FortiClient vs Symantec Endpoint Protection

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Our analysts compared FortiClient vs Symantec Endpoint Protection based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Endpoint Security Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

FortiClient Software Tool
Symantec Endpoint Protection Software Tool

Product Basics

FortiClient is an integrated platform that provides users with multi-layered malware protection. It allows organizations to have complete visibility and control over hardware inventory throughout the security fabric. Its automated next-generation protection can identify and contain known and unknown threats.

It is available with on-premise and web-based deployments and is designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Its behavior-based protection guards against known and unknown threats and prevents the exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
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Symantec Endpoint Protection is a security software suite that helps protect computers from various threats like malware and viruses. It's a good fit for businesses of all sizes and works on both Windows and Mac computers. Symantec Endpoint Protection offers features such as antivirus and antispyware protection, firewall and intrusion prevention, web filtering, and data protection. It also works well with other Symantec products. Users appreciate its effectiveness in preventing infections and its ability to control device usage through a central control panel. Symantec Endpoint Protection is available for around $40 per year for each user.

Pricing and features of security software can change frequently, so it's always a good idea to check the latest information online.

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Linux
Android
Chromebook
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On-Premise
Mobile
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On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Advanced Threat Protection: It automatically detects and prevents zero-day, advanced malware and known threats by integrating with FortiSandbox Cloud and cloud-based FortiGuard global threat intelligence. 
  • Security Fabric Integration: FortiClient integrates endpoints into a security fabric for early detection and prevention of advanced threats. It reports real-time security events that include zero-day malware, botnet detections and vulnerabilities. 
  • Secures Remote Access: FortiClient simplifies the remote user experience with built-in auto-connect and always-up VPN features. It can provide an additional layer of security with two-factor authentication. Users can get secure and reliable access to corporate networks from any internet-connected remote location. 
  • Simplifies Endpoint Management: It provides users with real-time central management that can monitor the attack surface, manage vulnerabilities, enforce security compliance and track changes. 
  • Regular Updates: FortiClient provides users with regularly updated downloads that can ensure device protection with the latest threat data and intelligence. 
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  • Stay Safe: With Symantec Endpoint software, users can protect valuable digital assets from malicious actors, whether it’s on or offline. 
  • Be Proactive About Threats: The product blocks zero-day attacks by defending against common memory vulnerabilities. 
  • Save Money: Hackers, breaches, viruses and malware can cost businesses thousands of dollars each year. By deploying endpoint software, users can protect their enterprise — and their bottom line. 
  • Delivered by the Cloud: Symantec Endpoint Protection 15, the latest version of the software, is delivered via the cloud, providing a multi-layered defense, simple management, AI-assisted policy changes and powerful updates. 
  • Kill Complexity: The product is a single endpoint protection suite that covers deception, hardening, detection and response with built-in integration. 
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  • Automated Security Protection: It allows administrators to set policies and automatically quarantine vulnerable or compromised endpoints. It delivers visibility, compliance control and automation. 
  • Vulnerability Management: FortiClient lets users detect OS and third-party application vulnerabilities across the attack surface using vulnerability management solutions. It automates vulnerability patching to secure critical assets. 
  • Dynamic Access Control: Virtual groups are created by FortiClient EMS, retrieved by FortiGate and utilized in Firewall policy to provide dynamic access control. It helps users automate and simplify compliance for security policies. 
  • FortiClient Anti-Exploit: Its anti-exploit technology provides an extra layer of protection by monitoring host memory to detect and block numerous memory techniques, including return-oriented programming, heap spraying and more. 
  • Software Inventory Management: It provides visibility into installed software applications and license management to improve security hygiene. Inventory information can be used to detect and remove unnecessary or outdated applications. 
  • FortiClient for Linux: Its real-time scanning can protect Linux desktops and servers against malware. Users can integrate Linux endpoints with other devices in the Fortinet security fabric using a fabric agent module. 
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  • Anti-Malware: This software has proactive anti-malware features that actively monitor and scan for malicious software on the device. Symantec checks against a database of known software to defend against threats. 
  • Beat Ransomware: Uses a combination of signatures and critical endpoint technologies to detect and defend against ransomware, which can cripple an organization. 
  • Machine Learning: A machine learning database using Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network, identifies threats automatically and learns from attackers. The Global Intelligence Network is the largest civilian threat database in the world. 
  • SEP Deception Suite: This software comes equipped with additional deception software. It bates and lures attackers with false vulnerabilities, coaxes them into revealing their attack methodology, and then automatically adjusts user’s actual infrastructure to defend against it. 
  • Multi-layered Defense: A multi-layered defense suite is included with the software, and can be tuned to work on the fly. 
  • Simplified Rollout and Management: On-premise or in the cloud, group policies and network-wide updates are simplified, reducing update fatigue. 
  • Platform Agnostic: Run on Mac, PC and Linux. The software is a good fit for small or medium-sized businesses looking for comprehensive protection.
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Product Ranking

#9

among all
Endpoint Security Software

#2

among all
Endpoint Security Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 308 reviews
Great User Sentiment 2043 reviews
89%
of users recommend this product

FortiClient has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 89% when considering 308 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

84%
of users recommend this product

Symantec Endpoint Protection has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 2043 user reviews from 6 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.4 (1)
4.4 (71)
4.4 (461)
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4.5 (377)
4.4 (132)
n/a
4.6 (78)
4.5 (832)
4.3 (22)
4.1 (63)
4.0 (5)
2.6 (309)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Zero-Day Attacks: Its behavioral-based detection capability protects against zero-day attacks.
Web Filtering: Its web filtering option protects against malicious sites when connected with unsecured networks.
Database: Its database is continuously updated to protect against new threats.
Connection to VPNs: The process of connecting to VPN services is easy and straightforward.
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Easy to Use: Its basic level of functionality is easily integrated, deployed and managed, as noted by all the reviewers who mention ease of use.
Built-in Firewall: Offers protection against medium-scale threats and outbreaks with an effective built-in firewall, as observed by 80% of the users who refer to firewalls.
Security Policies: All the reviewers who specify enhanced security report that different security policies can be set up across the entire network if needed.
Scheduled Scanning: Pre-installation on all the endpoint devices provides scheduled scanning and updates, as stated by 100% of the users who refer to scans.
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Auto-Update: It does not provide any auto-update features.
User Connectivity: It can be hard to debug user connectivity problems.
Interrupt Connections: It can disconnect sometimes, interrupting important connections.
Resource-Intensive: It uses a large amount of system resources.
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Slow Performance: Regular scanning can slow down certain devices’ performance, as noted by 70% of reviewers who mention speed.
Block Sources: Incorrect judgments can quarantine legitimate sources as suspect objects, as observed by all the users who refer to aggressive protection.
False Positives: Around 70% of reviewers who specify false positives note that it picks up false positives during scanning.
System Resources: Uses a large number of system resources, as stated by around 80% of reviewers mentioning resource utilization.
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FortiClient provides its users with multilayered endpoint security for threat prevention. It provides real-time visibility of global software inventory and helps end users access internal networks from remote locations. Its cloud-delivered service is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

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Symantec Endpoint Protection provides multi-layered defense and AI-assisted policy updates in its latest version delivered through the cloud. It is a user-friendly solution that provides regular updates and scanning. However, users note that constant scanning can slow down the performance of devices. Many reviewers have noted that it can be annoying with false positives and blocked sources. It is best suited for small to medium-sized organizations; if you have a large organization that regularly faces advanced threats, then this might not be an appropriate product.

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Screenshots

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