# FortiGate-VM NGFW vs Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that FortiGate-VM NGFW excels in **ease of setup** , with many users appreciating its straightforward configuration process and modern user interface. One user noted, "It’s easy to appreciate FortiGate‑VM NGFW for its straightforward setup, strong security features, and reliable performance."
- **Users say** that Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls offer unmatched **visibility and control** over network activity. Reviewers highlighted the ability to see who is on the network and what applications they are using, allowing for precise rule creation without the hassle of managing IP addresses.
- **According to verified reviews** , FortiGate-VM NGFW is favored for its **lightweight management** capabilities, making it easier to handle multiple firewalls. A user mentioned, "I much prefer dealing with cluster FW management through them," indicating a preference for its streamlined approach compared to Palo Alto.
- **Reviewers mention** that Palo Alto Networks shines in its **security rule automation** , with users praising its advancements in creating security rules. One user stated, "The best about Palo Alto Networks Next Generation Firewalls is its advancements of security rule creation capabilities automation," showcasing its strength in this area.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that FortiGate-VM NGFW provides a **robust performance** against complex threats without compromising speed. Users appreciate its ability to handle demanding tasks while maintaining efficiency, with one stating, "It feels lightweight to manage yet powerful enough to handle complex threats."
- **Users report** that while Palo Alto Networks offers strong features, it sometimes faces challenges in **user-friendliness** compared to FortiGate-VM. Reviewers have noted that managing multiple firewalls can be more cumbersome with Palo Alto, which may impact day-to-day usability for some users.



---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Palo Alto Networks... vs FortiGate-VM NGFW?

FortiGate-VM NGFW stands out for higher reviewer satisfaction on setup, support, and ease of use, while Palo Alto Networks... is noted for advanced threat intelligence and granular control.

| [Palo Alto Networks...](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) | [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (170 reviews) | 4.6/5 (251 reviews) |
| Mid-Market | Mid-Market |
| 8.2 | 8.8 |
| 8.2 | 8.6 |
| Advanced threat intelligence and granular application/user control | Ease of use, centralized management, and strong performance in virtual/cloud environments |



### How do the pricing models of Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW compare?

FortiGate-VM NGFW is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Palo Alto Networks....

- **Palo Alto Networks...:** Reviewers frequently cite high costs and complex licensing as a major trade-off, with 23 all-time mentions of expense and recurring feedback about separate subscriptions for essential features.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW:** While some reviewers mention that advanced features and add-ons can increase costs, the overall sentiment is more positive, with only 4 all-time mentions of expense and several reviewers describing it as cost-effective compared to alternatives.
- **Switching reasons:** In recent reviews, buyers switching to FortiGate-VM NGFW highlight lower total cost of ownership and easier management as key factors.



### What are the best alternatives to Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW?

The top three alternatives to Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW are Sophos Firewall, WatchGuard Network Security, and Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs).

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Palo Alto Networks...](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) | 4.5/5 (170 reviews) | Mid-Market | High cost, complex licensing | Advanced threat intelligence and granular control |
| [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) | 4.6/5 (251 reviews) | Mid-Market | Generally cost-effective, add-ons can increase price | Ease of use, centralized management, strong performance |
| [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) | 4.7/5 (869 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | High reviewer satisfaction and robust security features |
| [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) | 4.7/5 (268 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Strong network protection and user-friendly interface |
| [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) | 4.5/5 (595 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Comprehensive security and policy management |



### Which Firewall Software features should I prioritize when comparing Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW?

Buyers should prioritize threat protection, ease of use, centralized management, firewall efficiency, and integration capabilities when comparing Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW.

- **Threat Protection:** Palo Alto Networks... (13 all-time mentions), FortiGate-VM NGFW (6 all-time mentions)
- **Ease of Use:** Palo Alto Networks... (8.3/10, 13 all-time mentions), FortiGate-VM NGFW (8.9/10, 12 all-time mentions)
- **Centralized Management:** Palo Alto Networks... (Panorama cited in reviews), FortiGate-VM NGFW (4 all-time mentions)
- **Firewall Efficiency:** Palo Alto Networks... (14 all-time mentions), FortiGate-VM NGFW (6 all-time mentions)
- **Integration Capabilities:** FortiGate-VM NGFW (FortiManager 11 all-time mentions, FortiAnalyzer 9 all-time mentions)



### What are the pros and cons of Palo Alto Networks... vs FortiGate-VM NGFW?

Palo Alto Networks... is strongest in advanced threat intelligence and granular control, while FortiGate-VM NGFW excels in ease of use and centralized management.

