FortiClient review

FortiClient’s published Fortinet homepage text does not explain the product or confirm its capabilities. The available licensing information describes several offerings: a free VPN-only agent, standalone VPN licensing, VPN/ZTNA licenses, EPP/ATP endpoint-protection licenses, managed cloud deployments and Chromebook subscriptions.

That distinction matters when comparing it with a VPN replacement. The free agent is listed as a standalone, unmanaged VPN client for individual endpoints, with no Fortinet TAC support. Paid options can be licensed by endpoint or user, and some include cloud or on-premises EMS; the published details say user licensing supports up to three devices per user. The available pricing information does not list fixed prices or monthly-versus-annual rates. So we can identify the product categories, but a reliable cost comparison requires a reseller quote.

FortiClient’s clearest advantage in the published information is the choice of licensing and deployment models. Organizations can look at VPN/ZTNA or EPP/ATP licensing, choose cloud or on-premises EMS for those offerings, and license by endpoint or user. The listed endpoint packs are 25, 500, 2,000 or 10,000 devices; user licenses support up to three devices per user.

The free VPN-only agent gives individuals a no-cost way to get basic VPN access. For standalone VPN licensing, the listed minimum is 50 users, or five through FortiCloud Marketplace FortiPoints. That makes the Marketplace route a smaller entry point, though it is still not the same as the free, unmanaged agent.

Some Reddit users also report good results at scale. One commenter said their organization had 50,000 users on FortiClient for more than two years and few genuine issues after initial problems. That is an individual account, not a reliability guarantee. Still, the mixed reports suggest the experience can depend on deployment and version management.

The main buying problem is price opacity. The published pricing information lists no fixed prices or monthly or annual rates, so there is no dependable public figure for comparing a paid FortiClient rollout with another VPN or endpoint product. Add-ons—including FortiToken MFA, FortiClient Forensic Service and FortiCare Best Practices Service—are sold separately. The free agent also comes with no Fortinet TAC support.

There are operational caveats, too. Reddit users report connection failures, DNS changes after abrupt disconnects, upgrade issues and problems with EMS. Others say the client works reliably, so these reports do not establish how often faults occur. One commenter recommended testing versions before rollout and avoiding automatic updates; that is sensible risk control, but it adds work for IT teams.

Check the licensing minimums before budgeting: standalone VPN is listed at 50 users, or five through FortiCloud Marketplace FortiPoints. Larger endpoint packs start at 25. Get a written quote that spells out licenses, EMS and add-ons before treating FortiClient as a low-cost switch.

FortiClient’s only listed price is $0 for the VPN-only agent. It is a standalone, unmanaged client for individual endpoints, and the listing says it comes without Fortinet TAC support.

Paid pricing is not published: Fortinet does not provide fixed prices or say whether billing is monthly or annual. You’ll need a quote from an authorized partner or reseller, so there’s no published price jump to compare between plans.

The licensing thresholds matter. Standalone VPN has a 50-user minimum, or a 5-user minimum through FortiCloud Marketplace FortiPoints. VPN/ZTNA and EPP/ATP licenses come in endpoint packs of 25, 500, 2,000, or 10,000; user licenses support up to three devices per user. Managed FortiClient uses those same endpoint pack sizes. FortiToken MFA, Forensic Service, and FortiCare Best Practices Service (BPS) are sold separately where listed. Ask for a quote that includes the required add-ons and minimum license count; the published information isn’t enough to estimate your total.

The published information lists licensing options, but not migration steps, import or export formats, or data-retention details. We also don’t have Reddit posts to substantiate claims about why users leave or what problems they report.

Before switching, confirm which offering you need: standalone VPN, VPN/ZTNA, EPP/ATP, or managed cloud. The license minimums can affect a pilot: standalone VPN requires 50 users, unless you buy the 5-user minimum through FortiCloud Marketplace FortiPoints. VPN/ZTNA and EPP/ATP endpoint packs start at 25, while user licensing supports up to three devices per user.

Get a reseller to confirm the full quote, add-ons, license counts, and transition requirements in writing. If you may leave later, ask Fortinet or the reseller what data you can export and how licensing ends. Those exit details aren’t stated in the published material, so don’t assume the move in or out will be simple.