MOHAMMED BENHARRAF - PeerSpot reviewer
Associate Director at NVIT
Real User
Top 10
A highly scalable security solution that is easy to deploy and provides good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The technical support is good."
  • "The solution is expensive."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product for our customers. We use it for security.

How has it helped my organization?

We can use the URL filtering and antivirus features. We can also configure rules and protocols from source to destination.

What is most valuable?

The technical support is good.

What needs improvement?

The solution is expensive.

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate SWG
June 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate SWG. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2024.
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For how long have I used the solution?

I have used the solution in the past twelve months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is not the same as WatchGuard. If we have a power problem, we can lose configurations, VPN, SSL, and other things. Other products do not have these issues. The tool is stable when there are no power outages. I rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the tool’s scalability a nine out of ten. It has high scalability. We integrate the solution for our customers. Some customers have 15 to 50 users, while others have 300 to 1000 users. Our customers are small and medium enterprises.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy. It was not complex.

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

I rate the pricing an eight out of ten on a scale where one is cheap and ten is expensive. We need to pay for additional features.

What other advice do I have?

The product could provide SD-WAN and VPN features. People can use the tool. Overall, 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: Integrator
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Consultant at Zepto
Real User
A comprehensive and easy to use solution that needs to improve offerings for SMBs
Pros and Cons
  • "FortiGate also makes GRE tunneling possible."
  • "FortiGate needs to be elastic to the market's trends. It should be easy for SMBs to get the solution."

What is most valuable?

FortiGate has a lot of things that you can do. You have VPN, VRRP, and VDOM tools. FortiGate also makes GRE tunneling possible. Those are a few things that I like the most about FortiGate.

What needs improvement?

We are in an era of cloud-based things, so most need a simpler pay-as-you-go model. That might be effective for SMBs, where small organizations can afford features. FortiGate needs to be elastic to the market's trends. It should be easy for SMBs to get the solution. A cloud or SaaS model would be effective. FortiGate should bring a solution that allows smaller companies to use firewalls. Very small or medium companies do not focus on security, but it is the major concern of every organization. To tap that market, FortiGate must bring an innovative product everyone can adopt.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for six to seven years and currently use the latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the stability an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is not an issue, but it's difficult for small organizations. The devices that have FortiGate are the issue. I rate FortiGate a seven out of ten.

FortiGate is deployed in a centralized way. The way it is deployed in our organization, all the employees benefit from the security features.

How are customer service and support?

FortiGate's technical support depends on the region. FortiGate's support in my region is very helpful.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

I rate the initial setup a seven out of ten. Deployment takes a few months, but no more.

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

I rate FortiGate's pricing a five out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

FortiGate, as per my usage, is good. It's a very nice, sophisticated, and realistic firewall. I don't have any issues with FortiGate. It's a good UTM and has very simple dashboards. I rate FortiGate a seven out of ten.

We use FortiGate on-prem, but now we are trying to adopt it on the cloud. I'm not sure how it is because I have not seen a cloud-based FortiGate.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate SWG
June 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate SWG. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2024.
772,679 professionals have used our research since 2012.
shop manager at BIL
Real User
Top 20
It's easy to manage and provides solid protection against external threats
Pros and Cons
  • "The interface is user-friendly, so it's easy to add policies and block traffic."
  • "We also have FortiAnalyzer deployed here, so we want to enable the soft functionality of FortiGate and built-in compression for a firewall VPN use case. We want the ability to deploy a gateway for HTTPS enabled on this firewall. It is currently only for use in our headquarters."

What is our primary use case?

We use FortiGate SWG as our edge firewall for protecting on-prem traffic. It provides routing and filtering. FortiGate is only protecting abiyt 300 users at our corporate headquarters, but we have five hundred locations all over Pakistan that are not covered by this firewall policy. We're looking for a cloud-based firewall that can be deployed at remote locations and managed remotely through this FortiGate firewall. 

What is most valuable?

The interface is user-friendly, so it's easy to add policies and block traffic. 

What needs improvement?

