Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs flexiWAN

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN8.3Visit flexiWAN6.7Visit

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

flexiWAN #8 in SD-WAN Software 6.7/10 From $33/mo (annual) ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit flexiWAN

• Fortinet Secure SD-WAN fits best

  Security-focused teams seeking strong value

• flexiWAN fits best

  Cost-conscious technical teams wanting open source

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Side by side

Feature	Fortinet Secure SD-WAN 8.3/10 Visit ↗	flexiWAN 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.3	6.7
Ranking	#2 in SD-WAN Software	#8 in SD-WAN Software
Best for	Security-focused teams seeking strong value	Cost-conscious technical teams wanting open source
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	$33/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Web, Linux
Integrations	11 integrations	8 integrations
Features Fortinet Secure SD-WAN 4/4 · flexiWAN 4/4
Application-aware routing	✓	✓
Zero-touch provisioning	✓	✓
Integrated security	✓	✓
Cloud on-ramps	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Hybrid	Hybrid
Site limit	Not published	10 sites
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.	Open-source platform with hosted SaaS and self-hosted deployment options Application-based routing, AI quality-based routing, and network healing Broad cloud, virtualization, API, tunnel, firewall, and multi-WAN support
Cons	The free offering covers basic SD-WAN functionality only. Advanced features require paid services or subscriptions. The platform is not open source.	Published SaaS plans cover 1–10 flexiEdge instances No free plan is listed Core networking features may require technical administration
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 →	flexiWAN is an open-source SD-WAN platform for enterprises, service providers, system integrators, and managed service providers. It combines flexiEdge networking software with centralized flexiManage management, orchestration, 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.

• flexiWAN — where it wins

  • Open-source platform with hosted SaaS and self-hosted deployment options
  • Application-based routing, AI quality-based routing, and network healing
  • Broad cloud, virtualization, API, tunnel, firewall, and multi-WAN support

  Where it doesn't

  • Published SaaS plans cover 1–10 flexiEdge instances
  • No free plan is listed
  • Core networking features may require technical administration

• 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 →
• flexiWAN6.7/10 · From $33/mo (annual)

  flexiWAN combines open-source SD-WAN, application-aware routing, APIs, and integrated security.

  Visit flexiWANFull verdict →