# F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager vs Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall: side-by-side comparison (2026) [F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager) is a commercial [Next-Gen firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/categories/next-generation-firewalls) solution by [F5](https://cybersectools.com/companies/f5). [Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-fortigate-ngfw) is a commercial [Next-Gen firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/categories/next-generation-firewalls) solution by [Fortinet](https://cybersectools.com/companies/fortinet). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-fortigate-ngfw) Best for: Companies wanting SD-WAN and ZTNA built into the firewall FortiGate earns its spot by folding SD-WAN and ZTNA into the firewall, so many branches can run on one box per site. That fits mid-market and enterprise networks with lots of offices. If you already run separate SD-WAN or ZTNA products, decide first whether you want to merge them. From [Best Next-Generation Firewall Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-next-generation-firewalls), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Next-Generation Firewall Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-next-generation-firewalls) picks Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls, Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall, Cisco Secure Firewall and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager | Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Next-Gen Firewalls | Next-Gen Firewalls | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | Hybrid | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | F5 | Fortinet | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager | Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall | |---|---|---| | SSL | Yes | – | | Network Protection | – | Yes | | ZTNA | – | Yes | ### Core features **F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager** 5 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall** 17 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager vs Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall FAQ Common questions when comparing F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager vs Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall for Next-Gen firewalls. ### What is the difference between F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager and Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall? **F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager**: Application delivery controller with load balancing and traffic management, built by F5. **Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall**: Next-generation firewall that protects hybrid networks with built-in SD-WAN and ZTNA, built by Fortinet. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager and Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall? **F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager** is made by F5. **Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall** is made by Fortinet. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager a good alternative to Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall? Often, yes. F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager and Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall are both Next-Gen Firewalls products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager vs Check Point Quantum Firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/compare/check-point-quantum-ngfw-vs-f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager) - [F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager vs Forcepoint Next-Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager-vs-forcepoint-ngfw) - [F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager vs Juniper SRX Series Firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager-vs-juniper-srx-series-firewalls) - [Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall vs Check Point Quantum Firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/compare/check-point-quantum-ngfw-vs-fortinet-fortigate-ngfw) - [Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall vs Forcepoint Next-Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/forcepoint-ngfw-vs-fortinet-fortigate-ngfw) - [Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall vs Juniper SRX Series Firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-fortigate-ngfw-vs-juniper-srx-series-firewalls) ## Alternatives to each - [See all F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager) - [See all Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fortinet-fortigate-ngfw) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager-vs-fortinet-fortigate-ngfw For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-big-ip-local-traffic-manager.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager and Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md