FortiClient vs Ivanti Connect Secure (2026): which should you pick?

Pick FortiClient if

• Fits if your company already runs Fortinet gateways and wants a matching client
• Makes sense if you want a free VPN-only client for a single device

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to control a desktop remotely, as it is a VPN and endpoint agent
• Watch out: no prices are published and editions are bought through Fortinet's channels
• Watch out: support, central management and posture assessment aren't in the VPN-only edition
• Tight if you manage many devices, since central management needs a separately deployed EMS

Pick Ivanti Connect Secure if

• Fits if you are an IT team that wants a VPN gateway it controls
• Makes sense if you already run virtual appliances on ESXi or Hyper-V

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you don't want to manage a gateway, since it runs on a physical or virtual Ivanti appliance
• Watch out: no prices are published and the page directs buyers to contact sales
• Watch out: central management uses a separate product, Ivanti Secure Access Framework
• Tight if you want a trial, as no free plan or trial is listed

FortiClient

• No prices are published; editions are bought through Fortinet's How to Buy channels.
• Support, central management and zero trust posture assessment are not in the VPN-only edition.
• Central management needs a separately deployed FortiClient EMS.
• It is a VPN and endpoint agent, not a tool for controlling a desktop remotely.

Ivanti Connect Secure

• No prices are published; the page directs buyers to contact sales.
• It runs on the Ivanti Security Appliance, physical or virtual, so you manage a gateway.
• Centralized management uses a separate product, Ivanti Secure Access Framework.
• The page lists no free plan or trial.

FortiClient

VPN and ZTNA tunnels

The unified agent supports both zero trust application access and VPN-encrypted tunnels for remote workers.

Endpoint posture checks

ZTNA Edition includes real-time endpoint posture checks and VPN with continuous assessment.

Web filtering and CASB

URL and video filtering through FortiGuard, plus inline and API-based CASB, are part of the ZTNA Edition.

Endpoint protection

The EPP/APT Edition adds AI-powered antivirus and malware protection on top of the ZTNA features.

Central management

Editions are managed centrally from the FortiClient Endpoint Management Server, with central logging and reporting available.

Fabric integration

As a Fabric Agent it reports device information to the Fortinet Security Fabric for visibility and control.

Ivanti Connect Secure

Unified secure access client

One client provides remote VPN and local network access on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Android apps on ChromeOS.

Flexible VPN modes

Supports full Layer 3 VPN, per-app VPN, on-demand and always-on access, lockdown mode and FQDN or IP-based split tunneling.

Clientless access

Gives browser-based access to published applications and virtual desktops without an installed client.

Conditional access and endpoint checks

Evaluates users and devices against policies on each access attempt and can assess an endpoint before sign-in.

Passwordless sign-in

Supports FIDO2 authentication with passkeys, biometrics and PINs.

Hardened gateway

ICS 25.x runs on Oracle Linux 9 with SELinux enforcing, a web application firewall and secure boot with TPM support.

FortiClient

• VPN-only$0

  VPN client without support or central management; the downloads page points to Enterprise tiers for those.

• Standalone EditionCustom

  Subscription with email support, aimed at small businesses. Sold through Fortinet's How to Buy channels.

• ZTNA EditionCustom

  Adds zero trust application access, posture checks, web filtering, CASB and management through EMS.

• EPP/APT EditionCustom

  Everything in ZTNA Edition plus AI-powered antivirus and malware protection.

Ivanti Connect Secure

Pricing could not be confirmed. See ivanti.com.