Fortinet FortiGate vs Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] comparison

Fortinet and TrendAI are both solutions in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category. Additionally, 92% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of TrendAI users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 26, 2026

Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] and Fortinet FortiGate are products in the network security category. Fortinet FortiGate has the upper hand due to its advanced security features that justify its higher price point, offering more comprehensive protection.

Features: Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] provides effective URL filtering and malware protection, famous for its ease and effectiveness in threat detection. Fortinet FortiGate offers a comprehensive security suite, including deep packet inspection, firewall capabilities, and VPN support, giving it an edge in extensive security provision.

Room for Improvement: Trend Micro can enhance its range of features and improve its competitive pricing to match feature-rich competitors. Its real-time monitoring and threat response might also benefit from advancement. Customer service accessibility needs expansion. Fortinet FortiGate could simplify deployment to cater better to less experienced teams. Enhancements to pricing flexibility would make it more accessible to budget-conscious users. Lastly, refining documentation to reduce complexity would ease implementation.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] is easy to deploy and offers quick customer support, making it ideal for quick setups. Fortinet FortiGate, while requiring a more complex installation, provides extensive documentation and resources, which aid smoother deployment for experienced teams.

Pricing and ROI: Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] is cost-effective for initial setups and appealing to budget-conscious operations. Fortinet FortiGate, though more costly, delivers long-term value through a comprehensive feature set and enhanced security, offering a potential for a higher ROI for businesses prioritizing long-term security investments.

To learn more, read our detailed Secure Web Gateways (SWG) Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

February 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

iboss

Featured Reviews

reviewer2701851

Managing Director

Enhances web security with a single pane of glass and flexible deployment

I don't see any need for improvement; one of the really good things about iboss as a company is that they listen to customer feedback. I have suggested enhancements, and they are responsive, making changes for the better, and they do a lot of testing. To improve iboss, although we haven't used it, we considered the VPN solution that comes with the highest tier licensing, which includes DLP and various other add-ons. We prefer using another product which automatically logs you back onto your network when turning on your PC. With iboss, the connection is manual, which doesn't meet our needs. Additionally, sizing can be tricky because, although the initial recommendations may seem adequate, actual usage may require more gateways than anticipated.

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Vasu Gala

Manager, Information Technology Operation/Presales at TechMonarch

A stable solution with an intuitive interface and quick customer service

I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate, WatchGuard, Sophos, and SonicWall. I'm not as comfortable with SonicWall because of their UI and limitations. I prefer Fortinet above all other options. When it comes to configuration, I am confident in my ability to handle various tasks, including creating policies such as firewall rules, web policies, and application policies. Additionally, I can configure VPNs and implement load balancing, among other tasks. Overall, I feel much more comfortable working with Fortinet. Fortinet has made significant improvements by integrating AI with firewalls for threat analysis and prevention. In the past 2-3 years, they have launched FortiSASE and SIEM, and they also provide SOC services. Both Palo Alto and Fortinet FortiGate are excellent. While Fortinet FortiGate comes at higher prices, the functionality and support justify the cost. They promptly resolve firmware issues and inform all support providers about configuration changes.

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Vladimir Alexandrov

CEO at Chorus

Consistent web protection has prevented incidents and supports flexible hybrid security models

I would rate Trend Micro Web Security a nine, but not because I have some issues in mind. I have only seen a bit better product. I was also a McAfee partner some time ago, when there was still McAfee. Some features definitely in McAfee were better than what I see in Trend Micro. I cannot tell what Trend Micro could learn from web security products of their competitors because this product has not existed for at least eight years now for McAfee, and I have no experience with other competitors. But relative to my experience and expertise, I should rate it a ten, but still I am a bit cautious because other products also have great features and these features are not covered 100% by Trend Micro. I cannot tell what additional features I would like to see in the next release, but when I see such a feature, it is very compelling. When you get into a new car and this car has something new and great, adaptive suspension, whatever, you just feel a nice feeling and you want this car. That is how I feel. I have not complained that something is missing from Trend Micro product, but I have seen in specific examples some great ideas in competition.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Iboss is a solution that prevents advanced persistent threats, and has a zero tolerance for attacks."

