Fortinet vs Zscaler: What are the differences?

Introduction

Fortinet and Zscaler are two popular cybersecurity companies that offer solutions to protect organizations from internet threats. While both companies provide a range of security services, there are key differences between them that set them apart from each other.

1. Mobile Security Capabilities: Fortinet offers comprehensive mobile security solutions that protect mobile devices, applications, and data from various threats. Their mobile security platform provides features like secure mobile app development, device management, and content filtering. On the other hand, Zscaler focuses more on secure access to cloud applications and web filtering, with limited emphasis on mobile security.

2. Infrastructure Approach: Fortinet takes an infrastructure-based approach to cybersecurity, providing a wide range of hardware appliances that can be deployed within an organization's network. These appliances offer robust security capabilities, such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and secure web gateways. Zscaler, on the other hand, is a cloud-native platform that operates entirely in the cloud, eliminating the need for on-premises hardware appliances.

3. Global Security Fabric: Fortinet's unique selling point is its integrated security fabric, which provides a cohesive and consolidated approach to cybersecurity. This fabric allows different security components, such as firewalls, endpoint security, and application security, to work together and share threat intelligence, enabling a coordinated defense strategy. Zscaler, although it offers multiple security services, does not have the same level of integration and coordination between its various components.

4. Network Performance: Fortinet is well-known for its high-performance network security solutions. Their hardware appliances are designed to handle high network traffic volumes while maintaining low latency. Zscaler, being a cloud-based platform, relies on internet connectivity for delivering its services, which can sometimes lead to latency issues and potentially affect network performance.

5. Service Scalability: Fortinet's solutions are highly scalable and can accommodate the needs of small to large enterprises. With their hardware appliances and centralized management systems, Fortinet can effectively scale its services and accommodate growing security requirements. Zscaler's cloud-native approach also offers scalability, but it may have limitations in terms of performance and customization options for larger organizations with specific security needs.

6. Pricing Model: Fortinet typically follows a more traditional licensing and subscription-based pricing model. Organizations purchase hardware appliances and pay annual subscriptions for software updates and support. Zscaler, being a cloud-based platform, offers a subscription-based pricing model on a per-user or per-location basis. This model allows organizations to pay for the exact number of users or locations they need to protect, potentially providing more flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

In Summary, Fortinet and Zscaler differ in terms of their mobile security capabilities, infrastructure approach, the level of integration within their security services, network performance, service scalability, and pricing models.