Comparison matrix
Let's start with a high-level feature comparison between Defguard and Fortinet, then we'll dive into the critical details.
| Feature | Defguard | Fortinet VPN (FortiClient + FortiGate) |
|---|---|---|
| VPN Protocol | WireGuard® - Fast, stateless, minimal attack surface. | IPsec & SSL VPN - Slower, stateful, legacy protocols. |
| Architecture | Modern Microservices - Segregated control & data planes. | Appliance-Centric Monolith - Centralized, public-facing FortiGate. |
| Post-Breach Resilience | High - Designed to resist persistent threats. | Critically Low - Malware on FortiGate (COATHANGER) survives patches. |
| MFA Enforcement | Protocol-level MFA - Built-in, every connection authenticated. | Application-level 2FA - Requires costly add-ons like FortiToken. |
| Open Source | Yes - Fully open-source, written in Rust for verifiable security. | No - Proprietary, closed-source system. |
| Identity Management | Built-in IdP & simple SSO integration (Microsoft, Google, Okta). | Requires separate FortiAuthenticator component. |
| Onboarding | User-centric & automated - Self-service via enrollment tokens. | Administrator-driven & manual via FortiClient EMS. |
| Performance | Superior - High throughput, low latency via peer-to-peer connections. | Variable - Centralized gateway bottlenecks. |
| Cost | Simple & Predictable - Subscription-based, all features included. | Complex & Opaque - Multiple hidden license fees. |
Defguard vs. Fortinet VPN: Architecture & Performance
Fortinet's VPN solution relies on a traditional model where the FortiClient endpoint connects to a central FortiGate appliance. All traffic is funneled through a central FortiGate appliance. This monolithic architecture, where dozens of services are bundled into the FortiOS codebase, creates a single, massive point of failure and a performance bottleneck. For a Head of IT, this means any attack on the gateway can bring the entire remote access infrastructure down.
In stark contrast, Defguard employs a modern microservice architecture that segregates the control and data planes. The control plane operates exclusively within your internal network, inaccessible from the public internet. The data plane, built on WireGuard®, is decentralized, enabling direct connections that eliminate bottlenecks, improve latency, and enhance reliability.
Defguard Secure Architecture
Defguard's secure microservice architecture: Internal Core and external stateless Proxy (public-facing) ensure sensitive data never leaves your internal network while providing secure remote access.
Defguard vs. Fortinet VPN: Security & Post-Breach Resilience
This is the most critical differentiator. Fortinet's security model has proven to be dangerously fragile against sophisticated threats.
The FortiGate appliance's design has resulted in a recurring pattern of critical, remotely exploitable vulnerabilities (like CVE-2024-21762). These flaws have been actively exploited by state-sponsored actors like China's Volt Typhoon to gain initial access to critical infrastructure.
However, the greatest failure is the inability to recover from a breach. According to Dutch intelligence services (MIVD), a custom Remote Access Trojan named COATHANGER was developed specifically for FortiGate devices. This malware:
- Survives reboots and firmware upgrades.
- Hides its presence by hooking system calls, making it invisible to standard admin tools.
- Was used to compromise at least 20,000 FortiGate devices globally.
For a CISO, this is a catastrophic risk. It means that even after applying a patch, the FortiGate device cannot be trusted, creating unacceptable business risk.
Defguard's foundation on its open-source Rust codebase provides a modern, auditable cryptographic suite with a minimal attack surface. You can verify the code, not just trust a vendor's opaque security claims.
Defguard vs. Fortinet: Authentication & Identity Management
Fortinet requires a complex ecosystem for modern authentication, needing separate products like FortiAuthenticator for SSO and FortiToken for MFA. This fragments security and inflates costs.
Defguard simplifies this natively. It includes a built-in Identity Provider (IdP) and supports any OIDC provider (Microsoft, Google, Okta) out of the box, with no extra licenses, reducing the burden on IT teams.
Defguard vs. Fortinet: Policy Enforcement
Defguard uses a flexible, identity-based ACL system. Policies are tied to user identity, not static IP addresses, making them more secure and easier to manage than the complex rule sets on a centralized FortiGate appliance.
