FortiClient lands on a lot of corporate laptops because Fortinet’s FortiGate firewalls are everywhere, and the client is the path of least resistance for IT teams already in that ecosystem. The integrated SSL/IPsec VPN, the antivirus module, the web filter, and the vulnerability scanner all work, and the cloud-managed EMS server makes fleet rollout straightforward. The friction shows up for users without a FortiGate on the other end. The free standalone version (called FortiClient VPN) only covers basic VPN, the full client requires a EMS licence, and the install footprint is heavier than dedicated VPN clients. We tested seven FortiClient alternatives on Windows 11, macOS Sequoia, and Ubuntu 24.04 to see which ones cover the corporate-VPN and endpoint-security jobs without Fortinet hardware on the back end.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN Connect | Standard OpenVPN client for any compatible server | Yes | Imports .ovpn profiles directly |
| Cisco AnyConnect | Same enterprise footprint with Cisco gear | Trial | Hardware-network-quality on ASA/Firepower |
| WireGuard | Modern, fast tunnel for self-hosted setups | Yes (open-source) | Tiny codebase and predictable performance |
| SonicWall NetExtender | SSL VPN client for SonicWall appliances | Free (with appliance) | Direct compatibility with SonicWall NSA series |
| Palo Alto GlobalProtect | Enterprise SSL/IPsec for Palo Alto setups | Free (with appliance) | HIP checks and prisma access integration |
| Tailscale | Mesh VPN that replaces the corporate VPN model | Yes (up to 100 devices) | WireGuard-based zero-trust mesh, no central concentrator |
| Ivanti Secure Access | Replacement for the discontinued Pulse Secure client | Trial | Replaces existing Pulse SSL VPN deployments |
Why people leave FortiClient
Without a Fortinet appliance on the other end, FortiClient overpays for what it offers. The free FortiClient VPN only does SSL/IPsec VPN connect, while the EMS-licensed version (the one IT teams use) requires per-seat licensing and the EMS server to manage policies. The install is heavy on macOS, the Linux client has historically lagged behind the Windows version on UI polish, and several IT forums note that FortiClient’s anti-exploit module can conflict with EDR tools deployed by parent companies. Users connecting to non-Fortinet servers also report that OpenVPN’s standard client or WireGuard run cleaner on the same boxes, with less background process noise. The 2024 to 2025 security advisories around the FortiClient EMS service (CVE-2024-47574 and related) also pushed admins to take a fresh look at whether the client adds risk on the endpoint they are supposed to protect.
The alternatives
OpenVPN Connect — Best for standard OpenVPN servers
OpenVPN Connect is the reference client from the protocol’s maintainers. It imports .ovpn profile files directly, supports both UDP and TCP transport, and handles certificate-based and password authentication. Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The desktop client is light, has no telemetry by default, and connects to any OpenVPN-compatible server, including pfSense, OPNsense, and several commercial firewalls.
Where it falls short: No SSL VPN portal mode like FortiClient. No endpoint security features.
Pricing: Free for the client. OpenVPN Access Server is the paid server side.
Vs FortiClient: Cleaner client, smaller footprint, no endpoint security bundling.
Download: openvpn.net/client
Bottom line: Pick OpenVPN Connect if you have an OpenVPN server and want a focused client.
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client — Best for Cisco ASA/Firepower environments
AnyConnect is FortiClient’s direct competitor on the enterprise side. The SSL VPN tunnel, posture checks, and ISE integration work cleanly with Cisco ASA, FTD, and Firepower devices. Desktop clients cover Windows, macOS, and Linux with feature parity.
Where it falls short: The Cisco-side licensing is its own world, and AnyConnect requires a Cisco head-end to make sense.
Pricing: Licensed through Cisco. Free client install requires server-side licence.
Vs FortiClient: Comparable enterprise client, requires Cisco hardware instead of Fortinet hardware.
Download: Through your Cisco admin or cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/anyconnect-secure-mobility-client
Bottom line: Pick AnyConnect if your corporate gateway is Cisco rather than Fortinet.
WireGuard — Best for modern self-hosted VPN setups
WireGuard’s protocol is the smallest practical VPN codebase in production use and is the basis for most modern corporate mesh-VPN products. The official desktop clients are free, open-source, and run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Performance consistently beats both OpenVPN and IPsec in independent benchmarks.
Where it falls short: No GUI for end-user configuration on Linux beyond third-party wrappers. No built-in posture checks or endpoint security.
Pricing: Free, open-source.
Vs FortiClient: Lighter, faster, no vendor lock-in. No endpoint security module.
Download: wireguard.com/install
Bottom line: Pick WireGuard if you control both ends of the tunnel and want the lightest client.
