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Head-to-head · Network Firewall Software

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall vs FortiGate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall #1 in Network Firewall Software 9.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit site
FortiGate #2 in Network Firewall Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit FortiGate

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall leads on 0 checks, FortiGate 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 scorePalo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall · 9.4/10
  • Free trialonly FortiGate

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall scores higher on our rubric for network firewall software: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall is the better fit for enterprises needing advanced threat prevention. FortiGate is the better fit for hybrid enterprises needing broad security integration.

  • Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall fits best

    Enterprises needing advanced threat prevention

  • FortiGate fits best

    Hybrid enterprises needing broad security integration

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 Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall 9.4/10 Visit ↗ FortiGate 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Network Firewall Software #2 in Network Firewall Software
Best for Enterprises needing advanced threat prevention Hybrid enterprises needing broad security integration
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request · 30-day trial
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Support Phone, Docs Phone, Live chat, Tickets, Community
Integrations 3 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall 3/3 · FortiGate 3/3
Intrusion prevention ✓ ✓
SSL inspection ✓ ✓
Site-to-site VPN ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Hybrid
Firewall throughput Not checked yet Not checked yet
Concurrent connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Application-aware control with App-ID and URL filtering
  • Zero-day prevention with TLS 1.3 inspection
  • Hardware, virtual and cloud deployment options
  • 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
Cons
  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • The product family spans multiple deployment models and offerings
  • Advanced security subscriptions add scope to product selection
  • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by model and deployment
  • There is no free plan
  • Performance specifications vary by FortiGate model
Our verdict

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall is a hybrid network security platform for organizations protecting branch offices, campuses, data centers, public clouds and 5G environments. Its product family includes PA-Series hardware…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation FirewallNetwork Firewall Software 9.4Pricing on request
  2. FortiGateNetwork Firewall Software 9.3Pricing on request · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall — where it wins

    • Application-aware control with App-ID and URL filtering
    • Zero-day prevention with TLS 1.3 inspection
    • Hardware, virtual and cloud deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with sales
    • The product family spans multiple deployment models and offerings
    • Advanced security subscriptions add scope to product selection

  • 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
  • Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall9.4/10 · Pricing on request

    An enterprise firewall family combining application control, threat prevention and centralized management.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • 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 →

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