We also have FortiAnalyzer deployed here, so we want to enable the soft functionality of FortiGate and built-in compression for a firewall VPN use case. We want the ability to deploy a gateway for HTTPS enabled on this firewall. It is currently only for use in our headquarters.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have used FortiGate for around eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

FortiGate SWG is highly stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

FortiGate SWG is scalable because it has the ability to add a SOAP module. 

How was the initial setup?

Setting up FortiGate is straightforward, and deployment takes about a week, including the time needed to migrate our security policies. We took backups from our legacy firewall solution and installed them on FortiGate. It was simple because all our previous firewalls were also Fortinet. 

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

Oh, yes. We pay we already we are already paying license. We have recently got a subscription and also description we are seeing.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiGate SWG eight out of 10. I recommend FortiGate SWG as an on-prem edge device or routing solution. It is user-friendly, easy to manage, and protects us from external threats. We have had no issues with filtering or anything else so far. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Mustapha Bako - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Executive Officer at Spokes network
Real User
A cost-effective solution for security with application control, web filtering and SD-WAN
Pros and Cons
  • "The most useful features are application control, web filtering, and SD-WAN."
  • "Support could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution at the Internet edge to provide a security boundary between the public network and the private network.

What is most valuable?

The most useful features are application control, web filtering, and SD-WAN.

What needs improvement?

Support could be improved like Sophos. Some clients don't have the expertise to manage their environment. If they have a problem with Fortinet, they should have easy access to support. Secondly, the process of evaluation as a partner with Cisco should give you the ability to deploy access as a partner. You can do team labs and a lot of things.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We never had any problem with stability. I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability depends on the client's size. We have clients with as few as 500 users, as many as 800 users, and clients with just 100 users. We cater to small and medium businesses. I rate the solution’s scalability a seven out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. Deployment time depends on the client's requirements. Some clients may agree to a monthly deployment, while others may require a different team. If you sell a new environment, the deployment time may increase. The basic setup takes one to two hours. Deployment is a continuous process, as you will need to refine the policies and settings to meet the client's specific business needs. I rate the initial setup a nine out of ten.

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

The solution is cheap. Fortinet FortiGate SWG licenses are based on features, so you can choose the license that best meets your needs. This is especially beneficial for enterprise environments with different use cases. However, it can be costly for other segments, such as small businesses. I rate the solution’s pricing a seven out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a good solution that meets your security requirements and is an excellent alternative to more expensive security products like Cisco and Palo Alto. If budget is a concern, Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a good choice for a security product. Overall, I rate the solution an eight 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: Reseller
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CISM at Exceed NetSec LLC
Real User
Top 5
Has an easy initial setup process and good security features
Pros and Cons
  • "The product has the most valuable configuration, offloading, and security features."
  • "Fortinet FortiGate SWG's SSL offloading features need improvement."

What is most valuable?

The product has the most valuable configuration, offloading, and security features.

What needs improvement?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG's SSL offloading features need improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for five years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I recommend Fortinet FortiGate SWG to larger companies as the lease line is expensive. It is suitable for companies who are running web applications. It is not a necessity for small businesses.

How are customer service and support?

The product's tier-one support process is time-consuming. It takes time to reach the right person to sort out the issues.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

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

I have previously worked with a product related to SSL offloading and caching through a reverse proxy. Currently, we are serving the small and medium-sized business (SMB) segment, where the requirements and infrastructure may not necessitate SSL offloading and related features due to the absence of web servers within their networks. Simpler and more streamlined solutions suffice for their requirements in such cases.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process is easy. It takes two or three hours for basic implementation. At the same time, it takes around two days to perform a clone test. It includes fine-tuning, optimizing, and transforming it to the environment once stabilized.

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

The product is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiGate SWG an eight out of ten. It has a lower failure rate in terms of configuration. Once it is configured, it keeps running for years. However, they have increased the process by almost 60% to 70%.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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Real User
Top 10
A comprehensive web filtering and security solution for enhanced protection
Pros and Cons
  • "It offers web filtering capabilities at a more affordable price compared to other solutions like PSMs or NETGEAR."
  • "Integrating OpenVPN with FortiGate would provide a powerful combination of secure remote access and comprehensive network security."

What is our primary use case?

It provides features such as web filtering, antivirus, data loss prevention, and application control.

