Cisco AnyConnect vs. FortiClient

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco AnyConnect
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Cisco offers an SSL VPN solution via AnyConnect.N/A
FortiClient
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
Fortinet offers FortiClient, their endpoint security system emphasizing automated advanced threat protection, security fabric integration, secure remote access, endpoint quarantine, and a comprehensive reporting dashboard.N/A
Pricing
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Considered Both Products
Cisco AnyConnect
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
AnyConnect is the smallest least intrusive option that makes the most sense if a Cisco Security Appliance is already implemented in the network. I much prefer it to FortiClient, but Ubiquiti USGs and SonicWall are good choices as well. We consistently choose AnyConnect when the …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
Clients who are currently using FortiClient noted that AnyConnect is easier to use and experienced an issue where some network resources were not accessible whilst using FortiClient intermittently. Both authenticate with Active Directory and both applications are not …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
AnyConnect has the same functionality for the purposes of my organization at a fraction of the cost of FortiClient. FortiClient may have some advantages in administrative ease, but the end functionality to the user looks to be about the same in terms of content and reliability. …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
We evaluated FortiClient before buying Cisco AnyConnect but then we decided to go with Cisco AnyConnect due to better pricing, advanced features, and value for money. Even the integration of Cisco Duo was looking easier in Cisco AnyConnect than FortiClient. Another factor was …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
We have used these application so far and we have now good experience with Cisco AnyConnect and we are continuing to use it.
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
[Cisco] AnyConnect is much easier for the end user to use as there is not much to configure. I also consider that the support offered by Cisco is better than that of other vendors. Our entire installed base is Cisco and Meraki so [Cisco] AnyConnect is the tool we are working …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect provides us all the features we need at competitive prices and good customer care support. The software is lightweight, does not require much computer resources, and provides a secure data connection with the advanced encryption algorithm. Easy to use by the …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
I'll [make] it short, Cisco AnyConnect [has] the [many] secure features. [...]

Chose Cisco AnyConnect
Palo Alto and Fortinet are good manufacturers but more than 5 years ago when the project was tendered, Cisco ASA was better for the cost, benefit, and approval apart from the fact that we have Cisco ISE, Cisco DUO and all those tools converge quite well when you have the …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
Agregando más default gw para tener otra opción de conexión

