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Head-to-head · Network Firewall Software

FortiGate vs Zscaler Cloud Firewall

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score FortiGate #2 in Network Firewall Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit FortiGate
Zscaler Cloud Firewall #7 in Network Firewall Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Zscaler

FortiGate leads on 0 checks, Zscaler Cloud Firewall on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFortiGate · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly FortiGate
  • Most featuresFortiGate · 3 of 3

FortiGate scores higher on our rubric for network firewall software: 9.3 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

On deployment model, FortiGate gives you Hybrid where Zscaler Cloud Firewall offers Cloud.

FortiGate is the better fit for hybrid enterprises needing broad security integration. Zscaler Cloud Firewall is the better fit for cloud-first teams needing secure internet access.

  • FortiGate fits best

    Hybrid enterprises needing broad security integration

  • Zscaler Cloud Firewall fits best

    Cloud-first teams needing secure internet access

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature FortiGate 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Zscaler Cloud Firewall 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.0
Ranking #2 in Network Firewall Software #7 in Network Firewall Software
Best for Hybrid enterprises needing broad security integration Cloud-first teams needing secure internet access
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 30-day trial —
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Support Phone, Live chat, Tickets, Community Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 12 integrations 150+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features FortiGate 3/3 · Zscaler Cloud Firewall 2/3
Intrusion prevention ✓ ✓
SSL inspection ✓ ✓
Site-to-site VPN ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Cloud
Firewall throughput Not checked yet Not checked yet
Concurrent connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines firewalling, IPS, antivirus, VPN, TLS inspection and web filtering
  • Supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, VMware, Hyper-V and KVM
  • Adds REST API, Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible and CI/CD automation
  • TLS inspection, DNS security, and intrusion prevention
  • Centralized policies with bandwidth control and traffic logging
  • Integrates with SIEM/XDR, SD-WAN, cloud, and identity tools
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by model and deployment
  • There is no free plan
  • Performance specifications vary by FortiGate model
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • May not fit teams requiring site-to-site VPN support
  • Cloud deployment may not suit appliance-first environments
Our verdict

FortiGate is a next-generation firewall platform for protecting networks, users, applications, assets and cloud workloads across hybrid environments. It is designed for organizations ranging from small businesses to large enterprises, with…

Read the review →

Zscaler Cloud Firewall is a cloud-native firewall service for organizations securing users, applications, locations, and cloud environments. It protects web and non-web traffic across ports and protocols, with TLS/SSL inspection,…

Read the review →
  1. FortiGateNetwork Firewall Software 9.3Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. Zscaler Cloud FirewallNetwork Firewall Software 9.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FortiGate — where it wins

    • Combines firewalling, IPS, antivirus, VPN, TLS inspection and web filtering
    • Supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, VMware, Hyper-V and KVM
    • Adds REST API, Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible and CI/CD automation

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by model and deployment
    • There is no free plan
    • Performance specifications vary by FortiGate model

  • Zscaler Cloud Firewall — where it wins

    • TLS inspection, DNS security, and intrusion prevention
    • Centralized policies with bandwidth control and traffic logging
    • Integrates with SIEM/XDR, SD-WAN, cloud, and identity tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • May not fit teams requiring site-to-site VPN support
    • Cloud deployment may not suit appliance-first environments
  • FortiGate9.3/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A broad hybrid firewall platform for enterprises that need integrated network security and automation.

    Visit FortiGateFull verdict →
  • Zscaler Cloud Firewall9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A cloud-native firewall for distributed teams that need centralized inspection and policy control.

    Visit ZscalerFull verdict →

More comparisons

All network firewall software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update