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Head-to-head · Vpn Client

Tailscale vs FortiClient

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Tailscale #4 in Vpn Client 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Tailscale
FortiClient #5 in Vpn Client 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit FortiClient

Tailscale leads on 1 check, FortiClient on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTailscale · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly Tailscale
  • Free trialonly Tailscale

Tailscale scores higher on our rubric for vpn client: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Tailscale offers free plan; FortiClient doesn't.

Tailscale is the better fit for teams connecting private networks across clouds. FortiClient is the better fit for enterprises managing VPN and endpoint security.

  • Tailscale fits best

    Teams connecting private networks across clouds

  • FortiClient fits best

    Enterprises managing VPN and endpoint security

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Side by side

Feature Tailscale 8.7/10 Visit ↗ FortiClient 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #4 in Vpn Client #5 in Vpn Client
Best for Teams connecting private networks across clouds Enterprises managing VPN and endpoint security
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $8/user/mo Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Community · 24/7
Integrations 16 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Tailscale 0/2 · FortiClient 0/2
Kill switch Not checked yet Not checked yet
Split tunneling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Simultaneous connections Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
VPN protocols Not checked yet Not checked yet
Server locations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects private cloud networks through subnet routers and overlay networking
  • Integrates with identity providers including Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and GitHub
  • Offers Terraform and Pulumi integrations alongside clients for major platforms
  • Combines remote-access VPN and ZTNA with endpoint protection.
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
  • EMS or FortiClient Cloud centralizes deployment and policies.
Cons
  • Personal is limited to 6 users and 3 ACL groups
  • Standard costs $8 per user per month; Premium costs $18
  • Enterprise uses custom pricing and bundling
  • VPN is part of a wider endpoint security suite.
  • Pricing is contact-sales rather than published by plan.
  • Supported systems and features vary by edition.
Our verdict

Tailscale creates encrypted networks connecting users, devices, servers, cloud environments, Kubernetes clusters, and workloads. Its VPN-style connectivity is aimed at teams that need private access across clouds or regions, as well as…

Read the review →

FortiClient is a modular endpoint agent from Fortinet for organizations that need remote access alongside endpoint security management. Depending on edition, it covers antivirus and ransomware protection, web and content filtering,…

Read the review →
  1. TailscaleVpn Client 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. FortiClientVpn Client 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Tailscale — where it wins

    • Connects private cloud networks through subnet routers and overlay networking
    • Integrates with identity providers including Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and GitHub
    • Offers Terraform and Pulumi integrations alongside clients for major platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Personal is limited to 6 users and 3 ACL groups
    • Standard costs $8 per user per month; Premium costs $18
    • Enterprise uses custom pricing and bundling

  • FortiClient — where it wins

    • Combines remote-access VPN and ZTNA with endpoint protection.
    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
    • EMS or FortiClient Cloud centralizes deployment and policies.

    Where it doesn't

    • VPN is part of a wider endpoint security suite.
    • Pricing is contact-sales rather than published by plan.
    • Supported systems and features vary by edition.

More comparisons

All vpn client comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update