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Gautam Sen - PeerSpot reviewer
General Manager & Head Electronic Network Executive at Blue Dart
Real User
Jul 26, 2022
Beneficial IPS, excellent support, and scales well
Pros and Cons
  • "The most important feature of Fortinet FortiOS is the IPS."
  • "The manageability suit is better in Fortinet in terms of device manageability and OS upgrades."
  • "Fortinet FortiOS need to manage its memory and CPU utilization better. It peaks at times, which sometimes can be challenging."
  • "Fortinet FortiOS need to manage its memory and CPU utilization better. It peaks at times, which sometimes can be challenging."

What is most valuable?

The most important feature of Fortinet FortiOS is the IPS.

What needs improvement?

Fortinet FortiOS need to manage its memory and CPU utilization better. It peaks at times, which sometimes can be challenging.

In a feature release, if Fortinet FortiOS could have better cloud functionality would be a benefit.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiOS for approximately seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Fortinet FortiOS is good.

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiOS
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiOS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiOS is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

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

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Fortinet FortiOS is simple.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated Checkpoint and Cisco before choosing Fortinet FortiOS.

The manageability suit is better in Fortinet in terms of device manageability and  OS upgrades. It has the capability of terminating a leased line, RF, and a USB dongle. When we evaluated Fortinet FortiOS, back in 2015, Cisco and Checkpoint did not have a 4G termination feature. Today if my MPLS goes down, the lease line goes down, I can connect a 4G dongle. In Cisco, you need to have a SIM  embedded in a device and you need to open the device, put it on, and then you need to connect it and extend the cable. It is very complex. In Fortinet it is easy.

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: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Sabyasachi Sen - PeerSpot reviewer
IT General Manager at Manav Rachna International School
Real User
Jul 22, 2022
Great security and authentication but the setup can be complex
Pros and Cons
  • "The classification of the websites is helpful."
  • "Security and authentication are the most valuable aspects of the product."
  • "There is no flexibility."
  • "There is no flexibility."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is basically an OS for Fortinet.

What is most valuable?

Security and authentication are the most valuable aspects of the product. The classification of the websites is helpful.

The solution is stable and reliable.

What needs improvement?

We have several access points on FortiGate, which were procured long ago. Those are not supporting the present firmware update we make on the UTM. Therefore, we cannot get the latest firmware updated on the UTMs. I was thinking that if we need to get rid of these physical devices, we should move to some cloud-based system.

The only problem that we are facing at the moment is that all the devices of FortiGate, whether it is for FortiGate's access points or authenticator or controllers or UTM, is in the FortiOS. They are interrelated and interdependent. It means if I buy a FortiGate car, I have to run FortiGate OS, I have to fill in FortiGate fuel, and I have to run it on a Fortinet road. I can’t mix and match it with different solutions. There is no flexibility.

The initial setup is a bit complex.

We would like to have NMS built into the solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

We’ve been using the solution for the last ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. We’ve never had any issues with the product. It’s reliable. There are no bugs or glitches.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

If I need to scale it up, then again, I have to change the entire family of it.

The amount of users connected at any given point is something around 6,000, including the students and the people on move.

How are customer service and support?

We never use tech support from Fortinet. We get support from a local supplier.

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

We are tied to Fortinet and therefore did not use any other product.

How was the initial setup?

Initially, the solution can be a bit complex to set up. It’s not simple. There’s a learning curve. You need to train on it a bit first.

We have ten to 12 people on hand who are specialized in FortiOS and can handle deployment and maintenance tasks. We have a total of 20 people working on maintenance.

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

The pricing is pretty high. I’d rate it at a two or three out of five in terms of affordability.

Since the pandemic, a lot of things have gotten exponentially higher. Also, for us, the final price is dependent on the dollar conversion rate. You can get a license for one or up to five years.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Since we are tied to Fortinet and could not use anything else, we did not compare it to other solutions.

What other advice do I have?

We are customers and end-users.

I’d rate the solution seven out of ten.

I’d recommend the solution for an enterprise user. However, it may be a bit much for a small or medium-sized organization.

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 FortiOS
March 2026
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiOS. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
885,286 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Network Administrator at Tawasul telecom
Real User
Jun 17, 2022
Easy to set up with good segmentation but need better support
Pros and Cons
  • "Compared to other firewalls, the segmentation is much easier in FortiGate."
  • "Compared to other firewalls, segmentation is much easier in FortiGate."
  • "Their first-level support is often poorly trained."
  • "Their first-level support is often poorly trained."

What is our primary use case?

We're using the solution for firewall segmentation, including segmentation of the network, authentication purposes, logins, et cetera.

What is most valuable?

