FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (54 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

54 reviews
95% willing to recommend

What is FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)?

The FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) from Fortinet is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed to cater to a wide array of organizational needs. It integrates seamlessly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, offering robust protection against various internal and external threats, including attacks, malware, and vulnerabilities. The NGFW is known for its advanced features such as SSL inspection, application control, visibility enhancements, and an effective intrusion prevention system (IPS). This IPS plays a critical role in identifying and blocking malicious traffic by monitoring and inspecting incoming data.

Get the FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), Fortinet FortiGate, Netgate pfSense and more!

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is the #4 ranked solution in top ZTNA solutions, #8 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, and #11 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 43% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

June 2025

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Featured FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews

Juan Solano

IT Director at Atlantic Quantum Innovations

One of the most valuable features of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) ( /products/fortigate-next-generation-firewall-ngfw-reviews ) is the ease of usability it offers. It is quite easy for me to learn to use. Additionally, FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) has improved our efficiency in setting up security and provided us with more visibility over some issues and incidents we previously faced.

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Sutjipto Budiman

Director at Widya Presisi Solusi

The installation of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is actually moderate; it depends on the needs, so it's not so easy but it's not so difficult. The installation requires a couple of days, and actually, it takes about one day because some parameters need to be set, especially if there are a lot of users.

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MOHAN SUKUMAR

Head of computer systems at Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology(IIST)

The most helpful features of FortiGate include its firewall policy, specifically the user-based policy, which I find to be quite beneficial in managing our network security effectively. FortiGate has also provided reliable protection against many attacks, although it lacks the ability to detect specific attacks like SQL injection, which usually requires a web application firewall.

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FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) mindshare

Product category:

As of July 2025, the mindshare of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) in the Firewalls category stands at 0.5%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Jul 4, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 4, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Netgate pfSense	Jul 4, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate	Jul 4, 2025	Download
Comparison	FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs OPNsense	Jul 4, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	21.2%	90%	373 interviews Add to research
Netgate pfSense	4.3	12.3%	93%	217 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Users find the most valuable features of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall include its user-friendly interface, seamless integration, extensive security options like IPS and SD-WAN, strong support, frequent updates, and efficient threat detection. They appreciate its ease of configuration and broad application range, with beneficial features such as VPN functionality, SSL inspection, and firewall capabilities. FortiGate's versatile UTM functionality and quick response to security threats enhance its appeal for various organizations.

"The antivirus, malware, anti-malware, anti-spam, IP VPN connections, and firewall rules bring the most value for me and my clients."
"I would rate FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) as a solution a 10 out of 10."
"The multi-threat protection feature helps us secure our organization."

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) faces issues with pricing, licensing, and technical support. The interface is not user-friendly and requires improvements in security features, integration, stability, and memory management. Its GUI is outdated, and there's a need for enhanced threat intelligence, SD-WAN features, and better VPN and IPS management. Additionally, it struggles in massive scale environments and needs seamless compatibility with other infrastructures and more favorable pricing for small businesses and home users.

"There were situations of availability related to their switching solutions due to box errors."
"In our case, the deployment options of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) are not scalable, but in terms of connectivity to other companies, that's exactly what we needed, and that's exactly what it does perfectly, what is needed."
"We understand that FortiGate cannot be standalone without others, such as FortiManager, so for small businesses, if FortiGate can provide something similar to FortiManager, it will be better."

ROI

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall generates varied returns. Some report significant gains in security, efficiency, and bandwidth management. User access control and operational solutions have improved. Despite the high cost, ROI depends on usage. While some do not see immediate financial gains, they acknowledge enhanced security. Others observe a nearly full return when combined with FortiGuard's threat intelligence. Accounts mention it being more affordable than competitors, offering straightforward setups and connectivity benefits.

Pricing

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) pricing is often regarded as high, yet competitive relative to major competitors like Cisco and Palo Alto. Costs vary significantly based on licenses, support levels, and additional features, with annual fees being common. While some users highlight affordability, especially for SMBs, others note expenses for features such as FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager, impacting total costs. Despite fluctuations, it remains a widely valued solution across various enterprise contexts.

