Fortinet FortiGate vs Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Jan 24, 2024

We compared Fortinet FortiGate and Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform based on our users reviews in five parameters. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below:

  • Ease of Deployment: The setup process for Fortinet FortiGate can be complex, possibly requiring assistance from third-party vendors or internal teams. It is considered straightforward but may take a significant amount of time for complex projects. The maintenance required for FortiGate varies. On the other hand, the setup for Versa is relatively easy, with the engineering team handling it. Once the hardware arrives, it takes just minutes to turn it up. Maintenance for the Versa SASE Platform is minimal. The implementation process typically takes about two weeks or less.
  • Features: Fortinet FortiGate is praised for its user-friendly interface and strong security measures, including SSL VPN and Active Directory integration. It also offers easy configuration, multi-tenancy support, and an extensive range of features. On the other hand, Versa provides main steering, firewall, and SD-WAN capabilities. It offers troubleshooting ease, scalability, centralized control, and application awareness.
  • Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiGate has areas that can be improved like reporting, pricing, antivirus, IPS, logging details, storage and support. On the other hand, Versa requires improvements in stability, interface simplicity, wireless solution, security features and user interface features.
  • Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiGate's setup cost is regarded as competitive and reasonably priced, although users desire more affordable and flexible pricing options. In contrast, Versa's pricing is deemed fair and cost-effective, but there are concerns regarding its relatively higher cost in specific regions and when compared to VMware. Fortinet FortiGate offers accurate data for calculating savings, making it a valuable tool for ROI analysis. On the other hand, Versa SASE Platform prioritizes enhancing user experience over providing precise ROI measurement.
  • Service and Support: Customers have generally had positive experiences with the customer service and support provided by Fortinet FortiGate. However, there are some customers who believe that the support could use some improvement. On the other hand, the customer service and support of Versa have received primarily positive reviews. Nevertheless, there have been instances of delays in response time, and a few customers have expressed a desire for faster customer support.

Comparison Results: Based on user feedback, the Fortinet FortiGate and Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform differ in various aspects. The setup process for Fortinet FortiGate is generally simple, whereas Versa SASE Platform necessitates specialized knowledge and training. Fortinet FortiGate impresses users with its user-friendly interface and robust security measures, whereas Versa SASE Platform stands out with advantageous features like main steering and firewall capabilities. Some areas that could be improved for Fortinet FortiGate are pricing and reporting, while Versa SASE Platform requires enhancements in stability and user interface. In general, Fortinet FortiGate is commended for its return on investment and customer service, whereas Versa SASE Platform offers competitive pricing and solid technical support with room to grow.

772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the ability to work in proxy mode, which other solutions, such as Palo Alto cannot. There are some features that are better that come at no extra license or subscriptions cost, such as basic SD-WAN. The DLT is useful, other solutions have the same feature too, such as Palo Alto.""I like Fortinet's cloud management. It allows me to manage all my devices in different branches for three cloud accounts. Even though I use on-prem devices, I can manage everything on the cloud.""One of the nice things about FortiGate is that it can be deployed on the cloud or on-premises. You can actually do both. That's the biggest reason why I stick with this solution as opposed to something like Cisco Meraki. Another nice thing is that I can log directly into a FortiGate or get to it through their FortiCloud access products. They're pretty reliable and consistent. One of the reasons why I started using the product was their single pane of management. I can deploy their line of firewalls in conjunction with their switching and access points, and I can manage the entire network from one interface. I don't have to log into one interface for the firewall, another one for the access points, and another one for the switches. These firewalls have access point controller functionality built right into the system, so I don't even have to purchase additional devices to manage them.""The signature database and zero-day detection are Fortinet FortiGate's most valuable features.""The solution is very easy to understand. It's not overly complex.""The most valuable features are the possibility of having one fabric for switching on security.""The base firewall features are quite valuable to us.""Consolidated our network environment at all locations, but mainly at our datacenter."

