of firewalls in an HA configuration.

What is most valuable?

Performance-wise, I think FortiOS is much better than its Juniper counterpart. Based on our actual experience and performance metrics, FortiOS-based products are much better than Juniper. We've experienced some trouble with Juniper in the past and some unstable, unpredictable performance on Juniper devices.

What needs improvement?

They're using a lot of application-specific IC, so that may be causing some performance issues. And whenever a Fortinet adds new features, it can affect performance. I don't handle implementation, so I have to ask my frontline engineers to implement new features, like software-defined WAN service. But I'm not sure these are stable and acceptable because this project is still in progress. FortiOS and all the other firewall products are adding SD-WAN service, and this kind of service needs a lot of resources from the fabrics, the hardware, and the software. Still, I think we have more confidence deploying this service with FortiOS than using the other brands, like Juniper.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using FortiOS for more than 15 years.

How are customer service and support?

Fortinet provides sufficient support, and their response time is reasonable.

How was the initial setup?

We have a team of around 10 engineers that manage FortiOS-based devices and all other firewall brands. 

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

FortiOS has a UTM feature, for which you have to buy an annual subscription. Most brands of firewalls will also have such a subscription.

What other advice do I have?

I rate FortiOS at least eight out of 10, and we recommend it to our customers.

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
Tech Engineer at a financial services firm with 201-500 employees
Real User
An excellent co-firewall that's very user-friendly but should be more cloud-based
Pros and Cons
  • "For my organization, it has become much easier to scan the firewalls because the solution is more user-friendly than competitors."
  • "The signature discs, compared to Palo Alto, aren't as good. It takes more time to get the signature updates."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution as a co-firewall.

How has it helped my organization?

For my organization, it has become much easier to scan the firewalls because the solution is more user-friendly than its competitors. 

What is most valuable?

We've found the threat detection very valuable. The entire platform is user-friendly. It's easier compared to Check Point or Juniper firewalls.

What needs improvement?

The signature discs, compared to Palo Alto, aren't as good. It takes more time to get the signature updates.

The solution should be on the cloud a bit more. 

There should be a cookie eater. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for more than three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the solution is very good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support for the solution is very good.

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

We ended up choosing the solution because of its ease of use and it troubleshooting steps were easy to control.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. You need about two to three people for deployment and maintenance.

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

Licensing is renewed on a yearly basis.

What other advice do I have?

We use the on-premises deployment model.

I would recommend the solution. As a co-firewall, it does a good job.

I would rate the solution seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiOS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2025
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiOS Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.