Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Neither Fortinet FortiGate nor Cisco Secure Firewall is a universal winner. The right choice depends on the appliance model, the security services you will enable, your WAN design, how you manage the network, and the full subscription and support cost. Compare specific configurations under matching inspection conditions—not vendor headline throughput figures.
Is Cisco Firepower now called Cisco Secure Firewall?
For this comparison, Cisco’s current product naming is Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense, managed with Secure Firewall Management Center. Cisco identifies the management product as formerly Firepower Management Center. “Firepower” still matters when discussing older deployments and documentation, but it is not the name to assume for every current Cisco firewall or management product.
FortiGate is Fortinet’s firewall family, running FortiOS. Fortinet presents it as a unified security and networking platform. The FortiGate 60F family, for example, combines firewalling, SD-WAN and security functions in a physical appliance. A 60F and a Cisco Secure Firewall 4200 are not automatically equivalent shortlist candidates: match the model to the site’s traffic, enabled services, ports and resilience requirements.
How do the platforms differ?
| Decision area | Fortinet FortiGate | Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Platform and security approach | Fortinet describes FortiOS as bringing firewall and secure-networking functions together, with FortiGuard services supporting security capabilities. The actual protection set depends on the selected services and entitlements. | Cisco describes Threat Defense with Snort 3 and deployment as a firewall or dedicated IPS on the Secure Firewall 4200. The experience depends on model, software image and release, enabled features, and management mode. |
| SD-WAN | Fortinet documents application identification, application-aware path selection, integrated NGFW inspection and path metrics evaluated against customer-defined service levels. | Cisco describes SD-WAN capability on the Secure Firewall 4200, including on-demand site-to-site tunnels and dynamic application path selection across multiple WAN interfaces. |
| Central management | Fortinet materials describe FortiManager and FortiGate Cloud options, including SD-WAN overlay orchestration. | The 4200 datasheet describes centralized configuration, logging, monitoring and reporting through Firewall Management Center, or cloud management through Cisco Defense Orchestrator. |
These are the vendors’ product descriptions, not independent proof that one platform protects better or is simpler to operate. In practice, your software release, chosen appliance, subscriptions, deployment mode and team’s existing processes shape the result.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Is FortiGate better for SD-WAN?
Fortinet positions FortiGate as the foundation of its Secure SD-WAN solution and documents combining WAN path selection with NGFW inspection. Cisco’s Secure Firewall 4200 also has documented SD-WAN features, including application-based path selection across multiple WAN links. Those capabilities alone do not establish which is the better WAN choice for a particular network.
Before deciding, map the actual design: number of branches and WAN circuits, routing and tunnel requirements, application priorities, failover expectations, and where security inspection must occur. Then verify that the shortlisted model, software, licenses and management platform support that design. A firewall’s feature list is not a substitute for validating the end-to-end topology.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Which is easier to manage?
There is no substantiated universal ease-of-management winner. Cisco documents Firewall Management Center and Cisco Defense Orchestrator options for the Secure Firewall 4200. Fortinet describes FortiManager and FortiGate Cloud options for FortiGate management and SD-WAN orchestration. These are different toolsets; the useful comparison is how each fits your team’s deployment and day-to-day operating model.
- Check whether configuration, monitoring, logging and reporting can be handled in the management system your team intends to use.
- Include log retention and storage needs in the design, rather than treating management as only the initial configuration interface.
- Account for administrator training, migration work and existing operational expertise when estimating workload.
What throughput do you need with IPS and SSL inspection enabled?
