--- title: FortiGate-VM NGFW Reviews meta_title: 'FortiGate-VM NGFW Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 309 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how FortiGate-VM NGFW works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.5 review_count: 309 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-10-18' parent_category: name: Network Security url: https://www.g2.com/categories/network-security ---

FortiGate-VM NGFW Reviews & Product Details

Value at a Glance

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

2 months

FortiGate-VM NGFW Reviews (309)

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Reviews

FortiGate-VM NGFW Reviews (309)

View 1 Video Reviews
4.5
309 reviews

What do users say?

Generated using AI from real user reviews
Users consistently praise the ease of use and strong security features of FortiGate-VM NGFW, highlighting its intuitive interface and effective management of firewall policies, VPNs, and traffic monitoring. Many appreciate its flexibility in virtual environments, allowing for quick deployment without the need for physical hardware. However, some users note that the licensing complexity can be a barrier for new users.

Pros & Cons

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Shubham Prashant P.
SP
Shubham Prashant P.
Trainee
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Secure Virtual Environments with Comprehensive Protection"
5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

I find FortiGate-VM NGFW incredibly valuable for securing virtual and cloud-based network environments, allowing me to control traffic and apply security policies centrally. I appreciate its comprehensive range of security features, including firewall policies, NAT, VPN connections, intrusion prevention, and application control. The device's ability to provide visibility through logs and monitoring capabilities is very useful for identifying unwanted traffic and troubleshooting issues. I like the flexibility of the VM-based deployment, as it eliminates the need for physical appliances, and I can deploy it wherever a virtual security appliance is more appropriate. Another aspect I enjoy is that FortiGate-VM NGFW integrates VPN, firewall, and other security requirements into one device, reducing the management complexity of multiple security appliances. The user interface is comprehensive and, with experience, makes tasks straightforward. Additionally, the manual and setup guides make the initial setup easier. Overall, FortiGate-VM NGFW is a practical solution with strong security controls, particularly for virtual and cloud environments. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

The main drawback is that it can take some time to learn and configure properly, particularly for admins who are not well acquainted with FortiGate and Network Security concepts. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Aavash D.
AD
Aavash D.
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"FortiGate-VM NGFW: Highly Customizable & User-Friendly"
4.5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

I really like that with FortiGate-VM NGFW, I don't need to buy specific hardware. It's flexible, so I can host it on my server or local machine and tailor it to my needs. It's also available for cloud platforms. The dashboard is very clear, and I find monitoring it daily useful, as it allows me to keep track of logs and searches. The user interface is great, making it easy for network and security engineers like me. I also found the initial setup process to be easy and user-friendly, without any confusing steps. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

I don't have specific dislikes, but if I had to make a suggestion, it would be to add integration of some log correlation and SIM facilities, which would be highly beneficial. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Temurbek Y.
TY
Temurbek Y.
Pentester
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Fast, Flexible FortiGate-VM with Clear Policies, Strong Logs, and Automation-Friendly API"
4.5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

I work in cybersecurity and backend development, so I care about control and visibility. What I like best about FortiGate-VM is that it runs as a virtual machine. I can spin it up in our cloud setup in a short time. I don't need to buy or install any hardware. The policy rules are easy to read and easy to change. I can set up VPNs, web filtering and IPS in one place. It also has a good API, so I can automate some tasks from my backend scripts. The logs are clear, and this helps me a lot when I investigate an incident. Traffic stays fast even when SSL inspection is on. It also works well with other Fortinet tools. Overall, it saves me time and makes our backend services safer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

One thing I don't like is the licensing. There are many license types and VM sizes, and it took me some time to understand them. Also, the speed depends on the VM. If I give it too little CPU or RAM, traffic gets slow, especially when IPS and SSL inspection are on. Only the licensed vCPUs are used, so extra CPU does not help. Activating the license was not very easy for me, and the docs could explain it better. Support can also be slow when the problem is hard. I would like clearer pricing and better guides for sizing. Working with non-Fortinet tools is sometimes harder too. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Anshu kumar P.
AP
Anshu kumar P.
Software Intern
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.
"Strong Security and Easy Management in One Flexible FortiGate-VM NGFW Solution"
5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

What I like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW is its combination of strong security features and ease of management. It provides useful capabilities such as firewall policies, IPS, application control, VPN, and traffic monitoring in a single solution. I also like its flexibility for deployment in virtual and cloud environments, along with the visibility and logging features that make troubleshooting and monitoring network traffic easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

The main thing I dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW is that the initial setup and configuration can be a little complex, especially for new users. There are many security and networking options, so it can take some time to understand and configure everything correctly. Better documentation and simpler configuration workflows for certain advanced features would make the experience easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Mustafa K.
MK
Mustafa K.
OT and Automation Intern
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Easy Policy Configuration and Fast, Helpful Support"
4.5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

what I like best about FortiGate VM NGFW is how easy it is to configure and adjust security policies. During one of my tests i noticed that WebSocket connections were not being blocked as expected. I contacted the person handling the FortiGate deployment and they were able to tighten the connection policy quickly and easily. The fast response and ease of making security adjustments were particularly useful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

So far I dont have any significant dislikes about FortiGate VM NGFW. while some advanced configurations may require additional guidance Fortinet provides support to help address them. I believe no product is perfect, but based on my experience so far I have been satisfied with FortiGate VM NGFW and the support around it. I also genuinely admire Fortinet and its work in cybersecurity which is one of the reasons I am interested in pursuing an internship opportunity with the company. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Michée N.
MN
Michée N.
Lead IT Infrastructure & Hardware Technician
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Reliable virtual firewall with strong security controls"
4/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