- **Palo Alto Networks... strengths:** Advanced threat intelligence (13 all-time mentions), granular application and user control, robust firewall efficiency (14 all-time mentions), and strong network visibility.
- **Palo Alto Networks... trade-offs:** High cost (23 all-time mentions), difficult learning curve (12 all-time mentions), slow performance during configuration changes (10 all-time mentions), and complex licensing.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW strengths:** Ease of use (12 all-time mentions), centralized management, strong performance in virtual/cloud environments, and easy setup (6 all-time mentions).
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW trade-offs:** Some advanced features require additional licensing, initial configuration can be complex for new users, and occasional support delays (3 all-time mentions of poor customer support).



### Is Palo Alto Networks... or FortiGate-VM NGFW better for small businesses?

FortiGate-VM NGFW is the better fit for small businesses, with reviewers highlighting its ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

- **Palo Alto Networks...:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers note a steep learning curve and high cost as barriers for smaller organizations.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; recent small-business reviewers describe it as budget-friendly and easier to manage for smaller environments.



### Which Firewall Software platform has better integrations?

FortiGate-VM NGFW is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and strong support for Fortinet ecosystem tools.

- **Palo Alto Networks...:** Reviewers mention integration with Panorama and syslog servers, with positive feedback on centralized management and automation capabilities.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW:** FortiManager (11 all-time mentions), FortiAnalyzer (9 all-time mentions), and strong integration with other Fortinet Security Fabric tools are frequently cited by reviewers.



### How do Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW compare on customer support?

FortiGate-VM NGFW scores higher on Quality of Support by 0.4 points, a material difference over Palo Alto Networks....

- **Palo Alto Networks...:** Quality of Support score is 8.2; reviewers note generally good support but mention inconsistent response times and reliance on resellers in some regions.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW:** Quality of Support score is 8.6; reviewers highlight helpful TAC support and responsive assistance, though some mention occasional delays for complex issues.



### Which is easier to implement, Palo Alto Networks... or FortiGate-VM NGFW?

FortiGate-VM NGFW is easier to implement, with a 0.6-point higher Ease of Setup score and supporting reviewer sentiment.

- **Palo Alto Networks...:** Ease of Setup score is 8.2; reviewers frequently mention a steep learning curve and complex initial configuration, especially for new administrators.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW:** Ease of Setup score is 8.8; reviewers describe straightforward deployment, user-friendly interface, and easier onboarding for both small and large environments.



### Which product has better Firewall?

Both Palo Alto Networks... and FortiGate-VM NGFW are highly rated for Firewall capabilities, with strong reviewer sentiment and high all-time mention counts.

- **Palo Alto Networks...:** Firewall Efficiency (14 all-time mentions), advanced application and user-based policies, and a Meets Requirements score of 8.9.
- **FortiGate-VM NGFW:** Firewall Efficiency (6 all-time mentions), robust performance in virtual/cloud environments, and a Meets Requirements score of 9.1.



| | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 296 | 171 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

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

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

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

Pros:
- Firewall Efficiency (14 reviews)
- Ease of Use (13 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (23 reviews)
- Difficult Learning Curve (12 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.0 (227 reviews) | 8.9 (154 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.9 (232 reviews) | 8.3 (155 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (198 reviews) | 8.2 (139 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.0 (181 reviews) | 8.4 (109 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.6 (225 reviews) | 8.2 (146 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.9 (177 reviews) | 8.8 (107 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.5 (222 reviews) | 9.2 (149 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Network Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | N/A | N/A |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | N/A | N/A |

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Penetration Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Virus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **VPN** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Behavior Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Patch Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly/Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DNS Leak Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Provisioning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Detection System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Firewalls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Spam** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Response** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Prevention System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Unified Threat Management (UTM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.3/10 | 149 |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | N/A | N/A |

#### Security - Unified Threat Management

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Antivirus** | 9.3 (103 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Whitelists** | 9.4 (109 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Antispam Filtering** | 9.0 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Content Filtering** | 9.2 (103 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Web Filtering** | 9.6 (110 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Firewall** | 9.8 (120 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reports & Analytics** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboard** | 9.4 (105 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Data Center Security Solutions

