Fortinet FortiGate vs WatchGuard XTM [EOL] comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Fortinet FortiGate and WatchGuard XTM [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Netgate, Fortinet, OPNsense and others in Firewalls.
To learn more, read our detailed Firewalls Report (Updated: March 2024).
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Q&A Highlights
Question: What Is The Biggest Difference Between Fortinet FortiGate and WatchGuard XTM?
Answer: The main difference between Watchguard and Fortinet is the operating system, and how it uses the hardware features. The user interface in Fortinet is cleaner and we can adjust network and security needs in a logical way. Point-of-care only for SSO, certificate usage does not work sometimes, but this issue is handled in new OS releases.
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 important features of Fortinet FortiGate are the Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) and firewall control applications.""Their reliability and their policy of pre-shipping replacements when a unit has failed.""Whenever we raise a complaint with FortiGate, their response and resolution times are minimal.""There are lots of features and most of them are deployed for internet security. Users are protected if they accidentally go to some malicious sites.""It performs very well.""The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the rules and quality of service.""The feature I like most is the SD-WAN. It allows you to manage more than one ISP at the same time. And there is a high-availability mode, so if one of your ISPs is down, you still have a backup.""Fortinet FortiGate's ease of management is the most valuable feature."

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"They have a reporting system which can store data over a very long period of time. Not many other firewall vendors provide a reporting system, but if they do, like Fortinet does, then you've got buy that as an additional product and that can be more than twice as expensive as the initial investment in the firewall. And without reporting over a long-term period, you're just about wasting your time.""SNMP status monitoring and the Central Management Software.""WatchGuard XTM is fairly basic. We use it as the perimeter firewall. The main point is to protect from attack software and hacking.""There is a site-to-site VPN configuration between others people.""It is stable and does not require you to reboot all the time.​""Application Control is fantastic with over 2,500 applications and the granularity that we can either allow people to view but not be able to log on to Facebook; or view it and log onto it if they're in the marketing department, but not play Facebook games. There are all sorts of different options like that. So it's highly granular.""​Monitoring of network activity is included in the box.​""After installing the product, we achieved awareness of our data protection needs and email misuse."

More WatchGuard XTM [EOL] Pros →

Cons
"From a reporting perspective, there's room for improvement. They're providing FortiAnalyzer through which one can get some enhancements, but the visibility and reporting still need slight improvement.""Scalability for Fortinet FortiGate needs to be improved. SD-WAN security for this solution also needs some improvement.""Fortinet FortiGate could improve by having more capabilities for troubleshooting VPN connections. For example, I do get some feedback about the current status, but I could use some history and logging of important events. The information is logged in our Syslog server, but I could use that information from the device. If they could provide a GUI to have some more insight on what's going with my VPN would be useful.""Fortinet FortiGate needs to improve the protection, it did not prevent us from being attacked. Additionally, Fortinet FortiGate could provide more features for WAF devices. I should not have to purchase two solutions, it would be a benefit to combine these features into one solution.""As far as wanting more scalability or things in the network diagram, it's going to cost you.""It needs more available central management.""Fortinet needs to overhaul its documentation.""They need faster serviceability and more security features."

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"WatchGuard doesn't have a product that allows them to get into the data center. And that's just because there is no hardware to do the job. The software could do it, but there's no hardware that allows that to happen at the moment. So it doesn't scale as well as some other products, that's for sure.""The initial setup is neither simple nor complex. If you know the base in networking and how the firewall works, you will be able to figure it out.​""Sometimes we have had issues with stability of the product.""The setting policies need improvement. It needs an easier way to do static NAT and check on what policy is being used for that specific traffic.""I would like them to improve the product's overall protections. This would be good for all product users.""The VPN errors are not helpful when troubleshooting.""One huge issue with WatchGuard XTM is that I'm not getting reports in a readable format. Readable means, I don't want Excel online. We repeat auditing when we trigger the report or setup calendar. That functionality is what we are looking for from WatchGuard XTM here.""Syslog (Dimension) is focused on presentation, but needs more focus on utility like SonicWall syslog (GMS/Analyzer)."

