In today’s evolving threat landscape, organizations demand more than just a firewall. The ideal network security solution must offer deep visibility, integrated threat intelligence, and strong return on investment—all without compromising usability or support.
Two popular choices in the enterprise firewall market are Sangfor Athena NGFW and Fortinet’s FortiGate. While both offer comprehensive protection, this article compares them across features, performance, user experience, licensing, and cost to help businesses make an informed decision.
Why Organizations Are Choosing Sangfor Athena NGFW
Sangfor Athena NGFW offers a compelling alternative to Fortinet’s FortiGate by matching key enterprise firewall features while providing several additional advantages. Below are key reasons why many enterprises consider Sangfor a strong alternative to FortiGate:
- Equivalent Core Features: Sangfor supports the same core networking and security functions as FortiGate, including NAT, IPS, routing, bandwidth management, and URL filtering—making it a one-to-one functional replacement in most deployment scenarios.
- Recognized Security Capabilities: The platform was rated “Recommended” by CyberRatings.org in three consecutive tests, confirming its strong security performance.
- Enhanced Usability: Sangfor’s built-in SOC Lite feature provides intuitive security visibility out of the box. Combined with Endpoint Secure integration, this enables faster, automated response to emerging threats.
- Better Pricing and Local Support: The solution delivers a lower price per protected Mbps in CyberRatings.org tests. In addition, Sangfor offers comprehensive regional support, with local offices in APAC, EMEA, and LATAM.
Feature Comparison: Sangfor vs Fortinet
The table below highlights key differences and similarities between Sangfor Athena NGFW and FortiGate in terms of core and advanced security features.
| Feature | Sangfor | FortiGate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAT, Static/Dynamic Routing | Yes | Yes | — |
| Application Control and ACL | Yes | Yes | — |
| URL Filtering | Yes | Yes | — |
| Bandwidth Management | Yes | Yes | — |
| Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) | Yes | Yes | — |
| AI/ML Malware Inspection | Yes | Partial | FortiGate requires FortiOS 7.0 or above |
| APT and Botnet Protection | Yes | Yes | — |
| Sandboxing | Yes | Yes | Sangfor uses Neural-X |
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Yes | Partial | Sangfor WAF includes more signatures |
| IoT Security | Yes | Yes | — |
| SD-WAN Integration | Yes | Yes | — |
| On-Premises Log Retention | Yes | Partial | FortiGate may require FortiAnalyzer |
| Security Reporting (Daily/Weekly/Monthly) | Yes | Partial | FortiGate supports only daily/weekly without FortiAnalyzer |
| SOC Lite (Security Operations Center) | Yes | No | Built-in feature for security visibility |
| Ransomware Threat Detection | Yes | No | — |
| Passive Web Vulnerability Scanning | Yes | No | Included in Sangfor WAF license |
| Local Security Services | Yes | No | Available via local support contracts |
| Endpoint Integration | Yes | Partial | Sangfor provides native integration with Endpoint Secure |
Note: Some features (e.g., WAF, IoT Security) may require additional licensing. This comparison is based on publicly available information as of 14 July 2024.
Licensing & Subscription Comparison
Licensing flexibility directly affects operational costs and deployment scalability. Sangfor offers simplified bundles that correspond to Fortinet’s traditional licensing tiers.
| Sangfor Athena NGFW Bundle | Fortinet Equivalent Tier |
|---|---|
| Essential Bundle | Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) |
| Premium Bundle | Unified Protection (UTP/UTM) |
| Premium + IoT License | Enterprise Protection (ENT) |
| Ultimate + IoT License | 360° Protection (360) |
Note: This comparison is based on publicly available information as of 14 July 2024.
Sangfor’s tiered offerings provide greater transparency and are easier to manage, with fewer dependencies on external hardware or analytics modules.
Hardware Model Equivalence: Sangfor Athena NGFW vs FortiGate FG
Sangfor Athena NGFW models are designed to match the performance and capabilities of equivalent FortiGate FG appliances. This helps ensure seamless transition or replacement in environments already familiar with Fortinet devices.
| Sangfor NSF Model | Comparable FortiGate Models |
|---|---|
| NSF-1030A-I | FG-40F |
| NSF-1050A-I | FG-60F/61F, FG-70F/71F, FG-80F/81F |
| NSF-1100A-I | FG-80F/81F, FG-100F/101F |
| NSF-1200A-I | FG-90G/91G, FG-100F/101F |
| NSF-3100A-I | FG-200F/201F |
| NSF-3200A-I | FG-200F/201F |
| NSF-3400A-I | FG-400F/401F, FG-600E/601E, FG-1100E/2000E |
| NSF-7100A-I | FG-600F/601F, FG-1000F, FG-2200E/2201E |
| NSF-7200A-I | FG-1800F/1801F |
| NSF-7300A-I | FG-900G/901G |
| NSF-7500A-I | FG-2600F, FG-3000F |
Note: Model recommendations are based on datasheet specifications, performance benchmarks, and pricing analysis, and publicly available information as of 14 July 2024.. For models not listed, consult your Sangfor representative for custom matching.
Final Thoughts
Both Sangfor and Fortinet provide robust firewall solutions suitable for enterprise and service provider environments. However, organizations looking for an integrated, scalable, and cost-efficient platform will find Sangfor Athena NGFW especially compelling due to:
- Feature parity with FortiGate in nearly all categories
- Recognized security performance by independent bodies
- Superior security visibility via SOC Lite
- Simplified licensing and lower total cost of ownership
- Strong regional support and endpoint integration capabilities
For businesses seeking a next-generation firewall that combines technical excellence with business value, Sangfor offers a modern and strategic alternative.
Explore the Difference of Sangfor vs Fortinet
Contact Sangfor today to schedule a live demo, or download the full technical comparison guide to evaluate how Sangfor Athena NGFW can fit into your organization’s cybersecurity architecture.
Disclaimer:
This comparison is based on Sangfor’s interpretation of publicly available data as of 14 July 2024. The information is intended to provide a general comparison of features, performance, and licensing options and may not be exhaustive. Readers should verify product details with official vendor sources before making any purchasing decision. Sangfor makes no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. Specifications and features may change without notice.
