A Comprehensive Comparison: Fortigate Vs. PAN Firewall
Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet’s next-generation firewalls have excellent ratings from users, analysts and independent tests. However, the two have some differences that you should keep in mind. Fortinet NGFWs provide total network visibility, advanced threat protection and edge protection at any size. They leverage machine learning, natively integrated proxy, automation-driven network administration and the latest PAN-OS technologies to future-proof network security.
Cost
When selecting a firewall for your business, cost is one of the most important factors. But there are several other considerations, including performance, ease of use and security capabilities. If you’re looking for a robust, cost-effective solution, then Fortinet may be the right choice for you. Fortinet is a top competitor in the next-generation firewall space, providing comprehensive protection for any size network. Its NGFW delivers complete visibility, advanced threat prevention, and edge protection. Its PAN-OS software, centralized management, and cloud-delivered security services help protect against cyber threats. In addition, Fortinet has a strong position in the virtual firewall market and offers cloud-based services for small and mid-sized businesses. Palo Alto Networks is another leading firewall company that has created innovations in the firewall industry. Its NGFW has many features, including granular control of SaaS applications, and is scalable for any size network. Its software is based on open-source code and can be adapted to meet individual customer requirements. Its devices are vacant with several 100GbE interfaces and provide high-speed security services.
Fortinet’s TTM gross margin is higher than Palo Alto’s. Its gross margin has expanded since 2017. This is due to Fortinet’s use of ASICS security co-processors, which increase the efficiency and performance of its equipment.
Performance
Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks are two of the top firewall manufacturers. They offer impressive performance and features but differ in some key areas. Fortinet offers more comprehensive cloud, container, and SD-WAN security solutions, while Palo Alto Networks has a strong reputation for appliance-based distributed enterprise and branch office protection. Both vendors also have impressive portfolios of next-generation firewall technology. Both companies excel in independent firewall tests, but Fortinet has a slight edge in security efficiency. Fortinet’s FortiGate 500E has an NSS Labs rating of 99.3%, while Palo Alto’s PA-5220 has a rating of 98.7%. Both firewalls have a robust feature set, including granular threat prevention and SSL decryption. The core of both vendors’ NGFWs is their security fabric, designed to protect networks of all sizes against all threats. Powered by Fortinet’s PAN-OS, these devices can detect unsanctioned applications and hidden threats and manage external risks by segmenting and isolating them. They can also prevent lateral threat propagation by detecting and blocking devices that are infected with malware.
Fortinet’s NGFWs are highly stable and can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. In addition, they are easy to manage centrally. However, users report that the interface could be improved. They also note that Fortinet’s price is high. Still, they say it compensates with its capabilities to satisfy performance needs within production environments and its cloud capabilities and support.
Feature set
Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks are two of the top-rated next-generation firewalls on the market. Both have excellent performance and a full feature set that can help protect your network against threats. The NGFWs from both companies can detect and prevent threats at the gateway, cloud, and edge. They also have several additional features, including unified access and advanced threat protection. Users and independent testers highly rate both NGFWs. However, there is a difference between Fortigate and PAN regarding price and performance. Palo Alto Networks offers advanced features but also costs more. Fortinet is better for those seeking an affordable yet robust next-generation firewall.
In terms of performance, both vendors offer impressive speed. In recent tests, the Fortinet FortiGate 500E outperformed every firewall tested by NSS Labs with a speed of 7888 Mbps. It scored a 99.3% security efficiency rating, making it one of the best-performing firewalls on the market. Both NGFWs have a full feature set that includes the latest in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Fortinet’s AI/ML-powered FortiGuard services help businesses to improve their security posture. Other features include automation-driven network management, hyper-scale security, and security fabric integration. In addition, both NGFWs are easy to install and manage, using a single centralized management interface.
Management
Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks are two of the top network firewall providers. Both offer next-generation firewalls with a full feature set, including unified threat management, URL filtering, and anti-virus. Independent testing organizations and users highly rate both, but they differ in ease of use and pricing. Both vendors’ NGFWs provide complete visibility into unsanctioned applications and hidden threats and can manage internal risks by detecting, isolating, and preventing the lateral spread of attacks. Both provide advanced security features, such as micro-segmentation and multi-cloud support, to help businesses secure their networks. In addition to the NGFW, Fortinet offers security-as-a-service offerings and centralized networking security administration through its FortiOS software platform. Both companies’ firewalls are highly ranked in independent testing, and both have extensive product portfolios that can meet almost any need. Fortinet has the advantage in appliance-based distributed enterprise and branch office needs, but Palo Alto has a stronger edge in cloud, container, and FWaaS use cases. Both offer strong security and are backed by solid customer support. However, their price and ease of use differences make it important for potential buyers to compare their options before purchasing. Fortinet has a significant lead in unified threat management, with a more robust feature set than its competitors. Its FortiOS software enables customers to manage their entire infrastructure from a single dashboard securely.