fortinet-fortigate-vs-watchguard-network-security

Fortinet FortiGate and WatchGuard Network Security are firewall and web security solutions designed to keep businesses safe from unauthorized access, viruses, zero-day exploits, and other network-based dangers. Both products aim to provide their customers with protection that evolves as the network security landscape changes. FortiGate is available as an on-site integrated product in a physical box or a VM and sees more use by mid-sized companies. WatchGuard Network Security is available in both on-premise and cloud-based form factors, and is used more heavily by small businesses, likely due to its cloud-based option. 

Features

Both FortiGate and WatchGuard Network Security help keep business networks and users safe, but they each have their own benefits.

If you’d prefer more control over your security system infrastructure, FortiGate’s on-site deployment might be appealing compared to a cloud-based product. Its licensing options are granular, offering buyers plenty of control over their software and hardware features. FortiGate’s logging is detailed, and administrators generally find the product’s management options helpful. For users who might be new to network security, its graphical user interface (GUI) is easy to navigate and can help them find their footing.

WatchGuard Network Security has a wealth of configuration options and protection features available to administrators. The platform’s tools for botnet detection, spam blocking, and geolocation-based permissions are especially appreciated by its users. Administrators report that the Dimension management console is robust and responsive, making it fast to use. The reporting and logging systems are detailed, and administrators report overall satisfaction with the platform’s ability to prevent intrusion and malware.

Limitations

However, neither product is one-size-fits-all. You should evaluate the pros and cons of both WatchGuard Network Security and FortiGate before purchasing.

FortiGate can also be difficult for new users, who feel that there’s not enough available documentation to help them get started. Configuring a new VPN can be cumbersome, requiring manual setup of policies. Some administrators wish for additional features, such as better load-balancing or a live traffic-monitoring tool. Finally, FortiGate’s deployment style means that scaling up can be a bit pricey, requiring you to purchase additional machines from the vendor if your capacity needs grow.

WatchGuard Network Security’s many configuration options can be a problem for some users. The large array of possibilities can be hard to navigate, making the platform complicated to set up initially and difficult to modify. The reports and logs, while detailed, lack sufficient searching and filtering capabilities for some users, making it hard for them to track down problems and visualize traffic patterns. WatchGuard Network Security VPNs can suffer from occasional stuttering and failure, requiring system reboots that can frustrate end users. Finally, the licensing options aren’t granular enough for some customers, requiring them to pay for features they don’t need.

Pricing

WatchGuard Network Security and FortiGate both offer hardware and software customization options that can drastically alter the price of each platform, with potential costs ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Price quotes are available from each vendor or their respective partners and resellers.