FortiGate 100F vs 100E: Are They Comparable?

FortiGate 100F vs 100E

Although the names don’t seem very different, the specs in FortiGate 100F vs 100E come with many unique nuances of their own. When it comes to FortiGate firewall hardware, you want to let the capabilities of the hardware guide your thought process.

Regardless of your experience with network security and firewall tech, it’s always advantageous to look through all of the numbers. While each Fortinet FortiGate firewall model comes with a few similarities, you’re here for a straight answer on what makes them different. This article focuses on the most important details when comparing FortiGate 100F vs 100E firewalls.

Sizing Up FortiGate 100F vs 100E

It’s true that both models can help with protection against many cyber threats with the help of threat intelligence. This includes the likes of AI-powered security solutions from FortiGuard Labs. In the same breath, that doesn’t mean you won’t find some key differences here.

For example, the FortiGate 100E offers flexible deployment but is more suited to cater to enterprise branches, including other large organizations like school campuses. With the FortiGate 100F, you’re primarily benefiting from secure SD-WAN ASIC, which is vital for optimizing performance in various distributed locations. 

The sections below dive deeper into the technical specs of each firewall model to offer a little more transparency.

What is the Fortinet FortiGate 100F Firewall?

The FortiGate 100F definitely has you covered if you’re searching for industry-leading threat protection for your network. It’s also loved for its promise of low latency and combines SD-WAN with scalable IPsec VPN for enhanced efficacy and performance in your network security.

Here are a few comparable specs that are worth highlighting:

  • 2,600 Mbps IPS throughput
  • 1,600 Mbps NGFW throughput
  • 1,000 Mbps threat protection throughput
  • 20,000 Mbps firewall throughput
  • 1,500,000 concurrent sessions
FortiGate 100F

As with any firewall hardware, you get a range of specs here, some being better or worse when you start comparing them. You’ll likely find some similar specs in the FortiGate 100E, but the 100F shines through with more enhanced networking capabilities.

What is the Fortinet FortiGate 100E Firewall?

Even if the 100F has more enhanced security features, the 100E still stands strong on its own. It’s important to note that the FortiGate 100E will be meeting its end of life in August of 2026. Although it’ll still have some relevance on the market for a while, it doesn’t hurt to prepare for a necessary shift.

Aside from that, here are a few top-level specs you can compare with the 100F model:

  • 500 Mbps IPS throughput
  • 360 Mbps NGFW throughput
  • 250 Mbps threat protection throughput
  • 7,400 Mbps firewall throughput
  • 2,000,000 concurrent sessions
FortiGate 100E

These bullet points may make some of their differences pretty obvious, but that’s not all you should consider. The depth of each firewall’s specs can go pretty deep, and it can be beneficial to look past comparisons on the surface.

Fortinet FortiGate 100F vs 100E Next Generation Firewalls

Even though the end of life for the 100E is coming in less than two years, both firewall models are actively being used. You’ll have a hard time purchasing a new 100E, but licenses for the hardware are still being pushed on the market. Nevertheless, the comparison table below showcases why the 100F would be a better option in the long term.

As you can see, there’s plenty to review here, but it highlights the advancements that were made to bring the FortiGate 100F to life.

Final Thoughts

There are many aspects to consider if you’re looking for the key differences in FortiGate 100F vs 100E NGFWs. You’ll find yourself looking for the same comparison regardless of the firewall model in question. Reviewing the firewall specs is important, but so is choosing the right support system along the way. Reach out to us at Firewalls to learn more about various firewall models as well as their manufacturers.