"Our primary use case for this product is DLP,"

"We chose iboss for both zero trust and proxy (SWG) because their SWG was superior."

"I would definitely recommend iboss for web filtering purposes to other organizations or individuals."

"The console is cloud-based, which is something I really appreciate."

"The security aspect of the solution, particularly the malware behind it, is excellent. That's something that really helped us out. It's not just a simple proxy that just blocks the insights of potential threats that come on behind it. They do malware detection and that helps us a lot."

"First of all, the security policies are essential. I do not have to rely solely on Active Directory for our users."

"From a use-case scenario, what I like the most is the plug-in. I like the fact that we can do the filtering of these devices offsite independent of the network they are connected to, and we do not have to have traffic coming back inside our network."

More iboss pros

"There are several benefits that Fortinet FortiGate brings to the table, and I cannot speak of only one or two as it is too extensive."

"It is quite easy to handle."

"The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the APIs. They are the most widely known."

"Fortinet FortiGate is quite popular in my region, so we are implementing Fortinet FortiGate firewalls. Fortinet FortiGate is the best option on the market when it comes to firewalls. It's straightforward to deploy and has good stability and performance."

"The best features of Fortinet FortiGate are that it does the job effectively and protects our environment."

"I really like the captive portal feature for our guest network. It has nice VLAN features in terms of separating our network. The anti-virus is also good."

"It is a one box solution, which covers most of the edge device’s requirements."

"I would recommend Fortinet FortiGate IPS as it is a core component of cybersecurity for our company."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"The most valuable feature is machine learning, which automatically monitors the activity on the machine."

"The real-time threat detection capability of Trend Micro Web Security has had a positive impact on our security."

"It's a stable solution."

"The most valuable feature of Trend Micro Web Security stems from the fact that it is neither a cheap nor an expensive tool."

"The solution's scalability is good and we have more than 90 users for it."

"The solution is stable."

"Currently, many applications are hosted on the web. They are hosted in multiple clouds and tenants. Organizations with different geolocations and users require a very secure WAF solution. For enterprise companies, it is essential to secure their networks and applications."

"We find the advanced license for the DLP to be particularly useful with this product."

More Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] pros

Cons

"The reporting feature needs improvement."

"Their on-premise hardware's network interface is capped at one gigabit, which is sort of a problem. If you stand a filter up where all traffic flows through that, according to them, in order to go above a gigabit, you have to have multiple devices, which in today's IT seems a little bit silly. They could easily put in an SFP port into their device that could accommodate 10 gigs or at least offer a box."

"If they could implement an extra security layer preventing access to iboss from the open internet, it would be great."

"File integrity monitoring would be very advantageous as an additional feature."

"SSL decryption: We had issues with learners using apps instead of using web browsers. This type of encryption is tough for any appliance in a BYOD environment."

"To scale up, a new iboss Node Blade Chassis must be purchased."

"The solution could be stronger on the integration side and offer more cloud applications like G Suite or Oracle."

"Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern."

More iboss cons

"Some of the features in the graphical user interface do not work, which requires that we used the command-line-interface."

"The solution’s stability could be improved."

"The firmware needs improvement because there are bugs when a new release comes through. Sometimes, the configuration changes, and it's a bit harder to see where the fail is. The first time that you have the firmware, it tends to have some issues, and it's better to wait a bit to update the equipment."

"In FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), my concern regarding improvements is the licensing model."

"I would suggest that Fortinet add sandboxing to their solution."

"In their datasheet, they put the throughput as huge, but once you enable all the features of the box, the performance is impacted dramatically."

"Fortinet FortiGate could improve by having better visibility. Palo Alto has better visibility."

"The product needs to drastically improve its reporting capability."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"They could improve the platform's ability to control normal traffic and prevent attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting."

"I would rate the technical support by Trend Micro a three. The response time is poor."

