Download Details
- Version
- 8.0 (latest)
- File size
- 168.8 MB
- License
- Free
- Security scan
- VirusTotal: 61 of 61 engines say OK (0 flagged)
- Developer
- Fortinet
- Supported OS
- Windows 11, Windows 10
- Installers
- 64-bit (x64), Offline
- Downloads
- 25453
- Rating
- 4.6 out of 5 · 71 reviews
Reviewed by Mohamed Zaki
Tested on Windows 11 and 10 · · How we review
Screenshots
FortiClient VPN is Fortinet’s free, VPN-only client. It connects your PC to a company network that runs a Fortinet firewall.
It is built for employees, students and contractors whose IT team hands them a gateway address and a login.
It is worth installing if your employer uses Fortinet. It is a poor choice as a personal VPN for streaming or hiding your location, because it has no public server list.
What is FortiClient VPN?
FortiClient VPN is the free, VPN-only edition of Fortinet’s endpoint client. It builds an encrypted tunnel from your PC to a FortiGate firewall, so you can reach internal apps, shared drives and remote desktops from home.
It does nothing without a gateway to connect to. The app is the doorway, and your employer owns the building.
SSL and IPsec tunnels from one connection profile
You create a profile per gateway and choose whether it uses an SSL VPN or an IPsec VPN. Each profile stores the server address, port and login method.
You can keep several profiles, for example one for the office and one for a lab.
Fortinet has been steering customers toward IPsec on newer firewalls, so ask your administrator which type your gateway uses before you build the profile.
Tip: if a profile will not connect, switch the VPN type to match what IT told you instead of retyping credentials.
Logging in with a token or certificate
Besides a username and password, the client can prompt for a second factor or use a certificate, depending on how the gateway is set up. That keeps a stolen password from being enough on its own.
The setup lives on the firewall side, so the client only asks for what the server demands.
Where the free edition stops
The free client covers the tunnel and nothing else. Central management, policy enforcement and endpoint protection belong to the paid FortiClient tier that an organization runs through Fortinet’s management server.
The free edition also comes without Fortinet technical support, so your IT team is your help desk.
| Feature | FortiClient VPN (free) | Full FortiClient (managed) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Licensed by the organization |
| SSL and IPsec VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Central management | No | Yes |
| Endpoint protection features | No | Yes |
| Fortinet technical support | No | Yes |
Is FortiClient VPN safe to install?
The installer on this page was checked with VirusTotal and came back clean. We review every app manually and ship no bundled extras.
Traffic safety also depends on your gateway. Only connect to an address your administrator gave you.
Why a personal-privacy VPN shopper will find nothing here
If you want a list of countries, streaming unblocking or public Wi-Fi privacy for everyday browsing, this is the wrong tool. It has no servers of its own.
The same goes if your company uses another vendor’s VPN, since this client only speaks to Fortinet gateways.
How to Download & Install
Hit the download button at the top of this page and you get an offline EXE setup built for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11.
Step 1: Double-click the downloaded EXE to start the setup. Approve the Windows prompt if it appears.
Step 2: On the license screen, go through the terms, tick the acceptance box and move on.
Step 3: Click Install to start copying files.
Step 4: Wait while the installation progress bar fills. It takes a short while.
Step 5: Open FortiClient VPN when setup finishes. A welcome message shows on the first launch only.
Step 6: Open the VPN configuration screen and add your connection. Your network administrator provides these details:
- Connection name: any label you will recognize.
- Remote gateway: the address of your company’s VPN server.
- Authentication: your username and password, plus a token or certificate if your company requires one.
If you are unsure about a field, ask your IT support before guessing. A wrong gateway or port is the most common reason a new profile fails.
Offline installer and online installer
The installer on this page is the offline package. It carries everything it needs, so you can copy it to a PC with no internet and install it there.
That helps on locked-down office machines and on laptops you prepare before travel.
Fortinet also publishes a small online installer on its own site, which fetches the files during setup. No portable version is listed for this app.
System requirements
- Windows 11 or Windows 10, 64-bit (x64)
- A VPN gateway from your organization (a Fortinet firewall)
- Login details supplied by your administrator
How to update
The free client has no central management, so updating is a manual job. Grab the newest installer with the button at the top of the page and run it on top of the copy you already have.
Make sure you are disconnected from the VPN first, and write down your connection details in case your administrator asks you to re-enter them.
Fixes for common install and connection problems
- Setup will not start or fails halfway: right-click the installer, choose Run as administrator, and pause other security software for the duration of setup if your IT policy allows it.
- The connection stalls at a percentage and never finishes: check the gateway address and port, try another network, and ask your administrator whether the server expects SSL VPN or IPsec.
- A certificate warning appears on connect: the gateway uses a certificate your PC does not trust. Confirm with your administrator before you accept it.
Pros & Cons
What we liked
- Free for personal and work use
- Supports both SSL and IPsec VPN
- Multiple saved connection profiles
- Works with token or certificate login
- Offline installer for restricted PCs
What we didn't like
- Useless without a Fortinet gateway
- No Fortinet technical support included
- No endpoint protection in free edition
Best FortiClient VPN Alternatives
-
Proton VPNFree VPN with unlimited data, a no-logs policy and a Swiss base.
-
PsiphonLets you browse freely and securely, breaking through restrictions with ease.
-
NordVPNKeeps your online activity private, secure, and unrestricted with easy-to-use protection.
-
Windscribe VPNA secure and versatile VPN that lets you browse privately and access blocked content.
Conclusion
4.6out of 5 · 71 user ratings
Which VPN client you need is decided by the gateway your employer runs, not by taste. Here is how FortiClient VPN sits next to the clients people most often use instead.
Check the price and the standout feature in each row to see which one matches your situation.
| App | Best For | Price | Platform | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FortiClient VPN | Connecting to Fortinet firewalls | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | SSL and IPsec profiles in one client |
| OpenVPN Connect | Servers that run OpenVPN | Free client | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Imports profile files in one step |
| WireGuard | Fast, simple tunnels to your own server | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Very small and quick to connect |
| Cisco Secure Client | Cisco-based company networks | Requires an organization license | Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile | Modular security add-ons |
Final verdict
If your employer or school runs Fortinet firewalls, FortiClient VPN is the correct and free way to get in. Install it, enter the details from IT, and you are done.
If you only want a VPN for privacy or region changes, pick a consumer service instead.
FAQ
Does FortiClient VPN cost anything if my company already pays for Fortinet?
No, the VPN-only client is free to install and use. Paid licensing applies to the full managed FortiClient, which adds management and protection features.
What do I enter as the remote gateway?
Enter the server address your network administrator gave you. It is usually a domain name or an IP address, with a port if your setup uses a custom one.
Can I use FortiClient VPN without a Fortinet firewall?
No. The client only connects to Fortinet gateways, so it does nothing on its own.
Why does the connection stall at 98% or another number?
It usually means the gateway rejected or never answered the request. Check the address and port, try a different network, and ask your administrator to confirm the VPN type.
What is the difference between FortiClient VPN and the full FortiClient?
The free one only handles VPN tunnels. The full client adds central management and endpoint protection, and your organization pays for it.
Can I use it to watch streaming sites from another country?
No, it has no public server list and only reaches the gateway your employer sets up.
Found a problem with this download? Report an outdated version, broken link, suspicious installer or incorrect information.
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