What I like most about FortiGate-VM NGFW is that it gives me a good level of control over network security without needing a physical firewall. I find the web interface fairly easy to work with when creating firewall policies, checking traffic, configuring VPNs, and monitoring security events. I also like the flexibility of the virtual appliance because it can be deployed in a virtual environment and managed from one place. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

One thing I find challenging is that some of the more advanced settings can take time to understand, especially when you are working with features you do not use regularly. The interface has many options, which is useful but can also make troubleshooting more difficult at times. I also think the documentation could be more straightforward for certain configurations, with more simple examples for common deployment scenarios. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

TUMMALAPALLI A.
TA
TUMMALAPALLI A.
Fresher
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Comprehensive Security, Needs Better Usability"
4.5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

I like that FortiGate-VM NGFW combines many security features in one platform, making it easy to manage. It integrates firewall, VPN, antivirus, web filtering, and intrusion prevention into one solution. I also appreciate how it provides protection without needing a physical firewall device, and it secures remote access and VPN connections, making communication between different offices or cloud systems safe. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

The setup could be improved for a more straightforward process, as currently it seems a bit complex. The licensing and subscription costs are confusing and might be difficult to understand. Also, the user interface could be more intuitive for everyday tasks. It would be better with simpler setup, clearer licensing and pricing, and a more user-friendly interface. Learning resources with beginner-friendly tutorials would be helpful as well. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Ahmed B.
AB
Ahmed B.
Chef d’entreprise
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"FortiGate-VM NGFW : simple, performant et bien intégré au cloud."
5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

ce que j'aime avec FotiGate-VM NGFW est sa simplicité d'utilisation et ses bonne performances. l'interface est assez intuitive et les intégration avec les différents environnements cloud se font facilement. la solution reste performante même lorsque la charge augment tout en offrant un bon rapport qualité prix. la prise en main est relativement rapide et le support est très utile lorsqu'on rencontre des difficulté. les fonctionnalité de IA et de inintelligence de sécurité sont intéressantes pour mieux détecter les menaces et amélioré la protection globale. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

l'interface est globalement intuitive mais certains options demandent un peu de temps pour être maitrisées. le débit est plafonné limité par la bande passante de l'instance pas par le logiciel. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Piyush S.
PS
Piyush S.
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Comprehensive Security Suite, Centralized Management"
4.5/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

I like the centralized management and the range of security features available in a single interface. The dashboard of FortiGate-VM NGFW makes it easier to monitor network traffic, manage policies, and review security events. I really appreciate having all these features in one place. I value the firewall policies, VPN, traffic monitoring, and security logs because they help control and restrict network traffic, provide secure connectivity, and make it easy to identify unusual activity and troubleshoot network security issues from a centralized interface. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

One area that could be improved is the complexity of the interface and configuration options. For new users, understanding and configuring advanced security policies can take some time. More guided configuration, clearer documentation, and a simpler workflow for common tasks would make FortiGate-VM NGFW easier to learn and manage. The interface can feel overwhelming because there are so many options and settings. It would be helpful to have a simpler setup mode for common tasks with step-by-step guidance and short explanations of what each setting does. Better tooltips and examples for firewall policies and other security features would also make it easier for beginners to get started without having to search through documentation for every step. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Khutso M.
KM
Khutso M.
Network & Security
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"VDOM Multi-Tenancy and SD-WAN That Just Works"
4/5
What do you like best about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

VDOM-based multi-tenancy is the standout feature for me. I used it to simulate an MSP-style environment with dual tenants on one VM, each with its own firewall policies, NAT and VLAN segmentation, without needing separate appliances or instances per client. SD-WAN with SLA-based link steering was straightforward to configure and handled automated failover reliably in testing. Site-to-site IPsec IKEv2 and SSL VPN setup is well documented and behaves predictably once the phase 1/2 parameters are right. The REST API is genuinely useful in practice, I wrote a Python script against it to audit policy hit-counts and flag zero-hit rules, which cut down manual policy cleanup significantly. For troubleshooting, diagnose debug flow and the built-in packet sniffer cover most break/fix scenarios without needing external tools. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about FortiGate-VM NGFW?

Resource sizing matters more than the marketing suggests. SSL inspection and multiple VDOMs can hit vCPU and RAM hard, and if you undersize the VM upfront, performance degrades in ways that are hard to diagnose without knowing to check resource utilization first. There's also a real gap between what's easy to do in the GUI versus the CLI, some policy and routing tasks are far faster in CLI, which means new admins face a learning curve before they're productive. Policy hit-count and log data isn't exposed as cleanly in the GUI as I'd like, which is part of why I ended up scripting against the API instead. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Questions about FortiGate-VM NGFW? Ask real users or explore answers from the community

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What is FortiGate-VM used for?

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GU
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Last activity almost 3 years ago

What is FortiGate NGFW used for?

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Pricing Insights

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

2 months

Return on Investment

14 months

Average Discount

11%

FortiGate-VM NGFW Comparisons
FortiGate-VM NGFW Features
Antivirus
Whitelists
Content Filtering
Reports & Analytics
Dashboard
Policy Management
Continuous Analysis
Intrusion Prevention
Intrusion Detection
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
URL Filtering
Availability