Freedom251 › Unified Threat Management
FortiGate
by FortiGate

What FortiGate is
FortiGate is Fortinet’s network security and networking portfolio for protecting data, assets, and users across hybrid environments. It supports physical, virtualized, and cloud deployments in data centers, campuses, branches, public and private clouds, and harsh industrial settings. Capabilities include intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, site-to-site VPN, FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, integrated SD-WAN, and built-in zero-trust network access. A single operating system and unified policies cover security and networking operations, while central management helps automate security posture. Fortinet’s patented security processors and ASICs are designed for faster security processing and scalable networks. The portfolio includes Wi-Fi, LTE, PoE, DSL, bypass, and ruggedized models, plus FortiGate-as-a-Service. Quantum protection includes QKD, post-quantum cryptography for IPsec VPNs, and NIST-approved algorithms. FortiGuard bundles provide ATP, UTP, and ENT options; ENT does not include OT-specific recognition. Pricing is on request, with a 30-day trial.
Who it suits
FortiGate suits organizations securing hybrid infrastructure across offices, clouds, data centers, and industrial environments. It is also relevant to teams wanting combined networking, security, SD-WAN, and ZTNA management.
What it does well
- Physical, virtualized, and cloud deployments
- Integrated SD-WAN and built-in ZTNA
- FortiGuard AI-powered threat protection
- Unified operating system and policies
- FortiGate-as-a-Service cloud option
What to know first
- Pricing is on request
- No free plan
- ENT bundle lacks OT-specific recognition
- Self-hosted platform
Limits
The ENT bundle does not include OT-specific device and protocol recognition; Fortinet says to add OT Security Service for OT environments. Pricing is on request, and the trial is limited to 30 days.
Getting started
- Open the FortiGate product website
- Choose a physical, virtualized or cloud deployment
- Select a FortiGuard ATP, UTP or ENT service bundle
- Use the 30-day trial where applicable
- Deploy in a data center, branch, campus, cloud or industrial environment
- Configure security policies, SD-WAN, ZTNA and central management
Verdict
FortiGate combines firewall security, networking, centralized management, and cloud deployment options across hybrid environments. Buyers should review FortiGuard bundle contents, especially the ENT limitation for OT-specific device and protocol recognition.
Questions
How is FortiGate priced?
Pricing is on request. Fortinet also offers a 30-day trial.
Is there a free plan?
No. FortiGate is a paid product, with a free trial listed.
Where can FortiGate run?
It is designed for physical, virtualized and cloud deployments, including AWS, Azure, GCP and OCI VPC examples for the VM trial.
What security features are included?
Listed capabilities include intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, site-to-site VPN, FortiGuard AI-powered protection, SD-WAN and built-in ZTNA.
What do the FortiGuard bundles provide?
Bundles include ATP, UTP and ENT options with different security features. ENT includes ATP and UTP features plus DLP and other services, but excludes OT-specific device and protocol recognition.
Who makes FortiGate?
Fortinet makes FortiGate. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA.
Facts from FortiGate's own pages
- AI security services
- FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services provide real-time protection and responses · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Bundle limitation
- The ENT bundle does not include OT-specific device and protocol recognition; Fortinet says to add OT Security Service for OT environments. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- The FortiGate VM trial page names AWS, Azure, GCP, and OCI as example VPC environments and describes native integration with cloud security services. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud-hosted service
- FortiGate-as-a-Service provides scalable, cloud-hosted FortiGates · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Company recognition
- Fortinet was recognized as a leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Hybrid Mesh Firewall · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Deployment
- FortiGate NGFW solutions are designed for physical, virtualized, and cloud deployments. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment environments
- Designed for physical, virtualized, and cloud environments · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Deployment use cases
- Covers data centers, campuses, branches, clouds, and harsh environments · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Ecosystem
- The FortiGate product page lists ServiceNow and CrowdStrike among its alliance partners. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Energy efficiency
- Patented ASICs support scalable networks with faster security processing · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2000 · fortinet.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · fortinet.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Free trial
- Fortinet offers a free 30-day FortiGate-VM trial that requires registration. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Hardware certification
- Fortinet states that all FortiGate hardware appliances are ISO 27001 certified. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Sunnyvale, California, USA · fortinet.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Fortinet describes its Security Fabric as providing consolidated visibility across Fortinet solutions and an ecosystem of over 500 third-party solutions. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Fortinet presents use cases for data centers, campuses, branches, public and private clouds, and harsh industrial environments. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Management
- Fortinet describes unified management and security policies across hybrid infrastructure as FortiGate capabilities. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Global market share
- Over 50% of global market share · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Networking
- The product includes SD-WAN and built-in ZTNA capabilities. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Operating system
- Uses a single operating system across security and networking operations · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Portfolio options
- Portfolio includes Wi-Fi, LTE, PoE, DSL, bypass, and ruggedized models · fortinet.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Pricing
- The product page links to a network firewall pricing guide, but the opened pages do not state a FortiGate product price. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- FortiGate NGFWs protect data, assets, and users across hybrid environments. · fortinet.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where FortiGate stands on Freedom251
- Unified Threat Management#3 of 14
- Data Loss Protection Software#7 of 18
- Virtual Routers Software#11 of 25
- Next Generation Firewall Software#9 of 18
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software#20 of 39
- Network Firewall Software#21 of 37
- AWS Marketplace Software#18 of 31
- Virtual Private Network Software#37 of 54
- Firewall Software#58 of 81
