We performed a comparison between OpenVPN Access Server and Fortinet FortiClient based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: Based on the parameters we compared, OpenVPN Access Server comes out ahead of Fortinet FortiClient. While both solutions have their strengths, Fortinet FortiClient's initial setup takes longer and lacks automation, additionally, the remote deployment process can be challenging.
"The solution has good performance."
"It's an ideal gateway solution for small and medium businesses, i.e., around 300 devices can be easily handled."
"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."
"Having a centralized console is a valuable feature. The Fortinet fabric is also very valuable where all different pieces talk together to secure our network and track the North, South, East, and West movement of files and data through our network."
"The product's initial setup phase is easy."
"It is very powerful."
"This solution makes it easier to work from home."
"It is a feature-rich product that is easy to use and install without sacrificing security."
"The integration of the vulnerability scan, mobile detection, and VPN client."
"Overall Fortinet FortiClient has good functionality."
"The product provides secure internet connections and helps with faster downloads."
"It was very easy to set up users."
"It is very easy to look at the quality of the connection and the bandwidth and do an investigation if there are problems on the network."
"I like that it's easy to use, easy to download, and not hard to manage."
"The best thing is that it is open source and free of cost."
"The most valuable feature is that I can access my local network remotely and avoid doing all the port forwarding and redirections, and so on."
"OpenVPN Access Server is a simple and easy-to-use solution that I can use myself without anybody's help."
"Its most valuable feature is that it is open source."
"There must be a more easy-to-use GUI."
"The initial setup was probably more complex. The configuration was somewhat unclear."
"The solution can improve by adding new remote console or endpoint features to make the solution easier to use."
"We do not use the solution every day and there are times when the new users have trouble reconnecting. The technology itself works but our users getting adopted to it is a major problem. Having the user adapt to the desktop landing page that it begins on is throwing them off a bit."
"The memory check needs to be improved, giving better visibility into the run-time memory."
"The solution has some issues with stability on the user side."
"In terms of improvements, their SSL VPN tunnel can be a lot better. I've seen other products that have got much better VPN features than Fortinet. Some of my colleagues get this error called "License not available." When they get this error, they have to uninstall and reinstall it. This kind of problem is there, and sometimes, we have to open a case with Fortinet to resolve it. Their support is quick, so we are able to resolve and move forward. In terms of new features, when it is connecting, it should check the endpoint and say whether the end client is actually safe enough or whether there is a vulnerability. It should give a pop-up on the client itself. Because I'm on the admin side, I can also see this information in the log. However, if a non-IT user, such as a user from finance, is working on this and there is some problem, he or she would not know about this and would call IT admin to say that this is not working. If the users get a message explaining why and what is happening, it is easy for them to understand."
"An area of improvement could be better integration with the active directory. I did not find it easy to configure."
"While we like patch management, it would be nice if it could handle patch management for other solutions, like Microsoft."
"The security needs to be improved because it was a complaint that our customers had."
"The upgrade path from older versions was more difficult than we wanted to tackle, so we ran an older version of the software for longer than I wanted. Patching, updating, and migrating to newer versions was a problem for us. That said, we were on a rather old version that I inherited yet it worked rock solid."
"One improvement I would like to see in OpenVPN is better adaptability in certain geographical areas."
"When there are too many concurrent users trying to connect at the same time, there may be a bit of a bottleneck."
"The stability had room for improvement."
"Open VPN Access Server could be more user-friendly."
"The connections could be faster and more stable."
"There could be an easier way to set up the solution. However, if you use the provided information that comes with the solution there should not be a problem."
Fortinet FortiClient is ranked 2nd in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN with 86 reviews while OpenVPN Access Server is ranked 1st in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN with 44 reviews. Fortinet FortiClient is rated 8.0, while OpenVPN Access Server is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Fortinet FortiClient writes "Easy to set up and user-friendly with good support ". On the other hand, the top reviewer of OpenVPN Access Server writes "An easy-to-use tool with which its users can access networks from home or external locations". Fortinet FortiClient is most compared with Fortinet FortiEDR, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business and Ivanti Connect Secure, whereas OpenVPN Access Server is most compared with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, Check Point Remote Access VPN, SonicWall Netextender and Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. See our Fortinet FortiClient vs. OpenVPN Access Server report.
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We monitor all Enterprise Infrastructure VPN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.