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At a glance
- Keep the licensing model and tier in the quote; features differ by tier.
- Size appliances with security inspection enabled.
- SD-WAN does not replace diverse internet circuits.
Meraki MX vs FortiGate SD-WAN
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| Buying difference | Cisco Meraki MX | Fortinet FortiGate |
|---|---|---|
| Comparable price | Quote exact model, tier, license model, term, and support | Quote exact model, security bundle, management, term, and support |
| Core appliance role | Cloud-managed security and SD-WAN appliance | Firewall with FortiOS networking and SD-WAN functions |
| Central administration | Meraki Dashboard | FortiManager or selected Fortinet management services |
| Licensing distinction | License model and tier determine available services | Appliance/VM licensing, FortiCare, security subscriptions, and management must be identified |
| Tier names to check | Co-term documentation uses Enterprise, Advanced Security, Secure SD-WAN Plus; subscription licensing uses different tiers | FortiGuard bundles and SD-WAN service options have separate entitlements |
| Advanced traffic visibility | Depends on the selected MX licensing tier and feature | Depends on management, analytics, and service configuration |
| Security inspection | Match the actual malware, intrusion, and filtering entitlement | Match the selected FortiGuard security bundle |
| Recurring cost | License renewal and any other services | Support, security services, management, and any selected SD-WAN services |
| Main limitation / extra cost | Co-term and subscription tier names differ; match the actual license model | Core SD-WAN inclusion does not remove support, security or central-management costs |
| Best fit (Sigma assessment) | You want Meraki Dashboard across the branch environment | You want SD-WAN operated with existing FortiGate firewall policy |
| Official sources | Cisco Meraki: MX/Z security and SD-WAN licensing Cisco Meraki: General licensing FAQ: subscription and co-term tier names |
Fortinet: Secure SD-WAN ordering guide Fortinet: FortiGuard security bundles for FortiGate |
Avoid a licensing mismatch
Meraki's tier names depend on the licensing model. A feature listed for Secure SD-WAN Plus should not be assumed to exist in every lower tier, and a subscription quote should not be interpreted solely through a co-term feature chart. Keep the applicable feature matrix with the proposal.
Fortinet's integrated SD-WAN functions do not mean the entire managed deployment has no recurring cost. Security subscriptions, FortiCare, FortiManager, and analytics or performance-monitoring services can add separate charges. Include what the proposed design actually uses.
Compare performance under the intended settings
Size the appliances with the security inspection and encrypted traffic required by the business. A headline firewall-throughput number does not establish performance when additional inspection is enabled. Use compatible vendor test categories and validate the real workload when capacity is close.
Neither product replaces the internet circuits. A second connection provides useful resilience only when its capacity and failure characteristics fit the site. Document which traffic may use cellular backup and which traffic should wait rather than consume a small data allowance.
The practical trial is a busy location running calls, payment traffic, cloud applications, and a deliberate primary-link failure. Record behavior and recovery, then repeat under the proposed security settings.
Choose the platform that meets that design at a known multi-year cost. Sigma can compare the appliances, licenses, circuits, and configuration work for all locations in one proposal.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Which features must every site have: security inspection, SD-WAN, VPN?
- Which license tier and model are quoted, and for how many years?
- What throughput do we need with inspection enabled?
- Does each site have two genuinely separate internet paths?
What Hawaiʻi businesses should check
Multi-island businesses benefit most from SD-WAN when each site has two genuinely separate internet paths, such as fiber plus cellular.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fortinet SD-WAN cheaper than Meraki?
It depends on the bundle, management and term. FortiGate includes SD-WAN in the operating system, but security subscriptions and central management add cost; price both over three to five years.
Sources and pricing notes
Prices and specifications checked September 27, 2026 against the providers’ published sources below. Prices are US list or published rates before taxes, fees and equipment unless stated; offers change, so confirm the current terms before you buy.
- Cisco Meraki. MX/Z security and SD-WAN licensing
- Cisco Meraki. General licensing FAQ: subscription and co-term tier names
- Fortinet. Secure SD-WAN ordering guide
- Fortinet. FortiGuard security bundles for FortiGate
How Sigma is paid. Sigma is a Hawaiʻi technology advisor. Provider or reseller partners compensate Sigma; product and service prices may include a margin. No procurement fee applies. Standalone consulting is quoted separately.