FortiMail vs. Microsoft Exchange

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
FortiMail
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
FortiMail is an email messaging security platform, from Fortinet headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.N/A
Microsoft Exchange
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Exchange is a secure email / messaging gateway with file archiving and encryption / data loss capability, available as a hosted service (Exchange Online) or installed (Exchange Server).N/A
Pricing
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Considered Both Products
FortiMail
Chose FortiMail
I have used Barracuda Email Security in the past and FortiMail is just as effective. The interface is easy to use, and the configuration is straightforward in setting it up to work with Microsoft Exchange. Spam detection is effective, as well as malware/viruses and phishing …
Microsoft Exchange
Chose Microsoft Exchange
We are 100% a Microsoft shop from top to bottom, so for us, Exchange is the best in the business. It wouldn't make sense to integrate another vendor.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Secure Email Gateway
Comparison of Secure Email Gateway features of Product A and Product B
FortiMail
9.9
4 Ratings
16% above category average
Microsoft Exchange
8.1
81 Ratings
4% below category average
Anti-malware10.03 Ratings8.164 Ratings
Customizability9.04 Ratings7.976 Ratings
Data Loss Protection10.04 Ratings8.666 Ratings
Threat Detection10.04 Ratings7.965 Ratings
Sandboxing10.02 Ratings7.445 Ratings
End-to-End Encryption10.02 Ratings8.365 Ratings
Management Tools10.04 Ratings8.478 Ratings
Best Alternatives
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Small Businesses
Barracuda Essentials
Barracuda Essentials
Score 9.2 out of 10
Barracuda Essentials
Barracuda Essentials
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Barracuda Essentials
Barracuda Essentials
Score 9.2 out of 10
Barracuda Essentials
Barracuda Essentials
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Cloud Email Security
Cisco Cloud Email Security
Score 7.7 out of 10
Cisco Cloud Email Security
Cisco Cloud Email Security
Score 7.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(6 ratings)
8.8
(99 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(2 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
9.5
(2 ratings)
9.9
(12 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
FortiMailMicrosoft Exchange
Likelihood to Recommend
Fortinet
FortiMail is useful for small businesses and large companies. If you are looking to filter inbound and outbound email, then it will do an effective job of keeping your network safe. The virus, malware, spam definitions are updated on a daily basis and will help any company that is looking to eliminate spam and malware.
Read full review
Microsoft
You can use Microsoft Exchange Server with peace of mind for e-mail, calendar, communication, scheduling, and collaboration services. Microsoft's Exchange Server is a product designed to provide users with access to the messaging platform from mobile devices, desktops, and web-based systems. Telephony features in Exchange Server support voicemail. Exchange Server successfully offers high availability service with Microsoft Exchange Database availability groups.
Read full review
Pros
Fortinet
  • FortiMail earned a AAA rating from SE Labs and a 99.78%.
  • Spam Capture Rate from Virus Bulletin.
  • The solution has an effective Antivirus module that protects from malicious URLs and attachments.
  • It also has an integrated cloud sandbox or can be integrated with a physical or virtual appliance (with an additional license).
Read full review
Microsoft
  • As we have a large user base of 11,000 users we use MailTips to avoid people getting confused with people with similar names in the organization.
  • The integration between Teams Meeting and Resource booking is generally very good. The Scheduling Assistance makes it easy to scan calendars and find free periods to provisionally scheduled events.
  • Marking yourself as Out of the Office and busy is easy, as is sharing your calendar within the team/organization or individuals.
  • Voicemail integration and the ability to receive missed chats in your inbox are highly used and useful.
Read full review
Cons
Fortinet
  • I would like to see a recommended config come base on the box.
  • I would like to see a secure score type area.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • The two main factors for the better reliability & Uptime of internally hosted Exchange Server depends on Exchange Server configuration and the level of investment the organization is willing to provide for hosting the Exchange Server On-Premise Environment. As the data is stored in the organization’s hardware, any disaster may lead to the loss of email and servers.
  • Losing data might affect business continuity and rebuilding it can be costly.
  • Security remains a major concern.
  • Security of data loss is main concern. To ensure that, organization needs to configure networks, systems and Exchange platform against possible threats.
  • Hardware and license costs are high.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
It is the best, and perhaps only, email solution worth considering.
Read full review
Usability
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Microsoft Exchange is well suited for inexperienced Messaging Admins and veterans alike. If you have no idea of the fundamentals of modern email (SMTP, mail headers, MX Records, SPF/DKIM, Encryption, etc.) and just need to get people's mailboxes and calendars the support they need, you can use it with confidence. If you are an old pro and want to leverage and dovetail your Powershell and AD with Exchange, you will be rewarded for your efforts.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Exchange is setup with multiple servers behind load balancers to provide high availability.
Read full review
Performance
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
I would say it's the best email product I've experienced.
Read full review
Support Rating
Fortinet
Any time I've had to use the support, it has been great! They always will recommend certain options, as well as explain what they do and why they are there. The support always gets back to me the same day, and are always pleasant to deal with. I never hesitate to call.
Read full review
Microsoft
We have a good enterprise agreement with Microsoft which affords us quick phone support. I have found the support staff knowledgeable and prompt with a solution when required. At times it may be difficult to schedule a call back, this is mainly due to our need for calls early in the morning which happens to be during a shift change at Microsoft support.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
Implementation/conversion can be quite complex and, unless you have certified Exchange administrators in-house, you should strongly consider a 3rd party consultant for this implementation.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Fortinet
I have used Barracuda Email Security in the past and FortiMail is just as effective. The interface is easy to use, and the configuration is straightforward in setting it up to work with Microsoft Exchange. Spam detection is effective, as well as malware/viruses and phishing attempts. Overall it is a great service.
Read full review
Microsoft
Most of the 365 subscriptions include desktop and cloud versions of Microsoft programs. These "traditional" software may be installed on a desktop computer and used offline without any problems, as long as you have a working Internet connection. Because so many firms still transmit each others file's developed locally using these applications, despite this being an era of cloud computing– there is a strong case for keeping desktop versions available.
Read full review
Scalability
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Microsoft
The only time Exchange has failed us is when we did something to cause the failure.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Fortinet
  • It has been positive since we do not have mail crashes and we protect the information that is transmitted by these means.
  • The costs are very accessible.
  • Easy deployment and implementation.
Read full review
Microsoft
  • It has been an important factor in allowing seamless communication with clients and scheduling business meetings, which in turn works in the company's favor.
  • Haven't noticed any negative impact Exchange has had on our ROI. The support team is also responsive and helpful.
Read full review
ScreenShots