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"It is very easy to deploy. The GUI interface is really good, and the security features are also very good. It is also stable and scalable, and their support is also good.""The division of Control Plane and Data Plane is most valuable. It can be deployed anywhere, and you can control it and configure it from anywhere. This is one of the good features of this solution.""The necessary enhancement pertains to the controller segment, specifically addressing the issue of frequent flapping when a link is left. In the case of Versa Unified, if a link experiences frequent flapping within an entire branch, it triggers instability. Hence, it is imperative that the overall routing system is not contingent solely upon the active dial branches.""Versa is a good centralized solution, where you're setting up your infrastructure in a data center type thing.""Versa FlexVNF is a scalable product because it does not have any hardware dependencies. This makes it a versatile solution that can be easily integrated with any firewall.""Our organization finds the application routing features extremely useful.""The solution is stable and suitable.""There are great security and ops features without the need for having a different box for security."

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Cons
"The room for improvement is about the global delivery time period. Usually I need to wait for almost one month to deliver it overseas. So if you can shorten the deliver time it'd be great.""Some of the features in the graphical user interface do not work, which requires that we used the command-line-interface.""The solution can have more features in a single box that can be multi-applied to integrate everything.""I would like to see more advanced developments of a wireless controller in the future.""The support from Fortinet FortiGate could improve. They are not easily accessible when we need them. They could improve their response time.""You do need some IT knowledge in order to effectively work with the solution.""Fortinet could improve the windows opener or the virtual IP solutions for opening windows. The virtual IP settings need improvement as firewalls are trending in new development directions.""They need faster serviceability and more security features."

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"The security should be improved.""SASE is the next big thing that is coming up, and it needs to be developed in Versa. This is the only thing that needs to be adapted very quickly by Versa. With the pandemic going on, I would like to see more features for working from home. They have launched Versa Secure Access (VSA), but it is currently immature. They need to tighten it up for work from home and SD-WAN concept.""The support needs to be improved.""Future releases should contain AI for the voice feature.""Certainly, there are areas that require enhancement, and the current focus is on improvements. Presently, I believe that the emphasis should be on enhancing user interface (UI) features, particularly over end devices. The issue arises when attempting to log in to Versa from other devices, as the UI is not device-specific. Consequently, guiding someone to log in to Versa antivirus becomes challenging. Despite the absence of issues on the website, the lack of a login scope impedes graphical representation of user data or databases. Since work databases support only a limited range of features, I recommend augmenting features for end devices to address these limitations.""The stability of FlexVNF's controller and devices could be improved.""Another thing that should be improved in Versa are their firewall features.""I heard about them for the first time just before I started working on Versa. They do have blogs for information, but they could publicize more about the documentation and architecture. It doesn't seem to have that much exposure, and they should work on their customer base more."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Fortinet has one or two license types, and the VPN numbers are only limited by the hardware chassis make."
  • "These boxes are not that expensive compared to what they can do, their functionality, and the reporting you receive. Fortinet licensing is straightforward and less confusing compared to Cisco."
  • "Go for long term pricing negotiated at the time of purchase."
  • "Work through partners for the best pricing."
  • "The value is the capability of having multiple services with one unique license, not having the limitation per user licensing schema, like other vendors."
  • "Easy to understand licensing requirements."
  • "​We saved a bundle by not needing all the past appliances from an NGFW.​"
  • "The cost is too high... They have to focus on more features with less cost for the customer. If you see the market, where it's going, there are a lot of players offering more features for less cost."
  • More Fortinet FortiGate Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The price is expensive but it makes sense for the market."
  • "It is not very expensive because of the white box support. Its hardware is much cheaper than other products. With the support for x86 and white box, it is one of the most cost-effective platforms that are currently available."
  • "While I cannot provide too much commentary on the price, I feel it to be fair for the moment."
  • "We provide subscriptions for our customers on a yearly, not monthly, basis."
  • "Price wise, it's more expensive than is the competition. I would give pricing a rating of three out of five."
  • "It is neither cheap nor expensive. I rate the pricing a five out of ten on a scale where one is cheap and ten is expensive."
  • "I find Versa a little more expensive than VMware in terms of remote access and secure web gateway elements."
  • More Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Comparison Review
    Anonymous User
    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 hang-ups will be with the VIP/load balancing and SSL. For some reason that completely escapes me, both of these vendors make getting valid certificates onto their boxes unnecessarily difficult -- the Fortinet appliances more so than the Sophos UTM appliances. At one point a Fortinet engineer had to write an entire manual on how to get an SSL certificate uploaded successfully on the 4.x firmware Sophos: The one feature that is missing (and this makes some amount of sense) from the Sophos appliance is BITS caching for updates. Other than that, Sophos offers a full replacement for TMG on UTM9. The XG platform also offers a replacement for the TMG; however, some of the rumblings about upcoming releases suggests that Sophos is going to give XG the Apple iOS treatment and "streamline" the interface...potentially cutting out/hiding some functionality. On the effectiveness of the NGFW, Sophos is mostly good but has a few issues blocking all pieces of an application. For instance, we had to build custom blocking rules for OpenVPN (the vpn was being used to bypass the content filter) because the default Application Control wasn't effectively blocking the application. Fortinet: If it… Read more →
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer: When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage at large. In my opinion, Fortinet would be the best option and l use Fortinet too.… more »
    Top Answer:From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know the firewalls change every 5 to 7 years as stated but you really do need to… more »
    Top Answer:As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite good. The most valuable features for me are their web and email filtering. I would… more »
    Top Answer:Versa is a good centralized solution, where you're setting up your infrastructure in a data center type thing.
    Top Answer:Both Versa and VMware are cheap in terms of the router. I find Versa a little more expensive than VMware in terms of remote access and secure web gateway elements.
    Top Answer:We've had the odd occasional stability issue with software upgrades, etcetera. They don't support certain other third-party applications, which can be a bit limiting at times, whereas VMware seems to… more »
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    8.4
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    Also Known As
    FortiGate 60b, FortiGate 60c, FortiGate 80c, FortiGate 50b, FortiGate 200b, FortiGate 110c, FortiGate
    Versa FlexVNF, FlexVNF, Versa Titan
    Learn More
    Overview

