We are using an on-site EMS server for this product and our clients install it on their workstations. I'm a security officer and we are customers of Fortinet.
Chief Security Officer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Good integration with FortiGate and supports Linux, but vulnerability scanning and reporting lacking
Pros and Cons
- "The valuable features for us are the integration of the vulnerability scan, mobile detection, and VPN client."
- "Compatibility issues between different versions."
- "FortiClient has compatibility issues between different versions, for example, the VPN doesn't work well between FortiClient 6.4 and FortiGate."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The valuable features for us are the integration of the vulnerability scan, mobile detection, and VPN client. The advantage of FortiClient for us is the integration with FortiGate and that they support Linux, which most other solutions do not. One-third of our users have Linux workstations.
What needs improvement?
FortiClient has compatibility issues between different versions, for example, the VPN doesn't work well between FortiClient 6.4 and FortiGate. There are usability issues with vulnerability scanning and with reporting. It's often difficult to interpret and there are inadequate features in management identity. I would appreciate a better explanation of the findings of the malware scanning and of things like real-time protection. The solution is geared toward centralized single sign-on for the workstations, which is something we do not have. From that point of view, it's not a good match. I've also found the SSL VPN very sensitive to network disruptions. The anti-ransomware feature is hard to use because when it finds something, it doesn't provide adequate information and there are false positives that are hard to identify. Generally, it's difficult to access the documentation of the APIs as it requires an invitation via sponsorship from a Fortinet employee. We had some long-running issues, but that's perhaps because our configuration is not mainstream.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for over a year.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't had any crashes, so the product is stable. We have problems with the stability of the VPN connection which tends to disconnect, but my impression is that it's just sensitive to network disruptions and is not related to the solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's hard for me to comment on scalability because we are a company of 50 employees. We have one person who deals with maintenance for a minimal amount of time.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support could be improved because it takes time to get through the first level of support, where you have to prove your case. When you get to where you need, it gets better, but just to get to someone who understands the problem can be tedious. We had some technical problems that they were never able to resolve.
How was the initial setup?
The solution can be set up manually which can be quite complex on some operating systems because it requires a lot of manual settings. It can also be set up on Linux but they only support some distributions.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I believe that licensing costs $500 per year for a 25-seat pack. It's a reasonable price although for small businesses, the disadvantage is that you have to buy a minimum 25 licenses.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution six out of 10.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
System Engeneer at Inatum
Easy to use, simple configuration, but stable need improvement
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiClient are ease of use and simple configuration."
- "Fortinet FortiClient could improve the connection because sometimes it drops."
What is our primary use case?
I use Fortinet FortiClient to protect my connection to my company. It is a VPN.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiClient are ease of use and simple configuration.
What needs improvement?
Fortinet FortiClient could improve the connection because sometimes it drops.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiClient for approximately one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Fortinet FortiClient could improve the stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 800 people using Fortinet FrotiClient in my company.
How are customer service and support?
I have not used the support from Fortinet FortiClient.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used Pulse Connect Secure and it was more stable than Fortinet FortiClient.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Fortinet FortiClient a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Fortinet FortiClient
July 2026
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Easy to use, straightforward setup and scalable with VeloCloud integration
Pros and Cons
- "The EMS server gives us good control and central management."
- "We are going through a growth spurt, buying up many little offices, and FortiClient integrated with VeloCloud allows us to convert them fast, and that's our end game."
- "The reports could be easier to set up."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use FortiClient for our VPN access.
How has it helped my organization?
We were on the free version before, then transitioned to the EMS server. Now that we transitioned to that, it's been extremely helpful.
What is most valuable?
The EMS server gives us good control and central management. The product is easy to use. Integration with VeloCloud allows immediate deployment, rather than having to wait six months for a piece of hardware.
What needs improvement?
The reports could be easier to set up.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've used it for five or six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution has been stable. It's been good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Yes, it's scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I had to call them to figure out how I was going to transition from the old unmanaged client, and we had to push out the new managed client. I reached out to them about how we were going to attack that, and they were good. Their engineers really know their product well.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We have a network engineer, so he's the one who deals with Fortinet.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Fortinet FortiClient an eight out of ten. It's so easy to use. I just wish the reports were a little easier to use.