"I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten"
"We pay $500 per year for the license."
"Although the solution's pricing is high, compared with other products, it may be cheap."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) for border and internal security, including LAN segregation, policy management, VPN access, and SD-WAN connectivity. It acts as a gateway-level firewall securing office infrastructures with features like antivirus, IPS, and web filtering. Offering robust protection against threats, it facilitates secure connections between sites through IPsec VPNs and manages logs and analytics. FortiGate NGFW is crucial for enterprises seeking comprehensive cybersecurity measures.

Service and Support

FortiGate NGFW support is generally well-received, praised for responsiveness and availability, with excellent service cited internationally. Some users note delays or slow resolutions but appreciate the grace period on licenses. Positive feedback includes effective help with configurations, while some report slower responses or cumbersome processes, mainly when dealing with basic inquiries. Experiences vary by region, with Indian support highlighted for potential improvement. Knowledgeable and helpful responses are frequently noted, especially with urgent issues.

Deployment

Most users found FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup straightforward and easy, with ratings often between eight and ten. Deployment times varied based on network complexity and user expertise, typically ranging from a few hours to several days. Experienced engineers managed faster implementations, while less experienced ones needed more time. The setup process included configuring policies and required varying levels of technical skills, depending on the environment and specific requirements.

Scalability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall offers good scalability. Reviewers rate the scalability mostly between eight and ten. It supports varied customer sizes, from small to enterprise. While it satisfies most scalability needs, some reviewers note it can be expensive to scale due to hardware and model limitations. Features like Virtual Domains and SD-WAN contribute to its scalability. Some suggest improvements in scalability for larger enterprises with specialized needs.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is largely stable, with ratings often between seven and ten. Users highlight reliability, stability, and good handling of network demands. Some mention occasional issues with certain versions or features, but newer updates generally resolve them. Stability may vary depending on the expertise of the operational team. Most users find it reliable, particularly when using high availability, and commend its ability to meet network requirements effectively.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Media Company

Non Profit

University

Retailer

Legal Firm

Insurance Company

Performing Arts

Government

Educational Organization

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Security Firm

Transportation Company

Hospitality Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

Real Estate/Law Firm

Compare FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) with alternative products

Learn more about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

FortiGate NGFW can be deployed in diverse environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid setups. The firewall is equipped with next-generation antivirus capabilities, IPS, web filtering, sandboxing, and intelligent security automation features like threat intelligence integration and automated incident response. Its reporting and analytics tools are comprehensive, aiding in enhancing an organization's security posture.

A notable aspect of the FortiGate NGFW is its diverse and highly rated features, including a powerful VPN, a user-friendly Firewall Management Console, policy-based controls, and advanced reporting and logging capabilities. The system also supports Identification Technologies, Visualization Tools, Content Inspection, and seamless integration with Active Directory and LDAP directories. Its High Availability and the flexibility to deploy in various configurations, such as on-premises or as a Virtual Machine, make it a versatile choice for different business needs.

The FortiGate NGFW also excels in providing secure connectivity. It supports various VPN protocols, offers SD-WAN for intelligent traffic routing, and integrates SASE for unified security and networking solutions. These features contribute to improved security, reduced operational costs, and increased agility for organizations.

When it comes to user experiences and satisfaction, FortiGate NGFW has garnered positive feedback, with an average rating of about 4.26 out of 5 on PeerSpot Reviews. Users from diverse roles, including core network teams, technical officers, and cybersecurity engineers, and from various sectors such as tech services, education, and finance, have found the solution effective. This indicates its versatility and suitability across different company sizes and types.

However, there are areas for improvement. Enhancing the details in Logging Services and making 10 Gigabit Interfaces available for lower models are some suggested enhancements. Simplifying the installation of FortiAP services is also noted as a potential area for improvement.