Fortinet FortiGate vs Qualys: Complete Comparison (2026)

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

In comparing Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys in 2026, Fortinet FortiGate is the stronger choice for enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and sd-wan due to excellent price-to-performance ratio. Qualys excels for enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning with comprehensive vulnerability management. Fortinet FortiGate offers Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention starting at Custom pricing. Qualys provides Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory from Custom pricing. For teams prioritizing value, Fortinet FortiGate delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 75/100. Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys 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 Qualys reports 10K+ orgs active users (founded 1999).

Fortinet FortiGate vs Qualys at a Glance

Fortinet FortiGate
Qualys
Starting Price
Custom pricing
Custom pricing
Free Plan
No
No
User Rating
4.5/5
4.3/5
Best For
Enterprises needing comprehensive network security...
Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vu...
Users
680K+ orgs
10K+ orgs
Founded
2000
1999
hiltonsoftware Score
75/100
65/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ
Fortinet FortiGate
Cybersecurity
75
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ”Ž
Qualys
Cybersecurity
65
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys?

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

Fortinet FortiGateQualys
79Ease of Use73
80Features77
61Value for Money60
75Customer Support70
69Integrations61
68Scalability59
66Learning Curve63

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

Fortinet FortiGate
+Excellent price-to-performance ratio
+Comprehensive security fabric
-Management interface is complex
-Licensing model is confusing
Qualys
+Comprehensive vulnerability management
+Well-established enterprise platform
-Complex and expensive
-Interface feels dated

Which is better, Fortinet FortiGate or Qualys?

After evaluating Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Fortinet FortiGate earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 75/100 versus Qualys at 65/100. Fortinet FortiGate stands out for "excellent price-to-performance ratio" and "comprehensive security fabric". Qualys delivers competitive advantages in "comprehensive vulnerability management", making Qualys a viable alternative.

Neither Fortinet FortiGate nor Qualys offers a free plan. Fortinet FortiGate starts at Custom pricing and Qualys at Custom pricing.

Bottom line: Choose Fortinet FortiGate for enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and sd-wan. Choose Qualys for enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning. Both Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys are established cybersecurity platforms.

CHOOSE FORTINET FORTIGATE IF:

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

CHOOSE QUALYS IF:

Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning.

Fortinet FortiGate vs Qualys: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fortinet FortiGate better than Qualys in 2026?
Fortinet FortiGate outperforms Qualys in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. 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. Qualys is the stronger option for Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning due to comprehensive vulnerability management. For teams needing next-gen firewall, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Fortinet FortiGate.
How does Fortinet FortiGate pricing compare to Qualys in 2026?
Fortinet FortiGate starts at Custom pricing with no free tier. Qualys starts at Custom pricing without a free plan. Fortinet FortiGate includes features like Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention. Qualys provides Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory. Fortinet FortiGate serves 680K+ orgs users while Qualys serves 10K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys?
Fortinet FortiGate specializes in Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention, earning a 75/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Qualys focuses on Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory, scoring 65/100. Fortinet FortiGate is best for Enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and SD-WAN. Qualys is best for Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning. Both Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys serve the Cybersecurity market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Fortinet FortiGate to Qualys?
Migrating from Fortinet FortiGate to Qualys is possible since both operate in the Cybersecurity space. Export data from Fortinet FortiGate and verify Qualys import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, Intrusion prevention (Fortinet FortiGate) versus Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory (Qualys). Running both Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Fortinet FortiGate or Qualys better for small business?
Both Fortinet FortiGate and Qualys require paid plans (Fortinet FortiGate: Custom pricing, Qualys: Custom pricing). Fortinet FortiGate (75/100) is ideal for Enterprises needing comprehensive network security with firewall and SD-WAN. Qualys (65/100) fits Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning. Evaluate both during trial periods.

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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