# Fortinet Secure Networking vs Starti Edge Protect: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Fortinet Secure Networking](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-secure-networking) is a commercial [Next-Gen firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/categories/next-generation-firewalls) solution by [Fortinet](https://cybersectools.com/companies/fortinet). [Starti Edge Protect](https://cybersectools.com/tools/starti-edge-protect) is a commercial [Next-Gen firewalls](https://cybersectools.com/categories/next-generation-firewalls) solution by [Starti](https://cybersectools.com/companies/starti). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Fortinet Secure Networking](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-secure-networking) Best for: Organizations consolidating NGFW, SD-WAN, and SASE under one vendor For SMBs, Fortinet is one of the few enterprise-grade NGFW vendors that scales down to smaller environments without a completely different product line. The FortiGate appliances cover everything from small branch offices to large data centers. The managed SOC-as-a-Service option is worth considering if you don't have 24x7 coverage internally. 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 | | Fortinet Secure Networking | Starti Edge Protect | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Next-Gen Firewalls | Next-Gen Firewalls | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market | | Company | Fortinet | Starti | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Fortinet Secure Networking | Starti Edge Protect | |---|---|---| | SASE | Yes | – | | ZTNA | Yes | – | | Network Protection | – | Yes | | Configuration Management | – | Yes | | Network Administration | – | Yes | | Outsourced Security | – | Yes | | Zero Trust Architecture | – | Yes | ### Core features **Fortinet Secure Networking** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Starti Edge Protect** 4 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Fortinet Secure Networking** 1 integration listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Starti Edge Protect** 1 integration listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Fortinet Secure Networking](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-secure-networking) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options and you are an enterprise. - [Starti Edge Protect](https://cybersectools.com/tools/starti-edge-protect) fits if you want a cloud product. ## Fortinet Secure Networking vs Starti Edge Protect FAQ Common questions when comparing Fortinet Secure Networking vs Starti Edge Protect for Next-Gen firewalls. ### What is the difference between Fortinet Secure Networking and Starti Edge Protect? **Fortinet Secure Networking**: Converged network security platform with NGFW, SD-WAN, SASE, and SecOps, built by Fortinet. **Starti Edge Protect**: Managed firewall platform for MSPs positioned as an alternative to MikroTik setups, built by Starti. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Fortinet Secure Networking and Starti Edge Protect? **Fortinet Secure Networking** is made by Fortinet. **Starti Edge Protect** is made by Starti. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Fortinet Secure Networking a good alternative to Starti Edge Protect? Often, yes. Fortinet Secure Networking and Starti Edge Protect are both Next-Gen Firewalls products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Fortinet Secure Networking vs Versa Next Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-secure-networking-vs-versa-next-generation-firewall) - [Fortinet Secure Networking vs Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-fortigate-ngfw-vs-fortinet-secure-networking) - [Fortinet Secure Networking vs BeBroadband Application Awareness Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/bebroadband-application-awareness-security-vs-fortinet-secure-networking) - [Starti Edge Protect vs Versa Next Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/starti-edge-protect-vs-versa-next-generation-firewall) - [Starti Edge Protect vs Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-fortigate-ngfw-vs-starti-edge-protect) - [Starti Edge Protect vs BeBroadband Application Awareness Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/bebroadband-application-awareness-security-vs-starti-edge-protect) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Fortinet Secure Networking alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fortinet-secure-networking) - [See all Starti Edge Protect alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/starti-edge-protect) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-secure-networking-vs-starti-edge-protect For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-secure-networking.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Fortinet Secure Networking and Starti Edge Protect: 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