Compared to other firewalls, segmentation is much easier in FortiGate.

The initial setup is straightforward. 

What needs improvement?

The support could be better. Their first-level support is often poorly trained. 

We don't have any other requirements in terms of needing new features. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for ten years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's scalable. The model we bought is highly scalable. However, if you buy a device on the low end, it may not be scalable. You need to consider what you need in advance and buy more than you need if you believe you will need to scale. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is okay. Compared to Palo Alto, they need to improve a bit. Palo Alto is better. The first-level team isn't very knowledgeable. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

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

I work with Palo Alto, Cisco, Fortinet, et cetera.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very simple and straightforward. It's not overly complex or difficult. You only need one person to implement the solution. 

The deployment will take only one hour, however, the policy web creation based on the user requirements may take time. That is the nature of every firewall. Usually, the deployment takes only one to two hours.

What about the implementation team?

We handled the setup in-house. We didn't need any outside assistance. 

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

I don't directly deal with licensing. I can't speak to the exact costs.

What other advice do I have?

I'm an end-user. I used to be a partner. 

We're using the latest version of the solution and update regularly.

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten. 

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
Muhammad Jahangir - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager devops at emergent
Real User
May 12, 2022
A next-generation operating system and firewall with a lot of features
Pros and Cons
  • "I am satisfied with Fortinet FortiOS. It's a cool product and has a lot of UTM features. It has application control, web filtering, antivirus, IPS/IDS, DNS filtering, and many things in that firewall. It also has a web application firewall WAF feature. On the feature side, it's a good firewall."
  • "I am satisfied with Fortinet FortiOS; it's a cool product and has a lot of UTM features, including application control, web filtering, antivirus, IPS/IDS, DNS filtering, and a web application firewall WAF feature, and on the feature side, it's a good firewall."
  • "It would be better if AWS instances were available. If I want to upgrade from T2.small to T2.medium, it should be available rather than having a big instance and paying a lot of money for that. The issue is that we had deployed in AWS Cloud, and we were using a very small instance. Recently we wanted to move in-house and deploy it on the big instance because it was struggling with the RAM. If we use T2.small, we cannot upgrade it to the T2.medium. It has predefined instances in the marketplace with a lot of cost differences. If I can increase the RAM, I have to choose the T3.large instance. If I'm paying $270 for the small instance, I have to pay more than double the cost for T3.large. It is about $850, and this is not good. So, it would be better if it was cheaper. I think both AWS and Fortinet should think about that. They should provide it on lower instances as well. If I want to upgrade it from T2.small to T2.medium, it should be available, but it's a problem."
  • "If I can increase the RAM, I have to choose the T3.large instance; if I'm paying $270 for the small instance, I have to pay more than double the cost for T3.large, it is about $850, and this is not good."

What is our primary use case?

We use Fortinet FortiOS to protect our office, and we have another deployment in production. We have the PCI DSS environment on which we have deployed the Fortinet Firewall.

What is most valuable?

I am satisfied with Fortinet FortiOS. It's a cool product and has a lot of UTM features. It has application control, web filtering, antivirus, IPS/IDS, DNS filtering, and many things in that firewall. It also has a web application firewall WAF feature. On the feature side, it's a good firewall.

What needs improvement?

It would be better if AWS instances were available. If I want to upgrade from T2.small to T2.medium, it should be available rather than having a big instance and paying a lot of money for that.

The issue is that we had deployed in AWS Cloud, and we were using a very small instance. Recently we wanted to move in-house and deploy it on the big instance because it was struggling with the RAM. If we use T2.small, we cannot upgrade it to the T2.medium. It has predefined instances in the marketplace with a lot of cost differences.

If I can increase the RAM, I have to choose the T3.large instance. If I'm paying $270 for the small instance, I have to pay more than double the cost for T3.large. It is about $850, and this is not good. So, it would be better if it was cheaper.

I think both AWS and Fortinet should think about that. They should provide it on lower instances as well. If I want to upgrade it from T2.small to T2.medium, it should be available, but it's a problem.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiOS since 2019, so more than three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiOS is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiOS is scalable. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is good. When I create the ticket, they respond to me, engage the engineer, and support is good. No issue at all.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not too complex; it's simple.