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.4/10 | 98 |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | N/A | N/A |

#### Prevention

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.5 (68 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Firewall** | 9.5 (78 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | 9.2 (61 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security hardening** | 9.3 (60 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 

#### Detection

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.3 (62 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Security Monitoring** | 9.5 (61 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | 9.3 (59 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | 9.4 (57 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Administration Console -** | 9.5 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **API / integrations** | 9.0 (56 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | N/A | N/A |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | 8.8/10 | 69 |

#### Prevention

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | Not enough data | 9.1 (66 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | Not enough data | 9.4 (65 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | 8.9 (64 reviews) | 
| **Security hardening** | Not enough data | 9.0 (64 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | Not enough data | 8.3 (61 reviews) | 

#### Detection

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | Not enough data | 9.0 (66 reviews) | 
| **Security Monitoring** | Not enough data | 8.9 (65 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | Not enough data | 8.9 (65 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 8.8 (62 reviews) | 
| **Administration Console -** | Not enough data | 8.8 (65 reviews) | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | 8.6 (59 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.0/10 | 160 |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | 8.3/10 | 114 |

#### Administration

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 9.2 (120 reviews) | 8.7 (106 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 8.8 (114 reviews) | 8.6 (106 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | 9.2 (93 reviews) | 8.3 (97 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 9.3 (98 reviews) | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 
| **Uptime Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Web Traffic Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Management** | 10.0 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Incident Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | 6.3 (5 reviews) | 8.0 (10 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | 7.5 (10 reviews) | 
| **AI/Machine Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 9.3 (118 reviews) | 8.7 (103 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | 9.1 (98 reviews) | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | 9.4 (110 reviews) | 8.8 (99 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.6 (104 reviews) | 8.8 (98 reviews) | 
| **IP Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 9.2 (95 reviews) | 8.4 (96 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 9.0 (99 reviews) | 8.6 (97 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 9.2 (116 reviews) | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 9.3 (101 reviews) | 8.7 (98 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Prevention System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 7.1 (29 reviews) | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 7.4 (17 reviews) | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Spam Blocker** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Escalation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Role-Based Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Visual Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Spam** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Hardware Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Summary Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Log Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-Location** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Behavior Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboard Creation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Data Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | N/A | N/A |
| **Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls** | N/A | N/A |

#### Compliance

| Feature | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 (1):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software)

**Unique to FortiGate-VM NGFW (2):** [Data Center Security Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-center-security-solutions), [Unified Threat Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/unified-threat-management-utm)

**Unique to Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (1):** [Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/intrusion-detection-and-prevention-systems-idps)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | FortiGate-VM NGFW | Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 24.9% | 18.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 54.2% | 46.1% | 
| **Enterprise** | 20.9% | 35.8% | 

### By Industry

#### FortiGate-VM NGFW

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 13.0%
- **Telecommunications:** 9.1%
- **Financial Services:** 6.7%
- **Computer Software:** 6.3%
- **Computer Networking:** 5.1%
- **Education Management:** 2.4%
- **Construction:** 2.4%
- **Retail:** 2.0%
- **Automotive:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 28.3%

#### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

- **Information Technology and Services:** 19.5%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 13.4%
- **Banking:** 6.7%
- **Computer Software:** 6.1%
- **Financial Services:** 6.1%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.7%
- **Higher Education:** 3.7%
- **Education Management:** 3.7%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.4%
- **Computer Networking:** 2.4%
- **Other:** 32.3%

---
## 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 (597 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (266 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (154 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (54 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) — 4.7/5 stars (873 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Zscaler Internet Access](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (322 reviews)

### Alternatives to Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

- [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 Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (873 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (597 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Zscaler Internet Access](https://www.g2.com/products/zscaler-internet-access/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (322 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (266 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (154 reviews)
- [Check Point Quantum Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-intrusion-prevention-system-ips/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (69 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (54 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (31 reviews)

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## Top Discussions

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

- Title: [What is FortiGate-VM used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-fortigate-vm-used-for) — 3 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...."

### Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls

- Title: [What is Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewall-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is an enterprise firewall solution which provides secure connection between two zones with features of firewall, IPS, Antivirus, DDOS protection, SSL..."

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