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Senior Information Security Consultant at Future Telecom
Real User
An advanced all-in-one solution with easy-to-use interface and analytics reporting
Pros and Cons
  • "It has a very easy-to-use interface. It has ease of management, and all the modules are there. SKUs are also easily identifiable. Whatever is required in the firewall is already there in it. It's very advanced, and analytics reporting is very good. They also have cloud reporting. You get all the services that are available for your device in the cloud. You just have to subscribe. It's very easy. There's a lot of demand for this solution because it's an all-in-one solution. The throughput is very high."
  • "The only thing that is lacking in this product is the support. Their support can be improved."

What is our primary use case?

There are multiple use cases for different customers. 

What is most valuable?

It has a very easy-to-use interface. It has ease of management, and all the modules are there. SKUs are also easily identifiable. 

Whatever is required in the firewall is already there in it. It's very advanced, and analytics reporting is very good. They also have cloud reporting. You get all the services that are available for your device in the cloud. You just have to subscribe. It's very easy.

There's a lot of demand for this solution because it's an all-in-one solution. The throughput is very high.

What needs improvement?

The only thing that is lacking in this product is the support. Their support can be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiClient for almost ten years. 

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiClient
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiClient. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Fortinet FortiClient is very good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of Fortinet FortiClient is very good. In my organization, around 300 people are using it. We also have mobile users who are connecting over 4G technology or, basically, over wireless technology to the devices and resources on the internal network. It's pretty good and robust.

It integrates very well into any IT infrastructure. They've come up with a lot of tools or different service modules that are able to talk to other technologies. So, you have an open architecture where they get a lot of information or security feeds from different providers. That's how they make their product more robust and scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is very bad. The product is good, but the support is very bad. Their support should be on par with the product. 

They are too lazy to answer the calls, They do not take the calls immediately. Even if you have subscribed for 24/7, 365 days support, they will give you a call only after 24 to 48 hours. There is a lag in their response time.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward. It is very easy to set up. Even a person who does not know anything about firewalls will be able to set it up.

Deployment depends upon the strategy the customer requires. The setup can be complicated, but usually, it is straightforward. The implementation of a FortiGate firewall, usually, does not take more than three days. If you ensure that all the security policies are there and everything is there, it usually takes three days.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The cost per port is very less as compared to the other technologies.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have deployed FortiGate's FortiAnalyzer, FortiMail for a lot of customers to replace their existing legacy-based firewalls such as Cisco ASA or Cisco PIX, SonicWall, FiberHome, Sophos, etc. We are replacing these technologies with FortiGate.

What other advice do I have?

If you want to know the product, or if you do not want to rely on the support, then you have to master the product. Basically, you should know in and out of the product, and you should have extensive knowledge about it. You'll get that knowledge only by working, provided you have the right tools to understand. I learned this tool by using it and going through the knowledge base. They have a knowledge base website, which has almost everything. You just need to apply a little bit of logic to understand what it is. I did not use technical support for help.

We don't require anything extra because it has everything that is needed for current infrastructures. Whether it is the cloud infrastructure or the on-premises infrastructure, they have got everything inside it. 

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
PeerSpot user
MarioCeribelli - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Network Specialist & Project Manager at Elmec Informatica Spa
Real User
Top 5
Offers excellent scalability and flexible licensing options
Pros and Cons
  • "What I find valuable in FortiClient is its patch management capabilities, allowing remote updates efficiently."
  • "One area for improvement in FortiClient is the speed of connectivity."

What is our primary use case?

I use Fortinet FortiClient across various scenarios to enhance security.

What is most valuable?

What I find valuable in FortiClient is its patch management capabilities, allowing remote updates efficiently. Additionally, the integration with FortiNAC and FortiGate servers is advantageous for a holistic security approach. The suite's ability to log and report information is user-friendly and effective.

What needs improvement?

One area for improvement in FortiClient is the speed of connectivity. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiClient for ten years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Fortinet FortiClient is highly scalable. It can easily handle a significant increase in users, and the scalability is practically seamless. In my company, we currently have around 10,000 users.

