Fortinet FortiSASE vs Cato Networks -- SASE & Zero Trust Compared

Fortinet FortiSASE vs Cato Networks

Cato Networks and Fortinet FortiSASE are both sase & zero trust solutions. Cato Networks single-vendor cloud-native SASE platform with private global backbone and converged architecture, while Fortinet FortiSASE converged SASE platform powered by FortiOS with competitive pricing and integrated SD-WAN. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

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The Verdict

Choose Cato Networks if true single-vendor SASE built from scratch — not assembled from acquisitions is your priority and mid-market and large enterprises wanting a true single-vendor SASE platform with a private global backbone and simplified management. Choose Fortinet FortiSASE if most competitive pricing makes enterprise SASE accessible to mid-market matters most and mid-market and large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure that want SASE with integrated SD-WAN at competitive pricing.

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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCato NetworksFortinet FortiSASE
PricingCustom pricing / Per-user tiers starting lower than ZscalerCustom pricing based on sites, users, and bandwidth
Pricing ModelPer-user annual subscription with tiered bundlesPer-site and per-user annual subscription
Open SourceNoNo
DeploymentCloudCloud
Best ForMid-market and large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure that want SASE with integrated SD-WAN at competitive pricingMid-market and large enterprises wanting a true single-vendor SASE platform with a private global backbone and simplified management
Private global backbone with SLA-back...Not availableSupported
Single-pass cloud engine for all secu...Not availableSupported
Managed threat detection and response...Not availableSupported

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Cato Networks when:

  • +You value most competitive pricing makes enterprise SASE accessible to mid-market
  • +You value consistent FortiOS experience for existing Fortinet customers
  • +You value industry-leading SD-WAN natively integrated into the SASE platform
  • +You want to avoid smaller PoP footprint than Zscaler and Cloudflare (80+ vs 150+/300+)
  • +You want to avoid less mature CASB and DLP compared to Netskope and Zscaler

Choose Fortinet FortiSASE when:

  • +You value true single-vendor SASE built from scratch — not assembled from acquisitions
  • +You value private global backbone provides predictable, SLA-backed performance
  • +You value simplest management experience with a single unified console
  • +You want to avoid smaller global PoP footprint than Zscaler and Cloudflare
  • +You want to avoid cloud-native capabilities less mature than purpose-built cloud SASE platforms

Pros & Cons Comparison

Cato Networks

Pros

  • +True single-vendor SASE built from scratch — not assembled from acquisitions
  • +Private global backbone provides predictable, SLA-backed performance
  • +Simplest management experience with a single unified console
  • +Very fast SASE deployment — sites can be onboarded in minutes
  • +Integrated SD-WAN eliminates the need for separate networking vendors

Cons

  • Smaller PoP footprint than Zscaler and Cloudflare (80+ vs 150+/300+)
  • Less mature CASB and DLP compared to Netskope and Zscaler
  • Fewer integrations with third-party security tools
  • Less proven at the largest enterprise scale (100,000+ users)
  • Private backbone adds cost compared to internet-based SASE

Fortinet FortiSASE

Pros

  • +Most competitive pricing makes enterprise SASE accessible to mid-market
  • +Consistent FortiOS experience for existing Fortinet customers
  • +Strong SD-WAN natively integrated into the SASE platform
  • +FortiGuard Labs provides massive threat intelligence from global install base
  • +Single management console for SASE and on-prem FortiGate firewalls

Cons

  • Smaller global PoP footprint than Zscaler and Cloudflare
  • Cloud-native capabilities less mature than purpose-built cloud SASE platforms
  • CASB and DLP features are less granular than Netskope or Zscaler
  • Architecture evolved from on-prem appliances rather than built for cloud
  • ZTNA capabilities lag behind Zscaler ZPA in maturity and scale

Sources & References

  1. Cato Networks — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
  2. Fortinet FortiSASE — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
  3. Cato Networks Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  4. Fortinet FortiSASE Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  5. Cato Networks Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  6. Fortinet FortiSASE Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  7. Cato Networks Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
  8. Fortinet FortiSASE Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
  9. Gartner Magic Quadrant for Single-Vendor SASE 2024[Analyst Report]
  10. Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Service Edge 2024[Analyst Report]
  11. Forrester Wave: Zero Trust Network Access, Q3 2023[Analyst Report]
  12. IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SASE 2024[Analyst Report]
  13. CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model[Government Standard]
  14. Gartner Peer Insights: SSE[Peer Reviews]

Fortinet FortiSASE vs Cato Networks FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Fortinet FortiSASE and Cato Networks.

What is the main difference between Fortinet FortiSASE and Cato Networks?

Cato Networks and Fortinet FortiSASE are both sase & zero trust solutions. Cato Networks single-vendor cloud-native SASE platform with private global backbone and converged architecture, while Fortinet FortiSASE converged SASE platform powered by FortiOS with competitive pricing and integrated SD-WAN. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

Is Cato Networks better than Fortinet FortiSASE?

Choose Cato Networks if true single-vendor SASE built from scratch — not assembled from acquisitions is your priority and mid-market and large enterprises wanting a true single-vendor SASE platform with a private global backbone and simplified management. Choose Fortinet FortiSASE if most competitive pricing makes enterprise SASE accessible to mid-market matters most and mid-market and large enterprises with existing Fortinet infrastructure that want SASE with integrated SD-WAN at competitive pricing.

How much does Cato Networks cost compared to Fortinet FortiSASE?

Cato Networks pricing: Custom pricing based on sites, users, and bandwidth. Fortinet FortiSASE pricing: Custom pricing / Per-user tiers starting lower than Zscaler. Cato Networks's pricing model is per-site and per-user annual subscription, while Fortinet FortiSASE uses per-user annual subscription with tiered bundles pricing.

Can I migrate from Fortinet FortiSASE to Cato Networks?

Yes, you can migrate from Fortinet FortiSASE to Cato Networks. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.