We performed a comparison between pfSense and Fortinet Fortigate based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: Based on the parameters we compared, it seems that pfSense is the more favorable solution because it is open source and also offers great features.
"The most valuable features are SD-WAN, application control, IPS control, and FortiSandbox."
"The SD-WAN is the most valuable feature."
"It is easy to manage, and it doesn't need much knowledge from the team. It is a stable device, and there are many features that are included out of the box."
"Initial setup is straightforward. There weren't too many issues with setting it up. It takes one hour or so."
"I only deal with it from a security analyst's point of view. I don't really get into the features of the actual FortiGate. From the security point of view, it works, and it does its job."
"It is quite easy to handle."
"It is a one box solution, which covers most of the edge device’s requirements."
"Their interface is very easy to use, it is without bugs."
"What I found most valuable is the cost of the platform, the flexibility of the platform, and the fact that the ongoing fees are not there as they are with the competitor. Some people may think you're taking a risk with using Opensource. I think it just provides the end user, specifically for us small, medium business providers of services, the flexibility we need at the right cost to provide them a higher end, almost enterprise type service."
"It is easy to use and has integrity with other systems, such as proxies and quality of service."
"I mostly like all of it. Whatever we use is valuable."
"The documentation is very good."
"Easy to deploy and easy to use."
"The most valuable features of pfSense are security, user-friendliness, and helpful online management."
"The product’s documentation is good."
"I had some outages in the network and we provide services for our company. We sell mobile credits. The terminal gets access to our own server inside the network and if one internet fails, then the other one is still up and we have a back-up link on the devices."
"The performance and speed are aspects of the solution that could always be improved upon."
"The product does need better support in the cloud environment. It's not exactly cloud-native right now."
"The cloud management and automation capability could be improved."
"Some features of Fortinet FortiGate are actually fee enabled that are inconvenient for deploying in production. Other issues relate to isolation with Cisco products and your server."
"The routing capability on the FortiGate devices has room for improvement."
"The support costs and licensing are sometimes so expensive."
"You do need some IT knowledge in order to effectively work with the solution."
"We would like to see a better training platform implemented."
"In an upcoming release, the reporting could be more user-friendly. For example, the reporting in graphs and charts for the host can be cumbersome."
"The GUI could use improvements, though it is manageable."
"Netgate pfSense needs to improve the configuration for a VPN."
"pfSense has some limitations in detecting site sessions. We want to control internet usage based on sites and their content, and pfSense doesn't perform this function."
"I expect a better interface with more log analysis because I create my own interface."
"The main problem with pfSense is that we have to use proxy solutions."
"The router monitoring needs improvement when compared with Sonicwall."
"It is not centrally managed, where you log into the website and can see all your services there. We would like to be able to see is all the configurations from a central interface on all our pfSenses."
Fortinet FortiGate is ranked 2nd in Firewalls with 67 reviews while Netgate pfSense is ranked 1st in Firewalls with 15 reviews. Fortinet FortiGate is rated 8.4, while Netgate pfSense is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of Fortinet FortiGate writes "Efficient, user-friendly, and affordable". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Netgate pfSense writes "Feature-rich, well documented, and there is good support available online". Fortinet FortiGate is most compared with Sophos XG, Cisco Secure Firewall, Meraki MX, Check Point NGFW and WatchGuard Firebox, whereas Netgate pfSense is most compared with OPNsense, Sophos XG, Sophos UTM, Cisco Secure Firewall and KerioControl. See our Fortinet FortiGate vs. Netgate pfSense report.
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Both are very good products, but some features that Sophos mentioned as new, FortiGate has been handling. If you are going to grow with several appliances I recommend Sophos, since the administration can be done from the cloud. With Fortinet, you have to pay a licensing fee. In terms of costs and all the options, they are very similar. Another detail to review is the support, at the beginning with Fortigate, I had enough details, but it is really improving significantly with respect to Sophos.
My comment is based on experience and I do not lean toward any of the brands. To reiterate, they are good types of equipment.