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Head-to-head · Connectivity Solutions

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Cato SASE Platform

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Fortinet Secure SD-WAN #2 in Connectivity Solutions 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Fortinet
Cato SASE Platform #3 in Connectivity Solutions 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cato Networks

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN leads on 0 checks, Cato SASE Platform on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFortinet Secure SD-WAN · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Fortinet Secure SD-WAN

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN scores higher on our rubric for connectivity solutions: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN is the better fit for secure SD-WAN with cloud on-ramps. Cato SASE Platform is the better fit for enterprise teams connecting global branches and users.

  • Fortinet Secure SD-WAN fits best

    Secure SD-WAN with cloud on-ramps

  • Cato SASE Platform fits best

    Enterprise teams connecting global branches and users

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 Fortinet Secure SD-WAN 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Cato SASE Platform 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in Connectivity Solutions #3 in Connectivity Solutions
Best for Secure SD-WAN with cloud on-ramps Enterprise teams connecting global branches and users
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 11 integrations 100+ integrations
Features Fortinet Secure SD-WAN 0/4 · Cato SASE Platform 0/4
SSO support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Private app access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Split tunneling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audit logs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Connectivity model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Gateway regions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Routes traffic using application policies and application SLAs
  • Includes zero-touch provisioning and centralized FortiManager management
  • Connects to AWS, Azure, Alibaba, Oracle, and Google Cloud
  • Combines SD-WAN, private backbone connectivity, and security services.
  • Connects branches through physical or virtual Sockets and cloud interconnects.
  • Centralizes policy, analytics, and event management with a GraphQL API.
Cons
  • Basic SD-WAN is the only included offering; advanced features need paid services
  • Paid services and subscriptions are sold through Fortinet or resellers
  • Management and automation rely on FortiManager, APIs, Ansible, or Terraform
  • Pricing requires contacting sales.
  • The platform's breadth may exceed needs focused on one security or networking function.
  • Support channels listed include documentation only.
Our verdict

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN combines application-aware traffic steering with FortiGate firewall and security inspection capabilities. It is aimed at enterprises, branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments that need to manage WAN…

Read the review →

Cato SASE Platform brings enterprise networking, security, and access into a cloud-delivered service. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise IT and security teams connecting branches, data centers, cloud environments, and users. A…

Read the review →
  1. Fortinet Secure SD-WANConnectivity Solutions 9.2Free plan
  2. Cato SASE PlatformConnectivity Solutions 8.9Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Fortinet Secure SD-WAN — where it wins

    • Routes traffic using application policies and application SLAs
    • Includes zero-touch provisioning and centralized FortiManager management
    • Connects to AWS, Azure, Alibaba, Oracle, and Google Cloud

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic SD-WAN is the only included offering; advanced features need paid services
    • Paid services and subscriptions are sold through Fortinet or resellers
    • Management and automation rely on FortiManager, APIs, Ansible, or Terraform
  • Cato SASE Platform — where it wins

    • Combines SD-WAN, private backbone connectivity, and security services.
    • Connects branches through physical or virtual Sockets and cloud interconnects.
    • Centralizes policy, analytics, and event management with a GraphQL API.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales.
    • The platform's breadth may exceed needs focused on one security or networking function.
    • Support channels listed include documentation only.
  • Fortinet Secure SD-WAN9.2/10 · Free plan

    A FortiGate-based SD-WAN option for organizations connecting branches, data centers, and clouds.

    Visit FortinetFull verdict →
  • Cato SASE Platform8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A unified cloud service for enterprise branch connectivity, network security, and private-app access.

    Visit Cato NetworksFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update