Next-generation firewall security isn’t hard to find, even in the differences seen with FortiGate 60E vs 60F Fortinet models. It can be difficult to know which route to take with your network security, whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade.
There’s a lot to sort through when it comes to Fortinet FortiGate security. From standard hardware firewalls to related services you won’t find anywhere else, you can find more than one reason to side with Fortinet. To make the right choice, it’ll help to consider the nuances in FortiGate 60E vs 60F to see which firewall model suits your needs.
A Glimpse Into FortiGate 60E vs 60F
Before anything else, it’s important to take note that the 60E firewall meets its end of life in 2026. That isn’t too far away, which means existing users will need to have some kind of plan with their network security architecture.
For most companies, it just comes down to upgrading from your current setup. It all sounds easy, but with a saturated market, you might find it difficult to know what the right choice would be. It’s also important not to get mixed up with different generations of firewall hardware. At the end of the day, you want firewall solutions that can handle today’s and tomorrow’s cyber security threats.
What is the Fortinet FortiGate 60E?
They might seem similar in how they’re labeled, but the 60E actually focuses on a bit of a smaller scale. If you aren’t sure what this means, it’ll make a lot more sense once you get a better look at the specifications.
These are a few notable details you can find in the 60E Fortinet firewall datasheet:
- Firewall Throughput: 3 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 2 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 1.4 Gbps
- NGFW Throughput: 250 Mbps
- Concurrent Sessions: 1,300,000
For some of you, these numbers may not make a lot of sense until you’ve read into the FortiGate 60F a bit more. In the grand scheme, the 60E is looking more like outdated hardware with each passing day. This is especially true once you’ve seen what the 60F can do for your network security.
What is the FortiGate 60F?
Depending on how you look at it, most Fortinet devices share many of the same traits. What you want to look for is where they differ. While the 60F shares many of the same traits seen in the 60E, there are still a few specs that help it stand tall in comparison.
Here’s the same specs for the FortiGate 60F:
- Firewall Throughput: 10 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 6.5 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 1.4 Gbps
- NGFW Throughput: 1 Gbps
- Concurrent Sessions: 700,000
You can see where the 60F shines through, as well as where it might fall short of the capabilities of the 60E. Nevertheless, the undeniable truth is that the FortiGate 60F is stronger and better for your network security in the long run.
A Compact View of FortiGate 60E vs FortiGate 60F
The FortiGate 60E will still be in use for quite a while, but many people are on their way to an upgrade if they haven’t already. For those looking for a seamless choice, jumping from the 60E to the 60F would be more than ideal. Before you do, here’s a better look at how the 60F is an improvement.
| Specifications | FortiGate 60E | FortiGate 60F |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 3 | 10 |
| VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 2 | 6.5 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| NGFW Throughput (Mbps/Gbps) | 250 | 1 |
| Threat Protection Throughput (Mbps) | 180 | 700 |
| Concurrent Sessions | 1,300,000 | 700,000 |
| Firewall Policies | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Max Number of FortiTokens | 100 | 500 |
While the 60E from Fortinet still holds up, it’s simply on its way out in 2026. Regardless of its capabilities, this will lead many people to segue into the FortiGate 60F or other robust firewall solutions.
The Bottom Line
This cycle in firewall technology is the norm, but many companies don’t prepare beforehand. Being ready for your next piece of firewall hardware requires having a little hindsight with your needs in network security.
You don’t have to directly transition to the 60F, but it’s clear that it stands tall in comparison to the FortiGate 60E. As always, the Firewalls team is here to help, so make sure to reach out to learn more about your options with FortiGate.
