Best Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Alternatives in 2026
The top Fortinet Secure SD-WAN alternatives are Arista VeloCloud SD-WAN, Cato SD-WAN and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN: 15 SD-WAN software our editors would look at instead of Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, in our ranking order.
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN: A security-focused SD-WAN option with free basic functionality and extensive cloud connectivity. Where it falls short: the free offering covers basic SD-WAN functionality only..
Switching from Fortinet Secure SD-WAN? For most sd-wan software buyers the best Fortinet Secure SD-WAN alternative is Arista VeloCloud SD-WAN, built for large enterprises needing complete SD-WAN coverage. On a budget, flexiWAN starts at $33/mo. flexiWAN offers the most site limit (10 sites).
Why People Look for a Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Alternative
- The free offering covers basic SD-WAN functionality only
- Advanced features require paid services or subscriptions
- The platform is not open source
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallArista VeloCloud SD-WAN9.4
Large enterprises needing complete SD-WAN coverage
Visit Arista VeloCloud SD-WAN - Lowest priceflexiWAN8.3
Paid plans from $33/mo
Visit flexiWAN - Most site limitflexiWAN8.3
10 sites
Visit flexiWAN
All 15 Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forLarge enterprises needing complete SD-WAN coverage
- Better than Fortinet Secure SD-WAN:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.2
Complete SD-WAN coverage for large enterprises with routing, security, and cloud connectivity.
- Application-aware routing
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Arista -
Best forCloud-first enterprises wanting integrated SASE
- Better than Fortinet Secure SD-WAN:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.2
A cloud-first SD-WAN service that combines private transport, security, and cloud connectivity.
- Application-aware routing
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Cato Networks -
Best forLarge Cisco environments needing full SD-WAN
A broad Cisco SD-WAN platform for large, security-conscious network environments.
- Application-aware routing
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Cisco -
Best forManaged WAN buyers needing optimization and backbone access
A managed SD-WAN for distributed enterprises that need optimization and private-backbone access.
- Application-aware routing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Aryaka -
Best forEnterprises wanting a mature branch-to-cloud platform
A broad branch-to-cloud SD-WAN platform with centralized control, security, and multicloud connectivity.
- Application-aware routing
Pricing on request · 90-day trial Our HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN verdict → Visit HPE Aruba8.9/10★★★★☆Visit HPE Aruba -
Best forOrganizations wanting secure SD-WAN plan choices
A tiered enterprise SD-WAN platform combining routing, security, analytics, and cloud connectivity.
- Application-aware routing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Versa Networks -
Best forSecurity-led enterprises using Palo Alto products
A security-led SD-WAN for enterprises standardizing policy, routing, and cloud connectivity.
- Application-aware routing
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Palo Alto -
Best forTeams wanting a trialable secure SD-WAN
A trialable SD-WAN platform combining traffic control, WAN optimization, and firewall security.
- Application-aware routing
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Barracuda -
Best forBranches relying on wired and cellular connectivity
A strong fit for branches combining wired, Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G connectivity.
- Application-aware routing
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cradlepoint -
Best forCloud-first networks already using Cloudflare
A Cloudflare-centered SD-WAN option for enterprise routing, connectivity, and network security.
- Application-aware routing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forCost-conscious technical teams wanting open source
flexiWAN combines open-source SD-WAN, application-aware routing, APIs, and integrated security.
- Application-aware routing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit flexiWAN -
Best forDistributed sites needing flexible WAN bonding
A flexible hybrid SD-WAN for distributed sites using mixed connectivity and cloud appliances.
- Application-aware routing
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Peplink -
Best forSecurity-heavy networks needing multipath control
A security-heavy SD-WAN for organizations managing multiple WAN paths and cloud connections.
- Application-aware routing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit FatPipe -
Best forManaged-connectivity buyers wanting a private backbone
A managed SD-WAN service for organizations connecting sites, clouds, and mobile users.
- Application-aware routing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Open Systems -
Best forExtreme customers wanting cloud-orchestrated SD-WAN
A cloud-orchestrated SD-WAN for distributed enterprises needing steering, security, and cloud access.
- Application-aware routing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit site
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
Arista VeloCloud SD-WAN: #1 in our SD-WAN Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Complete SD-WAN coverage for large enterprises with routing, security, and cloud connectivity.
Why do people look for Fortinet Secure SD-WAN alternatives?
The free offering covers basic SD-WAN functionality only; Advanced features require paid services or subscriptions; The platform is not open source.
Which Fortinet Secure SD-WAN alternative has the most site limit?
flexiWAN, with 10 sites.
How do I switch from Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?
Export your data from Fortinet Secure SD-WAN (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Fortinet Secure SD-WAN.
How to Switch from Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
- Export your data from Fortinet Secure SD-WAN (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Fortinet Secure SD-WAN.
Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Paid from | Deployment model | Application-aware routing | Zero-touch provisioning | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Fortinet Secure SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 1 | Arista VeloCloud SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Cato SD-WAN | Cloud | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Aryaka SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 5 | HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 6 | Versa Secure SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 7 | Palo Alto Networks Prisma SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 8 | Barracuda Secure SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 9 | Cradlepoint SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | Cloudflare WAN (formerly Magic WAN) | Cloud | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | flexiWAN | $33/mo | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 12 | Peplink SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 13 | FatPipe SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 14 | Open Systems SD-WAN | Cloud | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | ExtremeCloud SD-WAN | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
Head-to-Head
- Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Arista VeloCloud SD-WAN
- Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Cato SD-WAN
- Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
- Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Aryaka SD-WAN
- Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN
- Fortinet Secure SD-WAN vs Versa Secure SD-WAN
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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