Fortinet FortiGate 80F vs 90G See the Difference in Network Security

Fortinet FortiGate 80F vs 90G: See the Difference in Network Security

February 25, 2025

If you’re running a small business, it can be helpful to consider what separates the FortiGate 80F vs 90G. Although both are more than effective for small, growing organizations, you still want to make the right choice for your needs.

This comes with many considerations, but focusing on the differences in each FortiGate firewall can offer the direction you need. With the 80F, you get simple network management on top of reliable performance.

On the side of the 90G, you’re looking at a much more scalable solution. In the context of the 80F vs 90G, this article clears the air on the best use case for each model.

Analyzing the Specs Behind FortiGate 80F vs 90G

The performance range on the FortiGate 80F is able to support anywhere from 50 to 100 users at a time. If that doesn’t sound like enough, then you’ll want to look at the 90G’s capability of 200 to 500 users.

Offering the short version for some straightforward clarity, the 90G is more of a powerhouse. At the same time, it’s more important to take note of what your current network needs might be. Both next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) serve a much-needed purpose. Only after reviewing the fine print will you know which piece of firewall hardware lands in your wheelhouse.

What is the Fortinet FortiGate 80F?

For a young and growing business, the 80F from Fortinet can seem like a more than scalable solution. It’s also pretty compact, making it suitable for small businesses and spaces like branch offices.

Take a look at the specs below to see where the FortiGate 80F sits in firewall capability:

  • IPS Throughput: 1.4 Gbps
  • Threat Protection Throughput: 900 Mbps
  • NGFW Throughput: 1 Gbps
  • Firewall Throughput (Packets Per Second): 10.5 Mbps
  • New Sessions per Second: 45,000

This should give you a good idea of what to expect from Fortinet’s 80F firewall. Although it’s definitely aimed at smaller organizations, it still packs a punch as a scalable option for network security.

What is the Fortinet FortiGate 90G?

Taking things one step further, the FortiGate 90G is a bit stronger in more ways than one. Aside from the fact that it can support many more users, the integrated tech goes beyond what the 80F brings to the table.

Here’s what you should know about the FortiGate NGFW 90G:

  • IPS Throughput: 4.5 Gbps
  • Threat Protection Throughput: 2.2 Gbps
  • NGFW Throughput: 2.5 Gbps
  • Firewall Throughput (Packets Per Second): 41.85 Mbps
  • New Sessions per Second: 124,000

It’s evident that this direction in Fortinet FortiGate security packs a lot more long-term reliability. Both firewall models are still relevant choices on the market, but it’s important to understand who the target markets are.

Direct Comparison of the FortiGate 80F vs 90G

The technical details mentioned above are just the start of what’s behind this NGFW tech. When it comes to making a choice, it’s crucial to take a deeper look at the specs behind each piece of firewall hardware.

SpecificationFortiGate 80FFortiGate 90G
IPS Throughput (Gbps)1.44.5
Threat Protection Throughput 900 Mbps2.2 Gbps
NGFW Throughput (Gbps)12.5
Firewall Throughput (Mbps)10.541.85
IPsec VPN Throughput (Gbps)6.525
Concurrent Sessions1,500,0003,000,000
New Sessions per Second 45,000124,000
ComplianceFCC, ICES, CE, RCM, VCCI, BSMI, UL/cUL, CBFCC, ICES, CE, RCM, VCCI, BSMI, UL/cUL, CB
CertificationsICSA Labs: Firewall, IPsec, IPS, Antivirus, SSL-VPNUSGv6/IPv6

If you work in IT, then you likely know what you’re working with here. For those who are new to the topic, the specs above highlight the strength of the FortiGate 90G. 

Final Thoughts

There’s no need to stress over making the right choice. Assuming you’re a growing business, there’s nothing wrong with seeing the benefit of the 90G. Even though the FortiGate 80F is a viable choice for smaller businesses, it’ll eventually hit a ceiling when it comes to scaling.

If you have your eyes set on the long term, it’s time to think about integrating the FortiGate 90G into your network security. For those who have questions about the tech, feel free to reach out to us at any time for the support you need.

Picture of Written by Lucas Modrall

Written by Lucas Modrall

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