Versa versus Fortinet

Unified SASE platform

VERSA

Native integration of SD-WAN + SSE in a single stack

FORTINET

Fragmented software stack with acquired technologies

Enterprise-class SD-WAN

VERSA

Carrier class routing features capable of supporting complex enterprise and service provider deployments

FORTINET

Limited routing stack with subpar support for large hybrid WAN use cases

Comprehensive visibility

VERSA

Near real-time data and advanced analytics; unified networking and security across single console

FORTINET

Limited analytics lacking visibility into network, SLAs, and users

NGFW

VERSA

Best security effectiveness at scale

FORTINET

Security effectiveness at high cost of throughput and cost per Mbps; expensive hardware refreshes

Simplified operations

VERSA

"Intuitive template workflow for common use cases."

– Gartner Peer Insights

FORTINET

"The first firewall GUI that made me want to throw device through a brick wall."

– Gartner Peer Insights

Versa Unified SASE versus Fortinet SASE

Best rated firewall

Cyberratings.org consistently ranks Versa’s NGFW #1 based on Security Effectiveness, Rated Throughput, and Price per Mbps. Versa SSE also outranks Fortinet SSE based on Cyberratings’ testing.

"Versa Networks demonstrated the highest security effectiveness, making them the most reliable options for blocking exploits and evasion tactics."

– Cyberratings.org, Comparative Test Report: Cloud Network Firewall, Q1 2025

Enterprise-class SD-WAN

Versa combines industry-leading SD-WAN with advanced security capable of meeting the needs of large, complex WAN deployments. Whether for small branches or global Fortune 100 companies, Versa ensures optimized performance and effortless scalability

"With this product, the vendor addresses clients of all sizes and in all vertical industries, with a particular focus on security and more complex use cases"

– Gartner, Critical Capabilities for SD-WAN, 30 Sept 2024

Comprehensive SASE platform

Versa delivers a comprehensive, unified SASE platform that natively integrates SD-WAN and SSE. Unlike Fortinet with its acquired SSE technologies, Versa’s native SSE offerings and unified management provides enterprises with a seamless path to SASE.

Fortinet’s features aren’t delivered on the same software stack.

Flexible deployment options

Versa offers unmatched flexibility in deployment. Whether on-premises, cloud-delivered, or hybrid, organizations across all industries and verticals can adopt SASE at their own pace while ensuring consistent policies, visibility, and performance across the enterprise. Additional private cloud, multi-cloud, and sovereign options make Versa the most versatile SASE solution.

Fortinet SSE does not support cloud/network service provider markets

Fortinet SSE does offer private cloud, multi-cloud, or sovereign deployment models

Streamlined operations

Versa customers gain complete visibility and control across users, devices, and applications. With end-to-end telemetry and centralized policy management, enterprises gain unparalleled observability across every hop.

"We can easily deploy and also centrally manage [Versa] features. That made it easier to monitor and secure our company network"

– Gartner Peer Insights

Resources

ANALYST REPORT

CyberRatings.org 2025 Comparative Test Report: Cloud Network Firewall

Versa Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) received the top Recommended rating from CyberRatings.org while scoring 99.90% for security effectiveness with the fastest throughput rate and the lowest cost per Mbps processed among all recommended solutions.

ANALYST REPORT

GigaOm Radar for SD-WAN Solutions

GigaOm evaluated the top 26 solution providers in the Software-Defined Area Network (SD-WAN) market, including Versa Secure SD-WAN. Versa was judged to be a Leader in the market and as Outperforming in terms of its execution against roadmap and vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What are the main differences between Versa Networks and Fortinet offering for unified SASE?

Versa delivers a fully converged SASE platform with industry-leading SD-WAN and a complete, integrated SSE stack. This ensures consistent security, reliable connectivity, and simplified operations. While Fortinet offers sufficient security capabilities as part of SSE, its SD-WAN is less advanced and less feature-rich, resulting in a less balanced SASE solution overall.

02 How does Versa’s architecture differ from Fortinet’s?

Versa uses a native, single software stack for its Unified SASE solution while Fortinet’s software stack is built with acquired technologies. Versa’s single-pass engine (VOS) processes network and security functions in one flow to maximize performance and minimize latency. In contrast, despite Fortinet’s claim that all SASE features are delivered via FortiOS (its hardware/software ecosystem), many components are acquired technologies, including components of FortiSASE, FortiClient, FortiNAC, and FortiSandbox.

03 Which vendor offers better security performance for branch offices: Versa or Fortinet?

Versa’s unified SASE stack and superior enterprise-grade SD-WAN ensures that security enforcement at the branch is efficient and fast without sacrificing inspection depth. Fortinet’s limited routing capabilities will affect security performance, especially for larger, complex use cases.

04 How do Versa and Fortinet compare in terms of ease of deployment and management?

Versa provides a single management console and policy plane, enabling consistent control across networking and security. Its flexible deployment options (on-prem, cloud, hybrid; VOS on VM, cloud, or white-box hardware) gives customers choice without sacrificing performance or visibility.

Fortinet’s architecture requires more appliances to achieve high availability, resulting in more appliances to manage, additional points of failure, complex troubleshooting, and higher cost.

Best-in-Class Networking and Security with
Versa