Fortinet vs. Cisco Firewalls for Small Businesses: Which Is Right for You?
Choosing the right firewall is one of the most important security decisions a small business will make. Fortinet and Cisco both offer proven protection, but they differ in cost, management, and licensing. This guide compares the two so you can decide with confidence—and explains how Datacenter360 (DC360) can help you deploy the best fit quickly and cost-effectively.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fortinet (FortiGate) | Cisco (ASA / Meraki) |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of setup | Streamlined deployment; straightforward policies | More complex; stronger learning curve |
| Performance per dollar | Excellent value for SMB throughput | Typically higher cost per Mbps |
| Security services | FortiGuard threat intelligence and unified services | Talos threat intelligence with separate add-ons |
| Cloud management | FortiCloud / FortiManager options | Meraki Dashboard (subscription required) |
| Licensing simplicity | Clear bundles; flexible tiers | Multiple SKUs and tiers across lines |
| Best fit | Small and mid-sized businesses, lean IT teams | Mid-to-large organizations, Cisco-centric networks |
Why Small Businesses Often Choose Fortinet
- Cost-effective performance: High throughput and advanced security without enterprise-level pricing.
- All-in-one protection: Next-gen firewall, IPS, web filtering, application control, and VPN in a single platform.
- Simplified management: Intuitive interface and cloud options that reduce admin time for lean IT teams.
- Scales as you grow: Start small and expand features or hardware as needs evolve.
- Flexible licensing: Choose the service bundle that matches your risk profile and budget.
When Cisco Can Be the Better Fit
Cisco’s firewall portfolio—especially Meraki—can be compelling if your organization is already standardized on Cisco networking and wants deep ecosystem integration, centralized analytics, and uniform policy across many sites. For smaller teams not already invested in Cisco, the added complexity and cost may outweigh the benefits.
Our Recommendation
For most small and mid-sized businesses, Fortinet strikes the best balance of security, simplicity, and value. You get robust protection, fast performance, and easier day-to-day management—without enterprise overhead.
How Data Center 360 Helps
- Right-sizing and quotes: We map your users, bandwidth, VPN, and security needs to the ideal model and license.
- Fast procurement: Same-day licenses and rapid hardware availability.
- Expert deployment: Best-practice configuration, policy hardening, and VPN setup.
- Ongoing support: Renewal reminders, health checks, and optimization guidance.
Request a free firewall consultation to compare models, receive a tailored quote, and get deployment timelines.
Related Reading
- Fortinet License Renewal: What to Renew and When
- Securing OT Environments with the Fortinet Platform
- Firewall Configuration Checklist (Download)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortinet cheaper than Cisco for small businesses?
Model for model, Fortinet generally offers stronger performance per dollar and simpler bundles, which keeps total cost lower for most SMB use cases.
Do I need a subscription for cloud management?
Both vendors offer cloud management. Fortinet provides FortiCloud options; Cisco Meraki requires a subscription tied to the device license.
Can Datacenter360 help with renewals and migrations?
Yes. We handle Fortinet renewals, new licenses, and migrations from other vendors, including sizing, deployment, and policy hardening.
Talk to our Experts for recommendations, pricing, and next steps.