"Setup isn't very straightforward. You must have a certified technical engineer."

"This solution has a lot of restrictions on what non-administrator users can do, including generating comparative code. We would like to see this changed as the product is developed."

"his legacy version currently lacks WFA, which is a useful tool for managing bandwidth and applying data control limits to specific users. It's especially beneficial for organizations using Android and Azure."

"The costs are a bit high in terms of licensing."

"The installation is a little bit complex."

"What could help Trend Micro Web Security in terms of improvement is the addition of a DDoS protection feature. It also needs to be more comprehensive to meet the needs of large-sized companies."

More Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We have not priced the solution recently, but they were competitive with other vendors in the past."

"It is probably in line with other solutions, but I do not deal with the financial side."

"It is expensive compared to one of its competitors."

"It is not expensive, and it is also not cheap. iboss is priced right in the sweet spot for the number of features it offers."

"We had the cost of purchasing a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs. However, the following year, the cost of just licensing was similar to what was paid the previous year for a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs."

"The overall pricing for iboss is very competitive and transparent."

"The license is yearly. We pay for the top end. It's called 360."

"Fortinet has more device options that are affordable for small businesses than Palo Alto, and its enterprise-level models are also cheaper. Palo Alto also has a separate license for VPN connections and SD-WAN, but FortiGate offers these features standard."

"It has a competitive price."

"Before choosing a piece of equipment you have to take into account the cost-benefit offered by each one. Sometimes it is not worth paying a very cheap price to have a minimum level of security."

"The product is expensive. I rate its pricing a six out of ten."

"The solution could be better priced."

"FortiGate Next Generation Firewall costs our company around $12000 per year."

"It is around $50,000 per month."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"I rate the product's price a five on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price and ten is high price."

"I don't remember the exact pricing, but I think that it is approximately $10.00 per user."

"The solution is expensive in terms of deployment."

"We pay for the license on an annual basis."

"It is pricey. Trend Micro has been in the field for 30 years, so you have to pay a premium amount for that."

"I rate the product price a three on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

"We have found this product to be very cost effective. The endpoint product costs roughly $20, and when purchasing the endpoint product, there are multiple other features included."

"The license is yearly and user based."

More Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user216600

Senior Technical Consultant with 51-200 employees

Jan 3, 2016

Sophos UTM vs. Fortinet FortiGate

I have used both Sophos and Fortinet products in production and I have found the Sophos UTM appliances (hardware and virtual) to be a better fit most of the time -- with a few caveats which I will touch on below. In both instances, the transition from TMG will be mostly straightforward. The main…

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Performing Arts

15%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

Real Estate/Law Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	6

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	360
Midsize Enterprise	135
Large Enterprise	190

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	13
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with iboss?

For zero trust implementation, we encountered complexity issues, especially with a large infrastructure company Exxon...

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What is your primary use case for iboss?

Previously when I used iboss, we did the POC for iboss for ExxonMobil. Four or five people wanted to move from our ol...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for iboss?

Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern. There are cheaper alte...

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Which is the better NGFW: Fortinet Fortigate or Cisco Firepower?

When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage a...

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What is the biggest difference between Sophos XG and FortiGate?

From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know...

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What are the biggest technical differences between Sophos UTM and Fortinet FortiGate?

As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite ...

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Do you recommend Trend Micro Web Security?

I would recommend Trend Micro Web Security to organizations looking for an end-to-end security solution. Trend Micro ...

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What do you like most about Trend Micro Web Security?

Trend Micro has a centralized mechanism where we can control and monitor all system protections. It includes detectin...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Trend Micro Web Security?

It is pricey. Trend Micro has been in the field for 30 years, so you have to pay a premium amount for that. SentinelO...

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Comparisons

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Compared 4% of the time

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OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

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Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]

Compared 10% of the time

Netskope Next Gen Secure Web Gateway vs Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]

Compared 10% of the time

Symantec Proxy vs Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]

Compared 9% of the time

Advanced URL Filtering by Palo Alto vs Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]

Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

iboss

March 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

March 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]

February 2026

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Also Known As

iBoss Cloud Platform

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

Virus Wall, VirusWall, Trend Micro VirusWall

Overview

Iboss offers a comprehensive cloud-based security platform valued for its scalability and autonomous features, ensuring robust security with easy deployment and management capabilities.