The Strategic Difference: Fortinet vs. Defguard
The choice between Fortinet and Defguard is a choice between two fundamentally different security philosophies. The table below shows the real-world consequences of each architectural approach.
| Security Principle | Legacy Appliance Approach (FortiGate) | Modern Software Approach (Defguard) |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Surface | Large, monolithic, and complex; a single vulnerability can lead to full device compromise, as repeatedly demonstrated by multiple critical CVEs. | Based on a secure microservice architecture. Each component is independent, eliminating single points of failure and drastically reducing the attack surface. |
| Vulnerability Impact | High; a perimeter breach grants state-sponsored actors a long-term foothold for lateral movement and deep network access. | Contained; breaches are isolated by design. The "blast radius" of any single component failure is minimized. |
| System Integrity | Assumed & Fragile; vulnerable to persistent threats (e.g., COATHANGER) that survive reboots and patches, rendering the device untrustworthy. | Verified & Resilient; employs continuous integrity monitoring and immutable components to ensure the platform remains trustworthy. |
| Vendor Transparency | Opaque & Vendor-Centric; "silent patching" leaves customers unknowingly exposed while attackers reverse-engineer fixes. | Transparent & Customer-Centric; timely disclosure empowers defenders to accurately assess risk and take immediate action. |
Initial Setup & Management
Deploying Fortinet's VPN is a resource-intensive process involving FortiGate hardware and FortiClient EMS for management.
Defguard is designed for simplicity. To simplify evaluation, we provide a one-line install script to deploy a complete test instance, allowing you to get familiar with the solution's features quickly. For production-ready rollout, we support modern workflows with deployment options for Docker Compose, Terraform for AWS, and Kubernetes.
Cost & Licensing
Fortinet's pricing requires multiple, separate licenses for FortiGate hardware, FortiClient endpoints, MFA, SSO, and mandatory support contracts, leading to unforeseen costs.
Defguard offers several plans, including our comprehensive Enterprise plan designed for business-critical deployments. This approach ensures straightforward, subscription-based pricing without the hidden fees common in the Fortinet ecosystem. For a full comparison of our plans, please see our pricing page.
The Bottom Line
Fortinet's VPN solution is a traditional VPN defined by its legacy architecture and a demonstrated history of critical security failures. The FortiGate appliance's design allows for persistent compromises that survive patching – a risk modern businesses cannot afford.
Defguard provides a modern, resilient alternative. Built on the secure WireGuard® protocol, its microservice architecture and open-source transparency offer a solution engineered to withstand the advanced threats that target legacy systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Defguard a more resilient alternative to Fortinet's VPN solution?
Defguard is more resilient due to its modern microservice architecture that separates control and data planes, minimizing the attack surface. Unlike FortiGate's monolithic design, which has proven vulnerable to persistent threats like COATHANGER that survive patching, Defguard's open-source, decentralized model is designed to contain threats and prevent deep network compromise.
What are the benefits of WireGuard® over Fortinet's IPsec/SSL VPN?
WireGuard® is a faster, more modern, and less complex protocol than IPsec/SSL VPN. It has a significantly smaller codebase, making it easier to audit and secure. This results in higher performance, lower latency, and a reduced attack surface compared to the legacy protocols used by Fortinet's VPN solution, which have a history of critical vulnerabilities.
How difficult is it to migrate from Fortinet to Defguard?
Migration to Defguard is designed to be straightforward. As Defguard is a software-only solution, it eliminates the complex FortiGate hardware setup and FortiClient EMS management overhead. You can test Defguard with a one-line install script and deploy for production using modern infrastructure-as-code tools.
Can Defguard integrate with our existing identity provider like Microsoft Entra ID?
Yes. Defguard natively integrates with any OpenID Connect (OIDC) compliant identity provider, including Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Okta, and Google Workspace. This is a core feature, unlike Fortinet, which often requires costly components like FortiAuthenticator for full SSO.
Is Defguard more cost-effective than Fortinet's VPN?
Yes. Defguard offers a lower TCO. Our pricing is transparent. Fortinet's model involves numerous hidden costs for FortiGate hardware, FortiClient licenses, support contracts, MFA tokens (FortiToken), and SSO integration (FortiAuthenticator).
Why does being open-source make Defguard more secure than a closed-source solution like Fortinet's?
Defguard's open-source codebase allows for public scrutiny and independent audits by security experts worldwide. This transparency means vulnerabilities are often found and fixed faster than in a closed-source environment like Fortinet's, where users must blindly trust the vendor. Verifiable security builds a higher level of trust.