We are going through a growth spurt, buying up many little offices. FortiClient integrated with VeloCloud allows us to convert them fast, and that's our end game.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Senior data engineer at Tiger Analytics
Fast connection, with no lag or interruptions
Pros and Cons
- "The connection speed is fast, I can connect quickly at any time, and there are never any interruptions to the FortiClient connection, so I could easily code into the client's server with that connection with no lag."
- "I would like Fortinet to improve FortiClient's compatibility with macOS."
What is our primary use case?
We have more than 1200 users.
What is most valuable?
The connection speed is fast. I can connect quickly at any time, and there are never any interruptions to the FortiClient connection. I could easily code into the client's server with that connection, with no lag.
What needs improvement?
I would like Fortinet to improve FortiClient's compatibility with macOS.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used FortiClient for more than a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
FortiClient is stable.
How was the initial setup?
The setup was managed by the infrastructure team. They just sent me a laptop with FortiClient already installed.
What other advice do I have?
I rate FortiNet FortiClient eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Does a lot of things, has good security features, and is easy to scale
Pros and Cons
- "It is a fantastic product; its overall security is valuable, and we are very impressed with the web filtering and the application firewall it provides."
- "The software inventory part is not yet up-to-date. It doesn't have a great interface, which is a disadvantage. I wish we could leverage it, but we don't use it at all because it's not that reliable."
What is our primary use case?
We are using it for our web filtering and VPN needs. We are one version behind the latest one.
It was deployed on-prem, but we moved it to the cloud. It is a public cloud provided by Fortinet.
What is most valuable?
It is a fantastic product. Its overall security is valuable. We are very impressed with the web filtering and the application firewall it provides.
What needs improvement?
The software inventory part is not yet up-to-date. It doesn't have a great interface, which is a disadvantage. I wish we could leverage it, but we don't use it at all because it's not that reliable.
For how long have I used the solution?
We deployed it about a year back, and I use it pretty much every day.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't seen any downtime since we deployed it about a year back. It has been pretty good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have deployed it across all employee laptops. We have approximately 1,500 users.
It was easy to scale. We got merged with another company, and it was easily scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Their support is good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used Cisco AnyConnect. Because we had FortiGate on the other side, we decided to go with Fortinet.
How was the initial setup?
It was straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
I did it myself. Their support was also good.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is not that expensive. It was within the range. A dollar per user per month is nothing.
What other advice do I have?
It definitely fulfills the purpose. It does a lot of things. I'm specifically using it for web filtering and VPN, but it also has other features. The zero-trust network feature is one of them. I haven't yet tried their zero network policies, and that's something that I'm now looking into. They claim to have fantastic features there, and that's the next one for me to try.
They also have an antivirus, but because we already have a Microsoft one, I just didn't give it a try. It is a part of the huge list of its benefits.
I would rate it a nine out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Owner at Mar Consulting Services
Single point of management solution
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the single pane of glass, single point of management."
- "We have networked our phone systems together so that we can dial any of our locations on a four-digit dial, versus having to dial the 10-digit phone numbers."
- "One area that could be improved is cost, but you've got to pay for what you get."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is when we've set up a Forti VPN or a IPsec VPN Full Mesh of 18 different locations on our FortiGates. It goes hand in hand with the FortiAPs as well.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the single pane of glass, single point of management.
What needs improvement?
One area that could be improved is cost, but you've got to pay for what you get.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of the solution is very good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability of the solution is very good.
How are customer service and support?
The tech support with Fortinet is phenomenal.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very straightforward.
What was our ROI?
Return On Investments for the solution would be about a 4 out of 5.We've set up Full Mesh and then we piggybacked on the ability to print anywhere. We have networked our phone systems together so that we can dial any of our locations on a four-digit dial, versus having to dial the 10-digit phone numbers. It's quick, it's easy, and a lot better for the staff.
What other advice do I have?
The biggest lesson I've learned with this solution is just keep the documentation up to date.
