# FortiGate-VM NGFW vs SonicWall Next Generation Firewall Comparison
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## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that FortiGate-VM NGFW excels in user experience, with many praising its **responsive and user-friendly GUI**. Users have noted that there is no lag when switching between tabs, making it a breeze to navigate and manage settings.
- **Users say** that SonicWall Next Generation Firewall provides solid security without unnecessary complexity. Reviewers appreciate its **dependable performance** and the ability to inspect encrypted traffic, which enhances their overall security posture.
- **According to verified reviews** , FortiGate-VM NGFW stands out for its **quality of support** , with users highlighting the helpfulness of the TAC support team. This level of support can be crucial for organizations needing quick resolutions to technical issues.
- **Reviewers mention** that SonicWall's solution is particularly appealing for its **try and buy** model, allowing companies of all sizes to secure remote access without upfront commitments. This flexibility is a significant advantage for businesses looking to test the waters before fully committing.
- **G2 reviewers indicate** that while both products are well-rated, FortiGate-VM NGFW has a higher overall satisfaction score, reflecting its ability to meet user needs effectively. Users have noted its **granular monitoring capabilities** for application utilization, which enhances network management.
- **Users report** that SonicWall Next Generation Firewall, while effective, sometimes faces challenges in **ease of setup** compared to FortiGate-VM NGFW. Some reviewers have pointed out configuration difficulties, which can impact the initial user experience.



| | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 229 | 153 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (58.7% of reviews) | Mid-Market (60.1% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

Pros:
- Ease of Use (12 reviews)
- Features (10 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning Curve (4 reviews)
- Expensive (4 reviews)

### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

Pros:
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)
- Performance Speed (2 reviews)

Cons:
- System Instability (2 reviews)
- Upgrade Issues (2 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.2 (182 reviews) | 8.8 (127 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.0 (185 reviews) | 8.3 (128 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.9 (151 reviews) | 8.0 (88 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.1 (138 reviews) | 8.1 (88 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (180 reviews) | 8.0 (121 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.1 (134 reviews) | 8.1 (85 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.4 (182 reviews) | 7.2 (124 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Unified Threat Management (UTM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.3/10 | 118 |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | 8.7/10 | 51 |

#### Security - Unified Threat Management

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Antivirus** | 9.3 (95 reviews) | 8.7 (43 reviews) | 
| **Whitelists** | 9.4 (97 reviews) | 8.8 (43 reviews) | 
| **Antispam Filtering** | 9.0 (89 reviews) | 8.4 (39 reviews) | 
| **Content Filtering** | 9.3 (95 reviews) | 8.7 (43 reviews) | 
| **Web Filtering** | 9.7 (96 reviews) | 9.0 (43 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | 9.8 (100 reviews) | 9.3 (43 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reports & Analytics** | 8.7 (96 reviews) | 7.9 (43 reviews) | 
| **Dashboard** | 9.4 (98 reviews) | 8.6 (43 reviews) | 

### Data Center Security Solutions

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.4/10 | 74 |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Prevention

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.6 (58 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Firewall** | 9.5 (60 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | 9.2 (54 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security hardening** | 9.4 (55 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

#### Detection

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.4 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security Monitoring** | 9.4 (53 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | 9.3 (54 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | 9.4 (53 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Administration Console -** | 9.4 (58 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **API / integrations** | 9.0 (51 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.0/10 | 122 |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | 8.5/10 | 56 |

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 9.2 (101 reviews) | 8.5 (48 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 8.9 (101 reviews) | 8.1 (46 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | 9.2 (92 reviews) | 8.5 (42 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 9.3 (98 reviews) | 8.6 (45 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 9.4 (104 reviews) | 9.0 (47 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | 9.0 (96 reviews) | 8.0 (47 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | 9.4 (101 reviews) | 9.0 (47 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.5 (98 reviews) | 8.7 (48 reviews) | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 9.2 (92 reviews) | 8.3 (43 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 9.0 (93 reviews) | 8.4 (45 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.2 (104 reviews) | 8.6 (46 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.3 (98 reviews) | 8.4 (45 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 8.6 (15 reviews) | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | 7.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Data Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | N/A | N/A |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Compliance

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **At-Risk Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DLP Configuration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sensitive Data Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Deduplication ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security 

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Transport** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Types** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Unified Threat Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/unified-threat-management-utm)

**Unique to FortiGate-VM NGFW (1):** [Data Center Security Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-center-security-solutions)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | FortiGate-VM NGFW | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 18.8% | 27.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 58.7% | 60.1% | 
| **Enterprise** | 22.5% | 12.6% | 

### By Industry

#### FortiGate-VM NGFW

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.2%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 11.6%
- **Telecommunications:** 10.1%
- **Financial Services:** 6.8%
- **Computer Software:** 6.3%
- **Computer Networking:** 4.8%
- **Education Management:** 2.9%
- **Construction:** 2.4%
- **Information Services:** 1.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 1.9%
- **Other:** 29.0%

#### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 7.0%
- **Internet:** 4.2%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.5%
- **Construction:** 3.5%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.5%
- **Pharmaceuticals:** 3.5%
- **Legal Services:** 2.8%
- **Higher Education:** 2.8%
- **Computer Software:** 2.8%
- **Other:** 44.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to FortiGate-VM NGFW

- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (582 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (267 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [Huawei Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/huawei-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (15 reviews)
- [KerioControl](https://www.g2.com/products/keriocontrol/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (10 reviews)
- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (618 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (325 reviews)
- [Cisco Meraki](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-meraki/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (217 reviews)
- [Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (167 reviews)

### Alternatives to SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (582 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (267 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (618 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (325 reviews)
- [Cisco Meraki](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-meraki/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (217 reviews)
- [Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (167 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (93 reviews)
- [Sophos United Threat Management](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-united-threat-management/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (89 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

- Title: [What is FortiGate-VM used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-fortigate-vm-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "FortiGate-VM is Fortinet's virtual appliance version of the FortiGate firewall, designed for deployment in virtualized environments. It serves as a..."
- Title: [What is FortiGate NGFW used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-fortigate-ngfw-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is a next generation firewall which has capability to do layer 7 insapaction "
- Title: [Is FortiGate and fortinet the same?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-fortigate-and-fortinet-the-same) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Fortinet is the company and FortiGate is their Firewall name :)"
- Title: [What three key additional security features do next generation firewalls provide that legacy firewalls do not?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-three-key-additional-security-features-do-next-generation-firewalls-provide-that-legacy-firewalls-do-not) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "with FortiGate has many Features including SD-WAN, SSL-VPN, Video Filtering, integrated with Sandbox...."

### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

- Title: [What is SonicWall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/sonicwall-what-is-sonicwall-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Sonicwall has a wide range of products like Network firewalls, switches, and access points.
But Mostly SonicWALL is well known for its Firewall..."
- Title: [How good is SonicWall?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-good-is-sonicwall) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Sonicwall is the best security product in the world it will help us to protect and help us to manage our infrastructure"
- Title: [What is SonicWall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-sonicwall-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "With the help of SonicWall firewalls, you can see and manage and monitor every program running on your network. this extra control improves compliance and..."
- Title: [What is the part number of a license that includes anti-ransomware](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12459-what-is-the-part-number-of-a-license-that-includes-anti-ransomware) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hello Patricia- There is no part number. When you are going to get the Sonicwall Appliance you need to add a license for GAV . Usually it comes with 1, 2 and..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/fortigate-vm-ngfw-vs-sonicwall-next-generation-firewall)