More WatchGuard XTM [EOL] Cons →

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 →

  • "Get at least a maintenance contract for the updates and take a larger WatchGuard than you need. A WatchGuard creates new ways to secure your network."
  • "It costs less than the SO works and others (like SonicWall, Cisco, and Barracuda) without increasing so much CPU use."
  • "Like all other manufacturers, there are a lot of features and different pricing. The best is to talk to a representative.​"
  • "The licensing and renewal is very expensive."
  • More WatchGuard XTM [EOL] 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 →
    Answers from the Community
    Miriam Tover
    reviewer779877 - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer779877 (Senior Software Engineer with 501-1,000 employees)
    Reseller

    Technically, watchguard can't scale in terms of performance and features protection for network, endpoint and cloud like FortiGate.

    FortiGate has chipset that can support software turn on in the form of fabric technology.

    Lastly, FortiGate has API which allow integration with 3rd parties technology to share policy, context and intelligence.

    Nilanka Costa - PeerSpot reviewerNilanka Costa
    User

    Fortinet FortiGate is a firewall with assured performance since it has ASSIC based purpose build processors. Also it has very reputed signature base worldwide. WatchGuard is good for SMBs where performance is not a major factor at perimeter security.

    reviewer199935 - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer199935 (systems engineer at a retailer with 11-50 employees)
    Real User

    I have worked with only 2 FortiGate routers, remember them as having Sonicwall similar traits for management. Ok, but not that intuitive, so you had to learn and remember the management rules.
    The WG units are more familiar to me, as I have setup dozens of these units in various models. I know the management Watchguard System Manager software more completely, so I understand it better, and remember it more.
    The management is still just as exact as the Fortigate, but more intuitive in my understanding.
    WG can be managed using a browser interface, but the WSM software is still more complete, in my opinion.

    Pravin Kolge - PeerSpot reviewerPravin Kolge
    User

    Fortinet fortiGate have large products portfolio as compare to watchGuard.

    Francisco Vargas - PeerSpot reviewerFrancisco Vargas
    User

    The difference is the poor performance that Fortigate has when it has all its services in use. Compare which customers have fortinet and which watchguards and see why the institutions in greatest need of security have watchguards.

    Zou TRAORE - PeerSpot reviewerZou TRAORE
    User

    UTMs option in fortiGate in better. High-performance network security solutions, users, and data from continually evolving threats.

    Anoop P - PeerSpot reviewerAnoop P
    User

    Fortinet FortiGate is a firewall with assured performance since it has
    ASSIC based purpose build processors. Also, it has a very reputed signature
    base worldwide. WatchGuard is good for SMBs where performance is not a
    major factor at perimeter security. So I suggest better choose Fortinet for
    your requirement.

    Swaminathayer Muralidhar - PeerSpot reviewerSwaminathayer Muralidhar
    User

    Fortinet are portable – cheap and easy to use

    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 »
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    Ranking
    2nd
    out of 59 in Firewalls
    Views
    126,666
    Comparisons
    92,626
    Reviews
    64
    Average Words per Review
    574
    Rating
    8.4
    Unranked
    In Firewalls
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    FortiGate 60b, FortiGate 60c, FortiGate 80c, FortiGate 50b, FortiGate 200b, FortiGate 110c, FortiGate
    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.

    Small businesses need big security, too, and the WatchGuard XTM Series firewall/VPN appliances deliver that strong protection, but without the hefty price tag. Enterprise-grade security includes full HTTPS content inspection, VoIP support, and optional security subscriptions like Application Control and Intrusion Prevention Service.

    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
    AVG, Cyren, Kaspersky Lab, Lastline, NCP engineering, Trend Micro, Websense
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Computer Software Company9%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization20%
    Computer Software Company15%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm38%
    Logistics Company15%
    Import And Exporter8%
    Healthcare Company8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business48%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise32%
    Large Enterprise41%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business70%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise9%
    Buyer's Guide
    Firewalls
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Netgate, Fortinet, OPNsense and others in Firewalls. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Fortinet FortiGate is ranked 2nd in Firewalls with 306 reviews while WatchGuard XTM [EOL] doesn't meet the minimum requirements to be ranked in Firewalls. Fortinet FortiGate is rated 8.4, while WatchGuard XTM [EOL] 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 WatchGuard XTM [EOL] writes "The multi-layer security of the products are the primary reason we use these appliances, however, the gateway wireless functionality for managing access points leaves much to be desired". Fortinet FortiGate is most compared with Sophos XG, Cisco Secure Firewall, Netgate pfSense, Meraki MX and Check Point NGFW, whereas WatchGuard XTM [EOL] is most compared with .

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    We monitor all Firewalls 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.