How was the initial setup?

Setting up Fortinet FortiClient is straightforward and user-friendly. The app is easily accessible online, and configuring it is a breeze. For enterprise use, FortiManager streamlines infrastructure management with intuitive blade screens. Deployment involves parallel migration, allowing testing of functionalities before a full transition. The process is efficient, and even for firewall installations, it is manageable with minimal disruption.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Fortinet FortiClient offers a free version, especially if you only need the VPN service. However, licenses are required for additional features. If you want to use endpoint services for network perimeter control or implement OTP, there are specific licenses for those. The free solution covers basic needs, while licenses are needed for advanced functionalities.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiClient
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiClient. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Chief Executive Officer at Clemtech LLC
Real User
Good support and great stability for secure VPN connectivity
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution offers great stability."
  • "The solution should have faster turnaround when it comes to new technology."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for operational technology and remote maintenance and monitoring.

What is most valuable?

Our typical customer is interested in VPN extension and a zero trust process. 

What needs improvement?

The solution should have faster turnaround when it comes to new technology. I'm speaking of next generation technology. For instance, they have a laboratory for investigating new technologies and I work with them towards the goal of releasing these to the industry a bit faster to allow us to start planning. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Fortinet FortiClient for around two years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution offers great stability. Of course, the way we're connecting it relies on the network, but they offer other solutions to help with the stability besides the Network.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution can be scaled to Class A.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is very good. I actually had a briefing with them today concerning a very large government project that I'm working on and feel their technical support to be very good.

How was the initial setup?

I would say that the setup and initiation of all the VPN types is pretty simple. The setup depends on what the solution is. They have straightforward solutions for which they had to test a lot of support for matching purposes.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The licensing fee varies with what one is trying to accomplish. It can range from being free to costing several hundred thousand dollars per year. 

What other advice do I have?

For one looking for a secure virtual private network that maintains connectivity and has future development for next generations of VPN, the solution is a good place to start. 

I rate Fortinet FortiClient as a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
AICARDO Sylvain - PeerSpot reviewer
System Engeneer at Inatum
Real User
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: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1426398 - PeerSpot reviewer
Business Development Manager at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
MSP
Simple to use, simple to download, and reliable
Pros and Cons
  • "It is very simple to use. I've used some of the others in the past, such as Cisco AnyConnect, which was a nightmare. I've used a couple of others, but FortiClient is very simple to use."
  • "With the lower-end licenses, it tends to kick you out after eight hours. There is a function where it automatically kicks you out after eight hours. They could improve that and not kick you out after eight hours. Other than that, it is already pretty good."

What is our primary use case?

We use Fortinet FortiClient as our VPN client. We have about 50 users.

What is most valuable?

It is very simple to use. I've used some of the others in the past, such as Cisco AnyConnect, which was a nightmare. I've used a couple of others, but FortiClient is very simple to use.

What needs improvement?

With the lower-end licenses, it tends to kick you out after eight hours. There is a function where it automatically kicks you out after eight hours. They could improve that and not kick you out after eight hours. Other than that, it is already pretty good.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for two and a half years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is reliable.

How are customer service and support?

Their support is very good.

How was the initial setup?

It is easy to set up. You just download the client, and then you put your details in, and it takes you in. 

What other advice do I have?

It is a good solution, and we don't have any plans to switch to another solution. It is simple to use, simple to download, and reliable. It is the best VPN client I've used.

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner, Reseller
PeerSpot user
HetulPatel - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior data engineer at Tiger Analytics
Real User
Top 20
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. 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: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior Network Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
Stable, scalable and more cost efficient than Cisco
Pros and Cons
  • "The stability is pretty good."
  • "There should be more frequent releases or updates."

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: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Jovan Jovanovic - PeerSpot reviewer
Product Manager at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
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."
  • "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
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiClient Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: November 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Fortinet FortiClient Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.