# F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) vs FortiGate-VM NGFW Comparison

| | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 3.9 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 15 | 232 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (53.3% of reviews) | Mid-Market (58.9% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

**Not enough data**

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

Pros:
- Ease of Use (12 reviews)
- Features (10 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning Curve (4 reviews)
- Expensive (4 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (11 reviews) | 9.2 (182 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.3 (10 reviews) | 9.0 (185 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.2 (6 reviews) | 8.9 (151 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 9.1 (138 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 8.7 (180 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 9.1 (134 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.9 (11 reviews) | 9.4 (182 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Unified Threat Management (UTM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.3/10 | 119 |

#### Security - Unified Threat Management

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Antivirus** | Not enough data | 9.3 (95 reviews) | 
| **Whitelists** | Not enough data | 9.4 (97 reviews) | 
| **Antispam Filtering** | Not enough data | 9.0 (89 reviews) | 
| **Content Filtering** | Not enough data | 9.3 (95 reviews) | 
| **Web Filtering** | Not enough data | 9.7 (96 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | Not enough data | 9.8 (100 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reports & Analytics** | Not enough data | 8.7 (96 reviews) | 
| **Dashboard** | Not enough data | 9.4 (98 reviews) | 

### Data Center Security Solutions

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.4/10 | 74 |

#### Prevention

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Prevention** | Not enough data | 9.6 (58 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | Not enough data | 9.5 (60 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | 9.2 (54 reviews) | 
| **Security hardening** | Not enough data | 9.4 (55 reviews) | 
| **Cloud Data Protection** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 

#### Detection

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Intrusion Detection** | Not enough data | 9.4 (56 reviews) | 
| **Security Monitoring** | Not enough data | 9.4 (53 reviews) | 
| **Anti-Malware / Malware Detection** | Not enough data | 9.3 (54 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 9.4 (53 reviews) | 
| **Administration Console -** | Not enough data | 9.4 (58 reviews) | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | 9.0 (51 reviews) | 

### Network Security Policy Management (NSPM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | N/A | N/A |

#### Network Maintenance

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Network Management

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Network Mapping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Console** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Network Monitoring

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Network Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Configuration Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Change Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | 9.0/10 | 122 |

#### Administration

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | 9.2 (101 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | Not enough data | 8.9 (101 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | Not enough data | 9.2 (92 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | Not enough data | 9.3 (98 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | Not enough data | 9.4 (104 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | Not enough data | 9.0 (96 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | Not enough data | 9.4 (101 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | Not enough data | 9.5 (98 reviews) | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | Not enough data | 9.2 (92 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | Not enough data | 9.0 (93 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | Not enough data | 9.2 (104 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | Not enough data | 9.3 (98 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | 8.2 (20 reviews) | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | Not enough data | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 

### Data Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)** | N/A | N/A |
| **FortiGate-VM NGFW** | N/A | N/A |

#### Compliance

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **At-Risk Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DLP Configuration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sensitive Data Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Administration

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Deduplication ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Backup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API / integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security 

| Feature | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Transport** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Types** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) (1):** [Network Security Policy Management (NSPM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-security-policy-management-nspm)

**Unique to FortiGate-VM NGFW (3):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Data Center Security Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-center-security-solutions), [Unified Threat Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/unified-threat-management-utm)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) | FortiGate-VM NGFW | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 13.3% | 18.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 33.3% | 58.9% | 
| **Enterprise** | 53.3% | 22.4% | 

### By Industry

#### F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

- **Computer Networking:** 13.3%
- **Translation and Localization:** 6.7%
- **Retail:** 6.7%
- **Public Relations and Communications:** 6.7%
- **Internet:** 6.7%
- **Insurance:** 6.7%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 6.7%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 6.7%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 6.7%
- **Government Administration:** 6.7%
- **Other:** 26.7%

#### FortiGate-VM NGFW

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.2%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 11.6%
- **Telecommunications:** 10.1%
- **Financial Services:** 6.8%
- **Computer Software:** 6.3%
- **Computer Networking:** 4.8%
- **Education Management:** 2.9%
- **Construction:** 2.4%
- **Information Services:** 1.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 1.9%
- **Other:** 29.0%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

- [SolarWinds Observability](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (855 reviews)
- [Check Point Cloud Firewall (formerly CloudGuard Network Security)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-cloud-firewall-formerly-cloudguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (291 reviews)
- [Palo Alto Networks Panorama](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-panorama/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (48 reviews)
- [AlgoSec Horizon](https://www.g2.com/products/algosec-horizon/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (224 reviews)
- [Cisco DNA Center](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-cisco-dna-center/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (52 reviews)
- [Tufin Orchestration Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/tufin-tufin-orchestration-suite/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (98 reviews)
- [Portnox](https://www.g2.com/products/portnox/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (120 reviews)
- [Check Point Infinity Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-infinity-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (117 reviews)
- [VMware NSX](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-nsx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (80 reviews)
- [Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator](https://www.g2.com/products/trellix-epolicy-orchestrator/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (48 reviews)

### Alternatives to FortiGate-VM NGFW

- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (591 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (267 reviews)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (153 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (32 reviews)
- [Huawei Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/huawei-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (15 reviews)
- [KerioControl](https://www.g2.com/products/keriocontrol/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (10 reviews)
- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (856 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Cisco Meraki](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-meraki/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (217 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

No discussions available for this product.

### FortiGate-VM NGFW

- Title: [What is FortiGate-VM used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-fortigate-vm-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "FortiGate-VM is Fortinet's virtual appliance version of the FortiGate firewall, designed for deployment in virtualized environments. It serves as a..."
- Title: [What is FortiGate NGFW used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-fortigate-ngfw-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is a next generation firewall which has capability to do layer 7 insapaction "
- Title: [Is FortiGate and fortinet the same?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-fortigate-and-fortinet-the-same) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Fortinet is the company and FortiGate is their Firewall name :)"
- Title: [What three key additional security features do next generation firewalls provide that legacy firewalls do not?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-three-key-additional-security-features-do-next-generation-firewalls-provide-that-legacy-firewalls-do-not) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "with FortiGate has many Features including SD-WAN, SSL-VPN, Video Filtering, integrated with Sandbox...."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/f5-big-ip-advanced-firewall-manager-afm-vs-fortigate-vm-ngfw)