Renowned for its robust security architecture, Iboss integrates seamlessly within diverse networks, delivering efficient granular filtering and advanced content categorization. Its single pane of glass console provides ease of management, allowing rapid scalability suitable for rapidly deploying environments. Operates in BYOD setups due to inline filtering without device installation. Integration with cloud-based applications enhances user control, and features like SASE, SSL inspection, and ChatGPT risk protection stand as highlights. Despite its strengths, users have pointed out areas for enhancement like direct navigation in reports, SSL decryption, and better cloud integration while having room to improve data loss prevention.

What are the most important features of Iboss?

Scalability: Supports rapid deployment across diverse networks.
SASE: A consolidated approach to secure access.
SSL Inspection: Ensures safe data transmission.
Granular Filtering: Detailed control over accessible content.
Single Pane Management: Unifies control through a centralized console.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Cost-effectiveness: Offers competitive pricing with robust features.
Autonomous Operation: Reduces management overhead.
Responsive Support: Provides assistance when needed.
Flexible Deployment: Available for both cloud and on-premises environments.

The usage of Iboss spans educational institutions, specifically K-12, to enforce internet policies, protect data, and support remote work environments. It provides web filtering and security frameworks to ensure safe browsing. Its platform-as-a-service model offers flexibility for both cloud-based and on-premises requirements, integrating seamlessly to deliver enhanced security features suitable for various deployment needs including zero trust, CASB, and network security for work-from-home setups.

iboss

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?

VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet

Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] integrates machine learning, endpoint security, and Zero Trust technology to offer comprehensive threat detection and protection. It supports cloud filtering, access control, and advanced DLP licensing for effective monitoring and security management across environments.

Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] is designed for robust protection against threats like hacking, malware, and ransomware. Combining features such as centralized management with OWASP Top 10 monitoring, it facilitates proactive web filtering, identity management, and cloud security. Enhanced with HTTP decryption rules and patch updates, users benefit from responsive support and reliable stability. Despite its comprehensive capabilities, improvements are needed in reporting, performance, anti-malware enhancement, and cost efficiency, especially for scalability and multi-tenant use. Companies capitalize on its sandboxing, URL filtering, and application control to secure on-premises and cloud infrastructures. Its potential is enriched yet requires enhancements in site blacklisting, SQL injection security, and DDoS protection.

What are the key features of Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]?

Machine Learning: Enhances threat detection accuracy.
Endpoint Security: Protects endpoints from security breaches.
Zero Trust Technology: Ensures strict identity verification.
Cloud Filtering: Monitors and secures cloud environments.
Advanced DLP Licensing: Safeguards sensitive data across networks.
Access Control: Manages user permissions and access.

What benefits or ROI should users expect from Trend Micro Web Security [EOL]?

Scalability: Adapts to growing enterprise requirements.
Stability: Provides consistent performance under heavy load.
Responsive Support: Offers timely help and resolution of issues.
Regular Logs: Delivers comprehensive logging for analysis.

Trend Micro Web Security [EOL] is prominently used in industries such as finance and delivery, where secure data handling is crucial. Organizations deploy it to protect endpoints, remote work environments, and manage identity securely. Essential for preventing unauthorized access and ensuring compliance, its features cater to complex network infrastructures.

TrendAI

Sample Customers

More than 4,000 global enterprises trust the iboss Cloud Platform to support their modern workforces, including a large number of Fortune 50 companies.

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell, HP, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, BT Group, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink, NTT Communications, Tata Communications, SoftBank, China Mobile, Singtel, Telus, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telkom Indonesia, Telkom South Africa, Telmex, Telia Company, Telkom Kenya

Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen, Mosaic Medical, Okinawa Prefectural Education Center, RAK Investment Authority

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February 2026

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