SonicWall NetExtender — Best for SonicWall appliance compatibility
NetExtender is SonicWall’s SSL VPN client, designed for direct compatibility with SonicWall NSA, TZ, and SOHO appliances. Windows, macOS, and Linux clients are available, and the install is leaner than FortiClient because it only handles VPN.
Where it falls short: Only useful when the head-end is a SonicWall device. No endpoint security extras.
Pricing: Free with a compatible SonicWall appliance.
Vs FortiClient: A direct head-end swap if the firewall is SonicWall.
Download: sonicwall.com/products/remote-access/vpn-clients
Bottom line: Pick NetExtender if your network is SonicWall instead of Fortinet.
Palo Alto GlobalProtect — Best for Palo Alto gateways and Prisma Access
GlobalProtect is the SSL VPN and SASE client for Palo Alto Networks gateways. The client handles SSL/IPsec, posture checks (Host Information Profile), and integration with Prisma Access for SASE deployments. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Where it falls short: Only meaningful with Palo Alto hardware or Prisma Access. Licensing is enterprise-priced.
Pricing: Licensed through Palo Alto Networks.
Vs FortiClient: Equivalent SSL/IPsec client on a different head-end.
Download: Through your Palo Alto admin portal or paloaltonetworks.com/sase/globalprotect
Bottom line: Pick GlobalProtect if the corporate gateway is Palo Alto.
Tailscale — Best for replacing the corporate VPN model
Tailscale builds a zero-trust mesh on top of WireGuard. There is no central VPN concentrator, no SSL portal, and no single chokepoint. Devices authenticate via SSO (Google Workspace, Okta, Microsoft 365, GitHub) and connect peer-to-peer when possible, with relayed traffic as a fallback. The free tier covers 100 devices and three users.
Where it falls short: Not a like-for-like swap for an SSL VPN concentrator. Self-hosted control plane (Headscale) is community-maintained.
Pricing: Free for personal use (100 devices, three users). Business plans from $6/user/month.
Vs FortiClient: Replaces the entire corporate-VPN model with mesh-VPN routing. Different architecture, different deployment story.
Download: tailscale.com/download
Bottom line: Pick Tailscale if the question is “do we still need a VPN concentrator at all.”
Ivanti Secure Access — Best for ex-Pulse Secure deployments
Ivanti Secure Access (the rebranded Pulse Secure) covers the same SSL VPN use case for organizations migrating from older Pulse appliances. Windows, macOS, and Linux clients are available, and the policy server runs on existing Pulse infrastructure.
Where it falls short: Pulse and Ivanti have had several public security advisories in the last 24 months. Admins should evaluate whether the legacy install base outweighs the disclosure history.
Pricing: Licensed through Ivanti.
Vs FortiClient: Same SSL VPN concept on different hardware, with a recent CVE history of its own.
Download: Through your Ivanti admin.
Bottom line: Pick Ivanti Secure Access if the existing infrastructure is Pulse-rooted and a controlled migration matters.
How to choose
Pick OpenVPN Connect if the server you connect to is standard OpenVPN. Pick AnyConnect if the corporate gateway is Cisco. Pick WireGuard if you control both ends and want the lightest tunnel. Pick NetExtender for SonicWall, GlobalProtect for Palo Alto, Ivanti Secure Access for ex-Pulse. Pick Tailscale if the right answer is rethinking the corporate-VPN model toward zero-trust mesh. Stay on FortiClient if your network is Fortinet end-to-end and the EMS-managed policy and endpoint security modules genuinely earn the licence cost.
FAQ
Can I use OpenVPN Connect to connect to a FortiGate? Fortinet’s SSL VPN does not speak standard OpenVPN. You need FortiClient or a compatible third-party SSL VPN client that supports Fortinet’s protocol. Some open-source projects (like openfortivpn) implement the protocol for Linux but are not officially supported by Fortinet.
Is WireGuard a real FortiClient alternative for corporate use? For organizations willing to self-host the head-end (WireGuard server or a managed product like Tailscale, Netbird, or NetGate), yes. For organizations committed to Fortinet’s centralised gateway model, no.
What is the lightest FortiClient alternative on macOS? WireGuard for self-hosted servers, OpenVPN Connect for standard OpenVPN, and Tailscale for mesh deployments. All three install cleanly on macOS without the kernel-extension drama some older clients still trigger on Apple Silicon.
Does Tailscale replace endpoint security like FortiClient EMS? No. Tailscale is a connectivity product, not an endpoint security suite. To replace EMS’s antivirus and EDR features, pair Tailscale with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, CrowdStrike, or SentinelOne on the same devices.
Is the free FortiClient VPN sufficient for individual use? For users connecting to a FortiGate at work, yes, it covers the SSL VPN tunnel. It does not include the endpoint security modules of the EMS-managed version, so it works as a connectivity client only.
