Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Cato SD-WAN

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN8.3Visit CSCato SD-WAN8.2Visit

Higher score Fortinet Secure SD-WAN #2 in SD-WAN Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Fortinet

vs

CS Cato SD-WAN #3 in SD-WAN Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Cato Networks

• Fortinet Secure SD-WAN fits best

  Security-focused teams seeking strong value

• Cato SD-WAN fits best

  Cloud-first enterprises wanting integrated SASE

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Side by side

Feature	Fortinet Secure SD-WAN 8.3/10 Visit ↗	CSCato SD-WAN 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.3	8.2
Ranking	#2 in SD-WAN Software	#3 in SD-WAN Software
Best for	Security-focused teams seeking strong value	Cloud-first enterprises wanting integrated SASE
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not published
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Integrations	11 integrations	12 integrations
Features Fortinet Secure SD-WAN 4/4 · Cato SD-WAN 4/4
Application-aware routing	✓	✓
Zero-touch provisioning	✓	✓
Integrated security	✓	✓
Cloud on-ramps	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Hybrid	Cloud
Site limit	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Basic SD-WAN is included on FortiGate models without an extra license. Application-aware routing supports SLA-based path selection and path remediation. Connects with major clouds and supports REST API, Ansible, and Terraform.	Integrated firewall, SWG, IPS, malware prevention, and ZTNA Private backbone transport with multi-link WAN and traffic steering Cloud connectivity, GraphQL API access, and broad integrations
Cons	The free offering covers basic SD-WAN functionality only. Advanced features require paid services or subscriptions. The platform is not open source.	Pricing requires a contact-sales process The 30-day trial is for proof of concept, not an unlimited free plan May exceed the needs of organizations seeking only basic branch routing
Our verdict	Fortinet Secure SD-WAN combines application-aware traffic control, WAN path selection, centralized management, cloud connectivity, and next-generation firewall capabilities. It is designed for enterprises, branch offices, data centers, and… Read the review →	Cato SD-WAN is a cloud-delivered networking service for organizations connecting branch sites, cloud resources, applications, and remote users. It centralizes policy, application-aware routing, quality-of-service controls, monitoring, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Fortinet Secure SD-WAN — where it wins

  • Basic SD-WAN is included on FortiGate models without an extra license.
  • Application-aware routing supports SLA-based path selection and path remediation.
  • Connects with major clouds and supports REST API, Ansible, and Terraform.

  Where it doesn't

  • The free offering covers basic SD-WAN functionality only.
  • Advanced features require paid services or subscriptions.
  • The platform is not open source.

• Cato SD-WAN — where it wins

  • Integrated firewall, SWG, IPS, malware prevention, and ZTNA
  • Private backbone transport with multi-link WAN and traffic steering
  • Cloud connectivity, GraphQL API access, and broad integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
  • The 30-day trial is for proof of concept, not an unlimited free plan
  • May exceed the needs of organizations seeking only basic branch routing

• Fortinet Secure SD-WAN8.3/10 · Free plan

  A security-focused SD-WAN option with free basic functionality and extensive cloud connectivity.

  Visit FortinetFull verdict →
• CSCato SD-WAN8.2/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A cloud-first SD-WAN service that combines private transport, security, and cloud connectivity.

  Visit Cato NetworksFull verdict →