Adding more default GWs to support additional connections
FortiClient
Chose FortiClient
FortiClient was selected by our CEO/CFO and administration staff. Compared to Cisco product, from my point of view as a user, it is incredibly inefficient and unreliable.
Chose FortiClient
AnyConnect would disconnect randomly. One of the main reasons for switching was a vulnerability in the client that Cisco had no plans on patching. We would have to constantly address the vulnerability once a quarter after our vulnerability scans.
Chose FortiClient
FortiClient is easier to use and configure and offers security according to market standards. My position within the company is just to use the program, it was not my decision to choose it, but I think they made a good decision.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Endpoint Security
Comparison of Endpoint Security features of Product A and Product B
Cisco AnyConnect
-
Ratings
FortiClient
9.3
17 Ratings
9% above category average
Anti-Exploit Technology00 Ratings9.115 Ratings
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)00 Ratings9.713 Ratings
Centralized Management00 Ratings9.115 Ratings
Hybrid Deployment Support00 Ratings9.112 Ratings
Infection Remediation00 Ratings9.412 Ratings
Vulnerability Management00 Ratings9.412 Ratings
Malware Detection00 Ratings9.714 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Small Businesses
Avast Small Business Solutions
Avast Small Business Solutions
Score 8.4 out of 10
SentinelOne Singularity
SentinelOne Singularity
Score 9.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Check Point Quantum Security Gateway
Check Point Quantum Security Gateway
Score 9.2 out of 10
CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike Falcon
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Check Point Quantum Security Gateway
Check Point Quantum Security Gateway
Score 9.2 out of 10
BeyondTrust Endpoint Privilege Management
BeyondTrust Endpoint Privilege Management
Score 8.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Likelihood to Recommend
8.6
(93 ratings)
9.3
(26 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.3
(11 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
8.7
(72 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Availability
9.8
(8 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.5
(77 ratings)
9.1
(11 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.7
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
9.7
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco AnyConnectFortiClient
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
It's well suited for the mobile task force we have at Engel for all the information workers, the salespersons, and the salespeople that are abroad and are not often on the Engel premises but are on customer premises. So for them, it's the only really good tool to connect to central IT resources. But when I look to the future way of utilizing cloud resources and having a hybrid approach and having SaaS services like Salesforce, which are running natively in the cloud, then AnyConnect might not be suitable for them because anyway, I have a direct connection via an HTTPS tunnel to run all my SAS applications. I would not see any benefit of using AnyConnect in this case. So the more a company runs in the cloud, the less it needs AnyConnect.
Read full review
Fortinet
FortiClient is really well suited for providing remote employees super quick access to a local network without needing much technical know-how. The virus scanning and web-blocking is also really great at making sure to keep the spam, ads, and other malicious web connections at bay. I have not run into any specific scenario that FortiClient has not been well suited - All of the scenarios in which I have used FortiClient have all functions really well for me.
Read full review
Pros
Cisco
  • Cisco AnyConnect connects the machine with the VPN very smoothly in a few clicks also provides security with Multi-Factor Authentication.
  • It Provides the facility of creating Network groups such as Local and Project Network so that user can limit the connectivity options.
  • The System scan feature is so robust, it Scans the System every time we connect to a new network and remembers the older Network and does not Scans while we connect to usual Netwroks.
Read full review
Fortinet
  • [FortiClient] splits the traffic very well. For example, when users connect a VPN to the office they are connecting to the internal system which uses VPN traffic. If users access the public internet they use the internet traffic, but [Fortinet] does not route this traffic back to the office.
Read full review
Cons
Cisco
  • Manual Administrative Config: The Enrollment requires the user to enroll from their end and can't just be "Setup" for the user unless you act as the user. For things like SMS text, it would be nice just to put it in place and have it work without a "Setup/Enrollment" process. This does, however ensure the user understands the process.
  • Active Directory Sync and Azure Sync Did not automatically match up accounts and duplicate, so I had to do it manually, to be fair the account usernames do not match the Email Address which is used for Azure so it would be difficult.
  • Duo Support and Cisco Support seem to have not been integrated with each other well, most support tickets end up with a Duo expert and a Cisco Firewall Expert on at the same time, though this has improved dramatically.
  • They did not force my Admin to use an NTP Server off the bat, which would have fixed a few issues we had that persisted for a while until he started using one. (A bit old fashioned)
Read full review
Fortinet
  • font way too small on login, unable to select an option, for example, to see each letter of password as typed promotes errors at login
  • login errors and failure rate extremely high as [reported] by all our physicians and other providers: not infrequently one will have to return to office after hours in order to complete charts or access charts to answer patient after hours questions
  • frequent disconnects in spite of excellent internet signal
  • unacceptable interruptions in patient care
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
This is software is easy to use, easy to maintain, easy to support, cost effective, and extremely secure. We will continue to use it for all employees well into the future. We have already renewed our licenses for another 5 years - that's how confident we are that this software will remain a primary security solution for our firm.
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Fortinet
Because the software is very simple and easy to use, very efficient, and has a stable connection that allows the user to perform tasks without problems. Also, this software does not need to be configured by IT technicians, since it comes with a very developed and understandable set up guide.
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Usability
Cisco
Compared to other products that I have used, Cisco gives me more information and it is easy for me to understand what's happening from the application, which is Cisco AnyConnect, which other vendors don't. It's very hard for me if I have to work with other applications, I have to get support from the application owner vendor. But in Cisco, I myself can read through and get this thing. Now with that being very comfortable, I mean very, very useful. I would like to get to more detail in a more simplified way. There are plenty of things. It is also where there is something it gives me in a simplified way. This is what has happened that would help me in some cases. But always there is a scope for improvement in any product. I never rate any product to 10, even if it's better because there is always room for improvement. So I personally feel we can still make this better. It is a good product, but we can still make it better
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Fortinet
Usability is pretty solid. It is not as easy to manage and adjust if you are not a trained IT professional, which requires smaller companies without IT staff to reply on outsourced IT partners. The user interface is a bit clunky, but you can generally figure out what you need to do, it just takes a little bit of time and effort.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Cisco
Thus far, I have not encountered any outages to Cisco AnyConnect. Any firmware updates are completed infrequently and efficiently such that the users don’t experience noticeable downtime. I have not encountered any errors running the platform at any time of day or night , or from any geographical location. Provided a hard-wired or WiFi internet connection is available, expect Cisco AnyConnect to run without unexpected interruption.
Read full review
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Performance
Cisco
We use Cisco AnyConnect to connect to on-prem resources. The delay in connecting is not noticeable.
Read full review
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco
Their support team is extraordinary and quick responding. All support team members have great product knowledge and takes very minimum time for query resolution. Support is available on phone, emails, etc. As per my experience with their support team, I will rate them with 10 stars here because it was truly exceptional.
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Fortinet
FortiClient is a security suite with which we can keep our equipment well-protected. And it is that in a system like Windows, which is always the target of all kinds of attacks, it is not enough to have a simple antivirus.
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Implementation Rating
Cisco
We are quite satisfied with the deployment. We might extend our deployment. My suggestion to everyone will be utilizing Cisco cloud infra as well. As it will give you some nice features like cloud based firewall, DNS Security and threat intelligence. Threat intelligence was a key decision maker for us and people should not ignore it.
Read full review
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
I have tried the above too. I have noticed that the consistency and reliability that connect provides are way better than theirs. Integration with 2-factor authentication apps is something extremely important, and I am not sure if this two software provide such functionality. Network stability and speed are also not as good as Cisco Anyconnect.
Read full review
Fortinet
Meraki MX has a much more basic set of features compared to FortClient and the Fortinet ecosystem of devices and software. Setting up a FortiGate with FortiClient can take a little more time, but the feature set is much richer. We use Meraki MX is a few offices, but are now converting many of them over to the FortiClient and Fortinet suite of security devices and software.
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Scalability
Cisco
It is a simple application with a minimal interface.
Read full review
Fortinet
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • We are able to seamlessly work on multiple clients daily, and it allows us to quickly handle more projects at the same time.
  • Cisco AnyConnect has allowed our own company's coworkers to remotely connect back to the corporate network, easily assisting work schedules and processes, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being forced to work remotely, meant our processes still happened quickly and efficiently, by being able to leverage and use Cisco AnyConnect VPN.
  • Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have worked 100% remotely for a few years now. This was always due to the reliable connectivity and ease of use with Cisco AnyConnect VPN. I live 2+ hours from our nearest corporate office, and even further from some of my client locations, and I have always been able to connect to any of my multiple Cisco AnyConnect VPN connections, within seconds.
Read full review
Fortinet
  • The free version of FortiClient VPN works great.
  • The fact that we have to pay for any version beyond 6.0.3 to connect to our firewalls that we already pay for licensing on is a little silly.
  • There is some support overhead with our clients and users to keep the software updated since it doesn't upgrade to new major versions automatically.
Read full review
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