Size for the traffic you expect to pass with the services you will actually enable. Plain firewall throughput is not the same as threat-protection or NGFW throughput. Include firewalling, IPS, application control, URL filtering, malware protection, TLS inspection or decryption, VPN, logging and the expected traffic mix in the requirement.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The Cisco Secure Firewall 4200 datasheet published the following figures in 2024 for its listed firewall-plus-AVC and firewall-plus-AVC-plus-IPS configurations:
| Cisco model | Published throughput for the listed configurations | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Secure Firewall 4215 | 65 Gbps | Cisco, 2024 datasheet; applies to the listed firewall-plus-AVC and firewall-plus-AVC-plus-IPS configurations. |
| Secure Firewall 4225 | 80 Gbps | Cisco, 2024 datasheet; applies to the listed firewall-plus-AVC and firewall-plus-AVC-plus-IPS configurations. |
| Secure Firewall 4245 | 140 Gbps | Cisco, 2024 datasheet; applies to the listed firewall-plus-AVC and firewall-plus-AVC-plus-IPS configurations. |
Other Cisco figures in that datasheet use defined test conditions: VPN throughput, for example, is measured with 1024-byte TCP and Fastpath; TLS hardware decryption is measured with 50% TLS 1.2 traffic, AES256-SHA and RSA 2048-bit keys. Fortinet’s Product Matrix reports Threat Protection throughput using its stated Enterprise Mix methodology and enabled inspection. These measurements are not interchangeable, so the figures above do not support a cross-vendor claim that one platform is faster.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Ask vendors or resellers for figures for the exact models and feature sets under consideration. Align packet size, traffic mix, inspection services, encryption and feature configuration; for a comparative performance conclusion, prefer an independent test using equivalent conditions. Also check capacity for the TLS inspection and VPN workloads your design requires instead of inferring it from a firewall-only number.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do FortiGate and Cisco firewall licensing compare?
Both comparisons need to include entitlements, not just the hardware. The subscription names and included services differ, so verify the current bill of materials for the exact model, term, region and software configuration.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
| Licensing question | Fortinet | Cisco |
|---|---|---|
| What the cited documentation says | Fortinet’s Secure SD-WAN Ordering Guide describes Unified Threat Protection (UTP) as including IPS, advanced malware protection, application control, botnet database, mobile malware, outbreak prevention, web and video filtering, cloud sandbox, secure DNS filtering, anti-spam and 24×7 support. | Cisco’s March 2026 Firewall Threat Defense getting-started licensing documentation lists Essentials as required for Firewall Threat Defense. It also names categories including IPS, Malware Defense, URL Filtering, Cisco Secure Client and carrier licensing. |
| What to verify in a quote | Confirm the required protection services and support entitlements. The ordering guide distinguishes free overlay orchestration included in FortiOS/FortiManager versions from licensed FortiGate Cloud Overlay-as-a-Service. | Confirm the entitlements for the specific features and ordering configuration. Cisco advises checking licensing and commerce systems for ordering and entitlements. |
For a fair total-cost comparison, add the appliance, subscription term, support, central management, logging and storage, high-availability or spare hardware, migration labor, training and renewal costs. No comparable current price quote is established here, so there is no evidence-based cheaper winner.
How to make a fair shortlist
- Define the workload. Estimate peak and typical traffic, growth, user and site counts, WAN links, VPN needs, and which security functions must run together.
- Choose candidate models. Compare appliances that meet the required ports, expansion, resilience and high-availability design. Do not treat a FortiGate 60F as a default for every enterprise deployment.
- Match performance conditions. Request threat-protection, TLS inspection and VPN capacity for the intended feature set and traffic mix. Keep vendor measurement methods distinct unless conditions are demonstrably aligned.
- Validate the operating design. Confirm routing, SD-WAN behavior, management mode, logging workflow, software support and migration requirements with the people who will run the network.
- Compare complete recurring costs. Put licenses, support, management, storage, resilience hardware and renewals on the same term and scope before judging the quotes.
Which firewall should you choose?
Choose between specific FortiGate and Cisco Secure Firewall configurations, not vendor names in the abstract. FortiGate may fit a design that values Fortinet’s integrated FortiOS and Secure SD-WAN approach; Cisco Secure Firewall may fit an environment that needs the documented Threat Defense options and Cisco management paths. Those are fit considerations, not a claim of superior protection, easier administration or lower cost. Make the decision only after validating model capacity with intended services enabled, management workflow, license entitlements and full lifecycle cost. Also confirm current model lifecycle and software support for any procurement shortlist.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