I would give this solution a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Stable, scalable and more cost efficient than Cisco
Pros and Cons
- "The stability is pretty good."
- "If having a fancy system is not important to the person, but he is simply looking for a workable and stable solution, then FortiGate is the way to go."
- "There should be more frequent releases or updates."
- "The solution can initially be a pain for new users and may take around two weeks for one to properly familiarize himself with it."
What is most valuable?
Fortinet FortiClient supports SSL VPN.
What needs improvement?
Not too many releases have been made. The latest concerned version seven. The one before it, six, was around for a long time. From the client's perspective, there has not been released anything which fully stacks up against Cisco. There should be more frequent releases or updates.
The solution can initially be a pain for new users and may take around two weeks for one to properly familiarize himself with it.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is pretty good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is pretty good.
How are customer service and support?
I cannot comment on tech support as I have not had dealings with it.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is pretty straightforward, since even Cisco can use a called SDM when it comes to FortiGate supporting a web interface. However, FortiGate is more convenient in some cases.
In certain scenarios we would simply deploy FortiGate VPN, which we find to be comparatively more convenient, simple and stable than Cisco. I am talking about the FortiClient.
The solution may take new engineers some time to familiarize themselves with it, but it is, fortunately, close to Cisco in its concept. This means that if one has a background with Cisco, he can easily adopt all the functions and configuration procedures to the solution, including the command line from the FortiGate scenario.
The solution can initially be a pain for new users and may take around two weeks for one to properly familiarize himself with it. At this point, one can quickly understand the entire procedure.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is more cost efficient than Cisco, as FortiGate tends not to charge for the client license, which allows one to make free use of whatever is supported on the device.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Not too many releases have been made. The latest involved version seven and the one before it, six, was around for a long time. From the client's perspective, there has not been released anything which fully stacks up against Cisco. There should be more frequent releases or updates.
The initial setup is pretty straightforward, since even Cisco can use a called SDM when it comes to FortiGate supporting a web interface. However, FortiGate is more convenient in some cases.
In certain scenarios we would simply deploy FortiGate VPN, which we find to be comparatively more convenient, simple and stable than Cisco. I am talking about the FortiClient. It is also more cost efficient, as FortiGate tends not to charge for the client license, which allows one to make free use of whatever is supported on the device.
The solution may take new engineers some time to familiarize themselves with it, but it is, fortunately, close to Cisco in its concept. This means that if one has a background with Cisco, he can easily adopt all the functions and configuration procedures to the solution, including the command line from the FortiGate scenario.
I would recommend the solution to others, even when it comes to my friend, who has a small business, for which FortiGate compares more favorably than that of Cisco. If having a fancy system is not important to the person, but he is simply looking for a workable and stable solution, then FortiGate is the way to go.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend the solution to others, even when it comes to my friend, who has a small business, for which FortiGate compares more favorably than that of Cisco. If having a fancy system is not important to the person, but he is simply looking for a workable and stable solution, then FortiGate is the way to go.
I rate Fortinet FortiClient as a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Security Team Lead at a outsourcing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Reports offer everything in one place to tell you what's happening on the network
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is easy. Our clients use the FortiClient EMS, which is the central console for installing FortiClient. It is easy and very user friendly."
- "The most useful features are the reports that come from the end user's machines and devices, and you have everything in one place to tell you what's happening on the network."
- "With Fortinet, some clients have to wait two to four days for a response. That is the biggest complaint from end customer about Fortinet's technical support."
What is our primary use case?
Our customers choose the FortiClient as a solution for endpoint security because 90% of them are already using FortiGate as a firewall. FortiClient is interoperable with Fortinet firewalls, so, for them, installation and implementation are easy.
What is most valuable?
The most useful features are the reports that come from the end user's machines and devices. You have everything in one place to tell you what's happening on the network.
It's a unique system and they have unique technical support. If something is wrong with a firewall or FortiClient, the client does not need to call different vendors. Fortinet has only one vendor and one technical support team.
On the other hand, it's easy for the system administrators to use.
What needs improvement?