What is most valuable?

It offers web filtering capabilities at a more affordable price compared to other solutions like PSMs or NETGEAR.

What needs improvement?

Integrating OpenVPN with FortiGate would provide a powerful combination of secure remote access and comprehensive network security.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been testing it for few weeks now. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

After using it for several weeks, I found it to be operating smoothly and stable.

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

When comparing Fortinet FortiGate with DSOS and NETGEAR, it is important to note that FortiGate does not have native support for OpenVPN, whereas other options offer those features. However, FortiGate excels in terms of comprehensive network security, with a wide array of antivirus and security solutions available.

How was the initial setup?

It is easy to set up and configure, instilling confidence in its reliability.

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

It is a cost-effective solution that meets the user's needs.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate it ten out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Suresh Vijayen - PeerSpot reviewer
Product Manager at IX Telecom
Reseller
Provides helpful technical support, but its dashboard needs to be more user-friendly
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is superior to Cisco in terms of security."
  • "What could be improved in Fortinet FortiGate SWG is its pricing because it's a bit higher. If it's cheaper, my company could pitch it to customers and engage with customers better about it. What I'd like to see in the next release of Fortinet FortiGate SWG is an improvement in its dashboard or GUI. I'd like it to be more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

Clients use Fortinet FortiGate SWG for anything that goes into the internet.

What is most valuable?

Lately, my company has been using the Fortinet S series more compared to Fortinet FortiGate SWG. My company has tried all the features of Fortinet FortiGate SWG, but I'm unable to say which feature I found most valuable in it, though the solution is superior to Cisco in terms of security.

What needs improvement?

What could be improved in Fortinet FortiGate SWG is its pricing because it's a bit higher. If it's cheaper, my company could pitch it to customers and engage with customers better about it.

What I'd like to see in the next release of Fortinet FortiGate SWG is an improvement in its dashboard or GUI. I'd like it to be more user-friendly.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a scalable solution.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support for Fortinet FortiGate SWG was very helpful. I'm rating their support a four out of five.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup for Fortinet FortiGate SWG was straightforward. I'm rating the setup four out of five.

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

I don't have the exact details on how much Fortinet FortiGate SWG costs yearly, but if I were to rate its price on a scale of one to five, with one being the worst and five being the best, I'm rating it a two out of five.

Pricing for Fortinet FortiGate SWG is more suitable for enterprise or large-sized organizations because they are the ones who can afford it versus small and medium-sized organizations.

What other advice do I have?

I'm a reseller and implementer of Fortinet FortiGate SWG. I'm dealing with various solutions and various vendors such as Cisco, Aruba, and Fortinet, based on customer requirements.

I've provided Fortinet FortiGate SWG to a client for the past year.

I currently don't have the details on the number of Fortinet FortiGate SWG users in the client's organization, but it's being used daily.

In terms of security, Fortinet FortiGate SWG is superior compared to Cisco. In terms of pricing, I would prefer Cisco.

I'm rating Fortinet FortiGate SWG six out of ten. If they would change the GUI and improve it, that would make my rating higher, because it's on the GUI where people do all their activities. Making the solution more user-friendly will also increase my rating for it.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
PeerSpot user
LinhNguyen7 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at PTECH
Real User
Top 10
Filled with excellent content and is a very competitive option
Pros and Cons
  • "Fortinet FortiGate SWG's content is its most valuable feature."
  • "Fortinet FortiGate SWG can be expensive for some customers."

What is our primary use case?

We use it as a security solution.

What is most valuable?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG's content is its most valuable feature.

What needs improvement?

Fortinet's licensing is high compared to other products.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is stable, and I rate the solution's stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

A few private and government companies use Fortinet FortiGate SWGs. It is popular among enterprise customers.

How are customer service and support?

The customer service team is helpful. They have good technicians.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy.

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

Fortinet FortiGate SWG can be expensive for some customers. We recently had a project for a customer where we could not protect the cost, so we had to look elsewhere.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend this solution. Fortinet FortiGate SWG is better than the market alternatives. It's easy to install and manage, and I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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Updated: June 2024
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Secure Web Gateways (SWG)
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiGate SWG Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.