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

It would be better if it were cheaper. We have the firewall in our office, and the license is expiring in 20 to 25 days. We got a quote for almost 80,000 Pakistani Rupees, which is a little costly.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

If I compare Fortinet FortiOS with Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA), it's a cool product. The deployment of ASA is a little bit complex because it's GUI-based, and ASA also has a graphical user interface. But I still think Fortinet is a good firewall compared to ASA because if you want to use the IPS/IDS feature in the ASA, you have to deploy the management center and integrate it with the firewall, which is a little complex.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend this solution to potential users because it has many features, and it's a stable product.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Fortinet FortiOS an eight. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Manager, Information Technology at a consumer goods company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 5
Jun 1, 2023
A seamless endpoint gateway solution with constant updates and a zero choice engine
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are its constant updates and definitions."
  • "I want to see a better integration or a better integration with the endpoint protection or with EDR with the security life cycle."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for end-point gateway protection and also use the FortiOS for external user connection and server VPN. We love that clear synchronization as it's almost invisible with the fabric for the guests, externally to connect. The zero-choice engine that they use is pretty good. It is perfect for setting up one-to-one channels for different services that have to pass through the firewall. So it does that seamlessly.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are its constant updates and definitions. The new definitions and the content information coming out to the threat labs keeps you updated on your signatures so that you know what's happening out there. And also doing well, for my system, we have, like, what is called, active scans.

It's constantly accessing Sophos into your gateway, even Sophos that you authorized.

What needs improvement?

I want to see a better integration or a better integration with the endpoint protection or with EDR with the security life cycle. I want to see if that enhances a bit more so I have granular datasets and the user level through to the gateway because that's where most of our threats come from. It's from user activities on the Internet and passes into your files over that gateway. That's where most of our threats would appear and where our exposure to vulnerabilities lies.

So if we can tighten that up, we can harden our infrastructure much better.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for quite some time.

How are customer service and support?

The customer support team is good and responsive.

How was the initial setup?

We did the initial setup ourselves, so it was easy. The learning curve was that great once you have any experience with any firewall or any experience with any security appliance, you can pull around it. We did get some help from our providers. But that was basic.

What about the implementation team?

The EMS setup was all in-house. Our service provider assisted with the firewall setup. The implementations were very smooth. And the transition of our current from our current security device to that when we did it a couple of years ago, it's seamless.

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

The pricing is competitive for the medium and high markets but for the small markets it can be expensive.

What other advice do I have?

You have to see what works best for your environment. Each environment is different depending on the applications and different services you are running in that environment. Suppose it's a full Windows environment versus a mixture if you have a hybrid environment. It all depends on the type of environment you're running and finding the right tools that meet your domain.

But for the regular Windows environment, it's perfect.

I rate it eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Konstantinos Gianniris - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Operations Center Team Leader at PCCW
Real User
Sep 25, 2022
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."
  • "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."
  • "The solution's graphic interface could be a bit more responsive and include notations when changes are made."
  • "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."

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. 

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
it_user1258791 - PeerSpot reviewer
Consultant at ZAM Food Industry Pvt Ltd
Real User
Sep 7, 2022
Great secure VPN encryption and bulk packet monitoring but should be controlled in the local environment as well
Pros and Cons
  • "The product is scalable and easily expands."
  • "The best aspects of the solution are the wire signature and VPN, secure VPN encryption, and bulk packet monitoring."
  • "It should also manage the local DSCP network."
  • "It should also manage the local DSCP network, so the policies, local LAN policies, and other stuff should be there."

What is most valuable?

The best aspects of the solution are the wire signature and VPN, secure VPN encryption, and bulk packet monitoring.

It is a stable product. 

The product is scalable and easily expands. 

Setting up the solution is easy.

We like the technical support on offer. 

What needs improvement?

It should be controlled in the local environment as well. Its gateway security is more powerful. However, it should also manage the local DSCP network, so the policies, local LAN policies, and other stuff should be there.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for the last two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is good. 

It's running in many places and in different organizations. There's a huge market.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

 I found the solution to be scalable. 

We use it in more than one location. We have more than four or five people using it at each location. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support's good. When we register a ticket, they are always prompt in their response. There are two types of support. It's paid or unpaid support, depending on the service we are using.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

We've also used SonicWall. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. It's not complex, You should know where it exists in the OS. Then you can work with it easily. Otherwise, the complexity is something you have to contend with for a new user.

What was our ROI?

We have witnessed an ROI. 

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

You need to repurchase a license every year or two. Costs are negotiable and sometimes they offer promotional prices. A yearly subscription might be around $20,000 to $30,000.

What other advice do I have?

We're a customer and end-user.

We would recommend the solution.

Fortinet is a good product. However, other products are good as well. It really depends on the customer experience.

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten due to the cost of quality of services, and due to the fact that we know other firewalls are more powerful than Fortinet. That said, Fortinet is very economical and gives us an appropriate solution based on what we require.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1297902 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sr. Architect at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Jun 20, 2022
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."
  • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiOS are its simplicity, highly user-centric design, and strong performance, and the line speed 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."
  • "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: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
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Updated: March 2026
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Buyer's Guide
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