Fortinet should support older Windows versions. Their competitor, Kaspersky, has an embedded security solution that covers HP and the oldest version of Windows, those before Windows 10 or Windows Vista.
In Eastern Europe, for example, there are a lot of companies that are still using Windows XP on their machines. Their machines, therefore, cannot be properly protected by FortiClient and they can easily end up with a Trojan horse in their system. Basically, anybody can jump into their network through these machines that are not covered and properly secured.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution since the beginning.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
FortiClient is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. However, the scalability depends on a variety of factors.
How are customer service and support?
We have had a few clients complain about Fortinet's tech support because it is not as big as Cisco's. However, Cisco is the biggest company on the market for these kinds of products. They have extensive tech support and they can get back to clients quickly.
With Fortinet, some clients have to wait two to four days for a response. That is the biggest complaint from end customers about Fortinet's technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy. Our clients use the FortiClient EMS, which is the central console for installing FortiClient. It is easy and very user friendly.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is reasonable if you compare it to some other vendors. Of course, you can always get an additional discount from the Fortinet channel and account managers. You can also shop around with different vendors to see who will give you a better price.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Distributor
Cyber Security Senior Specialist at MilliKart llc
Stable, scalable, and simple installation
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is stable, we have not had any issues in the time we have been using it."
- "The solution can improve by adding new remote console or endpoint features to make the solution easier to use."
- "We have opened a service request ticket on their system, and it has been nearly one month and they are still looking for a solution."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Fortinet FortiClient to allow our workers to connect remotely to work. This is mostly because of the lockdown or if they are on vacation.
What needs improvement?
FortiClient has not given us any ongoing problems. We did have a problem with uninstalling it, but we opened up a service request ticket to resolve it.
The solution can improve by adding new remote console or endpoint features to make the solution easier to use.
In a future release, the web client section could improve by adding more features, such as a firewall.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Fortinet FortiClient for approximately two months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable, we have not had any issues in the time we have been using it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of Fortinet FortiClient has been good.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have had some problems related to FortiClient and other products, which is related to Fortinet. We have owned other Fortinet solutions which have had a problem connecting with the switch. We have opened a service request ticket on their system, and it has been nearly one month and they are still looking for a solution.
How was the initial setup?
The installation was easy, we did not face any major issues. We had one small issue related to the proxy settings because we did not have a direct connection to the internet. When we applied the license to the FortiClient, we needed to connect through EMS. However, because we do not have a direct connection to the internet, we needed a proxy, but later resolved it. We created a service request ticket and they said that there was no proxy feature, that is why we created a second adapter and it allowed us to have internet. If there were proxy settings on their EMS, it would have been beneficial.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Fortinet FortiClient an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. partner
Security Engineer at OFIS TECHNOLOGIES
A stable and inexpensively scalable solution which is easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is good; I like it very much, as it has inexpensive scalability, works very well, and can communicate with other Fortinet devices."
- "While I cannot think of new features to add, it would be nice if the reports were improved, to have these sent automatically."
What is most valuable?
The solution is good. I like it very much. It has inexpensive scalability, works very well and can communicate with other Fortinet devices.
What needs improvement?
While I cannot think of new features to add, it would be nice if the reports were improved, to have these sent automatically.
For how long have I used the solution?
I currently use Fortinet FortiClient on my computer and have been doing so for around three months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is very scalable. It is inexpensive and works very well.
How are customer service and technical support?
Based on my past training, I have not yet had need to contact technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The EMS is very simple to install. The product is very simple.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
For the moment, I only use a fraction of the features offered by the solution and these are very good. For someone like me, who is in Africa and has a small company numbering 500 users, the current features are more than sufficient. I do not use all that is provided by EMS.
When it comes to the competition, I can only wonder how Fortinet stacks up. I would be interested in knowing if it has the Data Lake feature offered on Palo Alto or machine learning about prevention.
What other advice do I have?
The solution is on-premises and we have our own server.
We have a database server and, for the moment, I don't have any issues with its resources. Perhaps, in the future, this will change.
I would recommend the solution to others without hesitation. It works very well. The EMS is very nice.
I rate Fortinet FortiClient as an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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