    Fortinet FortiGate enhances network security, prevents unauthorized access, and offers robust firewall protection. Valued features include advanced threat protection, reliable performance, and a user-friendly interface. It improves efficiency, streamlines processes, and boosts collaboration, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making and growth.

    The Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform is a comprehensive solution that provides secure access to cloud applications and services. It combines networking and security functions into a single platform, making it easier for organizations to manage their network infrastructure. The platform includes features such as SD-WAN, VPN, firewall, web filtering, and more. It also offers advanced security capabilities such as intrusion prevention, malware protection, and threat intelligence. With the Versa SASE Platform, organizations can ensure secure access to their cloud applications and services from any location, while also reducing costs and simplifying network management.

    Sample Customers
    1. Amazon Web Services 2. Microsoft 3. IBM 4. Cisco 5. Dell 6. HP 7. Oracle 8. Verizon 9. AT&T 10. T-Mobile 11. Sprint 12. Vodafone 13. Orange 14. BT Group 15. Telstra 16. Deutsche Telekom 17. Comcast 18. Time Warner Cable 19. CenturyLink 20. NTT Communications 21. Tata Communications 22. SoftBank 23. China Mobile 24. Singtel 25. Telus 26. Rogers Communications 27. Bell Canada 28. Telkom Indonesia 29. Telkom South Africa 30. Telmex 31. Telia Company 32. Telkom Kenya
    CenturyLink, RCN Business, Colt Technology Services
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Computer Software Company9%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization20%
    Computer Software Company15%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider71%
    Construction Company14%
    Media Company7%
    Recreational Facilities/Services Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Retailer7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business48%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise32%
    Large Enterprise40%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business37%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise42%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise11%
    Large Enterprise64%
    Buyer's Guide
    Fortinet FortiGate vs. Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform
    May 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiGate vs. Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform and other solutions. Updated: May 2024.
    772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Fortinet FortiGate is ranked 2nd in Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions with 306 reviews while Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform is ranked 8th in Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions with 20 reviews. Fortinet FortiGate is rated 8.4, while Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Fortinet FortiGate writes "It's a reliable solution that's easy to install and cheaper than competitors ". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform writes "A flexible, stable and scalable solution ". Fortinet FortiGate is most compared with Sophos XG, Cisco Secure Firewall, Netgate pfSense, Meraki MX and WatchGuard Firebox, whereas Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform is most compared with Cisco SD-WAN, VMware SD-WAN, Cato SASE Cloud Platform, Meraki SD-WAN and Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. See our Fortinet FortiGate vs. Versa Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Platform report.

    See our list of best Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions vendors and best WAN Edge vendors.

    We monitor all Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.