Fortinet FortiGate vs Malwarebytes: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editorยท12 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes in 2026, Malwarebytes is the stronger choice for individuals and businesses needing reliable malware detection and removal due to excellent malware detection rates. Fortinet FortiGate excels for enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and sd-wan with excellent price-to-performance ratio. Fortinet FortiGate offers Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention starting at Custom pricing. Malwarebytes provides Malware removal, Real-time protection, Ransomware protection from $3.75/device/mo with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Malwarebytes delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 76/100. Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes compete in the cybersecurity segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading cybersecurity tools include Okta, 1Password, Cloudflare. Fortinet FortiGate serves 680K+ orgs users globally (founded 2000) while Malwarebytes reports 60K+ orgs active users (founded 2008).

Fortinet FortiGate vs Malwarebytes at a Glance

Fortinet FortiGate
Malwarebytes
Starting Price
Custom pricing
$3.75/device/mo
Free Plan
No
Yes
User Rating
4.5/5
4.6/5
Best For
Enterprises needing comprehensive network security...
Individuals and businesses needing reliable malwar...
Users
680K+ orgs
60K+ orgs
Founded
2000
2008
hiltonsoftware Score
75/100
76/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
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Fortinet FortiGate
Cybersecurity
75
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
๐Ÿฆ 
Malwarebytes
Cybersecurity
76
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

What are the main differences between Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes?

Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Malwarebytes leads in 4 of 7 categories.

Fortinet FortiGateMalwarebytes
79Ease of Use85
80Features83
61Value for Money75
75Customer Support72
69Integrations64
68Scalability63
66Learning Curve78

What are the pros and cons of Fortinet FortiGate vs Malwarebytes?

Fortinet FortiGate
+Excellent price-to-performance ratio
+Comprehensive security fabric
-Management interface is complex
-Licensing model is confusing
Malwarebytes
+Excellent malware detection rates
+Easy to use for non-technical users
-Business version is expensive
-Can conflict with other AV software

Which is better, Fortinet FortiGate or Malwarebytes?

After evaluating Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Malwarebytes earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 76/100 versus Fortinet FortiGate at 75/100. Malwarebytes stands out for "excellent malware detection rates" and "easy to use for non-technical users". Fortinet FortiGate delivers competitive advantages in "excellent price-to-performance ratio", making Fortinet FortiGate a viable alternative.

On pricing, Malwarebytes offers a free plan for SMBs and startups. Fortinet FortiGate starts at Custom pricing with no free tier, but justifies the cost with next-gen firewall and sd-wan and enterprise-grade scalability.

Bottom line: Choose Fortinet FortiGate for enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and sd-wan. Choose Malwarebytes for individuals and businesses needing reliable malware detection and removal. Both Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes are established cybersecurity platforms.

CHOOSE FORTINET FORTIGATE IF:

Enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and SD-WAN.

CHOOSE MALWAREBYTES IF:

Individuals and businesses needing reliable malware detection and removal.

Fortinet FortiGate vs Malwarebytes: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fortinet FortiGate better than Malwarebytes in 2026?
Malwarebytes outperforms Fortinet FortiGate in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. Fortinet FortiGate excels in Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention, making Fortinet FortiGate the better choice for Enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and SD-WAN. Malwarebytes is the stronger option for Individuals and businesses needing reliable malware detection and removal due to excellent malware detection rates. For teams needing malware removal, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Malwarebytes.
How does Fortinet FortiGate pricing compare to Malwarebytes in 2026?
Fortinet FortiGate starts at Custom pricing with no free tier. Malwarebytes starts at $3.75/device/mo and offers a free plan. Fortinet FortiGate includes features like Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention. Malwarebytes provides Malware removal, Real-time protection, Ransomware protection. Fortinet FortiGate serves 680K+ orgs users while Malwarebytes serves 60K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes?
Fortinet FortiGate specializes in Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention, earning a 75/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Malwarebytes focuses on Malware removal, Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, scoring 76/100. Fortinet FortiGate is best for Enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and SD-WAN. Malwarebytes is best for Individuals and businesses needing reliable malware detection and removal. Both Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes serve the Cybersecurity market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Fortinet FortiGate to Malwarebytes?
Migrating from Fortinet FortiGate to Malwarebytes is possible since both operate in the Cybersecurity space. Export data from Fortinet FortiGate and verify Malwarebytes import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention (Fortinet FortiGate) versus Malware removal, Real-time protection, Ransomware protection (Malwarebytes). Running both Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Fortinet FortiGate or Malwarebytes better for small business?
For small businesses, Malwarebytes offers a free plan making Malwarebytes more budget-friendly at 76/100 on hiltonsoftware.co. Fortinet FortiGate (starting at Custom pricing) is worth considering for Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention. Both Fortinet FortiGate and Malwarebytes scale from SMB to enterprise.

Reviewed by Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editor. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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